Tire World - Tech Tip Archives

Winter is tough on your car's finish, especially for older vehicles. Colorado Springs sands its roads to improve traction. This method contributes to cracked windshields and pitted surfaces in the front of your vehicle but is less corrosive than salt.

While today's cars are technically advanced to better withstand harsh conditions, the extra care we give will determine how quickly they deteriorate.

Tree sap, blown dust, temperature swings, intense sun, dirt, scrapes, bird droppings and other culprits all contribute to the problem. To help protect your car, follow these tips.

Put on a good coat of wax for protection. Wax may streak if applied when it's colder than 50° and will be hard to remove when it's over 85°.

The hardest wax, from palm trees in South America, is carnauba and a higher content in your wax is better. Wax should contain UV protection, just as in sunscreen, to help prevent oxidation.

Teach your teens to wax. It should help them develop a deeper appreciation of cars in general and yours in particular. An automotive parts store can answer your questions if you enjoy this type of work. A good car detailing shop is another alternative.

Apply touch-up paint to nicks and scratches when they occur or at least cover them with wax. Bare metal is vulnerable to any moisture and allows corrosion to begin.

Try to park in the shade, even in winter. This is especially true at our altitude where the atmosphere is thinner and the sun's rays are more intense.

Wash your car often. Dirt looks bad but it also holds moisture on the car's surface, contributing to corrosion from chemical reactions and bacterial growth.

Use only products recommended for car washing. High-alkaline household detergents will strip the wax coat.

A professional car wash will rinse the undercarriage and clean those hard to reach areas that are prone to rust (bumpers, wheel wells, etc.).

Bring your vehicle to Tire World's downtown store and, if you wish, we will take it through Water Works Car Wash - for only $8.

Drop off your vehicle for service or repairs. No appointment is necessary. Use our Courtesy Shuttle then and to return.

We will hand you a well serviced/repaired car that is also clean (inside and out) - a great way to make good use of your time!

Notes on Colorado Springs and how our roads are handled.

In some states, and in our downtown area, salt is used to clear ice and snow from streets. The sand put down on our roads also contains up to 6% salt. This acts to minimize the amount of sand that is kicked into the air by tires. It will also help melt the ice if the sun shines.

The city usually has the main routes sanded within 5 or 6 hours after the snow stops. The sand on the main streets is then picked back up within 72 hours, which cuts down on air pollution from the dust.

Potholes are handled within 72 hours (business days) of being reported. You can report potholes or streets in need of repair by calling 385-5934.

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