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Keeping your car clean is crucial in the winter months, but there are some major hazards that can get in the way of a traditional car wash. Our freezing temperatures in Grand Forks can leave your car iced up and unfit to drive if you're not careful about your approach. Learn how to care for your car properly in our freezing winter months. more The Hazards of a Dirty Car in Winter The winter months present numerous hazards for vehicles. The very road salt that helps keep roadways clear while you're driving can wreak havoc on your vehicle. Salt accelerates corrosion, so exposure to road salt will cause your vehicle to rust more quickly than it would otherwise. The risk is most prevalent for your car's undercarriage, which is constantly splashed with the briny blend. Critical parts like your brakes and transmission are exposed on the underside of the vehicle, putting them at a greater risk of rust damage. When salt splashes up and dries on your car's coating, it can damage your paint job. Any salt that creeps under the hood (most likely around the seams) can even wreak havoc on your engine. Packed snow and ice present additional dangers. If this accumulates around the exhaust pipe, it could cause carbon monoxide to back up inside the car. Packed snow in the engine may constrict moving parts or otherwise damage the engine. Around the brake pads, packed snow may damage seals and cause brake fluid to leak. If ice seeps in around your car doors or door locks, you may not even be able to get into your vehicle. Properly caring for your car in winter can help minimize some of these hazards, but you'll need to know how to address the problems properly or you may risk worsening them. Preparing Your Vehicle for Cold-Weather Months Preparation and prevention are the best ways to handle cold-weather hazards for your vehicle. You can protect your car from damage by taking steps to winterize it before you're facing the threat of snow and ice. Around Grand Forks, this means getting to work around September. Prepare your car for winter by: Filling any chips in the paint. Leaving them exposed provides an opening for rust to take hold. Applying wax or another protective coating like ceramic to your vehicle. Having the undercarriage thoroughly cleaned. Inspecting your windshield wipers and changing as needed. Checking your tires for appropriate tread and any signs of damage. Repair or replace as needed. Have your oil changed to a product that's optimized for winter. Fill your radiator with a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Clean battery connections and make sure they're tight. Replace your windshield wiper fluid with de-icing fluid. The Dangers of Washing Your Car in Winter Frequent car washes are one of the best ways to remove road salt, ice, and packed snow from your vehicle in winter. However, it's not easy to wash your car when the temperatures are below freezing. In Grand Forks, the average high is below freezing from December through February. The average lows are below freezing from November to April, and you can easily encounter freezing temperatures on occasion outside of this range. Freezing temperatures mean that water can turn to ice while you're working. If you're not careful, an attempt at washing your vehicle could leave it encased in frozen soap and water, which is in itself harmful. Tunnel car washes are no exception. There's little to no protection from freezing here, and you may end up sitting in an icy car that's no longer fit to drive home. How To Wash Your Car in Freezing Temperatures If you're planning a DIY car wash in winter, you'll need to work in a very careful manner. Always choose the warmest day of the week. Wash the car in direct sunlight during the warmest hours to maximize your chances of getting an environment that's above freezing. Wear waterproof gloves to protect your hands from the wet and cold, and work as quickly as you can. Follow these steps to successfully clean off your car when it's below freezing: Drive the car around the block a few times with the heater on high before you begin washing your vehicle. This will help warm it up from the inside out. Fill a few 5-gallon buckets with hot water or connect your hose directly to your water heater. The hotter the water when you begin, the longer it will take to freeze. Rinse the vehicle with warm water. Spray it down with a high-pressure water hose connected to hot water if possible. This spray applies less water to the car, reducing the risk of freezing. Working with one panel at a time, wash the car using warm water and soap that's formulated for washing cars. Rinse the panel as soon as you're finished washing it. Immediately dry that part of the car with a microfiber towel. Have a ready supply of dry towels, as thoroughly drying the car is one of the most important steps. Repeat as you work your way around the car, working in small sections. Pay extra attention to the seams around the hood, the tires and wheel wells, the door handles and locks, and the seams around the doors and trunk. Professional Solutions for Cold-Weather Cleaning A DIY car wash is a great way to protect your car from winter weather, but even the best at-home cleaning can't compare with what you'll enjoy from a professional. Ideally, you will give your car a thorough wash at home once a week and periodically take it in for professional detailing as often as you can manage. This is the best way to get the undercarriage clean and ensure that even the smallest parts of the car are treated for salt and snow. Our service experts at Rydell Auto Group offer expert car cleaning services. We also offer detailing services for boats, motorcycles, ATVs, and even fish houses. If you have outdoor equipment that needs to be cleaned, contact us for an appointment now.

