Everyone has heard the old cliché that, if March comes in like a lamb, it leaves like a lion. This year, that cliché could apply to winter in general. The season may have started out mild, but Old Man Winter has finally settled in, wreaking havoc all across the map. For those who put off winterizing their cars because it didn’t seem necessary, it’s not too late to do it now. Here are the most important winterization steps in making sure a car is ready for the elements.

Get a checkup.

During frigid weather, it’s more important than ever for a car to be in good condition. For one thing, winter weather can exacerbate existing problems. And, even if winter weather isn’t the cause of a breakdown, no one wants to be stuck by the side of the road in dangerously cold temperatures. At a minimum, a winter checkup should include the following:

• Coolant: Make sure the car’s coolant is the proper mixture for cold weather and is at the optimum level.
• Battery: Extreme temperatures can kill a battery. Check the battery for cracks, leaks, loose terminals, and corrosion. If the car has been slow to start, take it somewhere that can check the battery’s charge.
• Oil: Cold weather affects oil’s viscosity, which is a measure of how thick it is and how easily it flows. When the weather is cold, many cars need thinner oil (like 5W-30 instead of 10W-30). Check the owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Fuel Delivery: Clean fuel injectors, throttle plate and a new fuel filter will help prevent drivability issues in the winter weather.
• Safety: Check all exterior light bulbs to be sure they are working; replace your wiper blades and ensure you have plenty of washer fluid that is for freezing conditions.
• Tires: Inspect the car’s tires. Most people don’t think about tires until they have a flat. That’s a dangerous habit, especially during the winter. The tread is all that’s protecting the car from sliding on slick surfaces. If the tread is worn down too low, the tires should be replaced. If the tires are worn unevenly, alignment and rotation can even things out. Even if the tread is fine, it’s important to check the pressure in tires. Tires lose one to two pounds of pressure for every 10-degree temperature drop. If the tires are below the manufacturer’s recommendations, it’s time to top them off.

Treat the car to a spa day.

It may seem counterintuitive to worry about things like exterior details when winter is still causing mischief, but that’s exactly what cars need. Important treatments include:

• Wash and wax: A good, fresh coat of wax will protect the car’s finish from things like salt, corrosion and the contaminants found in snow and rain. And a dirty car is a very poor surface for wax, so a professional wash is an important first step.
• Headlights: Consider headlight restoration. It’s a quick process that can remove all of the nicks and scratches that build up in headlight covers. Those imperfections can make headlights seem dim, and restoration can bring back full visibility. In addition, make sure that all bulbs are working, including brake lights and turn signals.
• Winterize the Engine: Be sure to get all services that will keep your car running in the cold such as a coolant exchange, transmission fluid exchange, fuel filters, fuel injector cleaning etc.

Be prepared.

Being stranded is never fun, but, in the winter, it can be dangerous. Severe winter storms, for example, can make it impossible for searchers to look for stranded motorists. That’s why it’s so important to be prepared to spend a couple of days in the car if disaster strikes. An emergency kit should include the following items at a minimum:

• Flares
• Blankets
• Snow boots
• A radio
• Heavy outerwear
• Gloves and a hat for all passengers
• A flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Drinkable water
• High-energy snacks like protein bars
• A flag or some other bright item to alert searchers to your presence
• A shovel
• A window scraper
• A cell phone charger or external battery
• Booster cables
• A basic tool kit
• Emergency repair items like water, antifreeze, oil, and tire repair
• Waterproof matches
• First aid kit

This winter, protect both your investment in your car and your own health and safety by being ready for whatever winter throws your way. Mr. Clean Car Wash is ready to take care of everything except that emergency kit (that one is on you). Visit today to get 50% off a full-service wash with a V.I.P. Club membership, or look online for other great promotions.

Every season is a great time to keep a vehicle protected. However, the winter months are especially harsh. Whether your winter climate produces mild or severe winter conditions—it’s important to provide your vehicle with extra protection during this season. Waxing your car can help provide the vehicle with that extra layer of protection.

Many car owners do not realize that while snow, sleet, and other winter precipitation may look clean— precipitation can actually make a car dirtier. Precipitation mixed with acidity found in dirt and other minerals on the vehicle can cause rust. That rust can deteriorate the protective clear coating that covers a vehicle’s paint. It can also do damage to the metal frame.

Waxing helps your protect your car because wax acts as a barrier between your car and water. In addition, wax helps provide your car’s paint with another layer of defense from the elements. In addition, gravel and salt used to combat ice on the roads can cause dents and scratches on a vehicle’s exterior. Tires and other cars can kick up the excess particles onto the paint. Wax helps to shield the paint and body from scratches, so when these elements come into contact with a car in the winter—the car is more likely to be less damaged.

