Gear up for Winter by Developing a Car Maintenance Routine Today

Fall has arrived and along with changing leaves and football season, the air becomes cooler reminding us that winter is on its way. As you prepare yourself and your car or truck for the harsh weather ahead, keep in mind the preventative measures you will need to take in order to ensure that your vehicle remains in top condition.

Maintain and Retain Your Car's Value and Appearance

Regular professional washing and waxing will help maintain your car's appearance as well as retain the value of your vehicle, according to the International Car Wash Association (ICA).

"Most car owners understand the value of changing motor oil regularly to protect the engine," explains Mark Thorsby, Executive Director of ICA, "but if they forget and instead choose to replace the engine, the car could still be as good as new. However, a car with oxidized paint and a rusted-out body can never be economically restored. The best prevention is regular washing and waxing at a professional car wash."

With more than 22,000 professional car washes around the world offering a wide range of services to protect a car's finish from detoriating and the body from rust, there's no excuse not to keep your vehicle in great shape. Professional car washes offer a range of services, from basic to extensive, to suit all of your car care needs.

For starters, try an exterior only tunnel wash to automatically provide applied protective waxes and undercarriage treatment. Also consider detailing or custom polishing while at the wash for more extensive protection. By applying a premium polish and buffing it, you can restore the shine of your car. On the detail side, you can have everything done from vacuuming under the rugs in the trunk to swabbing air conditioner vents to get your car looking like new.

Self-Service Equals Fast Results
If you are running short on time, but need your car professionally cleaned, try a self-service car wash. Self-serves offer a variety of effective, self-cleaning services to choose from. For best results, be sure to follow the instructions posted in the self-service bay. First, you will start with a pre-soak to loosen road grime. The second step is the high pressure soap wash. For gentle scrubbing, use the foaming brush next, followed by the fresh water rinse. Remember to take advantage of the application of special tire and wheel cleaners. For maximum protection and shine, the wax application is a must. Finally, many self-serve washes offer a spot-free rinse. All the solutions are specially formulated to protect and shine your car and to clean tough road dirt.

Protect Your Car from Winter's Hazards
Remember that the most damaging thing you can do to your car during the harsh winter weather is nothing! Do not worry about your car freezing. Washing the salt, slush and mud off your car in cold weather is essential.

The best thing you can do this winter is to wash your vehicle frequently at a professional car wash. Don't be afraid to wash it every few days if the temperature rises and then falls below the freezing level and you've been driving on salted roads. Washing should also include an undercarriage rinse (an option available at most professional car washes) so salt can be removed from hard-to-reach areas, such as the bumpers and in the wheel wells, which are likely to rust.

Winter is on its way and now is the time to get your car in gear for the harsh weather ahead. By taking preventative measures now and having your car professionally washed regularly, you will save time and money in the months to come.