Understanding Cold Temperatures
Winter poses enough challenges to car care, even more so when the thermometer dips well below freezing. Washing your car during colder months requires careful consideration to protect your vehicle and maintain its appearance. Here’s a look at what goes into the equation when temperatures plunge.
What Temperature Is Too Cold?
If you’re wondering what temperature should you wash your car, it’s an important factor to consider. If it’s -23 degrees Celsius or below, wait until another day to wash. At these temperatures water will freeze almost instantly, resulting in everything from door locks freezing up to car windows cracking.
If you reside in a city such as Vancouver, where winters are more moderate, wait for a day when the temperature goes above 5 degrees Celsius. That’s the best time to get outside! On chillier days, swap in waterless cleaning solutions that get the job done without compromising winter’s cold.
Effects of Cold on Car Washing
Cold temperatures affect the way water interacts with your vehicle. This is especially true in conditions where ambient temperatures are sub-freezing, as liquid water will freeze on the surface, hindering effective drying.
This can result in streaking, water spotting, and even ice formation. Washing your car in the middle of the day, when the sun is most strong, is an easy way to avoid a lot of these problems. When the temperature stays above the freezing point, the chance for ice to form decreases dramatically. This change has resulted in a much safer time to clean.
Risks of Washing in Low Temperatures
Washing your car when temperatures are near or below zero will do more damage than cleaning. Ice-fighting chemicals and road grime can speed up rust’s formation, costing Canadians billions each year in repairs.
Washing in winter, protecting our vehicles is important, but timing is key. Select a day when temperatures are sufficiently warm enough to facilitate deep cleaning and drying. If temperatures reach -30 degrees Celsius like in some of these more extreme climates, even going outside to clean yourself is not a feasible option.
Save yourself and your vehicle the hassle by washing your car when the weather is conducive to it.
Reasons to Wash in Cold Weather
Winter is an especially tough time for car owners, but washing your vehicle is just as important to do year-round—even during winter. Avoiding or ignoring the damage can lead to issues that last well after the salty winter wonderland melts away.
While regular washing and waxing are crucial, adding a ceramic coating to your car can take your winter protection to the next level. Ceramic coatings form a hard, durable layer on top of your paint that helps repel water, salt, and other contaminants. This makes it easier to clean your vehicle and greatly reduces the risk of rust or corrosion in the harsh cold-weather environment.
Prevent Damage from Salt and Debris
Road salt is the worst offender when it comes to winter damage. It accelerates the rusting process, costing Canadian motorists billions of dollars each year. Washing your car—particularly the undercarriage—removes salt and debris that accumulate on the parts of your car you can’t see.
This step is extremely important to make sure these key pieces of equipment continue to operate at optimum capacity.
Detect Minor Issues Early
Winter road grime can cover up existing scratches or small chips that could get worse over time. Routine washing will help you catch these problems before they worsen. Taking care of them right away stops rust from spreading and avoids spending money on expensive fixes.
Maintain Protective Wax Coating
A clean car will ensure any protective wax coatings you use can do their job properly. Getting rid of these harmful residues lets the wax do its job in protecting your paint from future moisture and salt.
This easy trick keeps your car looking great and higher resale value.
Protect Wheels and Rims
Salt and debris don’t just damage your paint. They eat away at your wheels and rims. By washing these hard-to-reach areas thoroughly, you reduce the risk of damage, helping to keep your car looking brand new.
Enhance Visibility and Safety
As noted above, filthy windshields, windows, and mirrors can all greatly disrupt visibility. Washing regularly removes dirt and improves visibility under winter’s shorter, darker days.
Maintain Locks and Hinges
Moisture will freeze in locks and hinges, which can worsen their condition. Routine cleaning keeps ice from building up and ensures that your equipment runs smoothly, even when the temperatures drop below freezing.
When to Avoid Car Washing
Learn all about which weather is best to wash your car. Having this understanding can save your vehicle from unforeseen damage, particularly in the winter months. Cold weather introduces new challenges for vehicle protection. Understanding when to avoid washing your car will save you time, money and energy while keeping your vehicle looking its best.
Avoid Below Freezing Temperatures
Cold weather makes car washing difficult especially if you’re washing when the temperature is below 32°F. If you wash your vehicle in temperature under 0°C (32°F), water can freeze on your vehicle. This greatly heightens the chances of your car freezing locks, doors, and windows.
Don’t wash your car if the temperature is forecast to drop to -23°C (-10°F) or below. The harsh freezing temperatures can make washing them a nightmare. Ice can form in seams or break down rubber seals.
Even on milder winter days when it’s -5°C, use care. Just ensure that you have ample heat, as well, for sufficient drying. Waiting for a sunny day with temperatures above freezing is the better choice whenever possible.
Recognize Extreme Cold Conditions
If you live in areas like the Northeast that experience extreme winters, it can be difficult to determine the best time to wash your vehicle. Winter grime and road salt can speed up rust, leading to more than $3 billion in corrosion-related damage each year.
This is where regular washing—preferably every two weeks—comes to the rescue. It’s important not to put your car’s paint and parts at risk by washing your car on super cold days.
