Is it spring yet? We’ve all had that thought, but wishful thinking isn’t enough to escape winter’s icy grip. Short days, long nights, and endless snow, ice, and slush are everywhere. You know what else is everywhere? Road salt!
Why January Means Salt, Slush & Serious Vehicle Risk
Road salt is a necessary evil; it keeps us all on the road and moving during the worst of winter, but it comes with its own problems. Its corrosive nature destroys vehicle paint, accelerates rust, and wears down your undercarriage.
Finding an exterior car wash near you in the Portage, Indiana, region isn’t just a nicety; winter grime makes it a necessity!
Our winter wash packages at Portage Car Wash feature Exterior and Exterior Plus, designed to give the exterior of your vehicle a thorough clean that protects your car from road salt corrosion.
Our Exterior Wash starts at $8 and offers:
- Machine-washing your exterior
- Air & hand towel drying
Our Exterior Plus starts at $12 and offers:
- Machine-washing your exterior
- Undercarriage wash
- Applying a triple coat of polish
- Applying ceramic sealant
- Detailed tire dressing
- Air & hand towel drying
If all you have time for is a quick in-and-out wash, our Exterior car wash ensures you get a road salt wash and undercarriage rinse. If you have a few more minutes, our Exterior Plus detailing winter package cleans the nooks and crannies of your car, ensuring no road salt is left hidden to wreak havoc when you’re not looking!
How Portage Car Wash’s January Salt-Combat Washes Protect Your Car
Road salt residue doesn’t just make your car look dirty; it damages it. Here’s what corrosive buildup does over time.
- Traps moisture
- Breaks down your car’s protective layers
- Exposes the metal beneath to rust
- Corrodes electrical components in the undercarriage (leading to issues with headlights, turn signals, and even engine performance)
Removing the salt is the first step, but following up your winter car wash by applying a protective coat is crucial to preserving your vehicle’s longevity and functionality. If you routinely drive on salt-covered roads (i.e., anyone in the Lake County, Indiana region), you need to regularly visit the car wash. Applying a protective layer of polish or hand wax will maintain the ground gained during each wash, preserving your:
- Health
- Safety
- Vehicle’s exterior
- Vehicle’s value
Local & Convenient: Winter Car Care in Portage, IN
We’ve been protecting your vehicle and serving our community for 40 winters; we know the hazards you face on the road because we face them as well. Conveniently located off U.S. Route 6, we are ready, willing, and able to meet your needs in the Portage, Hobart, Chesterton, and Lake County communities.
You don’t have to wait until spring to find a high-quality exterior wash near you. We’re here to meet your car wash needs in January, no matter the weather or temperature. The sooner you come in, the better! We are pros at finding hidden grime and sneaky road salt, protecting your vehicle from long-term damage.
No need to haul a bucket of soap out to your icy driveway, stay warm and toasty and drive on in to Portage Car Wash.
Act Now: Keep the Salt Off While the Damage Is Still Inside
Don’t wait for rust to set in, get ahead of winter’s worst and drive clean. Visit Portage Car Wash today for our Exterior or Exterior Plus washes designed specifically for the road salt season. Stop by just off U.S. Route 6 in Portage, IN. Your car will thank you!
Portage Car Wash has been servicing Portage, Hobart, Chesterton, and the surrounding areas for 40 years. Just off U.S. Route 6, we offer interior and exterior services, detailing, waxing, polishing, and more for an affordable price. Friendly faces plus professional cleaning services equals your car looking like new. Come in for an exterior winter wash today!