Washing your car regularly is an important way to keep it looking good for longer. You may be thinking that your best option is to wash your car at home, but there are several reasons why this isn't a good idea. Here's a look at why you should avoid washing your car at home. more You'll Waste a Lot of Water Image via Flickr by NNECAPA via CC BY 2.0 One of the main problems with washing your vehicle at home is that you'll end up using a lot more water than a professional car wash requires. First and foremost, you're not likely to have access to the professional equipment used at a car wash to speed up the washing process. This means you'll need more time to wash your car if you do it at home. A related issue is that a standard garden hose uses a lot of water. On average, a hose uses about 10 gallons of water for every minute of use. By contrast, the average carwash requires about 40 gallons of water to wash one car. This means that after just 4 minutes of hosing down your vehicle, you'll be using more water than a carwash would need to finish the job. If you spend 30 minutes washing your car, you'll have used 300 gallons of water on average. This would be enough water to wash your car seven times at a typical commercial car wash. Over time, the cost for the extra water you'd need if you regularly wash your car at home could be considerable. Paying the relatively small amount of money required to use a carwash is likely to prove less expensive in the long run. You'll Wash Pollutants Into Nearby Drains Whether you drive your car on busy city roads, on the highway, or off the beaten track, it picks up a lot of debris, dust, and dirt. Salt, sand, mud, dust, and oil are all substances that can potentially stick to your vehicle's exterior, including the windows and undercarriage. If you clean your car at home, all of this dirt will end up being collected in the nearest runoff drain. Runoff drains in residential areas are not designed to cope with these kinds of substances. In fact, their main purpose is to allow rainwater to be drained off the street or sidewalk whenever the weather takes a turn for the worse. If you contaminate the drain near your home with everything you wash off your vehicle, there's a good chance that it will struggle to cope over time. The drain's inability to break down the substances you've washed off your car can also damage the local environment. You Could Damage Your Vehicle's Paintwork The cleaning products that many people have at home are not suitable for washing cars and may actually cause damage to your vehicle. For example, a typical household soap can dull the color of your car's paintwork by oxidizing the paint. Since most people washing their car at home will do so outdoors, they also face the problem that the sun can dry the soap that's on your vehicle. This can lead to a buildup of residue on your vehicle that won't look good. Washing your car in direct sunlight can also cause spots to be burned in the paint. Even if you plan on using specialty auto cleaning products, these are still likely to be less effective than they would be at a carwash. For instance, you'll probably need to scrub your vehicle with a sponge or mitt, which won't be necessary if you go to a carwash. The added friction caused by your scrubbing can lead to scratches on the paintwork and other damage. What Are the Benefits of Visiting a Car Wash? The biggest advantage you gain from going to a carwash is that it will produce a higher-quality result. The equipment available at a commercial carwash can generate a higher level of water pressure than a normal hose at home. This helps in removing tough dirt and grime that you may not be able to get rid of yourself. Commercial car washes also remove the need for excessive touching and scrubbing of your paintwork. Whether you go to a tunnel car wash or use a different setup, you'll find that most of the cleaning is done by equipment that sprays water and cleaning products from a distance. If brushes are used, they are generally designed to avoid causing damage. As a result, the likelihood of damaging the exterior of your vehicle is reduced. Commercial car washes also have systems in place to safely dispose of the water contaminated by the substances that are washed off your car. They have water treatment equipment that can separate things like oil residue, metal sediment, and other substances that can be damaging to the environment. A further benefit you get by visiting a commercial car wash is that additional services are offered to keep your car looking its best. You can have the paintwork waxed to produce a fresh look. You also may decide to have your vehicle vacuumed. Visit Our Modern Car Wash in Grand Forks Today Now that you know why visiting a professional car wash is a better option than washing your vehicle at home, why not drop by one of our two car wash locations in Grand Forks? At Rydell Cars, we use state-of-the-art technology at our two car wash facilities to produce the best results and keep your vehicle safe. Our foam brushes guard against the risk of scratching your paint, and our optional hot wax treatment can leave your vehicle appearing sparkling and new. Once your car wash appointment is complete, you can take advantage of our complimentary vacuuming service. We also have a detail center to take care of all other cleaning needs. If you have questions about any of our car wash services, don't hesitate to contact our helpful team. We'd be delighted to provide you with the answers to your questions so that you can use our services with confidence.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are designed to be ridden in the wettest, muddiest, and dustiest conditions, and most ATV owners have no difficulty getting their quad bikes dirty. But after the fun ends is when the hard part of owning an ATV starts — cleaning your quad and getting it back to its former shiny glory. more If you want to keep your ATV's plastic parts looking like new, you need to adopt a cleaning and protection routine from day one. By following these few simple steps, the tedious job of cleaning your quad will be a lot easier. If your ATV is white, some additional steps may be needed to keep its original color and shine. Presoaking If your ATV is covered in caked-on mud and dirt, an important first cleaning step is to presoak it. This simply involves using a hose to spray your quad with an intense spray of water and leaving it to soak. Try to get the spray into all the smallest recesses. Use your hands to get rid of any big chunks of stuck-on grass and mud. Turn Up the Pressure The next step is to blast off all the loosened dirt. Using a pressure washer is the simplest and most thorough way to do this. If you don't have access to a pressure washer, you can use a hose with a nozzle turned to its most powerful setting. Clean off as much dirt and grime as you can, to make the rest of the cleaning easier for yourself. Sponge and Detergent Use a good automotive cleaner and a sponge to scrub all of your quad's surfaces, paying particular attention to the plastic parts and the seat. For any rough or difficult-to-clean parts of your ATV, use a stiff brush to remove tough dirt. The detergent will help to get rid of any oily stains. Drying There are different ways