Protecting Your Vehicle from Michigan Winter Wear

Michigan’s winter may be in full force, but it’s not too late to protect your car from the typical vehicle wear this season brings.

Where Does Winter Wear on Your Vehicle?

Exterior & Undercarriage

With more than a million tons of road salt used in Michigan annually, it’s important to know what damages it can cause to your car. The salt used to de-ice roads can actually strip your paint off. To prevent the paint from corroding, chipping, or bubbling–be sure to regularly wash your car throughout the winter, especially after a major snow or ice storm.

It’s important that the undercarriage of your car get washed as well. This part of the vehicle typically receives the most salt. While you don’t have to worry about paint on your undercarriage, rust is an even bigger concern. Your frame, muffler, and other undercarriage parts can erode and break apart without proper sealing. Applying wax throughout the season will also give your car an extra layer of protection. Apply a fresh dose of wax every three months.

Wheels & Tires

Road salt not only damages the paint on your car, but it can erode your wheels as well. Cleaning and waxing your wheels regularly will keep them in better condition.

Road salt isn’t the only problem when it comes to wheels and tires. There are many obstacles throughout the winter such as snow banks and potholes that can misalign your tires. It’s essential to make sure that your tires are aligned to reduce improper wear on your tires.

Lower temperatures during the season can cause air pressure to drop within your tires. This can lower fuel efficiency and wear your tires down faster. Be sure to check your tire pressure once per month, but more often if there are large fluctuations in temperature.

Windshield & Wipers

Choosing a windshield washer fluid that is mean for winter temperatures means that you won’t have to worry about the fluid freezing when you need it most. Quality wipers are also an important part of keeping your windshield clean and free of debris, and keeping your visibility at its highest. Poor wiper blades can cause streaking which can making driving in the winter very dangerous. Wiper blades should be replaced every 6 months to a year. If you notice a difference in visibility, it’s time to change yours out.  

Interior Protection

Investing in a set of rubber mats will help protect the carpet in your car from mud, snow, and salt. Not only will mats protect the interior of your car from water damage, but it will prevent any foul odors from arising from wet, musty carpeting.

Additional Tips for Avoiding Vehicle Wear

• Avoid driving over deep snow banks that can pack snow into your undercarriage.
• Avoid driving through puddles of standing water where salt tends to accumulate.
• Consider adding an undercarriage wash to your regular car wash during winter months.
• Thoroughly scrape all the ice off your windshield before you use your windshield wipers to reduce wiper wear.

Tags: car wear, vehicle wear, winter wear
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