Car maintenance changes with the seasons, and winter brings its own set of challenges for vehicle owners. In California, we often begin to fully feel the winter weather effects in the months of January and February. As we head into these months, it is important to know how to maintain your car and drive safely. While most drivers focus on engine care and tire maintenance during colder months, there is another crucial aspect that is often overlooked—the exterior body of your car. Keeping your car clean is not just about appearance; it can actually help keep you safer on the road, particularly during the winter.
As we face the effects of climate change, California experiences unexpected winters.
These winters can get quite harsh in terms of both heat and cold, as well as bring unprecedented storms. When a harsh winter storm is expected, usually the city will treat the roads with a salt and water brine mixture. This is done to prevent ice formation. However, if you find the road is treated with this mixture around you, your car may face consequences if it is not taken care of properly.
When rain or snowstorms occur, this brine mixture is kicked up onto vehicles, covering the exterior of cars in a salty, grimy residue. This build-up can be damaging in multiple ways, particularly to the body of the car and its sensors. Newer vehicles, which rely heavily on safety systems like parking sensors, backup cameras, and other advanced driver-assistance technologies (ADAS), are especially vulnerable. If these sensors become blocked or dirty, they can malfunction, leading to safety risks and potentially costly repairs.
The good news is that regular cleaning can prevent these issues and help ensure your car remains in top condition during winter.
Experts recommend washing your car frequently, either at a professional car wash or by doing it yourself. This helps remove the grime, salt, and debris that can accumulate on the vehicle’s surface, especially around sensitive areas like the sensors, camera lenses, and bumpers. By keeping these areas clean, you help ensure that your car’s safety systems continue to function correctly.
For those who do not want to deal with frequent full washes, there is a simpler alternative. Instead of washing the car entirely, you can regularly clean the sensors individually. A bucket of water with a small amount of soap can be used to gently wipe down the most important parts of your vehicle, such as the backup camera, parking sensors, and the rims. This simple routine can be done between washes and can help ensure that your car’s sensors stay free from obstructions that could compromise their effectiveness.
Even though it may sound like a lot of unnecessary work, it is important work that needs to be done to ensure road safety.
