How to Get a Car Through Winter Without (Completely) Destroying it

It's unfortunate that winters are so harsh on our cars. With a tenfold increase in road debris this time of the year, it's no wonder a winter car takes some serious clean-up work in the spring to get ready for the shows again. If you've got a new addition to the family that must be driven in the slush this year, fret not - it can (almost) be saved before it's too late.

Wax on

Before fall is over, it's a good idea to do a thorough winter prep wash 'n wax. This means a hand wash, clay bar, most likely a polish (unless the car is brand new), and a few hours of manual labor applying wax. Having a waxed vehicle in the winter means that touchless car washes will be more effective since salt and debris will have a harder time sticking to the surface. For someone that refuses to go to a carwash with brushes, this is a must.

As always, visit the car wash at least once every two weeks. An underbody spray is critical - we've all worked on rusted, corroded suspension parts before. A freshly washed undercarriage reduces the chance of rust building up between body seams and in the fender wells.

Rubber Mats

Interior maintenance is important, too. Ever see a used car with hardened salt in the carpet? Believe it or not, most people get in their car without kicking their feet. (Blasphemy!) Installing rubber mats will protect as much of the vehicle's carpet as possible so you don't feel guilty stomping your disgusting shoes down after a walk through a salty parking lot. Most vehicles have optional rubber mats available in their brand's accessory catalog, so don't cheap out on universal-fit mats. They can slide around and are dangerous if a ridge gets hung-up under a floored accelerator pedal.

Volvo Rubber Floor Mat Set Grey (S60) - Genuine Volvo 39891775

Volvo Rubber Floor Mat Set Grey (C70 S70 V70 850) - Genuine Volvo 9421998

Mud Guards

When a road is covered by salt, rocks, and snow it is inevitable that most of this will end up on your car. You knew that when you pulled out of the driveway. How can one mitigate the damage and still keep their car relatively clean?

It never really struck me what mud guards were for until I discovered how hard it was to keep cars clean in the winter. Mud guards are an extension of the vehicle's wheelwell. Ever wonder how the sides of your car get dirty? It's from the spinning front wheels, launching grit and salt down the side of the vehicle when they are turned. Eliminate this line of fire and the lower rocker panels will still have clearcoat on them come springtime.

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Luckily, my Volvo S70 AWD was equipped with mud guards as standard equipment, but FWD S70 models were not. They're a worthy investment in my opinion, and my CC should have them on next week before I destroy the sills any further.

Volvo Mudflap Set Rear (850) - Genuine Volvo 3542924

Volvo Mud Flap Kit Front (V70XC XC70) - Genuine Volvo 8685753

Front end

Nobody likes bras, especially on cars. They look ridiculous and can cause uneven paint fade. Let's keep them in the 90's where they belong. This doesn't mean that front-end protection isn't important, though.

The best alternative is clear film paint protection. Anytime you drive behind a car in the winter the front end of your car is getting pelted by the debris their tires just drove over, whether you can hear it or not.

Even though clear film installation isn't particularly cheap, it can last 4-5 years in my experience. When it's removed you'll be greeted by nothing but perfect paint, ready to list on Craigslist when it's time to get another toy. The new owner will never know.

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Written by :

Alex Fiehl