Winter Car Care in Spokane: Road Deicer, Salt and Your Paint
What Spokane road treatments do to your car, a simple winter routine, and when a professional detail is worth it.
How should I care for my car in a Spokane winter?
Rinse your car every one to two weeks in winter, and after any drive on freshly treated roads. Deicer such as the magnesium chloride used on Spokane arterials clings to paint, trim and the underside, and it speeds up corrosion if it stays on.
What is on Spokane roads
Road crews in the Inland Northwest use more than one product. Local news reporting says the City of Spokane applies liquid magnesium chloride mainly to main roads, hills and bridges, while residential streets usually get plowing and traction material instead. Spokane County crews use liquid deicer and sand mixed with granular deicer, and WSDOT pretreats state highways with magnesium chloride. Which product your car meets depends on your commute.
What deicer does to a car
| Area | What happens | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Paint and clear coat | A grey film bonds to the surface and dulls the shine | Regular rinse, plus wax, sealant or ceramic coating |
| Wheel wells and underbody | Moisture and deicer sit on bare metal and encourage rust | A rinse that reaches the wheel wells and rocker panels |
| Door seals and jambs | Residue dries into a crust that can stick and streak | Wipe jambs and seals after washing |
| Carpets and mats | White salt stains from boots | Vacuum often, then treat stains |
A simple winter routine
- Rinse the car every one to two weeks, and wash on a day above freezing so doors and locks do not freeze shut.
- Spray the wheel wells and the lower edge of the doors, where deicer collects.
- Wipe the door jambs and rubber seals, then dry them.
- Vacuum the mats and carpet, and blot salt stains with a mix of water and a little white vinegar before they set.
- Keep a layer of protection on the paint. Wax or sealant makes the winter film easier to rinse off.
In Spokane
Hills and bridges get treated first, so South Hill, the Lincoln Heights area and I-90 commutes tend to leave more residue on a car than a short drive on a plowed side street. If your daily drive is mostly arterials and the interstate, rinse more often. A winter prep detail before the first storm gives the paint a protective layer, and a spring detail removes what built up. See our winter prep detail and our ceramic coating page for longer-lasting protection.
Related services and pages
Questions
Is magnesium chloride worse for cars than salt?
Can I wash my car when it is freezing?
Does a ceramic coating stop deicer damage?
Get your Spokane car detailing quote
Send the year and make, your ZIP code and a couple of photos. We reply with a clear price and the next open window, usually the same day.