to dry your quad, depending on what you have to hand. If the plastic is still wet, the heat of the sun and a lint-free cloth work really well. If you have access to an air compressor, it not only dries your ATV's plastic surfaces but can also get into all the nooks and crannies that you can't reach with a cloth. This helps to prevent rust spots developing in hard-to-reach areas where water can sit in pools. Polish the Plastic Many ATV owners think polishing the plastic is a step too far for a vehicle that's going to get covered in mud next time out. But if you want to keep your quad looking great, or at least try to reduce the faded and scuffed-up appearance of plastic surfaces, you shouldn't skip polishing. Once your ATV is dry and free from water spots, use a specially designed plastic polish on all the plastic areas. You simply spray it on and buff it until the surfaces shine. However, don't use the polish on your seat, as you might find yourself sliding off the slippery surface on your next ride. Restoring Discolored White Plastic If your ATV is white, it might need some extra cleaning because even the smallest bit of dirt will stand out on white plastic surfaces, causing the white to become discolored. Take these additional steps to restore your quad to bright white. Fill a large bucket or bowl with one part water and one part bleach. Remove small white plastic parts from your quad and soak them in the bleach-water mix. For the larger parts, soak paper towels in the bleach solution and cover the discolored plastic with them. Be sure to wear gloves when using bleach. Alternatively, you can buy automotive spray-on bleach products. Either way, leave the solution on the plastic for a while. Wipe the surfaces with a soft cloth, then spray them with a pressure washer or hose and nozzle. Afterward, dry the parts and admire your shiny white ATV. Use a Sealant To make your ATV's plastics easier to clean, you could treat them with a good-quality plastic sealant spray before you go riding in the mud. The protective coating helps to repel water and mud. Instead of sticking to the plastic, muddy water will sit in beads on the surface. Your quad will still get dirty when you hit the muddy trails, but it makes it much lighter work of the cleaning afterward. Before you use the sealant, your ATV must be thoroughly cleaned and dried to ensure the sealer will stick properly to the surfaces. Also, make sure you read and carefully follow the product's instructions for use so that you get the lasting finish you want. After that, it's a simple job to apply the sealer to all plastic parts components you want to protect. Leave the sealer to sit for a couple of minutes, then buff the treated areas with a dry rag or a micro cloth to remove excess spray and bring your quad's plastic surfaces to a shine. The sealant is safe to use on all body surfaces, but you should avoid spraying the product on the engine or electrics. Also, you need to consider that some sealants, especially if they're silicone-based, can make your handlebar grips and seat slippery, so it's advisable not to coat those parts with the product. Cleaning the Seat As we mentioned above, you shouldn't use polish or sealant on your ATV's seat. Although these products will make your seat shiny, clean, and protected, they will also leave it slippery, making your next riding adventure potentially dangerous. For cleaning and protecting your seat, the best product to use is a degreaser. It will remove the mud and water stains to leave it looking like it just left the showroom. Most degreasing products will do the job. You just need to ensure it's compatible with vinyl and won't damage the seat. Following these easy steps will help keep your ATV looking its best. If you have any other tips for cleaning and protecting your quad, please let the team at Rydell Auto Group know, and we'll pass them on.

Taking care of your car involves major repairs, getting a regular oil change, and getting small tune-ups. You can also take care of your vehicle by cleaning it using the best methods, cleaners, and waxes to prevent damage to your paint, glass, and body. Explore these differences between a car wash and an auto detailing so you know which one to get and when. more What's Included Image via Pixabay by DariuszSankowski Depending on where you go and how much you spend, you can expect a rinse, some soap, some wax, and a blow-dry when you get your car washed. At an automated car wash, your car might get the water-only treatment or get some scrubbing from the car-wash brushes. Car washes with actual human operators may use some elbow grease to scrub your tires, your car's backend, and other hard-to-reach spots. And while a car wash is just for the outside, you can also use the on-site vacuum to clean up the interior of your car. However, that might cost extra. When you get your car detailed, you get a good wash and much more. An auto detailing typically includes a thorough cleaning of the exterior, including  the hardest-to-reach spots, plus a detailed cleaning of the car's interior. But that's not all! Your car also gets a good scrub to remove tough substances like bugs, tar, and sap as well as paint touch-ups, small dent repairs, and a wash under the hood. The Steps The most common steps in any car wash, no matter where you go, are as follows: Wet the whole car. Scrub hard-to-reach areas with a brush. Apply soap. Use brushes and/or powerful water sprayers to remove debris and dirt. Rinse. Apply wax or sealant. Rinse again. Air dry, blow dry, or towel dry. While this might leave your car looking really clean for a few days, a car detailing has many more steps to make sure your vehicle is actually clean and to prevent dirt from sticking for a while longer. Here are the most common steps in a car detailing service: Wash the whole exterior of the vehicle: Professionals use foaming soap that softens dirt and special brushes and washing mitts to remove grime. They then rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry it with soft microfiber towels to prevent scratches or water streaks. Scrub the wheels: Since the wheels are often the dirtiest parts of your vehicle, detailing pros will scrub the tires, wheels, brake calipers, and lug nuts to remove all grime. Touch up the paint: The first step here is to use a clay bar surface to completely remove dirt from the clear coat. Then, detailers can polish the paint to remove swirls, scratches, or signs of oxidation, either by hand or using a polishing machine. Wax and seal the car: In this step, detailers add a protective layer to prevent harm to the car's paint from dirt build-up or scratches. Polish the windows, rubber, and plastic parts: Detailers finish the exterior cleaning by polishing the outdoor glass and other areas that need additional cleaning. Vacuum and shampoo the carpets, mats, and upholstery: Using commercial-grade machines, detailers vacuum, steam clean, and shampoo all of the cloth upholstery, including your interior roof. If you've got leather upholstery that needs cleaning, the pros will use the right stuff to do so. Wipe the dash, steering wheel, console, and doors: Detailers remove dust, dirt, pet hair, and crumbs from every surface, including your vents and cupholders. Clean the interior side of