Help Your Car Shine Along Winter Roads

Severe weather attacks your car from every angle.

How do you help your vehicle survive harsh winter driving?

“The most important thing to do in the winter is wash your car frequently,” said Ron Fausnight of Shell Car Care. “Removing the dirt and grime regularly will make your car look better and prevent corrosion from harsh salt and sand, or other roadway filth.”

Headlights

Headlights are at the forefront of wet winter driving. They’re exposed to dirt, salt, rain and other factors that cuts their luminosity and your vision at night.

What to do?

Polish the headlights. Removing dirt build-up improves nighttime visibility. If lenses are dull, consider a polishing kit or replacement.

Glass care

Clean both outside and inside glass. Use a glass cleaner on all glass. This helps prevent streaking or smearing on the outside, and removes the oily film that tends to build up on the inside glass.

Consider applying a water-repellent product designed to bead-off water on exterior glass. An anti-fog product can be applied on the inside to reduce interior fogging during the cold weather.

Wheel Care

Keeping your wheels clean is about making sure rust and corrosion don’t set in.

A layer of wheel protectant or traditional wax takes on added significance in the winter. Salts, acids and chemicals used to clear snow and ice of roadways are extremely caustic to a wheel’s finishes, causing permanent damage if left untreated.

Slop and road salt is a way of life in winter, especially in the northern states and Canada.

A layer of polish or traditional auto wax provides protection against filthy winter roads.

Choose a cleaner that is acid-free. A general rule: If it is safe to use on vehicle paint, it is safe to use on wheels.

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