Road salt is a winter hitchhiker you don’t want to be giving rides to. Over time, sodium chloride residue can turn into automotive cancer, eating away at metals on your vehicle.

Frequent washing may help extend the life of your vehicle, but how often should you wash your car in the winter, especially considering that freezing temperatures can lead to sticky situations regarding door handles, window seams, and door frames?

The keys are consistency and timing. While rock salt can make for safer driving conditions, it can also cause serious damage to the undercarriage of your car, including wheel wells and brakes. Other hidden parts like metal brake and fuels lines are also susceptible to corrosion.

Recommendations include washing your car, especially the underbody, once a week during the winter months if you drive your vehicle frequently. Due to improvements to paints and primers, salt doesn’t generally show up as rust in a hurry; however, consistent washing of your vehicle can deter the long-term effects of corrosion on bare metal that eventually leads to rust.

Also, plan ahead if there’s an expected cold snap heading your way. Time your washes prior to extremely low temperatures to avoid frozen locks and stuck windows and doors. It’s also a good idea to get a wash when the weather warms up again, making the roads particularly sloppy again.

Whether you wash your car at home or use a car wash, it is recommended to thoroughly dry the vehicle as well. Don’t forget to dry the inside the door frames, too. To avoid frozen locks, carefully spray a small amount of WD-40 into the lock after washing.

Lastly, consider waxing your vehicle in the fall, which provides an extra layer of protection, making it easier to remove the salt residue.

Regardless of how often you drive your vehicle in the winter, keep in mind that consistent, well-timed washes can deter the damaging effects of rock salt on your car.

How often do you wash your car in the winter?

Image by Martin Carthrae via flickr, licensed under CC by 2.0