Alright, so you wanna wash your car, huh? And it’s cold out, like real cold, 20 degrees they say. Well, let me tell ya, washin’ a car in that kinda weather ain’t like washin’ dishes in the sink. You gotta be careful, or you’ll end up with a bigger mess than you started with.
Now, some folks say, “Oh, it’s just a little cold, no big deal.” But I say, hold your horses! When it’s 20 degrees, that water turns to ice faster than a fly on a hot stove. You don’t want your car turnin’ into a giant ice cube, do ya? I didn’t think so.
The big problem is things freezin’ up. You spray that water, and it gets everywhere – in the cracks, the doors, the locks… everywhere! And if it’s cold enough, boom! Frozen solid. Then you’re stuck. Can’t get in your car, can’t start it, nothin’.
- You spray water on the car, it gets into the locks, the locks freeze.
- You can’t open the door.
- The water on the car turns to ice, makes a big slippery mess.
- Maybe the water gets into the engine somehow, then you got real trouble.
So, what do you do? Well, if it’s 20 degrees, my advice is, just don’t wash it! Seriously, just leave it be. A little dirt ain’t gonna hurt nobody. Wait for a warmer day, you know, when the sun’s shinin’ and it’s above freezin’. That’s the best time, trust me.
But let’s say you *really* gotta wash that car. Maybe it’s covered in mud or somethin’ nasty. Okay, okay, I get it. But you gotta be smart about it. First off, find a place outta the wind, if you can. A garage is best, but even just gettin’ behind a wall will help. Wind makes things freeze faster, you see?
Then, get yourself some warm water. Not boilin’ hot, mind you, just warm. And work fast! Don’t let the water sit on the car too long. Wash a section, then dry it right away. Use a good towel, a thick one, and wipe that water off good. And pay special attention to the doors and locks. Make sure they’re dry as a bone.
And for goodness sake, don’t use the hose if it’s super cold! That water comin’ outta the hose is gonna be even colder, and it’ll just make things worse. Use a bucket, that way you can control the water temperature better.
Now, some folks say you can go to one of them fancy car washes. You know, the ones with the big machines and all that. And that might be okay, if they got a heated bay. But even then, I’d be careful. Those machines spray water everywhere, and if they don’t dry it good, you could still have problems. If you do go to one of those places, make sure it’s one that’s set up for cold weather. They gotta have the right equipment, ya know?
Another thing to think about is the inside of your car. All that salt and dirt gets tracked in on your boots, makin’ a mess of the floor mats. In the winter, keepin’ the inside clean is just as important as the outside. Give the floor mats a good shakin’ out and maybe vacuum up the crumbs. Your car will thank you for it.
So, the bottom line is, washing your car in 20-degree weather ain’t the best idea. But if you gotta do it, be quick, be careful, and use warm water. And if you can, wait for a warmer day. Your car, and your fingers and toes, will be much happier. And remember, a little dirt never hurt nobody. It’s just a car, not a diamond ring.
And if you’re still not sure, just ask yourself, “Is this really worth gettin’ frostbite for?” If the answer is no, then leave the car be and go inside for a nice cup of hot cocoa. That sounds a whole lot better than freezin’ your behind off washin’ a car, don’t it?
Tags: [Car Wash, Winter Car Care, Cold Weather, Freezing Temperatures, Car Maintenance, Washing Tips, Ice, Car Cleaning, Automobile, DIY]