Spring Care for Your Car: Derisking Winter and Salt Damage in Toronto

Toronto winters bring months of freezing temperatures, snow, road salt, and potholes. Even though spring has arrived (with the occasional surprise flurry), the damage from winter is often just beginning, especially when it comes to your vehicle.

At Eternity Car Care, we understand the hidden toll that winter takes. That’s why we recommend a full spring reset to clean, protect, and revive your car inside and out. Here’s your guide to tackling post-winter car care.

Exterior Care: Remove Salt, Slush & Grime

Winter road salt isn’t just unsightly, it promotes corrosion and rust, especially on underbodies, rocker panels and around wheel wells.

• Swap Winter Tires and Clean Your Wheels

  • Remove your winter wheels, clean and seal your rims.

  • Deep clean wheel wells and inspect suspension, bushings, and brakes while tires are off.

• Decontaminate Your Exterior

  • Start with a foam soak to lift salt and grime.

  • Rinse thoroughly, especially undercarriage, door jambs, engine bay, and wheel wells.

  • Follow with a contact wash using a clean microfiber mitt and pH-balanced soap.

• Polish and Protect

  • Clay bar, polish, and seal your paint to restore shine and add protection from spring elements.

• Clean All Glass

  • Clear windows and mirrors, inside and out.

  • Ensure wiper blades are clean and flexible for spring rains.

Interior Refresh: Evict Salt and Sand

Your boots and gear have brought winter indoors. Spring is the time to clean and restore comfort.

• Vacuum Thoroughly

  • Seats, floor, trunk, under and between everything, salt and debris hide everywhere.

• Remove Salt Stains

  • Use a vinegar solution to treat fabric stains, scrub and rinse rubber mats.

• Condition Upholstery

  • Clean and protect cloth or leather with soft brushes and quality cleaners.

• Detail the Small Stuff

  • Clean cupholders, vents, buttons, steering wheel, and door panels—leave no surface untouched.

Under-the-Hood Spring Check

Don’t forget your car’s essential systems.

• Check Fluids: Oil, coolant, brake fluid, ATF, washer fluid, replace or top up as needed.

• Inspect Air Filters: Engine and cabin filters affect performance and air quality.

• Assess Tire Health: Pressure, tread wear, and swap to all-seasons if needed.

• Suspension: Potholes and speed bumps take a toll on your suspension, if it doesn’t feel or sound right have an expert inspect it.

• Brake System: Winter grime can affect brake performance, get it checked.

Let Eternity Car Care Handle It for You

If a full spring reset sounds overwhelming, that’s where we come in. Whether you need a custom detail focused on salt removal, a seasonal tire swap, an oil change, or a complete inspection and brake service, we tailor every appointment to your needs a superior value when compared to dealerships.

Our promise: To earn your trust, exceed your expectations and guarantee our work.

Save up to 10% at TOC Supplies

We’ve partnered with TOC Supplies, a 100% Canadian-owned company known for top-tier auto care products.

Use promo code ETERNITYCARCARE at checkout for up to 10% off your order.

Support a Canadian business and get premium supplies for your own garage work.