the windows and the mirrors: Detailers make sure you can see from every angle. Freshen up the engine bay: This step is typically optional, but a detailer may recommend removing grime, dust, debris, and anything else that might get in a mechanic's way when checking under the hood. How Long It Takes A car wash can take anywhere from a few minutes in an automated car wash to an hour or two if you're doing it yourself. However, car detailing typically takes between two and three hours, depending on how large your vehicle is and how much cleaning they need to do. The Price Going to an automated car wash in Grand Forks, North Dakota, can cost a few dollars for each visit. Some places allow you to pay a flat monthly charge for unlimited washes. At Rydell, we offer a wash in our cutting-edge facilities for as low as $8. Car detailing can cost anywhere from $40 to over $200 with additional cleaning and detailing services. The cost can also depend on how large your vehicle is. Whether You Can Do It Yourself Washing your car yourself can be a fun activity to do with the kids or a meditative solo experience. Though buying the best car-friendly soaps, washing mitts, wax, and towels can cost a pretty penny upfront, you might be able to save money by washing your car yourself rather than taking it to the car wash regularly. But if you want your car detailed, it's best to leave that up to the professionals because of their expertise, special equipment, and attention to detail. Benefits for Your Car While the benefit of a simple, automated car wash is that your car's body looks clean, auto detailing offers many more benefits: Little-to-no risk of scratches or damage to the body. Keeping your car in better shape, potentially improving its longevity and resale value. Better protecting your vehicle from oxidation. Greater likelihood of a spotless clean. When You Should Get Each Done Choose to get your car washed when: You just want a quick clean. You're in the middle of a season when the weather can change at the drop of a hat. Your car is covered in pollen, salt, or sludge from the snow. It's recommended that you get your car fully detailed every four to six months, but the frequency may change depending on where you live, the kind of weather you get, how much you drive it, and how often you wash it. Opt for a full auto detailing when: You've never had it detailed. You've gone more than six months since you last had it detailed. You're between seasons and need to remove the previous season's buildup. You want to sell your car. Rydell Auto Group knows how important your vehicle is to you, which is why we offer our own automated car wash locations and great wash packages to freshen up your vehicle, no matter how big or small. Do you have questions about our car wash, our vehicle selection, or our service options? Contact us today — we're happy to help!

Keeping your car clean is a common goal for many car owners. You take pride in the appearance of your vehicle and want it to look its best at all times. To do this, you need to regularly wash your car, either by doing it yourself or taking it to a car wash. Automatic car washes are a popular choice due to how quick they are and the affordable cost. If you've ever wondered how these car washes operate, here's what you need to know. more Types of Drive Through Car Washes Image via Pexels by Pixabay Before you drive to your nearest car wash, it's important to know the difference between the major types of automatic car washes. There are essentially two main types — touchless and soft touch. Each has its pros and cons, and you should see which system a car wash uses before deciding which one is right for you. Soft-touch car washes use soft cloth and foam bristles to wash the vehicle. These materials make direct contact with the car, often allowing for a more thorough cleaning, especially in harder-to-reach places. However, if applied too forcefully, or if dirt and other debris is not removed before use, they can actually damage the vehicle. The alternative is a touchless car wash. In this system, the car wash uses high-pressure jets to clean the vehicle. The only thing that makes contact with your car is the water and cleaning solution, which can reduce the chance of damage to your car. However, this system does not always provide the deepest cleaning. Ultimately, it's best to read customer reviews of any car wash you are considering. Regardless of the type of system used, you want to ensure your car is in safe hands and that you'll get a thorough cleaning. Often the best way to judge this is through previous customer testimonials rather than the method the car wash uses. Decide on Services Once you arrive at your local Grand Forks car wash, the first thing you need to do is decide on is the services you want. Most car washes offer a basic package that washes and dries the exterior of your vehicle. Then, depending on the location, they may offer additional services for an extra fee. For example, they may provide interior or undercarriage cleaning, or offer to use more premium cleaning supplies. Go through the list of options available and decide which one is right for you. Drive In After picking the type of service you want and paying for it, the next step is to drive your car into the service station. Some locations allow you to remain inside the vehicle throughout the wash, while others ask you to step out and wait inside. In either case, your car goes onto a conveyor belt and is put into neutral. From there, the conveyor belt pulls the car through the service station so that no one needs to operate anything inside the vehicle. Pre-Soak The first step inside the car wash is the pre-soak. During this stage, the system applies cleaning agents designed to break down dirt and grime. The car goes through a metal arch, out of which several small nozzles spray the liquid cleaner. The Mitter Curtain After being soaked, your car then goes through the mitter curtain if you are at a soft-touch car wash. This is a series of long strips of cloth, which gently begin to wipe away dirt from the horizontal services of your vehicle, such as the roof and hood. These bits of cloth move side to side slowly, wiping your car as they do. Foam Applicator After passing the mitter curtain, then comes the foam applicator. It's at this stage that your car receives the cleaning agents, issued from nozzles placed around the outside of the vehicle. During this stage, your entire car becomes covered with colorful foam, which works further to break down dirt and debris. The cleaning agent used depends on what you selected at the beginning of the process. Scrubbers and jets To remove the foam from the vehicle, your car will then pass through a series of either soft scrubbers or water jets, depending on the type of car wash. In soft-touch car washes, you'll see scrubbers both on the sides and top of your vehicle, softly scrubbing away each surface. With touchless car washes, high-pressure jets do this work instead. Rinse Once it finishes scrubbing your car clean, the car wash will then rinse away any remaining cleaning agents. Your car passes through a similar metal arch as it did in the beginning, where water gently washes away any remaining chemicals and foam. Drying Finally, there's the drying