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Washing your car in winter: myths, facts and tips

During the winter, many drivers hesitate whether to wash their car. Some believe that a car that has been exposed to cold weather can be damaged by water, while others believe that as soon as it is washed, it will instantly get dirty again. However, experts emphasize that regular car maintenance in winter is necessary to protect the body from corrosion and ensure safety on the road. Below, we discuss the most popular myths about washing your car in winter and provide useful tips on how to do it properly.

Washing a car in winter

Myths and truth about washing your car in winter

Myth: It’s better not to wash your car in winter because the water can freeze the locks or doors.
Fact: Such concerns are unfounded – the car actually warms up in the car wash, and the drying stage removes moisture, so nothing will freeze. It is important to lubricate the rubber door and trunk seals with silicone before winter – then they will not stick even in extreme cold.

Myth: There’s no point in washing your car in the winter because it’ll get dirty again anyway.
Fact: Washing is not just necessary for aesthetics – it is much more important to remove salts and dirt, which, when accumulated, cause corrosion. A layer of mud that lasts for several days is nothing compared to the salt that has accumulated on the bottom and thresholds for months: the salt that gets into the gaps begins to “eat” the metal and the car begins to rust. Regular washing in winter helps extend the life of your car and protects the paint and chassis from damage from winter chemicals.

Myth: It’s better to wait until spring – a car that hasn’t been washed during the winter won’t suffer any harm.
Fact: This is a dangerous misconception. If you don’t wash your car all winter, the salt left on the body will quickly promote rust. After winter, the car may look unrecognizable – corrosion spots will spread where salts have been left for a long time. For the same reason, it is recommended to wash your car more often in winter and not forget to wash the bottom – that’s where salt accumulates the most.

Myth: You can wash your car in your backyard – after all, if you don’t use chemicals, nothing bad will happen.
Fact: In Lithuania, it is prohibited to wash cars in places not designated for that purpose, even in the yard of your own house or in the parking lot of an apartment building. Municipal regulations stipulate that washing a vehicle on the street or in a yard can result in a fine (usually a warning or from ~€20 to €140, and for repeated offenses – up to ~€600). It is strictly forbidden to use chemical detergents, as untreated wastewater pollutes the environment – environmentalists can impose a separate fine of up to €1,200 for this. Therefore, in winter, you should only wash your car at official car washes, where wastewater is collected and cleaned, and the detergents are adapted to environmental conditions.

“According to the current Road Traffic Regulations, a vehicle must be clean enough to ensure safe participation in traffic.” If dirt covers license plates, lights, or limits visibility through the windshield, such a car may be declared unfit for operation. In the event of such violations, officials have the right to impose a fine under Article 417 of the Code of Administrative Offenses or to order the elimination of deficiencies on the spot – for example, cleaning license plates or windows. Therefore, keeping your car clean in winter is not only a matter of aesthetic maintenance, but also an important part of traffic safety and legal responsibility.” – M.Jundulas, Head of the “Man Ramu” insurance platform

How to wash a car correctly in winter?

To make winter washing successful and trouble-free, it is worth following a few tips:

  • Wash regularly, but avoid extreme cold: Try to wash your car at least once every few weeks (preferably once a week). Visgi labai šaltomis dienomis palaukite atšilimo – rekomenduojama neplauti, kai temperatūra žemesnė nei –10 °C, kad vanduo akimirksniu nevirstų ledu ant kėbulo.
  • Choose the right time and method: It is best to wash during the day when it is warmer. Avoid using an automatic car wash with brushes if your car is covered in ice – hard pieces of ice can scratch the paint when pushed by the brushes. In this case, choose a contactless (manual or self-service) car wash: first wash off the thick layer of ice with warm water, and only then wash the car normally with foam.
  • Don’t forget the engine heat: In winter, it is recommended to wash the car with the engine off. The engine radiates heat from the inside, so the body will cool down more slowly and the rubber door seals will not freeze as quickly. In addition, shampoos work more effectively and wash away dirt better on a warmer surface.
  • Use waxing: After washing, it is worth covering the car with wax. Wax forms a protective layer – it fills the micropores of the paint, preventing moisture and salts from absorbing. This makes it harder for dirt and ice to stick to a clean, waxed car. Wax also makes it easier to clean icy windows every morning and helps keep the body clean for longer.
  • Dry your car after washing: The biggest challenge of winter washing is preventing the remaining water from freezing. If you wash at a self-service car wash, dry the door openings, sills, and trunk edges thoroughly after washing. In automatic car washes, the car is usually dried with air flow, but it doesn’t hurt to use a dry, clean microfiber cloth to remove any remaining water droplets. Open all the doors, hood, and trunk for a few minutes after washing – the moisture will freeze on the open seals during this time, and when you close them, the ice will break up and there will be no chance for the tires to freeze.
  • Check your brakes before you leave: When washing your car, water also gets on the wheels and brake discs, which can cause brake pads to freeze in the winter. Before starting, press the brake pedal several times to remove ice from the brake pads. This is important to do, otherwise the first few meters of braking may be ineffective due to slippery, icy brakes and you may not stop in time.

Don’t forget, properly maintaining your car in winter is not only a matter of aesthetics or technical condition, but also of safety. Timely washing away of salts and dirt reduces the risk of corrosion, maintains good visibility and ensures the visibility of the vehicle to other road users. Plus, it gives you peace of mind – when you know you’ve taken care of the most important things in advance, both your trip and your daily driving become safer.

✅ We remind you:

You can quickly compare and purchase compulsory third-party liability insurance on the Man Ramu insurance platform – manramu.lt
A few minutes, and your car is insured without worries.

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