How to Prep Your Car for Winter

If you’re questioning the importance of winterising your car, let me shed light on why it’s crucial, especially in an unpredictable winter climate. In recent years, we’ve experienced a range of winter conditions - from extreme cold and deep snow to mild temperatures with relentless rain and strong winds. Regardless of the weather pattern, one constant remains: the harsh elements of winter, including the damaging salt and road grit, pose a significant threat to our vehicles.

Salt and road grit on the roads are particularly detrimental, as they can corrode exposed metal on the chassis and damage the paintwork. And let’s face it, when winter does hit, most of us don't have the luxury of a warm garage to apply sealant or wax to protect our cars – the cold temperatures and adverse weather conditions make it nearly impossible.

Taking these steps is not only straightforward but also a wise investment in the longevity of your vehicle. Proper winter preparation can significantly enhance your car’s resilience against the elements and ultimately contribute to its resale value if you plan to keep it for an extended period. Let’s dive into how you can effectively prepare your vehicle for the impending UK winter.

Preparing Your Car for Winter Checklist:

Chassis Rust Proofing

The chassis is a critical area susceptible to rust, especially in winter. Road salt and water can settle in hard-to-reach areas, causing corrosion. Even when those are bad news, applying underseal, a thick protective coating, can be an effective solution. Products like Waxoyl, a wax-based underseal, are available at motor stores either in spray or tin which we recommend to get the spray version as it’s easier accessible to small spaces. Although a DIY application is possible, it can be very messy and complex, so a professional garage application is recommended.

Alloy Wheel Winter Protection

Your car's wheels are particularly prone to paint corrosion, a problem exacerbated by the accumulation of brake dust, which is corrosive, and the impact of road grit and salt. In winter, the frequency of car washes often decreases, leading to a situation where the wheel surface can suffer significant damage, resulting in the paint flaking off. To prevent this, here's what you need to do:

• Start by washing the wheels thoroughly, our Seeing Red Wheel Cleaner will provide you with an excellent result. If possible, remove the wheels to clean both sides effectively. In cases of heavy brake dust build-up, opt for a specialised wheel cleaner, ideally a non-acidic one to avoid damaging the wheels. For detailed instructions and product recommendations, refer to our article, The Best Products for Cleaning Your Car's Wheels.
• Once the wheels are spotless, ensure they are completely dry before proceeding to the next step. Apply a wheel sealant, which is as effective as a paintwork sealant, or opt for a high-quality wax for protection. Applying two layers will provide additional protection. The linked Chipex article above not only guides you through this process but also suggests the best products for optimal results.

Coolant/Antifreeze

As the winter season sets in, one of the essential preparations for your car is ensuring that the coolant/antifreeze is properly maintained. This vital fluid is crucial not just for preventing the water in your car's engine from freezing in cold temperatures, but also for maintaining optimal engine performance. During winter, the risk of engine damage escalates if the coolant freezes, as it can lead to the expansion and cracking of engine components.

Moreover, coolant/antifreeze plays a dual role by also preventing the engine from overheating and protecting against corrosion, which is particularly important given the increased exposure to road salt and moisture in winter. This precautionary measure is a way to keep rusting away from appearing and spreading in our car, this is why, as car paint experts, we highly recommend it. Ensuring your car has the right type and level of coolant/antifreeze is therefore a key step in winter car care, helping to safeguard your vehicle's engine and ensure its smooth functioning throughout the season.

Protect your car paint in winter

Maintaining regular car washes during winter is crucial, although challenging due to harsh weather conditions. This makes robust paint protection even more important. Protecting your car's paintwork goes beyond just keeping it shiny; it's about shielding it from various external elements like inclement weather, harmful UV rays that can fade paint, industrial pollutants, and corrosive salt.

For vehicle owners already facing car damage, prompt action is key to preventing further issues. When your car's paintwork is compromised by stone chips or scratches, the exposed surface becomes vulnerable to harsh weather conditions, leading to potential rust. In such situations, Chipex Touch Up Kit offers an excellent remedy. Not only does it restore the car's visual appeal, but it also adds a protective layer to shield against further environmental damage. This solution is not just about aesthetics; it's about safeguarding your car's integrity against the elements.

It's not just about keeping the car shiny, but also shielding it from elements like weather, UV rays, and salt corrosion.

Understanding the difference between polish and wax is important. Polish, which removes light scratches, enhances shine but doesn't offer much protection and is needed only occasionally. In contrast, car wax provides substantial protection by forming an invisible barrier, also adding a deep shine. It simplifies cleaning by causing water to bead and slide off. For enhanced protection, consider a car paintwork sealant, which forms a durable bond with the surface and can reduce paint chipping. Applying wax over the sealant is also beneficial, especially for ease in removing snow – a necessity in the UK. A high-quality Carnauba wax needs application only every few months, while a good sealant can last up to six months with proper care.

Use a Car Screen Wash

There are several reasons and benefits to why keeping your glass clean inside and out is hugely important in winter, including;

• Low-level sun and a dirty, misted inner windscreen can cause vision through it to be badly impaired, which could lead to an accident.
• A build-up of road grime (oil-based stuff off the road) on the exterior of the screen means that when you come to use the wipers, you're simply smearing the water across rather than efficiently removing it, never fully removing the dirt and road salt very well, again leading to bad vision out of it and the potential for a collision.
• Using a sealant on the exterior windows (especially the front) means removing snow and ice is exceptionally easier, and it also means that ice can't form as easily when using your washers either. Instead of taking the time to apply a glass sealant, why not use Chipex Aquaphobic Screen Wash - it has one built in and also includes an anti-freeze, once you get our screen wash you can read the full article on the product here, and learn how to maximise this product.
• Cleaning the glass can also aid in keeping it from misting up as easily. It's an ongoing problem for many throughout winter though, so I wrote this guide on How to De-Mist your Car's Windscreen Quickly - give it a read!

TIP: In the past, we have written a comprehensive guide on the Chipex™ blog about how to clean and protect your glass, and if you're doing this stage, give it a good read!