Optimal Wash Strategy

[dvd7e]

So what's my best bet for frequency & timing of car washes....

I have an '07 Corolla w/ about 38k. I plan on keeping the car until it dies on the side of the road, so I'm not terribly interested in re-sale value. And I'm not really a vanity driver, the car doesn't have to be pretty, just get me from A to B safely and reliably. I just want to prevent the thing from rusting into a piece of junk so that it will last. And I live in the snowbelt and will have a very long commute, about 80 miles one way on the highway, for atleast the next few years. Because of the long commute, I'll probably be putting upwards of 40k/year on the car, so even if i reach my goal of 300,000 miles that probably won't be longer than a decade of ownership.

How often should I wash my car? I was thinking like once in the Fall and Spring by hand, and once in the winter at a drive thru.

[Sm0keydaBear]

I work at a car wash, and keep my car pretty clean. Frequency of car washes, I would say, just do it when the car gets dirty. If you do it by hand, make sure you get under the side of the car. The car is very easy to wash and maintain, so just judge by eye what you think is dirty. I think the part that gets dirtiest is the underbody, but I'm not really sure. Under the doors is always a good bet tho.

[mikered30]

Wash frequiently in the winter when temps above 40 F. Multiple coats of wax/polish will help with washing.