In winter, cities see both dirty and freshly washed cars, raising the question of whether it is advisable to wash vehicles in cold weather or leave them dirty until spring. Uģis Vītols, president of the Used Car Dealers Association, notes that opinions are divided regarding car washing in winter; however, he advocates for washing them to protect against salt and corrosion. He emphasizes that the white residue seen on cars during winter is a mixture of salt and brine that, if not washed off, encourages corrosion.

Vītols elaborates that salt significantly impacts the car's body over the long term and stresses that washing away this salt accumulation is vital. He suggests that while winter might make it difficult to wash vehicles regularly, it is crucial to clean them come springtime if they were neglected during the winter. Interestingly, he mentions that vehicles tend to rust less in colder conditions compared to warmer weather, suggesting a nuanced understanding of corrosion processes depending on temperature.

Additionally, Gundars Zalcmanis, an associate professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Riga Technical University, explains that corrosion is most effective at temperatures above +5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, vehicle owners are encouraged to be proactive about car maintenance during the colder months, particularly regarding thorough cleaning to prevent long-term damage from road salt and winter conditions.