If you live somewhere that experiences cold and snowy winters, washing your Tesla can be extra important during those months.
However, washing your car in the winter may not be as easy as pulling it out of your garage as you would in the warmer months, so how do you keep it looking nice and clean?
Key Takeaways:
There are many effective ways you can wash your Tesla during the winter months.
More often than not, there are plenty of indoor car washing facilities that are available in your area, and if you have a garage, you can always wash your car inside and open the door just a crack to allow water to drain out.
Together, let’s learn about the proper ways to wash your Tesla and how to do it effectively in the cold, dark months of the winter season.
Why should you wash your car often in the winter?
Washing your Tesla in the winter months can be extra important due to various factors that are not present in the warmer months of the year.
With all of the salt on the roads and dirty snow your car kicks up, your car is bound to look like a mess most of the time.
Salt is a crucial addition to roads during the snowy and icy winter months in many states throughout the country.
It helps to keep the conditions on the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians by helping to keep the ice from building up.
Although laying down salt on the roads is great for drivers and their safety, it can be damaging to the exterior of your car if not properly washed off from time to time.
Salt can be corrosive to many parts of your car hut, especially any exposed metal.
The brake lines can be especially susceptible to corrosion and must be thoroughly cleaned of all salt and other debris every so often.
If your brake lines become corroded from a build-up of salt, it can cause major safety issues for you and other drivers and pedestrians on the road.
During the winter months, snow and ice that get kicked up from your wheels while driving can carry various types of debris with them that can build up on the underside or wheel well of your Tesla.
Too much of this build-up can also cause issues for your car, and it is best to wash it away frequently.
Can you wash a Tesla just like it’s any other car?
Tesla’s are much like any other car in that you can wash them in similar ways without causing any damage. Although Teslas are electric vehicles, there really are not many specific needs when it comes to cleaning them.
Some Tesla owners may get a special coating on the outside of the car or a specific interior that can require special measures to be taken when washing the car.
However, Tesla’s, as they are manufactured, can be washed like any other car.
Methods for Washing A Tesla in Winter
As mentioned before, there are many methods that can be used to effectively wash all salt and debris off of your Tesla during the winter months.
Just because the temperatures have dropped outside and snow may be on the ground doesn’t mean you can’t hand wash your car or take it through a carwash.
Below, we’ll explain some of the most tried and true methods for washing your car in the colder months of the year.
Indoor car washes
Indoor car washes are an excellent option for Tesla owners who want to maintain the cleanliness of their cars during the winter.
Not only are they super effective and highly efficient, they oftentimes will dry your car off at the end.
This is helpful in the winter for an important reason. Getting the excess water dried off of your Tesla in the winter can prevent the water from freezing onto the exterior of your car once you leave the car wash.
Water freezing onto the exterior of your car can cause issues for the paint and various other parts, such as the door handles or windows.
It is especially important to remove excess water if you have a special paint coating added to your Tesla, which is an option at many dealerships.
If you’re going to use a car wash, you should be wary of which place you choose to take your Tesla through, as the manufacturer warns against taking it through a traditional car wash with lots of moving brushes.
If you are going to take your Tesla to a car wash, ensure that it is a touchless wash where there are no brushes involved, only high-powered jets and soap.
This will clean your car without risking any damage to the exterior.
Hand Washing Your Car
Hand washing your Tesla can be a great way to maintain its cleanliness throughout the winter months.
If you live in a place that experiences super cold temperatures and regular snowfall, you may think hand washing would not be possible. However, there are a few ways to do this successfully.
If you have a garage that is large enough and can drain excess water out in one way or another, you can wash your Tesla by hand inside the garage.
All you need are the right products and some sort of way to remove the water from your garage afterward, and you’re good to go!
Just be sure if your garage is not heated, to dry your car’s exterior with towels to ensure no water freezes onto the exterior.
You can also wash your car by hand outside if the weather is not too cold or snowy. All you need to do in this case is ensure the water you use is hot enough that it will not freeze quickly.
We also found these helpful hints about washing your Tesla in the winter from Reddit.
Products for Washing a Tesla
If you’re going to be washing your Tesla at home, you will need to get the proper cleaning supplies.
Most products you find in auto stores and online will be sufficient and safe to wash your Tesla with.
You will likely want to use microfiber towels, some sort of cleaning solution mixed with water, a hose, and perhaps leather cleaner if you are going to detail the inside of your car as well.
Looking for advice on how to de-badge your Tesla before you wash it, we got you! See our Guide to Debadging a Tesla.
Conclusion
Keeping your Tesla clean is a pretty straightforward process that is especially crucial in the winter months.
