Keep car happy with some TLC this winter

If you're like most people, you probably consider your car an extension of the family. In fact, studies show that 84 percent of Americans feel an emotional connection with their cars.

It's not enough to love your car in theory, however -- you need to make it real by incorporating professional car washes into your maintenance routine, even in the winter!

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There's significant financial value to washing, waxing and detailing -- especially during winter, when most interior and exterior damage is likely to occur.

Your car's appearance needs extra attention during the colder months because salt, mud, and road grime are more likely to accumulate on your vehicle. Watch out in particular for salt. It's highly corrosive and by far the biggest car culprit, affecting a vast majority of all automobiles in the United States. Why? Because wherever there's snow, there's road salt.

Road de-icing materials can cause great damage to cars. In fact, road salt is estimated to cause billions of dollars in damage to American automobiles. But salt can even be airborne in coastal regions, so warm weather drivers beware: your cars are also at risk.

Congratulations if you're among the astute group of car owners who take winterizing steps by checking your car's oil, brakes and anti-freeze. But that's just part of what your car requires this winter. They also need car washes at least once or twice a month to keep them in top condition. If you show your car this kind of love, you'll also reap financial benefits in the long run.

According to auto trade-in experts such as Kelley Blue Book, cars in excellent condition and appearance can be valued as much as $1,500 higher than those in good or fair condition.