Busting Winter Car Care Myths

As winter’s icy claws grip the roads at the crossroads of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville, your car battles a relentless storm of snow, salt, and slush, its sleek lines buried under a gritty, frosted veil. At Rice Street Car Wash, we hear a familiar question echo through the frosty air: How do I protect my car in this Minnesota cold? 

Myths about winter car care swirl like snowflakes in a blizzard, misleading drivers. Fear not! Our Petit 360 Automatic Car Wash and self-serve bays, open even at 15–20 degrees below zero, are here to set the record straight. Let’s debunk the top winter car care myths and keep your ride gleaming like the Mississippi under a frosty moonlight glow.

Myth 1: It’s Too Cold to Wash Your Car

Truth: You can—and should—wash your car in subzero temps! Many believe washing below freezing risks damage, but at Rice Street Car Wash, located at the vibrant junction of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville, our equipment thrives down to 15–20 below zero. The Petit 360 uses heated water and eco-friendly soaps to melt away corrosive road salt, while its Spot-Free Rinse ensures no water lingers to freeze. Our self-serve bays ($4 for 4 minutes) offer heated sprays to blast salt off WeatherTech mats or wheel wells. Local driver Robert M. swears by it: “I washed my truck at 10 below, and it came out sparkling—no ice, just shine!” Wash early in the day and wipe door seals with a microfiber towel (starting at $3, up to $15 for the XXXL waffle microfiber, the perfect dry towel, at our shop) to prevent sticking.

Myth 2: Salt Doesn’t Hurt Your Car if You Don’t See It

Truth: Invisible salt is your car’s silent foe. Minnesota’s road salt hides in wheel wells, undercarriages, and seams, gnawing at paint and metal like a slow frostbite. Skipping washes lets corrosion build, dulling your finish and inviting rust. Use our self-serve bay’s Tire and Engine Cleaner to blast hidden salt, followed by the Petit 360’s undercarriage spray for a thorough cleanse. Regular washing—weekly in winter—keeps your car protected, preserving its shine and value as you cruise from Roseville to Maplewood.

Myth 3: Hand Washing at Home Is Better in Winter

Truth: Home washing in winter is a risky endeavor. Freezing hoses, icy driveways, and spotty results can’t compare to Rice Street’s professional setup. Our Petit 360 delivers a touchless clean with heated, high-pressure jets and biodegradable foams, while self-serve bays let you target tough spots like muddy mats with mat clamps. Home buckets can’t match our water-saving Variable Frequency Drives or eco-friendly products that keep the Mississippi River clean. At $4 for 4 minutes in the self-serve, it’s affordable and fast. Credit card users, start washing immediately after swiping and hit the flashing green button to stop the charge.

Myth 4: Waxing in Winter Is Pointless

Truth: Waxing is your car’s winter shield. Some think wax doesn’t matter in cold weather, but it’s vital for repelling salt and grime. Our High Pressure Wax Sealant in the self-serve bay or Petit 360’s wax package coats your car in a glossy armor, making water bead like diamonds and keeping salt at bay. Apply Mothers Wax Protectant ($8.49 at our shop) for extra durability, and buff with our XXXL waffle microfiber towel ($15) for a flawless, streak-free finish. A waxed car resists corrosion and shines brighter, turning heads across St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville.

Myth 5: You Don’t Need to Clean Your Interior in Winter

Truth: Winter grime invades your car’s interior, too. Salty boots and slushy spills turn WeatherTech mats and upholstery into a gritty mess. Use our self-serve bay’s mat clamps and Concentrated Low Pressure Soap to restore mats to rugged glory. For seats, grab Shout Auto Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner ($5.49) from our shop and scrub with a microfiber towel (starting at $3) to lift stains. Dry with the XXXL waffle microfiber towel for a plush, clean interior that feels as cozy as a café at the St. Paul-Maplewood-Roseville junction.

Winter-Ready at Rice Street Car Wash

Perched at the vibrant crossroads of St. Paul, Maplewood, and Roseville, Rice Street Car Wash is as resilient as the Mississippi’s flow or the sturdy oaks of nearby Como Park. Our Petit 360 and self-serve bays, paired with premium products like Meguiar’s, Mothers, and Shout Auto, debunk myths and deliver results. Wash regularly, wax often, and clean your interior to keep your car gleaming through Minnesota’s toughest months. Visit www.ricestreetcarwash.com or follow us on social for more car care tips to make your ride shine brighter than a winter sunset over the Twin Cities.

Drive the shine, conquer the cold at Rice Street!

Rice Street Car Wash: Where Winter Meets Shine.