The auto care calendar in Quebec: 4 seasons, 4 actions

The short answer: in Quebec, your vehicle goes through 4 completely different environments every year. A simple seasonal maintenance strategy is enough to keep it in perfect condition for its entire life. Here is the calendar in 4 actions.

Why Quebec calls for a different approach

Compared to temperate regions, Quebec subjects a vehicle to extreme conditions:

• Winter: -30°C, heavy de-icing salt, melting snow, constant slush spray

• Spring: damp transition, residual salt, gravel (from winter road sanding)

• Summer: intense UV, tree sap, bird droppings, urban pollution

• Fall: acidic rain from fallen leaves, prolonged humidity, first frosts

A vehicle maintained on a seasonal calendar lasts 30 to 50% longer than a vehicle that only gets "occasional washes".

Spring (April - May): the big refresh

Main action: full post-winter detailing.

Winter has just left, along with its load of salt, slush, and chemical damage. It is time to assess the damage and reset everything.

• Deep wash with full decontamination (iron fallout + tar)

• Inspection of the rocker panels and wheel wells

• Conditioning of leather and plastics dried out by the cold

• Application of a spray ceramic coating on the bodywork (4 to 6 months of protection)

• Renewal of the water-beading glass treatment for noticeably better visibility when driving in the rain

• Headlight restoration if needed

Summer (June - August): UV protection and light upkeep

Main action: upkeep and UV protection.

Summer is milder, but UV rays age the paint and the interior (leather seats, dashboard). It is also the season of tree sap and bird droppings, which can mark the paint within a few hours.

Minimum strategy:

• Monthly hand wash with gentle products

• React quickly to contaminants (sap, droppings) with a quick detailer

• Reapply the spray ceramic coating mid-summer if the protection starts to weaken

• Park in the shade when possible (reduces UV degradation)

Fall (September - October): winter preparation

Main action: pre-winter preparation.

This is the most important visit of the year in Quebec. Winter is coming, and everything you do now will determine the condition of your car next spring.

• Full detailing to start from a clean slate

• Application of a spray ceramic coating for the cold season (4 to 6 months)

• Hydrophobic treatment on the windows and windshield. Water, slush and frost adhere less, for noticeably better visibility in winter driving

• Rustproofing treatment on the rocker panels (essential on vehicles 5 years and older)

• Conditioning of the rubber seals (prevents cracking from the cold)

• Headlight inspection (yellowed? we restore before winter)

Winter (November - March): regular maintenance

Main action: regular washes, especially of the rocker panels.

• High-pressure wash (avoid brushes) of the rocker panels at least once a month

• More often (every 2 weeks) if you drive a lot in salted areas

• Avoid roller car washes, which accumulate abrasive salt

• Clean off the slush stuck in the wheel wells immediately

• Watch for the first signs of rust on the rocker panels