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Stop-and-start driving. Slushy streets. Grimy roads. These are all the components of winter driving that can wreak havoc on your car and its wheels.
Your wheels affect the safety and performance of your car, but unfortunately, they are often overlooked when it comes to routine cleaning and maintenance. Start the new year off right and give your vehicle’s wheels a little extra care this winter.
During the heart of winter, keeping your car and its wheels clean isn’t about beautification, it’s more about preservation.
So says Mike Pennington of Meguiar’s car care products. The goal is keeping your vehicle from getting damaged during the harshest winter months. Because wheels are a magnet for brake dust, grime, and dirt, a little extra protection and regular cleaning will go a long way in preserving their longevity.
“As a reminder, when it comes to protecting your vehicle, frequent car care is easy car care,” says Pennington.
Think about cleaning your wheels twice a month, or as often as you wash your car’s exterior. This is especially true if you live in an area that is snowy and icy, Pennington said.
When it comes to determining what products to use for cleaning your wheels, there is a wide variety of choices. Select the appropriate wheel cleaner for your type of wheel finish and follow the manufacturer's directions closely. And if you aren’t certain about your car’s specific wheel type, opt for an “all-wheel” cleaner.
Because your car’s wheels can be a very harsh environment, Pennington also suggests using a quality sealant or even a ceramic-based wax, such as a hybrid ceramic wax. Applying a quality sealant on a regular basis can make cleaning that much easier.
Here are a few more tips to remember when cleaning and protecting your wheels:
- Spray off loose grime. This is especially important for winter, when wheels can collect road salts and sand and oils from the road surface. Start by giving your wheels a thorough rinse to remove loose dirt and brake dust. This will help prevent scratching when you start scrubbing.
- Remove grime in nooks and crannies. Scrub the wheels using a dedicated wheel brush, gently scrub the wheels, including the spokes and the wheel's interior. For hard-to-reach spots, use a smaller brush or an old toothbrush.
- Apply a wheel cleaner. Use a spray designed for automobile wheels to loosen bonded contaminants. Rinse thoroughly by using a hose or pressure washer. Make sure to rinse off all residues, including those in the wheel wells.
- Wipe dry. After rinsing, dry your wheels with a microfiber cloth or a separate towel designated for this purpose. Proper drying prevents water spots and ensures your wheels shine.
- Protect with wax. Follow up with a wheel sealant that can help keep contaminants from attaching to the wheels and make it easier to clean them next time you wash your vehicle. Carnauba and ceramic waxes provide long-lasting protection.
- Cover your wheels. Protect your investment, especially if you know your vehicle is parked outside.
- Be selective when parking. Try to avoid areas with excessive brake dust, such as construction sites or industrial areas. Additionally, avoid harsh braking and sudden stops, which can generate more brake dust.
- Eliminate dull browning. Don’t forget your tires; they need some winter care as well. Tire browning, or “blooming,” is a natural process caused by leaching of chemicals to the surface. Use a tire brush to scrub the sidewalls, removing accumulated grime and a tire cleaner to help restore the tires' appearance.
- Dress up the tires. Use a spray rubber treatment to bring out the natural beauty of the rubber regardless of age. Tire cleaners help them look better and improve the overall look of your vehicle through the winter season.
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