phase. Car washes handle this phase in a few ways. Some places use high-powered fans, while others use heat to dry the vehicle. Others prefer to use people instead, who will wipe down your car with clean towels after it exits the service station. At your local car wash, you may find that they use one of these methods or a combination of them to dry your vehicle. Finishing Up If you didn't choose any additional services, such as interior vacuuming, your car is now ready to go. This entire process typically only takes a few minutes at most, assuming there is not a line of customers in front of you. Once you're done, your vehicle will look new again. It's a fairly affordable, simple, and quick process that everyone should consider doing for their car if they want to keep it looking great. Not only that but regular car washes can even keep your car in better condition for a longer period of time, boosting its value when the time comes to sell or trade it in. To learn more about how to take proper care of your car, or how our dealership's car wash is the perfect place to take your car, feel free to contact Rydell Auto Group today. We are experts when it comes to car maintenance and car detailing, and we'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Regularly going for a car wash not only keeps your vehicle looking great, but it also offers a number of practical benefits, such as better safety and fuel efficiency. You should wash your car more often during the winter months or if you enjoy going on off-road or outdoor adventures. Snow, slush, road salt, and mud can cause irreparable damage to your car if left unattended. When it comes time to bring your vehicle to the car wash, you may be wondering if you should opt for a tunnel or touchless car wash. Both methods have their pros and cons, which you need to consider to make the right decision. Check out this detailed comparison between a tunnel car wash and a touchless car wash. more How Does a Touchless Car Wash Work? Image via Unsplash by fahmivamiola The touchless car wash is one of the latest innovations in the car wash industry. Similar to a tunnel car wash, it's an automated system that eliminates the need for human labor. The first stage of a touchless car wash involves using low-pressure nozzles to wet your vehicle. Then, soap is sprayed on all of the exterior surfaces of your car. After the soaping process, the nozzles turn into high-pressure washers to remove the soap. Now that your car is clean, the touchless car wash system uses special cleaners to wash the tires and then applies wax to the paint job. Finally, it's time to dry your vehicle, which is done with powerful air blowers. The benefit of using these blowers is that it prevents water spots from forming, which commonly occurs during drying. A touchless car wash is very accurate and efficient, so you can expect your vehicle to be sparkling clean in just a few minutes. Benefits of a Touchless Car Wash The touchless car wash is gaining popularity among drivers because it offers a number of great benefits, including: Hands-free approach: A touchless car wash uses intense water pressure to get rid of stubborn dirt and stuck debris. It doesn't apply any friction or come into direct contact with your vehicle, except for the water and cleaning agents. As such, you can rest assured your car won't be scratched or damaged. This is the main advantage of a touchless car wash. Effective cleaning: The computer-controlled laser sensors of a touchless car wash are able to accurately detect the shape of your vehicle to ensure optimal coverage of the water jets. With this technology, the system can wash certain vehicles that may not be compatible with other types of automated car wash, such as off-road vehicles with oversized tires and trucks with dual tires. How Does a Tunnel Car Wash Work? Image via Flickr by mikecogh The tunnel car wash is probably the largest robot you'll encounter in normal life. It consists of a tough rust-resistant aluminum frame that can support its enormous weight and a conveyor belt capable of moving a vehicle that weighs up to 30 tons, as well as high-pressure friction mechanisms, regulators, and sensors. An effective tunnel car wash can remove grease, bird droppings, and insects from the surface of your vehicle in five minutes or less. The process of going through a tunnel car wash begins with pre-soaking, which involves applying a mild alkali and rinsing with a mild acid. Then, a detergent is added for deep cleaning. The main section of the car wash has two to five vertical brushes for washing the sides of your vehicle and at least one horizontal brush for cleaning the top surface. In the final stage, the machine uses a high-pressure fan to dry your car. In some cases, wax is added to protect your paint job from fading, scratches, and ultraviolet light. Benefits of a Tunnel Car Wash Despite the emergence of new car wash technologies, the tunnel car wash continues to be one of the most preferred options for drivers who want to keep their vehicles clean. Below are a few good reasons why you should opt for a tunnel car wash: Safe and thorough cleaning: A good tunnel car wash uses soft, foam-like cloths and high-pressure brushes to scrub off tough stains without scratching your vehicle. These cloths are thoroughly rinsed after each vehicle, so you can be sure your car will get a fresh wash every time. With physical scrubbing action, a tunnel car wash does a better job of emulsifying and removing dirt and grease than a touchless car wash. This is especially important for North Dakota drivers, whose vehicles accumulate a lot of road salt and grime in winter. Paint-safe detergents: Since it doesn't make physical contact with your vehicle, a touchless car wash relies on acidic and high-pH chemicals to break down dirt. Such chemicals may cause damage to your car's wax coating or protective ceramic coating. A tunnel car wash usually uses quality detergents that can get rid of stubborn stains and calcium water spots while protecting your paint job. Targeted cleaning: An advanced tunnel car wash is equipped with a sophisticated technology known as a vehicle profile detector. This system uses sonar mapping to identify the dimensions and shape of each vehicle and then customize every wash to suit different vehicles. Therefore, a tunnel car wash is capable of cleaning hard-to-reach areas such as cracks and crevices. Lower cost: A tunnel car wash uses significantly less water to wash a vehicle than a touchless car wash, making it a more cost-effective option. Give Your Vehicle a Good and Fast Cleaning at the Rydell Car Wash If you're looking for a great place to wash your vehicle, consider going to Rydell Car Wash. Our state-of-the-art car wash system is specially designed to thoroughly remove the stubborn dirt and grime commonly found on North Dakota vehicles, particularly during winter. It also uses ultra-soft cloths and top-quality detergents to prevent damage to your vehicle. The layout of our car wash enables you to get in and out easily and quickly, making the task of cleaning your car a breeze. We also offer complimentary vacuums for cleaning the inside of your vehicle. Contact Rydell Cars If you have any inquiries about the Rydell Car Wash, don't hesitate to contact us.

