There’s nothing more harrowing than dealing with frozen locks and door handles. The good news is that it’s preventable. Check the weather report and take note when the temperature approaches 32°F. An unlimited Quick Quack membership lets you wash your car anytime you want. 

Let’s face it. You wouldn’t leave the house until your hair is dry, so why should your vehicle be different? Maybe cars don’t catch colds, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t impacted by winter weather in other ways. Locks and door handles can freeze. Salt from the roads can stick to your vehicle’s exterior, undoing the effects of a thorough car wash. A good dry protects your car from ice and salt accumulation. We offer top-notch car drying services. Our Multi Directional Power Dryers will dry your car from top to bottom, front to back. 

Falling snow, road slush and other winter hazards can cause unnecessary wear on your car. This is especially apparent when you allow those substances to collect along your vehicle’s surface or underbelly. Take regular trips to the nearest car wash to maintain the strength of your paint and external components. The few dollars spent on a car wash are way more reasonable than the massive bill a mechanic would hand you. 

Preserve the Resale Value of Your Car 

Preowned vehicles cost a pretty penny these days, particularly when they are in good condition. When it comes time to visit the dealership, your mood will largely be determined by the state of your current automobile. A rusty car with chipped paint will see a decline in overall value. Thousands of dollars could be forfeited in a flash if you refrain from taking care of your car.  

You may be tempted to wash the car yourself to save some additional cash. However, the debris, dirt, oil and other substances removed from your vehicle often flow into the sewer’s water supply in your neighborhood. Having dirty water in local sewers and bodies of water can lead to health complications and other concerns for everyone in the community. Calculating the direct cost is a bit uncertain, but the detrimental effects of tainted water far outweigh the money you could save with a DIY wash. 

 Your ability to deal with the cold depends heavily on your perspective. It is possible to view chilly winds as a deterrent from walking or running, but the brisk weather will also allow you to exercise for longer without overheating. The extra body heat generated by aerobic exercise can further mitigate the conditions outside. Once you get going, you may be surprised at just how comfortable winter jogging can be.  

Start a consistent exercise schedule to help build up momentum and form a good habit. Making your run or walk habitual will allow you to push through the days with record-low temperatures when your motivation is at its lowest. Including as many family members or friends as possible will make exercise time pass quickly while keeping everyone accountable and on target. 

Getting your kids out of the house may prove challenging without some incentive to put on multiple layers of clothing. Venturing outside at all is enough to obtain valuable vitamin D from sunlight. However, you can choose a fun activity that provides a great deal of exercise to boot. Family favorites like sledding and ice skating come to mind. Afterward, you can stop by a restaurant or get a drive-thru car wash while everyone is out on the road together.  

Before you set out on the road, do some research. Check the weather forecast for the cities along your route as well as your destination. If conditions look like they’ll be treacherous, you may want to change your travel dates. If you decide to go anyway, make a note of places where you can stop to eat or spend the night if you need a break from the weather.  

Going to your local car wash may not be the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to driving in winter, but a clean car can be quite beneficial in the snow. Cleaning your windows and adding rain repellent can help improve visibility and prevent streaks and spots due to moisture from building up on the glass. You can take advantage of this feature when you sign up for a Quick Quack unlimited car wash membership. Keeping your car clean during the winter can also help your sensors, cameras and lights work better, particularly in snowy conditions.  

It takes time for salt to do its damage, which means protecting your car’s paint and keeping rust at bay is easy as long as you take action right away. Whenever you drive on de-iced roads, or the weather forecast predicts snow or ice, just head over to your nearest Quick Quack Car Wash to add a protective layer of wax to your paint finish and clean salt from your undercarriage. You won’t have to wait long because our friendly car wash team will have you back on the road in about three minutes. You’ll love the way your car looks, or we will clean it again for free. Here are a few of the ways that a visit to a Quick Quack car wash can protect your car from road salt: 

• Paint protection: Our three-step paint sealant process adds a layer of carnauba wax and silicone to your paint that creates a barrier of protection against salt. It will also leave your car looking great.
• Undercarriage rust protection: Your chassis and undercarriage will be splattered by a corrosive salt and water mixture if you drive on deiced roads, but a visit to a Quick Quack express car wash will remove it. We will also spray your undercarriage with a rust inhibitor for added protection.
• Brushless system: Quick Quack car washes have a completely brushless system. That means that a visit to Quick Quack won’t leave tiny scratches in your paint that salt can penetrate.
• Advanced water filtration: Most car washes reuse water to lower their utility bills, which means they sometimes wash cars in water that contains traces of road salt. Quick Quack’s water reclamation system has a filtration process that removes soap, soil, oil and road salt.

