CINCINNATI, Oh. (February 25, 2019)— As winter continues to bring rain, sleet and snow to the tri-state area, AAA is encouraging motorists to stay up to date on vehicle maintenance. Motorists should wash away any traces of recent snow and ice storms from their vehicles without delay to protect their vehicle’s finish, exterior and interior or face pricey repair costs, advises AAA. According to AAA, road de-icers and other chemicals used to treat roadways cause $3 billion annually in vehicle rust damage.

“There is a common misconception that motorists can hold off on exterior vehicle maintenance during the winter driving season and this is incorrect,” says Chad Russell, general manager of the AAA Auto Wash. “Keeping a car clean not only makes it look better and adds to the pride of ownership, it extends vehicle life by preventing rust and corrosion which can become a safety concern.”

Rusty brakes and suspension parts can lead to dangerous and costly problems. AAA strongly urges drivers who experience any of the following vehicle malfunctions to immediately move the vehicle off the road to a safe location and have it towed to a trusted repair facility.

• In-dash warning lights for brakes and other critical systems.
• A “spongey” or soft feeling when applying pressure to the brake pedal.
• An unusually loud exhaust sound or the smell of fumes in or around the vehicle.
• The prominent smell of gasoline or diesel fuel when the vehicle is parked or running.

“To keep winter road treatment damage at bay every inch of the car should be washed – from top to bottom and from its front grille to its rear bumpers– and that includes the under-body and each wheel well,” continues Russell. “You have to be proactive in flushing the salt brine, salt, sand, road de-icing chemicals, and other liquid agents off your car. In fact, you should either wash or have your car washed at least every one to two weeks.”

AAA suggests the following tips to clean and protect your vehicle:

• Wash top to bottom - Frequently wash your vehicle, paying particular attention to the undercarriage. This will loosen, dissolve and neutralize road salts. Always use a high-quality car wash solution, not a household dish detergent that will strip the wax from your vehicle.
• Wax and seal – have your car re-waxed and sealed when you have it washed.
• Clean wipe-down – make sure to use fresh, clean towels during the after-wash wipe-down.
• Check for chips – once clean, carefully inspect the vehicle for paint flakes and specks, rust, oxidation or corrosion; replace chipped paint as soon as possible.

Cincinnati is home to the only AAA branded car washes in the entire country located at 5215 Madison Road Cincinnati, OH 45227 and 3330 Central Parkway Cincinnati, OH 45225. Members and non-members can take advantage of a new unlimited wash program at the AAA Auto Wash where they can get a full-service car wash as often as necessary. Services include a soft cloth wash, interior vacuum, triple coat conditioner wax, wheel brightener and undercarriage flush.

AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to 59 million members nationwide and nearly two and a half million members in Ohio.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  AAA is a non-stock, non-profit corporation working on behalf of motorists, who can now map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (AAA.com/mobile) for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.

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