Wintertime protection

[rbrommel]

Hey guys, i unfortunately have to drive my car through the winter and last year i just made sure to wash it weekly so the salt wouldn't build up and i have seat covers that i put on to protect the interior from crappy sludge and snow. I also would warm it up each time i started it before driving, but i was told that an cars today that's not necessary and doesn't do much. Anywho, i was just wondering what you guys suggest to keep it reasonably protected. I guess I feel i should be mostly concerned with the salt and my paint so i figured washing it weekly helps it not build up. Any other ideas? I'm really hoping this is the last winter it'll see.

[closetfordfan]

[quote="rbrommel"]Hey guys, i unfortunately have to drive my car through the winter and last year i just made sure to wash it weekly so the salt wouldn't build up and i have seat covers that i put on to protect the interior from crappy sludge and snow. I also would warm it up each time i started it before driving, but i was told that an cars today that's not necessary and doesn't do much. Anywho, i was just wondering what you guys suggest to keep it reasonably protected. I guess I feel i should be mostly concerned with the salt and my paint so i figured washing it weekly helps it not build up. Any other ideas? I'm really hoping this is the last winter it'll see.[/quote

I warm up my cars most of the time, because I hate freezing my ass off and I think it better for a car's engine to have some heat in it.

[Monkey Gein]

they say for newer cars you just need to let it run alittle to get the oil through the motor. i go a little longer then that in my car, my wife waits till there is heat. i'd say you don't have to ge till there is heat, just wait till it revs down and wiat a min or two.

[rbrommel]

Cool, that's what i started doing last winter, before i'd let it warm for 10-15 min. cause i'm really anal about my car and want to make sure i'm doing whats best. But now i just wait like 5 min or so. In regards to the road salt and rust, are there any suggestions other than washing it often to keep the majority off. I know Rust isn't nearly as big an issue nowadays as it used to be.

[Monkey Gein]

just wash i think....

[Patalrob]

Yeah just keep it clean. Clean out the door jams expecailly the lower part of them, salt loves to hang out there. Spray the underside of the car as well as your can or use the automatic car washes for that. Find a good high pressured one, but be carefull with that if you have CAI. I have a Cossie on mine and it hickuped before. I have even been thinking of getting some mud flaps for the DD

Other than that I guess just make sure you keep it clean where ever you think salt will hide and hang out and have a snack on some Focus metal.

[Pappy]

#1. A GOOD coat of wax before it snows...

#2. Wash it often (at least bi-weekly). Also, like pat said, use an auto wash that can clean the underbody.

#3. When drying the car, open all the doors and wipe the jams out, not only so they don't freeze shut, but it also get all the salt and dirt out.

If you follow these steps, a focus WILL NOT rust. If you don't, your car will look like Zurnos beater.

[rbrommel]

Thanks guys, I will do all of that

[PBZX3]

I have 2001 Focus with 100k miles. It’s been a year round daily driver it’s whole life. The only place it has rust is on the lower part of the door behind the rubber door seal gasket. On my 05 Focus I am trying something new. I removed the rubber door seal gasket and sprayed LPS 3 (heavy duty rust inhibitor) in the door drain holes and the entire lip where the outer and inner door panels are welded together. I then reinstalled the gasket. I notice the LPS 3 collects dirt but hopefully it keeps the salt from attacking the door seam.

If you don’t want to use LPS 3 then make sure you clean behind the lower door seal gasket every time you wash your car. It appears this is the most vulnerable point for rust to attack our cars.

[Sucka612]

Sounds like I need some of that LPS 3, where can I get some?

[PBZX3]

Sounds like I need some of that LPS 3, where can I get some?

I get it at Fleet Farm but it's pretty common stuff. I would think most hardware stores would carry it.