Winter is in full swing in Winnipeg, and that means frigid temperatures, icy conditions, and plenty of snow (and salt!) on the roads.
The winter is very hard on our cars, so at Ride Time, we’re here with some tips on how you can protect your car from the elements this winter. From engine care to preventing corrosion due to salt, we’ve got the tips you need! Read on.
1. Get Your Car Washed And Waxed Regularly During The Winter
Road salt is a wonderful thing when it comes to keeping roads clear. Road salt lowers the melting point of water, so that snow and ice melt away even when the temperatures are below freezing. This makes it much easier to drive in wintry conditions.
But road salt is also extremely corrosive, and can damage your car’s paint job. Most cars with intact paint are not at risk of this, because there is nowhere for the salt to begin corroding. But if you already have some rusty spots, or areas where your paint is chipped away, you may be at serious risk of further damage.
You should wash and wax your car regularly during winter, to avoid this. Washing removes most of the salt that builds up over time, and waxing can help repel dirt, mud, water, and snow that contains salt particles.
2. Make Sure Your Windshield Wiper Fluid Is Full – And Doesn’t Freeze!
To keep stains and salt off of your windshield, you’ll need to take good care of your windshield wipers, and make sure you have enough windshield wiper fluid. It’s also critically important to choose wiper fluid that’s rated for the frigid Winnipeg winter.
Most fluid is rated to -30C, but in Winnipeg, temperatures can easily drop lower than this, which can result in a frozen wiper fluid system. This may not seem like a big deal, but dirt and grime pile up on your windshield fast in the winter – and if you can’t clear it away, you could easily get into an accident.
You can either purchase specialized wiper fluid to solve this issue, or add a small amount of antifreeze to your wiper fluid in order to boost its temperature resistance. If
3. Keep Your Car Inside If You Can – And Protect It If You Can’t
It’s ideal to have a garage to store your car, of course. This makes it easy to keep your car warmer in the winter, and you may avoid having to use appliances such as block heaters during the colder months in Winnipeg.
But we realize not everyone has a garage or carport where they can keep their vehicle, and they may have to park on the street.
If you park outside, you’re going to need either a block heater or an electric engine blanket. Both of these devices work by warming up your engine and keeping it from getting too cold – which can result in sludgy oil, poor performance, or even a failure to start altogether.
You should also consider investing in a car cover. Car covers can be used to protect your vehicle from ice and snow when you’re not driving, and have the added benefit of being removable. After a snow storm, you can remove the cover, and the ice and snow will come off with it!
4. Keep Your Interior Clean!
It’s impossible to avoid bringing slush, water, and snow into your car during the winter, but you should use the appropriate products to make sure it doesn’t stain, or damage your interior upholstery.
All-weather mats are a great choice, here. Made of rubber, they channel water, ice and snow away from your upholstery, until you clean them out or the moisture disperses into the air. This protects your underlying interior materials. You can also use products like Scotchgard to protect leather and textiles from staining.
Need To Protect Your Car? Come To Ride Time Today!
Whether you need new snow tires, an engine tune-up, or fluid checks, Ride Time is the best place for you in Winnipeg. We can repair, maintain, check, and even detail your car! You can trust us to deliver reliable service, and keep you safe this winter in Winnipeg.
So don’t fear the snow, and don’t let it damage your car! Check out these tips, and come in to Ride Time today if your car needs servicing!
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