Besides scratches, salt combined with precipitation can create unwanted grime that leaves a vehicle looking gray and dull. That combination can actually cause more significant damage if a vehicle is not properly waxed. Furthermore, this damage could reduce value for resale in the future.

So when is the best time to wax a vehicle for winter? The sooner the better. The best time is before any precipitation hits—as wax can be a vehicle’s greatest ally against significant damage and costly repairs.

Don’t let winter weather cost you more than expected. Make sure to head to Mr. Clean Car Wash for a wax detail service—and be prepared for whatever winter brings.

I’ve been working in the media business, specifically in television, radio and in newspaper, for over 25 years. One of the best parts of my job remains being invited to talk to students in high school and college that are interested in a career in media.

I’m often asked what my best advice is for young, aspiring journalists just entering the job market. My answer is always the same: Never be late to work, never call in sick, live close to the office and always keep your car clean. That last piece of advice often receives bewildered looks and head tilts from the audience.

Why is it important to keep your car clean?

My first job out of college was working an entry level position at a major-market radio station. I was a good employee, and was always willing to go above and beyond. I was approaching my six-month review when my boss scheduled a meeting with me to go over my work to date. I expected a quick, “you’re doing fine buddy” meeting in his office. Instead, he suggested we go out for a cup of coffee to discuss things. Sounded good to me until he said, “Lets jump in your car and head to the diner down the street.”

I immediately broke out in a flop sweat. I panicked. My car was an absolute mess. I had an older Mazda 626. While it was a very solid, very reliable car— both the inside and outside of it were disgusting. That 90-foot walk through the work parking garage was the longest, most agonizing walk I’ve ever taken in my life. I ran ahead of my boss to try and clear out some of the junk I’d had stashed on the passenger seat. I opened the door and quickly tossed papers, old fast food bags, soda cans, etc. into the back seat so my boss would have somewhere to sit.

I will never forget the look of disgust on his face. The two mile drive to the diner felt like three hours. We hit every stoplight on the way to the restaurant, prolonging my agony.

When we finally got to the diner, my normally jovial boss seemed gruff and cold. We had a cup of coffee and he quickly reviewed my performance—providing mostly positive comments. Yet, we drove back to the station in silence. My boss’ perception of me had changed and I could feel it. His disappointment was palpable.

Weeks later I applied for a promotion inside the company and was denied. Months later, I applied again—but this time for a better job within the station. I didn’t get it. My career hit a brick wall and I firmly believe it was because of my dirty car.

After that fateful drive to the diner, I made sure to always keep my car spotless inside and out.

Luckily, that boss moved on to another station later that year. When my new boss was hired, you better believe that my car was clean everyday.

As vehicles get older, parts become more and more dirty. The dirtier a part gets, the more it becomes vulnerable to wear and tear— or even a breakdown. The hardest parts of a vehicle to maintain are the ones that a vehicle owner cannot see with the naked eye (especially those invisible parts that protect the engine). One of the parts that is crucial to keep clean (and is also small) is the throttle plate.

A throttle plate is a valve that regulates the amount of vaporized fuel that enters an engine’s cylinders. The throttle plate is very important when it comes to how a vehicle runs, and it also maintains airflow to the engine. Throttle plates can be victim to build up that may reduce acceleration. This build up can also impact the miles per gallon (or fuel economy) of the vehicle.

Another common problem associated with a dirty throttle plate is that they become sticky. Sometimes, it may take an extra push on the gas to get throttle plates to open. A clean throttle helps keep a vehicle running smoothly as it gets older. Not only will it produce better gas mileage, it will also help with acceleration frustrations.

Make sure you’re getting your vehicle’s mechanics checked out as it reaches certain milestones. This way, you’ll know that the car is safe and effective. Don’t wait until a major milestone, like 100,000 miles as getting a full 30k service on a vehicle is essential to your car’s health and safety.

At Mr. Clean Car Wash, every 30k service includes a throttle plate cleaning as well as a fuel injection cleaning, coolant service, and oil system cleaning. Why wait until there is a problem? Make sure the inside and the outside of your vehicle is washed, maintained and running.

Headlights come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They can be an important fashion statement for fans of auto detailing who like to customize their car’s appearance. At the most basic level, though, headlights are about safety. They provide visibility in the rain, snow, fog, and darkness. Just as importantly, they allow drivers to see each other. A car with its headlights off is practically invisible at night, and that creates a dangerous situation.

However, headlights don’t always perform as well as they should. An obvious problem is that they can get dirty or covered with mud and other road debris. The plastic lenses can also become scuffed and cloudy, kind of like eyes and cataracts. That happens when the clear coat finish from the factory wears off. Once that happens, the sun’s UV rays can cause tiny cracks and pitting. Those imperfections make a big difference. In fact, according to AAA, dirty or scuffed headlight lenses can block 90% of the light from the bulbs. They also diffuse the light, creating glare for other drivers and making the vehicle with scuffed lights harder to see.

