Winter Car Care in Idaho Falls: How to Protect Your Vehicle from Road Salt
Idaho Falls winters are tough on vehicles. Snow, slush and the road salt and liquid de-icers used to keep roads safe all stick to your paint, wheels and undercarriage. Left in place, that mix speeds up rust and dulls your finish. The good news: a few simple habits keep your car protected until spring.
Why road salt is so hard on your car
De-icers work by lowering the freezing point of water, which means they stay wet and active on your vehicle long after you drive home. Salty moisture collects in wheel wells, along rocker panels, on brake lines and across the underbody, the areas you rarely see and the first places corrosion starts.
How often should you wash your car in winter?
When roads are being treated, plan on a wash every one to two weeks, and again soon after any big storm. Washing on a day when temperatures are above freezing helps your car dry fully and keeps doors and locks from icing up.
Don't skip the undercarriage
A hand wash in the driveway rarely reaches the underbody. At Black Tie Car Wash, Silver and Gold washes include an undercarriage blast to flush salt from the frame, suspension and brake components. Gold adds a rust inhibitor and ceramic wax for an extra layer of protection.
Bronze ($16.99 single wash): wash, rinse and 12-turbine force dry
Silver ($22.99): adds undercarriage blast, tire scrub, triple foam and spot-free rinse
Gold ($29.99): adds rust inhibitor, high-gloss protectant, ceramic wax and tire shine
Black Tie VIP ($59.99): the complete Black Tie experience
Save all winter with the Unlimited Wash Club
If you wash twice a month or more, an Unlimited Wash Club membership costs less than paying per wash, with plans starting at $19.99 per month. Members can come through as often as the roads require, plus get exclusive rates at our Detail Center.
Add longer-lasting protection
For drivers who want more than a wash, a ceramic coating from the Black Tie Detail Center adds a durable, hydrophobic layer that helps salt, grime and water slide off. Ceramic Refresh gives about six months of protection, Ceramic Plus about twelve months, and Ceramic Elite is our multi-year option.
Winter car care checklist
Wash every 1 to 2 weeks while roads are treated
Choose a wash with an undercarriage blast
Wipe door jambs and seals to prevent freezing
Clean salt residue off floor mats and carpets
Consider a ceramic coating before the worst of winter
Visit Black Tie Car Wash at 2535 W Broadway St in Idaho Falls (open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm, Sunday 9am to 5pm), or book a detail at our Detail Center next door at 2545 W Broadway St.
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