While you may not neglect to take a shower regularly, it can be easy to forget when you should give your car a proper wash. Some drivers may not give their car a wash for weeks or even months on end, but that is not a recommended practice.  If you want to show your car proper care, you should regularly schedule time to get your car washed. Doing so will help you protect your vehicle from all the elements that can get it dirty — like acid rain, tree sap, and bird droppings to name a few. We at the Rydell Auto Group want to help all our Grand Forks, North Dakota, drivers keep their cars looking their best. Let's take a look at some more reasons why you should regularly get your car washed. more How Frequently Should a Car Be Washed in the Winter? Photo by camilo jimenez on Unsplash Even if you drive a rugged work truck, if you live in an area that can get heavy loads of snow and ice during the winter months, then you should wash your car or get you car washed in winter once a week at the very least. This may sound like an extreme cleaning schedule, but it is necessary if you want to protect your car's paint job and undercarriage from the damage that can be caused by road salt. There is more to cleaning your car than simply paying attention to a regular schedule. Be sure to wash your vehicle only when the temperature outside is higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If you were to wash your car at lower temperatures, you could actually hurt the exterior of your car. For example, if you were to douse your car with water on a very cold day, the water could freeze and then cause ice damage to your paint. This is one of the many reasons it can be easier and safer to clean your car in winter at a professional car wash. In order to avoid harm from the weather or road salt alike, make sure you have a plan to wash your car as often as the temperature allows. How Frequently Should a Car Be Washed in the Summer? The changing of the seasons also hails the changing of your car wash routine. While the tough conditions of winter may require you to wash your car once every week, the summer season tends to give car owners some time to relax between washes. During these warmer months, you'll only need to wash your car about every two weeks. There are different factors that will affect this schedule, such as how you store your car or where you live. For example, if your area tends to have higher humidity and is prone to hosting a big bug population that seems to find itself decorating your windshield, then you should have your car washed closer to every 10 days or so. Of course, you can also do yourself a favor and store your car in a garage after a wash. This added protection can decrease the need to wash your car dramatically. If you keep your car in a garage or even under a fabric car cover, you could potentially only need to wash your car once a month instead of three times a month. How Frequently Should the Undercarriage Be Washed? Many drivers have not given their car's undercarriage much thought and most would not realize that washing the undercarriage of their car is vital to their car's overall care. It's important to note that while you should be sure to clean the undercarriage, it does not need to be cleaned as frequently as the rest of your car. If you mostly use your car for commutes to work and running errands, the undercarriage of your car should ideally be washed four times a year, or, if it helps you remember, once a season. If you regularly take your car on off-roading adventures or enjoy exploring the path less traveled, you should plan on washing the undercarriage at least six times during the year. How Frequently Should a Car Be Washed To Defend Against Rust? If you are concerned about rust forming on your vehicle, stick to the rule of thumb and wash your car every two weeks during warmer weather. Of course, during the winter when salt is on the road, you should be extra vigilant. When the colder months set in, plan on treating your car to a bath every ten days — not only to defend against road salt damage but rust spots as well. How Often Should a Car Be Waxed? Washing your car is an important step to maintain your car, but you should also be waxing your vehicle. When you wax your car, not only do you give it that new car sheen, but you are also adding a protective layer that blocks the effects of harsh ultraviolet rays, vehicular pollution, and tree sap. Typically, you should only need to complete this task four times during of the year. Of course, if you are driving a classic restoration, you should plan to wax it more frequently. While applying wax to your car does take a bit of work, the overall benefits of doing so are worth all the effort. Should You Use an Automatic Car Wash Regularly? Generic automatic car washes are incredibly convenient but they should only be used if you are in a pinch for time. These car washing services come with a long list of fine print attached because they were not created with every make and model of car in mind. Using an unmanned automatic car wash service regularly can result in a lot of unnecessary headaches like a torn-off antenna that needs replacing, water spots, and the harsh chemicals in such facilities can actually start to destroy your car's clear coat over time, resulting in corrosion and, ultimately, rust. You can avoid all these issues by taking the time to hand wash your car. By implementing this tried and true method you can prevent the usual wear and tear on your vehicle while making it look brand new at the same time. Contact the Rydell Car Wash We at the Rydell Auto Group hope that this article has illustrated the importance of regularly washing your car. If you still have questions about the best way to maintain your vehicle during any season, get in touch with us. We look forward to helping all our Grand Forks drivers.