Fortunately, solving the problem doesn’t require replacing your headlights. That’s because, in most cases, the damage is confined to the lenses. While lenses are expensive to replace (costing hundreds of dollars each for regular cars and even more for luxury vehicles) restoration is relatively easy and inexpensive. In addition to cleaning the headlight lenses, restoration removes the scuffs that cause cloudiness. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to repair your headlights and regain optimal visibility.

Headlight restoration is also quick and convenient because Mr. Clean Car Wash offers headlight cleaning and restoration as an auto detailing service. If your headlights are less than pristine, contact the Mr. Clean Carwash location nearest you to learn more about how you can restore visibility and maximize safety.

A full service car wash does more than just keep a vehicle dirt free.

It is true that a car wash can give a vehicle a quick facelift. However, a full service car wash can also help keep a car ‘healthy’ over time. Rust is a chemical compound that can cause corrosion to a vehicle if not properly handled. Rust occurs when three things are present: iron, oxygen and water. When water hits iron, it breaks the iron down into two parts: water and oxygen. The free formed oxygen then dissolves into the iron—causing what is known as rust. Rust is a substance that can be extremely harmful to a car, both internally and externally.

Anywhere iron and water are present, rust can be present. A vehicle’s paint is supposed to help protect it from UV damage, scratches, and other cosmetic issues. However, if a vehicle is dirty, the elements that combine with dirt can wear down the protective covering, making it vulnerable to rust. Rust is harmful because it can cause important functions of a vehicle to break down slowly. Rust can also make a car look old and worn. Finally, it can damage a vehicle’s frame and engine—and potentially cause costly repairs. That’s where the importance of applying a rust inhibitor becomes evident. Another dangerous component of rust is how fast it develops. If rust is not removed and the car is not taken care of, rust can rapidly increase across the vehicle. That’s where the importance of a car wash as well as the application of a rust inhibitor (both on and under your car) becomes evident.

A full service car wash can help to reduce the risk of rust on exterior surfaces as it can properly remove key elements that lead to rust. The car wash can also help renew the protective coating on the paint. As previously noted, the underbody of your car is not exempt of the threat of rust. It is equally susceptible to rust and needs protection as well. Having a professional apply an Under Body Rust inhibitor (a sealant applied to the clean underside of a vehicle) helps to reduce costly damage to the frame, drive train, engine and other important parts of a car’s mechanics.

Mr. Clean Car Wash includes Underbody Rust Inhibitor in their Signature Shine Full Service Car Wash package. Don’t let rust impact the longevity of a vehicle. Come to Mr. Clean Car Wash for a full service wash and Under Body Rust inhibitor application. Right now get $5 off a Signature Shine and protect against further damage.

When a car owner thinks about purchasing a detailing service (like a wax), it’s often because they want to improve their car’s cosmetics. However, waxing is not just the first step towards a superior shine—it’s also a way to protect a vehicle from UV damage.

There are two general types of wax: synthetic wax and natural carnauba wax. Synthetic wax is easier to work with and provides a paint sealant. Sealants are polymers that, when bonded to a car’s paint, create a shell. These sealants also help protect a vehicle from UV damage— year-round. UV radiation is an issue car owners face during every season, no matter what the temperature is outside. This sealant can make all the difference in the preservation of a car, especially if the car spends a lot of time outside. This is because wax acts as a type of sunscreen for a vehicle’s paint (again, whether it’s hot or cold outside).

When a car sits in the sun (even when temperatures are cooler), car interiors suffer. Small damage can include fading upholstery or dashboards. Major damage can include cracking speakers or peeling fabric from a vehicle’s paneling. Minor exterior damage includes fading paint and stains from things falling on the car. Major damage can extend all the way into the engine and air conditioning unit.

The best way keep a vehicle safe from UV damage is to take it to get detailing service, including a wax, on a regular basis. Mr. Clean Car Wash’s wax and a full interior detail can help keep a car safe from minor wear and tear caused by the basic natural phenomenon we call the sun. Waxing will not only protect your car’s paint from UV radiation, it will also prevent dirt and grit stains from ruining your car.

Finally, waxing helps keep a car looking great. The shine that car owners crave for their vehicles can be achieved with the help of a detail service. Take a look at our full list of services and start protecting your vehicle from the sun on the inside and out.

Most services surrounding a car detail are relatively well known. “Waxing”, “polishing”, and “car wash” are words most people know to associate with a car. However, there is phrase related to car detail that many don’t know: clay bar.

A clay bar for a car is made of a type of resin specifically designed to remove harmful particles and dirt from a vehicle’s paint. Essentially, clay bar takes off the containments that a wash leaves behind.