It doesn’t have to be a week of above-freezing temperatures—just one day with temps well above freezing is the best time to clean your car without worry.
Safe Car Washing Methods in Cold
Cold weather presents special challenges for vehicle care, particularly when the mercury drops below 32 degrees. Washing your car in such conditions just takes some forethought to do it safely and effectively. Routine upkeep is essential to avoiding rust and keeping your car looking great. However, washing it in cold weather requires extra care.
1. Use Warm Water for Cleaning
Warm water will make a world of difference when washing your car in cold weather. This makes it so water doesn’t freeze to the surface and damage the paint. Don’t use hot water, as hot water can cause sudden temperature changes that could damage the materials.
Using foam soap specially formulated for winter care is important. It’s specially formulated to fight road salt and winter grime. Washing one section at a time allows for practical cleaning and drying before moving on to avoid cross contamination.
2. Wash in a Garage or Covered Area
Having access to a garage or other covered area creates the perfect controlled environment to wash your car during the winter months. It protects the underbody from sub-zero winds and reduces the chance that water will freeze instantly on impact.
If you don’t have access to a garage or other such accommodations, pick a day where temperatures are above 0°C to prevent unnecessary problems.
3. Consider Professional Services
For one, professional car washes typically use touchless systems and snow foam products that are ideal for cleaning in the winter. Using these methods will save your paint while still safely restoring your car by removing harmful road salt and debris.
To keep rust away, many facilities provide undercarriage cleaning, so make sure to include that, especially in snowy winter months.
4. Opt for Self-Service Facilities
Self-service car washes provide a convenient alternative. They usually have hot water and winter-friendly cleaning solutions. These facilities allow you to focus on undercarriage cleaning.
Just be sure to wash them at least every other week to prevent those unseen parts from corroding.
Tips for Winter Car Care
As winter settles in nationwide, unique challenges emerge around car care, particularly when it comes to washing your vehicle. Cold weather can make it more difficult to remove soot and ash. With a little effort and the right products, you can winterize your car against dirt, grime and salt damage.
Pre-Run Your Car Before Washing
Before you jump into a wash during winter, consider doing a pre-run for your car. To prevent this, start the engine and let it warm up. This prevents a sticky and rough operation, but more importantly, it melts any ice built up around the doors, handles, and seals.
This step reduces the chance of freezing while you’re washing. For additional protection, consider using a pH-neutral snow foam product. These products, which make their home in touchless car washes, quickly loosen the grime and dirt without abrasive scrubbing.
Dry Thoroughly After Washing
Drying the car quickly and thoroughly is important when washing in winter conditions. Residual water can freeze, causing stuck doors or frozen locks. You may need a microfiber towel or a portable car dryer to get into hard-to-reach areas, like mirrors and door seals.
Leaving a dry finish prevents the frost from accumulating at night, leaving your car safe and functional.
Choose Midday for Washing
Timing is extremely important when it comes to winter car care. Midday is the best time to wash, as that’s when temperatures are usually the warmest. Try to shoot for days warmer than 5 degrees Celsius to prevent frostbite.
This window has the best conditions for rinsing and drying with the water not immediately freezing into ice.
Prioritize Safety Precautions
Finally, be sure to wash safely during winter months. Wear insulated gloves to keep your hands warm, and do work in spaces protected from the wind. Use winter-specific car wash soaps, like Chemical Guys’ winter-ready products, designed to cut through grime and salt without freezing on contact.
These simple shifts help tremendously in both comfort and effectiveness.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
When winter temperatures dip below freezing, DIY car washing becomes much less feasible. This is often because the water freezes almost instantaneously on the vehicle’s surface, rendering the operation both ineffective and damaging. There are better ways to clean and protect your vehicle during winter without causing harm.
Use Waterless Cleaning Products
Particularly for winter cleaning, waterless cleaning products are a great resource. These products are formulated to dissolve or suspend dirt and grime so you don’t have to rinse afterward. They are particularly useful when temperatures fall below the freezing point (0°C).
What’s more, they work to keep water from freezing on your vehicle. It would be best to use these sprays with a high-quality microfiber cloth. In only a few easy-to-follow steps, you’ll have your vehicle sparkling clean in no time!
Alternatives that work Many eco-friendly brands — like Turtle Wax Pro — are well-known for their proven efficacy, and their products are easily found. Be sure to get extra attention to spots where road salt shelters, like the wheel-wells and lower panels. Salt left unaddressed can lead to oxidation and the development of rust.
Utilize Snow Foam Solutions
Snow foam solutions offer an efficient way to clean your vehicle in wintry conditions. This is particularly important if you have a garage to work with. Fortunately, these foams aren’t entirely waterless.
These microscopic scrubbing pads grip your car’s surface, gently lifting away stubborn dirt and grime for a deep, penetrating clean. Using snow foam in a garage, even an unheated one, will minimize the likelihood of water freezing while you wash.
Alternatively, if it’s milder winter weather, between 7°C and 15°C, you can use snow foam outside. Just be sure to check that snow or rain isn’t coming in the forecast!
Looking for a no-muss, no-fuss option? Visit an automatic car wash. It offers a powerful deep-cleaning wash and wax protection for your car or truck, even in subzero temperatures.