Freezing temperatures, snowy and rainy conditions, and dark nights can make it difficult for you to keep your vehicle clean in winter. However, cold weather can wreak havoc on your car's appearance and even cause damage to some of its components. Therefore, it's essential that you regularly wash your car in the winter months, even if you dread going outside when it's cold, wet, and dark. Check out this detailed guide to learn why you need to clean your vehicle in winter and how you can do it the right way. more Visit a Rydell Car Wash Chat With an Expert Why It's Important to Clean Your Car in Winter Image via Flickr by royal_broil It may seem counter-productive to wash your vehicle in winter because it will get dirty again the moment you hit the road. While this is true, it's still important to keep your car clean because it offers a number of practical benefits. The following are two good reasons why you should regularly wash your car in the cold months: Protect Your Car From Damage During winter, your vehicle will encounter things like grit, salt, and rotting leaves as it takes you from one place to another. These substances and debris can stick to your paint job and leave detrimental deposits behind. This may, in turn, lead to the onset of rust, which can eat away at your vehicle's exposed metalwork if left unattended. Salt and moisture are especially harmful to the undercarriage, where metal parts have less protection. If rust occurs there, it can cause all kinds of mechanical issues and significantly reduce the resale value of your car. Improve Safety Washing your vehicle in winter also helps reduce your risk of accidents. A windshield that's dirty, streaked, and covered with fallen leaves can impair your visibility while you're driving, especially when the sun is low. Sun glare is a more common problem in the winter months because the sun is close to the horizon during peak driving hours. As such, it's important to ensure that your windshield is clean and streak-free so that you can reduce glare. It's also recommended that you keep a pair of sunglasses in your car. How to Properly Wash Your Vehicle in Winter Image via Flickr by wuestenigel Due to the extremely cold temperatures and wet conditions, washing your vehicle in winter isn't as straightforward as it is in summer. However, you'll be able to give your car a proper cleaning by following these tips: Turn On the Heat Before you start washing your vehicle, turn the heat all the way up and switch on both the front and rear defrosters. By doing so, you can slow down the speed at which water freezes on your windows, weather seals, and other components. Avoid Scrubbing Instead of scrubbing the exterior of your vehicle, you should just spray water on it to rinse away salt, sand, and debris. Blast winter gunk and ice out of the wheels and wheel wells and thoroughly rinse the undercarriage. This can reduce vibrations and make your car ride smoother. Also, spray away snow and ice from the area between the hood and the windshield where the wiper blades rest. There's a vent in this area that allows air to enter the cabin. If ice and slush block this vent, your heater and defroster won't be able to work properly. It's essential to avoid using a wash brush to scrub the surface of your vehicle during winter, especially if ice has already formed on it. Scrubbing can leave scratches on your car's clearcoat. Spray Wiper Fluid After you've finished rinsing, get inside your car, close the door, and spray wiper fluid on your windshield. While the wipers are moving, feel free to use a generous amount of fluid. This will allow the fluid to soak into the wiper blade assembly and prevent ice from forming on the wiper blades and arm hinges. Additionally, doing this clears away water that can ice up the openings in the washer nozzle. As a result, your wipers and washer nozzle will be able to work properly to keep your windshield clean. Roll Down Your Windows By now, your vehicle should be properly warmed up and ready for this step. Roll each of the windows down about half an inch and open the sunroof the same amount. This can dramatically reduce the amount of ice that will form between the windows and their seals. As such, the windows will be able to operate smoothly without putting extra strain on the window regulator. Close the windows and sunroof after a few minutes or when you're done washing your car. Open the Fuel-Filler Door Ice can form around your vehicle's fuel-filler door and freeze it shut. To prevent this, open the fuel door and use a clean towel to wipe the area around it dry. Open the Doors Open all of your car's doors and its trunk or tailgate. Then, use a clean, dry towel to wipe the rubber weather seals on the inside edges of the doors and trunk and the ones lining the door openings. This is to ensure that ice won't form between the seals and the body of your car and cause the doors to get stuck. Additionally, it helps prevent damage to the weather seals, which is likely to happen when you try to forcefully open a frozen car door. Pull the Door Handles and Locks While the doors are open, pull each door handle several times so that ice won't build up within its mechanism. Just a few pulls should be enough to weaken the grip of any ice that's forming inside the handle. After you're done with the door handles, spray some lock de-icer into the keyholes to prevent frozen water from jamming them up. Visit the Rydell Car Wash It's essential to clean your vehicle properly in winter because failure to do so can lead to a wide array of problems. If you want to give your car a good cleaning or repair any problems, don't hesitate to stop by one of Rydell Cars' dealerships in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Road salt, sand, and other chemicals are necessary to keep us safe on icy winter roads, but they take a toll on your vehicle, causing rust and corrosion and dirtying carpet and upholstery. You can take measures to limit costly damage caused by road salt that will also increase safety and save you money long-term, preserving your vehicle investment. Wintertime