Do you need to wash your car in the winter?

Question

I know you should wash the salt off of your car to prevent rust, but usually after a wash the car just becomes salt covered again the next day. Is it really worth it to spend $5-10$ on a car wash just to get the salt off for one day?

Answer 1

I generally wash it every couple months. As for rust, today's cars don't rust like older ones did, so unless you plan to keep the car 20 years, rust probably isn't a concern. My current '03 wagon has 126,000 miles on it already, so the odds are it'll wear out before it rusts out. Note -- Lest you think I'm lazy, washing a car in extremely cold weather isn't the best thing for it . . . For example, I used to have a pickup truck that's transmission would gunk up if you washed it in below freezing weather, and my current car's remote quit working (temporarily, I hope) after I washed it the other day! Etc. So there are a lot of ways to look at this question, few of which have much to do with dirtiness. Basically in winter in the north, the most important thing is to just keep your windows and lights cleaned!!!

Answer 2

you really should wash it because the salt they use on the roads to keep the ice at bay can cause rusting. Once a week is fine and try to find a place that sprays water under the chassis. Rust is not good for the car but I think we all know that already. Plus you don't want to look like a lazy slob. A dirty car is a sign of a dirty person. By the way my car is filthy right now.

Answer 3

I would say probably once a week would be just fine. I have had my car for 6 years now and it usually sits outside for lack of room in the garage. I usually wash it once a week, sometimes every 2 weeks and I still do not have any rust on my car at all. And yes, I live up North where it snows a lot every winter.

Answer 4

I usually just go to one of the coin washes, and just put in enough money to rinse the salt off, like once a week. It's cheaper than having the whole thing washed, I usually spend like 2 bucks. It's worth it, I think.

Answer 5

you could save the money by washing the salt off yourself, or washing it once or twice a week, it all depends on how much you love your car and it its worth it to you to prevent rust and keep the car looking nice

Answer 6

In the winter I just go to the do it yourself car wash and just spray it off with clear water so it gets the salt off every couple of weeks and let it dry by itself in the garage, if you leave you car outside you will have to do it during the day or dry your doors out and you should be ok.

Answer 7

if you not so lazy you could wash the car yourself and not have to pay 5 or 10 dollars!!!

Answer 8

try leaving the salt on all winter... YES clean it...Why take a bath you will only get smelly again.

Answer 9

My friend washed his, springs froze. Now it's sitting, useless, in his yard.