{"id":202583,"date":"2026-02-11T21:37:39","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T02:37:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=202583"},"modified":"2026-02-11T21:37:50","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T02:37:50","slug":"aaa-time-to-wash-the-winter-away","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2026\/02\/11\/aaa-time-to-wash-the-winter-away\/","title":{"rendered":"AAA: time to wash the winter away"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VW independent staff\/submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After weeks of snow, ice, and a prolonged blast of bitter cold, Ohio has finally started to thaw out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the mercury finally rising, now is the time to wash winter off your car or possibly face costly repair bills down the road.  AAA is reminding drivers to get their cars washed after every significant storm \u2013 especially the undercarriage \u2013 in order to reduce the potential for rust damage and the corrosion of brake and fuel lines caused by winter pavement clearing chemicals and treatments. <\/p>\n\n\n

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As long as temperatures are above freezing, it’s best to wash the winter grime off of your car. AAA photo<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Previous AAA research<\/u><\/a> indicates Americans spend $3 billion a year on repairs from rust damage caused by de-icers. It\u2019s not just the treatment on the roads, but also the chemicals used to keep  parking lots ice free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTaking the time for a quick car wash now could save both time and money down the road,\u201d said Morgan Dean, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Club Alliance. \u201cCorroded brake lines, often the result of road salts and de-icers, can cost hundreds of dollars to replace, or more, depending on the vehicle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 AAA recommends taking full advantage of car washes that offer undercarriage rinses to remove buildup on critical components. Drivers who wash their vehicles by hand or at wand\u2011wash stations should pay extra attention to the wheels, wheel wells, and the underbody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith the average price of a new vehicle hovering around $50,000, drivers are now keeping their cars longer so it is critical that they understand that keeping them clean is not just a matter of vanity, it\u2019s about longevity,\u201d Dean said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

AAA\u2019s Tips to Minimize Winter\u2011Related Damage<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n