You might think your vehicle can just hibernate during the winter, but that’s not the case! A lot of damage can be done over the cold months, so it’s important to winterize your vehicle before the first snowfall hits. That’s why we have written an article on Calgary winter car care and cleaning tips you need to know! If you want to protect your vehicle from winter conditions and keep it looking good in the process, keep reading!. 

1)Vaccum Inside the Car

Get inside your car and vacuum it out. The winter can be hard on cars, and leaves can really build up in there. This is a good place to start with your winter car cleaning routine because you’ll be surprised at how much loose dirt vacuuming will pick up. It also gives you a chance to check for damage or wear spots in any carpets or seats.

2) Get Rid of Snow and Ice

Removing snow and ice from your car can be a major challenge. As you scrape off your windshield, side windows, and rear window (if possible), put those clumps of ice in a garbage bag in your trunk—you may need them for later on when you’re done cleaning. Oh, and don’t forget about clearing out anything inside your car that collects water, like floor mats!

3) Deal with mud splatters

As one of those rare people who actually likes to play in slush, snow and ice, it’s a good idea to deal with mud splatters as soon as you can. This will not only help prevent them from freezing into ice but also allow for easier cleanup if and when you do get hit by another driver or slip off an icy sidewalk.

4) Keep your car clean inside and out

Make sure you know how to keep your car clean inside and out. Most importantly, vacuum it often! Vacuuming every week is good, but vacuuming it after you wash it every other week will help cut down on pollen and dust from building up in your seats and carpet. If you have allergies, regular vacuuming can help a lot.

5) Protect your exterior paint

If you’re in a cold climate, winter can have an adverse effect on your vehicle. Water and snow cling to your paint and cause a chemical reaction with your car’s clear coat, dulling its shine over time. To prevent that from happening, rinse off your car after it’s been exposed to rain or snow. If possible, bring it inside and run a few errands so it’s warm when you return home.

6) Pay Attention to the Wheels

Unless you want your tires and wheels to look like a sandy, snowy mess for months after you’ve cleaned your car, don’t forget about them. To avoid dealing with rusty bolts and dirt-caked wheels at a later date, give them a good rinse with warm water while cleaning your vehicle. Just make sure they’re completely dry before driving on wet roads! If there are any tough spots that won’t come off with soap and water, use a commercial wheel cleaner to get rid of them.

7) Check your battery

One of winter’s most common car problems, a dead battery is no fun at all. To prevent your battery from dying, make sure you turn off your headlights when you’re not using them. If your car does die and you have jumper cables, connect them in positive-negative-positive order (red clamp to positive terminal on both batteries). Once connected, start your car and let it run for several minutes before disconnecting. That way, any corrosion or rust that might be on either cable will be burned away. If you don’t have jumper cables, call roadside assistance or a friend with a set—you don’t want to risk trying to jumpstart your own battery with someone else’s vehicle!

8)Inspect your headlights and brake lights

While it’s a good idea for all drivers to check their car’s lights in daylight, it’s especially important to check them after dark before every trip. Make sure your brake lights are working properly, as they indicate that you have applied pressure on your brakes.  If your brake lights aren’t functioning correctly, be careful not to drive too fast when approaching other vehicles—you don’t want to cause an accident because of a faulty light! Also, make sure that your headlights are clean; snow can build up over time and obscure vision if left unchecked. A quick wipe-down with some glass cleaner should do the trick!

Conclusion

To wrap up, if you own a car and live in Calgary, these are a few useful tips for keeping your car in tip-top shape. Of course, there are more tips out there for Calgary drivers. If you’re looking for some extra help on how to drive better or have any other questions about driving in Calgary, be sure to check out Driving School Calgary! They’ve got everything from defensive driving courses to refresher courses for those who need it. It’s worth checking them out!

The post 8 Amazing Calgary Winter Car care and Cleaning Tips You Need to Know appeared first on Globe Driving Academy Calgary.