Winter in Calgary is no joke. Between the freezing temperatures, icy roads, and endless piles of snow, your car takes a serious beating. While it’s easier to ignore the mess and wait for spring, there’s something important you might be forgetting, your car needs a winter wash, maybe even more than it does in the summer. And getting a car wash in Calgary during winter is not just about keeping your ride looking shiny (although that’s a great bonus). It’s actually about protecting your car from rust, road salt, and other sneaky enemies that love cold weather.
Now, we get it, washing your car when it’s -10°C outside doesn’t sound fun. But with the right tips, timing, and a little help from the pros, it can make a huge difference in your vehicle’s health. Let’s look into why winter car washes matter, how to do them smartly, and what to look for when choosing a car wash during the chilly season.
Why Winter Car Wash In Calgary Are a Must?
First things first: let’s talk about salt. The City of Calgary uses road salt and sand mixtures to make driving safer during snowy and icy weather. But here’s the problem, road salt is super corrosive. It can sneak into the tiny cracks and crevices of your car and start eating away at the metal parts, especially underneath. This leads to rust, which can damage everything from your brake lines to the body of your car.
A regular car wash in Calgary during winter helps wash off all that salt before it has a chance to do real damage. So even if your car still ends up a little snowy the next day, just know, you’re giving it some serious long-term protection.
Tip 1: Wash Your Car Every 10 to 14 Days (Seriously!)
It might sound like a lot, but washing your car every 10 to 14 days in the winter is a good habit, especially after big snow falls or when you see slush and salt building up. If you wait too long, the salt gets cozy in all the wrong places. Washing it off regularly helps prevent corrosion and keeps your car healthy beneath the surface.
Pick a car wash that uses undercarriage sprays, these are super important in winter since most of the salt damage happens underneath the car where you can’t see it.
Tip 2: Choose the Right Time of Day
Timing is everything when washing your car in freezing temperatures. The best time to go? When the weather is a little warmer, usually during the late morning or early afternoon. Avoid washing your car at night or early morning when the temperature drops and water can freeze on your car before you dry it.
Most good car washes in Calgary, like ours, have heated bays, air dryers, and high-quality wax treatments that help prevent freezing. Still, going at the warmest point of the day helps reduce the risk of frozen doors or locks after your wash.
Tip 3: Don’t Skip the Drying Step
One big mistake people make is driving away too quickly after a wash in the winter. If your car doesn’t dry properly, water can freeze in your door handles, locks, wiper blades, and windows. That’s a hassle nobody wants, especially when you’re already late for school, work, or just a Tim Hortons run.
Use microfiber towels or drying cloths if you’re doing a self-serve wash. Or choose a car wash in Calgary that includes powerful air dryers to blow out water from all the tricky spots.
Pro tip: open and close all your doors and trunk right after the wash to help keep them from freezing shut.
Tip 4: Wax Is Your Winter Shield
Think of wax as your car’s winter coat. It adds a protective layer between your paint and the elements, salt, snow, ice, and grime. Furthermore, a quality wax can help prevent buildup and make future washes easier, too.
Some car washes offer spray-on wax during the rinse cycle, while others may offer hand waxing options. Whichever you choose, make sure your car wash in Calgary includes this option during the winter months. Your car will thank you with a shiny, salt-resistant finish.
Tip 5: Pay Attention to the Undercarriage
We’ve already mentioned it, but it’s worth repeating: the undercarriage is where winter damage really happens. This part of your car is closest to the road and takes the brunt of all the snow, salt, and slush.
Look for a car wash in Calgary that has undercarriage sprays as part of their service. Moreover, they shoot water and cleaning solutions up underneath your car to rinse out the mess before it can cause corrosion.
Bonus points if they use warm water. We offer premium systems that target hard-to-reach spots with extra care.
Tip 6: Avoid Brushing Off Snow at the Car Wash
You might feel tempted to just run your snow brush across the car quickly before heading into the wash. But be gentle! Using hard brushes or ice scrapers can scratch your paint, especially if there’s hidden salt or grit stuck to the surface.
Instead, let the wash do its job. Ultimately, If you must remove heavy snow, use a foam brush or soft snow broom and sweep with the shape of your car, not against it.
Tip 7: Self-Serve vs. Automatic – Which Is Better?
Both self-serve and automatic car washes have their perks in winter.
- Self-Serve Washes: Great if you like control. You can spend extra time on the spots that need it most (like wheel wells and undercarriage). Just make sure to dress warm and be ready for a bit of splashing.
- Automatic Washes: Super convenient when it’s freezing out and you don’t want to get out of the car. Look for options with touchless systems to avoid any damage to your paint.
We offer both options and let you choose based on your preference, or the weather!
Tip 8: Keep an Emergency Winter Kit in Your Car
Okay, this one’s not just about washing, but it’s good winter advice. Keep a kit in your trunk with essentials like a small towel, de-icer spray, an extra pair of gloves, and even a lock de-icer. If you ever find your doors frozen shut after a wash, you’ll be glad you packed it.
Conclusion
Getting a car wash in Calgary during winter isn’t just about appearances. It’s one of the best things you can do to protect your car, keep it running longer, and prevent expensive repairs down the road.
With the right timing, smart choices, and a reliable wash spot like New Brighton Car Wash, you’ll be ready to take on winter with a car that looks (and works) like a champ. Even when it’s snowing sideways, your ride deserves a little care.
We will make your next car wash the best one yet.
Visit New Brighton Car Wash today .