If you live in an area where the roads are salted often, you’ll want to wash your car regularly to protect it from salt. A Quick Quack car wash membership takes the financial sting out of keeping your car looking like new because it gives you all the washes you want for one low price. Click the button below to become a member today! 

You should never drive until you remove all the ice from your windshield, as it interferes with your vision and can lead to an accident. Once the defroster starts working, carefully run a scraper across the glass. Start around the edges where you can see the ice melting. Keep working your way up the glass. It usually only takes around 10 minutes when you use the defroster and a scraper. 

On colder days, you may find your locks frozen, too. There are many commercial products that work well, but you can also use a heat source. Try a hair dryer on a low setting or even a lighter. Keep the heat a few inches away from the lock to slowly bring it up to temperature. Then, place the key inside the lock, and gently rock it until it lets you into the car. 

Hand sanitizer also works in a pinch. Holding your key in one hand, apply a thin coating of hand sanitizer onto the metal and rub it onto the key. Insert the key into the lock, and slowly turn it until the door opens.  

You can do a lot to prepare for the road, including inspecting your vehicle and verifying that you have all the essential emergency supplies. Make sure your GPS works, and grab a map in case you find yourself in a dead spot for cell reception. Confirm that you have insurance cards for every member of your family as well as your vehicle. You may also want to pack some snacks and cold drinks in a cooler. 

Small children have short attention spans, but you can plan for this. Ask your kids to pack their favorite books and toys or games that are appropriate for a road trip. It’s helpful to limit how much they can take, especially if you have a full vehicle or a small one. Let them each pick one or two things, and swap them out every time you stop to keep them from feeling bored. 

The right soundtrack sets the mood for your whole trip. Choose a combination of songs you love and songs they love. Look for songs from Rafi and The Wiggles or other bands that make music for kids. If you worry that their music will drive you crazy, set up headphones. The kids can listen to their tunes on tablets or music players while you enjoy the radio. 

Now that your car is in shape, your pet needs a checkup, too. It’s important to see that your dog or cat’s vaccinations, ID tags or microchips are current. Get a collar and tags for the trip, and keep a physical copy of your pet’s vaccination records in the car. Ask your vet for advice about keeping your furry friend calm during storms. They may recommend a mild pet-friendly sedative to make the journey easier. 

For a great trip with your pet, you’ll need the right supplies. Pack food, water and collapsible bowls. Remember to include your pet’s favorite toys and treats. You’ll also need to take along grooming aids and a leash or harness. Don’t forget plastic baggies or litter! Also stock up on a few microfiber towels for drying your furry friend after a walk in the rain. 

Driving with a pet can be tense for both of you, so it’s important to use extra caution when the weather is damp. Stay alert at stop signs and red lights. Turn on your headlights and reduce your speed whenever the pavement is wet. This will increase your stopping distance and reduce your risk of hydroplaning if you need to brake suddenly. Slow down and brake gently whenever you need to turn, and avoid making any sudden movements. 

Everyone tries to spot license plates for as many states as possible, and someone who’s not driving tallies them. Award one point for each state, two for Canada or Mexico and five for any other foreign country. Whoever scores the most points in three minutes gets something they’d like to see on their plate — cookies maybe? 

Invest in some washable markers or colored spray foam. Give everyone a theme, and ask them to decorate their window to match the theme. Make sure you pick decorations that are easy to remove later. Kids of all ages will love doing something they usually can’t do in the car. 

Nothing affects your truck’s value as much as body damage does. When you park, look for spots that are far removed from other vehicles, such as those near the back of the lot. Use caution parking under or around trees, too. Debris from their branches can easily ding your truck. 

Every week, take a few minutes to inspect your truck and look for anything stuck to the paint. You might find tree sap or bird feces left behind. If you can’t get to a car wash, use a little soap and water with a soft mitt or cloth to remove the debris from the paint. You may want to do a visual inspection every time you hop in your truck, too. Bird droppings are one of the worst things you can find on your truck. They eat through paint and leave behind dark stains.