Topic: How Often Do you Wash Your Vehicle During Winter

[dr_spock]

Probably about once a month when the temperature is above freezing.  I'd be out on the driveway with a warm bucket of water.

[bensonc]

I did wash mine like once a month, but it sound like I better let it alone from letting the salt to work with water..

[Allen]

once every week or so just to get the grim off, use the touchless ones at the local Shell station, not a great job but it serves the purpose...

[airbalancer]

So far only once this winter, it was the temps above 5 C and was able to get the pressure washer out and did in the driveway

[Julie]

Once every 1-2 weeks.  Local coin wash.

[Iso Octane]

Never.

I've started wondering if this a better way. Do you do this because the salt needs moisture to rust?

That is exactly the reason.

I also do not park indoors, even if it only slightly above freezing in the garage. The worst thing you can do is park in a heated garage.

But..... doesn't the salt soak up and hold moisture on humid/moist days?

For example on a crisp cold dry day the car is salt caked and white like in your photo.  That's totally fine, but if the next day is humid you might notice that the salt isn't so visible anymore.

[No H2O]

But..... doesn't the salt soak up and hold moisture on humid/moist days?

It does, but I'd sooner have it sit on the surface than drawn into crevices during washing.

Your choice. Besides, if you are like most people who don't keep a car till it drops, it won't make a difference. You don't see rust on too many cars in the first 7 years.

[Weexy]

Sunny and +7 here today.  Might just have to pull out the bucket & sponge and give the TL a bath.

[safristi]

 wot aboot using yer Mother's BALLS.......................

[Weexy]

First things first... get 'er cleaned up, then i can start using my gear.....

[Leviathan]

Every 6 months when the oil is changed at the dealership 

[maritime_storm]

I wash them during the winter when I can't stand to look at them that dirty any longer. The Ranger has been washed twice this winter, the ION will be washed on Sunday. So far as not washing because the salt will go places it wouldn't otherwise is a load of S..., it goes to those places just as bad on the highway following a truck as it would by washing it.

[safristi]

My Ranger and Millie get a quick TOONIE DETAILING  @ tha local PREMIUM WASH'O'RAMA forthrighty & Fortnightly...'cos tha Crows and doves and wee birdies crapolloverthem.com..............and i get to shampoo my golden locks with the pink oozing brush thingy...get me inta tha TOP KLUBS fer free ..................

[rosie]

I wash my cars twice a year whether they need it or not

[CanuckG35]

It's extremely rare that I wash my vehicles during the winter months.  I might take it to a coin op once in awhile and just spray it down, but I never make any physical contact with my paint.  For those that use the automatic/touchless car washes, I'd recommend against them.  They use recycled/dirty water and also harsh detergents that will help strip away any paint protection you may have. 

For those that want to wash their car in the winter, I would recommend using a rinseless car wash product like QEW (Quick & Easy Wash) or ONR (Optimum No Rinse).  Great products and are paint friendly.

[airbalancer]

I was going to check out the season pass at Peto Can , 3 months and you get a wash daily, for I think they said $90
may look at mid Dec to mid Mar

[tpl]

Every other fill up in winter.   maybe twice in the whole summer.   This year I did wash the GTI by hand.   I have a softened water tap in the garage but I don't think the softener can keep up with the hose.

 G is full of touchless washes which may be better for paint but never seem to get the car clean  but now we have a decent full touch wash with new equipment that is not too bad.

[CanuckG35]

Ugh, the thought of people taking their cars to car washes makes me shiver.  On the other hand, it's what keeps me in business!   

[KptKrunch]

I wash them during the winter when I can't stand to look at them that dirty any longer. The Ranger has been washed twice this winter, the ION will be washed on Sunday. So far as not washing because the salt will go places it wouldn't otherwise is a load of S..., it goes to those places just as bad on the highway following a truck as it would by washing it.

+1 there. I have no idea where some of you guys are getting your crazy ideas from? Not washing because you're afraid the water will carry the salt to places it wouldn't go? That makes no sense to me whatsoever. But hey, it's your car(s) and you guys do what you want. I just bought a new car (took delivery Oct 23rd) - have had nothing done to it yet though I did put weathertech floor liners in her (both front and back). I wash it approx. once / week. I don't want that crude on my car, seeping into those places you guys don't want it too when it warms up and I'm driving in slop and getting wet salt and sand sprayed all over my car anyway. I take it to the auto spa where they do a hand wash and towel job when I can, if not I take it to a touchless laser wash. Idea here is to keep the salt / sand from getting in those nooks and crannies, and it definitely will if you 'never' wash it in the winter time.

Besides, with all that crude on it, one person rubs up against it and then you get to spend a few hours working your butt off getting those scratches out of the paint in the spring.

Man, never - good luck with that one

[Winklovic]

Ugh, the thought of people taking their cars to car washes makes me shiver.  On the other hand, it's what keeps me in business!   

What do you suggest we do in Winnipeg when it's below zero?