2025
The Hidden Cost of Skipping Regular Car Washes for Coquitlam Drivers
Living in Coquitlam comes with plenty of perks. We have access to incredible outdoor spaces like Mundy Park, the convenience of the Lougheed Highway corridor, and a community that feels distinct from the bustle of downtown Vancouver.
However, the very environment that makes our city beautiful creates a perfect storm for damaging your vehicle.
The Invisible Corrosive: Fighting Road Brine and Salt
If you drive anywhere in the Tri-Cities during the winter months, your vehicle is under attack. While we may not get the deep freezes of Prince George or Calgary, our local roads are frequently treated with de-icing solutions to keep traffic moving safely up Mariner Way or heavy hills in Burke Mountain.
The City of Coquitlam and provincial highway crews often use a liquid brine mixture before the snow even falls. This brine is effective at preventing ice, but it is also chemically aggressive.
When you leave this substance on your car, it acts as a catalyst for oxidation, better known as rust. This process accelerates in our damp climate.
Here is what happens when brine sits on your undercarriage:
- It eats through the protective coating on your fuel and brake lines.
- It seizes up bolts and suspension parts, making future mechanical repairs more expensive because mechanics have to spend extra hours fighting rusted components.
- It accelerates the degradation of your exhaust system.
The cost of replacing rusted brake lines or exhaust components can easily run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars. A regular high-pressure undercarriage wash flushes these corrosive salts away, neutralizing the threat before it can take hold.
The Green Menace: Tree Sap, Pollen, and Organic Acid
Coquitlam is known for its trees. Our canopy is one of the reasons people love living here. However, parking under a massive Douglas Fir or Cedar tree has consequences for your paint job.
Tree sap, specifically, is one of the most difficult contaminants to remove once it hardens. And as the sun beats down, the sap heats up and bonds to the paint. Them, as it cools at night, it contracts, literally pulling at the clear coat and causing microscopic fractures.
Bird droppings function in a similar, but faster, manner. They are intensely acidic and can etch a permanent "ghost" mark into your paint in as little as 48 hours if left baking in the sun.
Regular professional washing provides a lubricated, safe method to remove these sticky and abrasive substances. It lifts the contaminants off the surface rather than grinding them in.
The Resale Reality: Depreciation is a Choice
For most of us, a vehicle is the second largest purchase we will ever make, right after our home. Yet, many owners unknowingly slash their car's resale value by ignoring the exterior condition.
When it comes time to trade in your vehicle at a dealership on the Lougheed strip or sell it privately, appearance is the primary indicator of value. A potential buyer or appraiser decides within the first 30 seconds what they think your car is worth.
If the clear coat is peeling from years of acid rain neglect, or if there is visible rust bubbling around the wheel arches, the offer price drops instantly. Buyers assume that if the cosmetic maintenance was ignored, the mechanical maintenance was likely ignored too.
Consider the difference in trade-in value:
- A "Clean" condition vehicle has glossy paint, no rust, and clean wheels.
- A "Fair" condition vehicle has faded paint, minor rust spots, and embedded brake dust on the rims.
The difference in trade-in value between these two categories can be $1,500 to $3,000 depending on the vehicle model. That loss is the true hidden cost of skipping the wash.
Protecting Your Investment on the West Coast
Maintaining a vehicle in the Lower Mainland requires a proactive mindset. The rain does not wash your car; it actually adds more pollutants and acidic water spots to the surface. The mild winters do not mean you are safe from salt; they just mean the salt stays wet and active longer.
By viewing a car wash as a maintenance necessity rather than a special treat, you extend the life of your vehicle. You protect the metal from rusting out, you save the clear coat from peeling, and you ensure that when the time comes to sell, you get top dollar for your asset.
Shine Auto Wash has been serving the Lower Mainland since 2009. With three convenient locations, Shine Auto Wash offers advanced automotive cleaning and protection technology and a service that is quick and efficient.
If you have any questions about this article or would like to talk to us about car washes, we encourage you to call us in Vancouver at (604) 806-0800.