Some of the substances that clay bar removes in a car detail are metal or fiberglass. These elements can get stuck to the paint of a vehicle, and can cause major damage to the surface. Car clay bars are similar to clay a child may play with, but are more elastic. Foreign objects protruding from the clear coat surface of a vehicle stick to the clay. Thus, clay bar removes unwanted substances from the surface of the vehicle.

A simple test to help to determine if a vehicle needs a clay bar is to simply run your hand over the exterior. If any bumps or rough patches are felt, clay is a great option. You can also use a plastic bag to see if your car needs detail work. If anything catches on the plastic bag, it may be a good idea to bring the vehicle in for a full car detail with clay bar.

Another reason to detail your car with clay bar is rust. If a vehicle spends anytime outside— chances are there is some kind of oxidation on its exterior. Also, clay can help to remove sap and bug residue. If the substances on your car are sticky and hard to remove, clay is probably the way to go. The clay is hand applied and also helps to remove overspray, scuffs and other contaminants previously mentioned.

Mr. Clean Car Wash’s clay bar detail service helps to prepare the car’s surface for waxing. Always follow the clay bar service with a wax detail service because the clay bar will leave the paint unprotected.

Why leave glass and other objects stuck in a vehicle’s paint when a car owner can trust the surface to trained professionals? Come in today for a clay bar service followed by a Signature Shine Car Wash and additional car detail.

Nothing lasts forever (except for taxes, there will always be taxes)—and that includes a car wax job. Even the most professional application of a high-quality wax will eventually lose its luster. However, it’s hard to define what “eventually” means, because there are so many factors that affect how long a wax job lasts. Here are the most important factors:

• Surface prep: Just as old roof will eventually require a complete re-roof (instead of just another new layer of shingles) due to a poor or weathering initial product, eventually a car will require top tier wax. It’s important to start with a product that removes any wax left over from the last application. In addition, clay bar application (which is part of Mr. Clean Car Wash’s car detail packages) is important for removing contaminants in preparation for a new coat of wax.
• How it’s applied: The way in which the wax is applied makes a huge difference. For one thing, many people unknowingly apply far too much wax at a time. It’s much better to apply a thin coat of wax and then, if necessary, repeat the process. In addition, applying wax by hand is usually a mistake. That’s partly because it’s almost impossible to avoid using uneven pressure when you apply wax by hand. The circular motion most people use when applying car wax by hand tends to leave a visible pattern behind. The best wax applications are done with a random motion orbiter, which applies even pressure and doesn’t leave a pattern. In addition, the friction and heat produced by the random orbiter work to remove contaminants from the surface, which reduces the risk of scratches.
• Environmental factors: It makes sense, but a lot of people never think about it: Cars stored in a garage can go longer between waxes. The same is true for cars that are driven only occasionally versus every day. In addition, other environmental factors like pollution, salt, and ice melt can shorten the life of a wax job.
• Frequency of washing: This one is the proverbial Catch-22. Regular washes are a critical part of protecting a car’s paint, but they do shorten the life of a car wax job. Car owners who are wise enough to wash their cars frequently should consider getting their cars waxed more frequently, too.

The bottom line is it’s tough to give a specific time frame for how long a car can go between wax jobs, but here’s a neat little hack: If rain is no longer beading on the car’s surface, it’s time for wax.

Car wax isn’t just a nicety. It provides a chemical barrier that protects the paint from wear, tear, and environmental elements. Mr. Clean Car Wash has a variety of car detail services to give your car the deep shine it had the first day you got it.

It might come as a surprise to you that one of the things many use purely to improve their cars’ visual aesthetics can actually protect it. While a wax may not seem like much, a wax followed by a polish can help protect your car’s value while also adding to its cosmetic finish.

People often assume that waxing and polishing are the same thing. However, they have completely different car detailing functions. Waxing is a process in which the exterior of a car is coated in order to protect the paint. Waxing is especially important during winter months. According to 5280 The Denver Magazine, a wax can protect a car’s paint from snow or slush.

Waxing also helps prevent scratches on the clear coat that resides over the actual paint job. When a car is waxed, the car is better protected from other elements (like the sun and dirt). Popularmechanics.com says that a car owner should wax his or her car at least twice a year, once before winter and once before spring.

Polishing, however, is what is done after a wax to ensure that the vehicle has that glossy shine. Think of polishing more as the cosmetic part of car detailing. Without polishing, it would be almost impossible to get that deep gloss or wet-look of a car. Polishing helps to mask imperfections on the surface so that scratches and small dents are less noticeable. Polishing also helps to reduce the appearance of water spots or weakened paint from the effects of acid rain.

Polish and wax have to work together in order to give a car a top of the line shine. Don’t trust just anyone to do necessary car detailing. Bring the vehicle to Mr. Clean Car Wash and let their experts give the car a pick-me-up with full car detailing, including a wax and polish.