wheel winter maintenance

The temperature is low in winter and the road conditions are complex. The maintenance of car wheels requires special attention. The specific methods are as follows:

1. Appearance Inspection and Repair
   • Regular Inspection: In winter, there is often snow and gravel on the roads. When the car is in motion, the wheels are prone to damage. It is recommended to check the appearance of the wheels at least once a week to see if there are any scratches, deformations, or cracks. For example, after parking, you can walk around the car and carefully observe the condition of each wheel.
   • Timely Repair: If there are slight scratches on the wheels, you can purchase special wheel repair paint for patching to restore the appearance of the wheels. If there are deformations or cracks, this will seriously affect driving safety, and you should immediately go to a professional auto repair shop to replace the wheels with new ones.
2. Maintain Appropriate Tire Pressure
   • Regular Measurement: The temperature is relatively low in winter. The air inside the tires will contract due to the cold, resulting in a decrease in tire pressure. This will not only increase the vehicle’s fuel consumption but also affect the service life of the tires and the handling performance of the vehicle. It is recommended that car owners use a tire pressure gauge to measure the tire pressure once every half month to ensure that the tire pressure is within the normal range. Generally, the standard tire pressure of the vehicle can be found in the vehicle user manual, on the inside of the car door, or on the fuel tank cap.
   • Adjust in a Timely Manner: When the tire pressure is found to be too low, the pressure should be replenished in a timely manner to reach the standard value. If the tire pressure is too high, it is also necessary to release some air appropriately to bring the tire pressure back to the normal range. In addition, in the cold winter, if the vehicle is restarted after being parked for a long time, the tire pressure may decrease due to temperature changes, and at this time, the tire pressure also needs to be checked and adjusted.
3. Pay Attention to Road Condition Selection and Driving Style
   • Avoid Harsh Road Conditions: In winter, the roads may be covered with snow, iced over, or have potholes. These harsh road conditions will exert a great impact force on the wheels, increasing the risk of deformation or damage to the wheels. Therefore, when driving in winter, try to avoid driving on roads with excessive snow accumulation, severe icing, or numerous potholes. If it cannot be avoided, reduce the speed and pass slowly to reduce the impact on the wheels.
   • Drive Carefully When Passing: When encountering harsh road conditions that must be passed, such as icy bridges or mountain roads covered with snow, make preparations in advance. First, ensure that the vehicle’s tires have good grip, and you can consider replacing them with winter tires or installing snow chains. Second, during driving, maintain a constant speed and avoid sudden braking, rapid acceleration, or sharp turns to prevent the vehicle from losing control and causing damage to the wheels.
4. Cleaning and Protection of Wheels
   • Clean in a Timely Manner: De-icing agents are often spread on the roads in winter. The main components of de-icing agents are salts, which are corrosive. When the vehicle is driving, the de-icing agents will splash onto the wheels. If not cleaned in a timely manner, it will corrode the surface of the wheels, affecting the appearance and service life of the wheels. Therefore, in winter, pay special attention to cleaning the wheels every time you wash the car. You can use a special wheel cleaner. Spray the cleaner on the surface of the wheels, then gently scrub with a soft brush, and finally rinse thoroughly with clean water.
   • Protective Maintenance: After cleaning the wheels, you can carry out protective maintenance on them. For example, apply a layer of wheel protection wax. The protection wax can form a protective film on the surface of the wheels, effectively isolating external corrosive substances and reducing the risk of the wheels being corroded. When applying the protection wax, make sure that the surface of the wheels is dry and clean. Then, apply the protection wax evenly on the surface of the wheels. Wait for a few minutes until the protection wax is completely dry, and then wipe it with a clean soft cloth to restore the luster of the wheels.