[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] As winter rain falls and temperatures drop sharply, cold weather continues. During winter, subzero temperatures accompanied by cold waves and heavy snow make car washing difficult for many drivers.
Experts advise regular car washing because contaminants stick to various parts of the vehicle when driving on snowy roads, and moisture on the car body can freeze and cause damage.
K Car, a direct used car platform, introduced on the 4th four winter car washing tips that drivers often overlook.
First, if you decide to wash your car, you should check the weather first. It is recommended to wash the car between noon and 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest and temperatures are highest, on days when the temperature is not below freezing.
If the temperature is too low or there is no sunlight, moisture on the exterior of the vehicle can easily freeze during washing. Wiping it off forcefully to remove it can damage the car's paint surface. If water has frozen on the vehicle surface, it should be melted with lukewarm water and then the moisture removed rather than scraping it off.
The most important areas to focus on when washing a car in winter are the entire undercarriage, tires, wheels, and the wheelhouse surroundings. If you have driven on snowy roads, you should thoroughly wash the wheels and undercarriage with a high-pressure washer after driving.
This is because snow and various contaminants, especially calcium chloride used in snow removal, can corrode vehicle parts. However, since calcium chloride remains on the road for several days after snowfall and continues to splash onto the car body, it is recommended to wash the car after the snow stops and the road dries.
After washing, be sure to remove moisture left in door gaps, trunk seams, the vehicle roof, and other areas. It is best to start drying from the roof and trunk, where the car heater’s warmth does not reach well, then proceed to the windows, sides, and hood. Since rubber moldings on doors can be damaged after washing, applying anti-freeze wax to the moldings is also a good method.
Interior cleaning also requires special attention. Due to cold weather, indoor ventilation decreases, and foreign substances such as snow stuck to shoes fall on the floor, creating an environment where bacteria and mold can easily grow. Especially floor mats can be left wet from melted snow or contaminants, so mats should be washed and thoroughly dried before reinstalling.
Hwang Kyuseok, head of diagnostics at K Car, said, “Winter car washing is difficult to do frequently due to the cold weather and requires more care than other seasons. Please remember that regular washing is necessary even in winter to prevent scratches on the body or damage to parts, and pay more attention to vehicle maintenance.”
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