Car Detailing Tips: Prepare Your Car For Winter

​In the Midwest where the weather is up and down, you should invest in regular professional car detailing to maximize your vehicle’s potential and prolong its usefulness.  Humidity and moisture are just 2 of the things that can bring on premature oxidation to your vehicle.  You should also touch up your vehicle while waiting for the next appointment.
*Your vehicle will require regular washing and waxing even in the dead of winter.  It would be better for you to stock up on the necessary supplies before autumn ends so you won’t have to rush out to the hardware store.  Paint sealant and car wax are possibly two of the most important items for winter car care.  Having them on hand for the rest of winter will help protect your paint job from the harshest of winter debris, road salt.
While road salt is perfect for de-slicking the roads and ensuring a good grip for your tires, it can also be the number one factor that will speed up your vehicles oxidation.  A good thorough washing every now and then will lift road salt off your tires and paintwork.  Don’t wait for spring to clean up your vehicle.
When it comes to picking out the best paint sealant or car wax, there are a number of considerations that come to mind, such as cost, ease of application, durability and formulation.  The smartest way to go about it is to get the sealant that promises the longest protection for your vehicle, so you won’t have to reapply the product as often.
Other things you might want to try to care for your vehicle include the following:
*Top up your fluids.  Winterizing your car means taking care of the basic things that keep it running well:  engine oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, fuel and water.  Check the levels every week or so to ensure that you have enough to make it to and from your home.
*Care for your wheels.  If the metal surfaces of your vehicle are subjected to the oxidation power of road salt, the wheels and tires take the worst of the beating.  They come into direct contact with road salt, dirt and muck with every revolution.  Clean out your tires regularly with a pressure washer to discourage the buildup of grease and salt.  Keep your tires supple and your wheels shiny with a generous coating of tire dressing and wheel cleaner.  Also check your tires for proper inflation and alignment. 
*Watch your driving style.  Winter is probably the most dangerous season for drivers, with increased wind speed, limited visibility and unstable tire traction working against the car.  Your vehicle can be 100% prepped for winter, but if you have poor driving skills, it will not matter.  Simple things like reducing stone chip damage can be achieved by allowing a good distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.  Keeping to close will heighten the chances of your car being sandblasted by flying road salt and grit, which will in turn cause damage to your vehicle.