Turtle Wax winter warning to money saving motorists

With winter just around the corner and temperatures set to plummet, against the backdrop of ever-increasing motoring costs, Turtle Wax, UK car care brand, is urging motorists not to neglect their cars in an attempt to save money, but instead to prepare them for the winter in an affordable way.

Vicky Jones, EMEA operational marketing manager at Turtle Wax comments: “Drivers are trying to cut costs of driving and maintenance due to the ever increasing price of petrol and insurance. But with winter just around the corner and experts predicting prolonged sub-zero conditions and extreme snowfall, preparing your car correctly for winter is more important than ever.

“Worringly, motorists have admitted to not checking oil levels and tyre tread, in recent months, in an attempt to save money* but taking these kinds of risks when a harsh winter is on the horizon, could be extremely dangerous and end up costing the motorist more in the long run.”

Last year Councils began adopting a new ‘brine solution’ - a mixture of salt and water - as an alternative to grit for de-icing roads. This solution sticks to the road more effectively, but carries a higher risk of increasing paintwork corrosion. That, coupled with the continuous freezing and thawing due to intense heat from car heaters or hot water during the winter season, can increase rust on paintwork and expand chips on windscreens into larger cracks.

Vicky explains: “The impact of grit on paintwork can be fairly minimal, however, a ‘brine solution’ in combination with oxygen will potentially corrode paintwork. The salt increases the electrical conductivity of the water, accelerating the oxidation process, highlighting “rusting” on chips and scratches, which are not always evident in the paintwork.   

“To minimise the risk of damage, Turtle Wax advises the use of a durable polish which provides a protective coat defending the paintwork, combined with regular washes to remove surface salt especially around wheel arches and sills, this will help combat the problem and prevent unnecessary damage.

“It’s also worth noting that for as little as £5.99**, drivers can protect their car against the winter elements by using a long lasting liquid wax such as Turtle Wax Original Car Wax Liquid - use after washing with Turtle Wax Zip Wax Super Concentrated Wash & Wax to ensure a clean and properly prepared surface.
 
“Saving money on car care in the short term means that motorists are living in a false economy. Taking the time to protect your vehicle and completing a basic maintenance check before the cold weather sets could save hundreds of pounds in repair bills in the long run.”

* Financial Times, 6th October 2011, quote from Halfords’ chief executive, David Wild

**Available from Halfords