washing has special challenges, including having a source of fresh water and making sure doors and windows don't freeze shut. You can find options out there for do-it-yourselfers as well as car wash and car detailing services that are equipped to handle winter conditions. Here's more on how to clean road salt off your car. more Visit a Rydell Car Wash Visit the Rydell Detail Center Chat With an Expert How Does Road Salt Damage a Vehicle? Image via Flickr by Hasan Basri AKIRMAK Steel, aluminum, plastic, rubber, vinyl, and carpeting can all be damaged by road salt, sand, and other chemicals used to keep the roads safe during winter. Salt causes both cosmetic and safety issues. It speeds up the rusting process and can cause visible damage to doors and body panels as well as invisible damage to components like suspension and braking systems. Brake and fuel lines are especially susceptible to rusting out, resulting in hydraulic system failure and leaking fuel. Salt lowers the freezing point of water and requires some water to activate it, which is why trucks pre-treat roads with a mix of salt and water called brine. Water and salt also create a chemical reaction that accelerates the rusting process on metal. It's best to keep salt on the roads and off your car. You can take measures to limit salt damage by waxing your vehicle and installing all-season floor mats. Waxing the entire vehicle's surface protects it from corrosion and staining, helping prevent salt from permeating surfaces. This is best done before the wintry weather hits, but it can be done at any time. When driving in winter weather conditions, avoid puddles and driving behind plows, both of which are sources for increased salt exposure. How Do You Remove Road Salt? Road salt and other contaminants need to be removed from the exterior, interior, and undercarriage of your vehicle. Salt can adversely affect cosmetics and the safety of your vehicle, not to mention its resale value. Here are some tips to help you limit these negative effects. Exterior Spray water all over your vehicle, making sure to clean the grille, wheels, wheel wells, and other spaces salt can accumulate. Once everything is sprayed, use soap and a sponge to scrub away the film of road salt, harsh chemicals, and dirt. Winter washing requires extra scrubbing. Spray down the car again with fresh water and dry, being mindful of water in windows and doors that could freeze them shut. Spot clean any remaining stains with a little bit of soap and water. Interior Carpet, upholstery, and floor mats can get caked with salt. Remove and shake out the floor mats, and tackle the floor debris with a vacuum cleaner. Clean remaining debris with a spray bottle filled with half warm water and half distilled white vinegar. Being careful not to get electrical connections wet, spray the solution on stained areas and soak up with a clean, dry towel. Make sure the surfaces are able to air dry thoroughly. Undercarriage The undercarriage should be cleaned once every 10 days during the winter months to prevent buildup and corrosion. Spray water directly under the vehicle to clear salt and other debris from hard-to-see areas. Undercarriage components that are at risk from salt include the exhaust, coil springs, subframe, fuel lines, and brake system. Even though the undercarriage isn't seen, damage to your vehicle's unprotected underside can cause safety and performance issues. Undercarriages may be treated with a specialty oil solution or salt neutralizer for an added layer of protection. How Often Should You Wash Your Car in the Winter? During the winter, it's best to wash your car's body and undercarriage every 10 days. Frequent washes remove the accumulation of salt, chemicals, and dirt, halting the damage. Before winter, it's recommended to wax the paint, treat the undercarriage, and have a mechanical inspection done. Once winter is over, a thorough cleaning and detailing should be done to remove any salt accumulation outside and inside your vehicle. How Much Does Salt Removal Cost? Salt removal costs vary from minimal for home and basic car washes to a couple of hundred dollars for top detailing services. Car washes that tackle the undercarriage are between $10 and $20. For a variety of car wash options, stop at one of the two Rydell Car Wash locations in Grand Forks, where they offer three car wash levels and unlimited monthly passes. For winter, the two options that feature a special underbody rinse are recommended to ensure that salt is properly removed. The state-of-the-art equipment at Rydell features heated air dry, body sealant, spot-free rinse, and a tire/wheel cleaner. The underbody rinse and hot wax options provide the extra winter protection your vehicle needs. Exterior and interior detailing at Rydell ensures your vehicle is clean from top to bottom. Detailing improves appearance, resale value, and extends vehicle life. Rydell's options include express detail with a car wash, complete interior detail, and complete exterior detail. Detailing service options include removal of surface contamination, polishing, waxing, and carpet shampoo. Having your car detailed is a good way to bring back its shine and remove salt remnants inside and out, especially at the end of winter. Road salt, sand, and chemicals shouldn't be ignored. They cause cosmetic damage and safety issues. Be sure to wash the salt off your vehicle frequently, ideally, every 10 days, making sure to clean the undercarriage to protect vital suspension and braking components. While this can be done at home, weather conditions and the difficulty of thoroughly reaching the nooks and crannies of the undercarriage can make it challenging. That's why it's best to go to a good carwash. Wash Road Salt, Sand, and Chemicals Off Your Car in Grand Forks In the fall, detailing can provide a protective coating of wax for the winter ahead. At the end of the winter, a good detailing can remove any salt remnants and provide a new protective coat of wax. Whatever the season, Rydell offers services to protect your investment and keep you and your family safe. Contact us today!