This winter, you don't have to drive around in a car that looks like you just towed it out of a swamp.

If washing the salt, slush and mud off your car in the cold weather concerns you because you-think your car may "freeze," the International Carwash Association (ICA) informs us that, by heeding two simple precautions, your car can look as good in the dead of winter as it does in the warm-weather months.

In fact, washing your car during the winter is highly recommended -- especially in geographic areas where a combination of melting snow and road salt can take a serious toll on your car's finish.

"Not washing your car during the winter months may result in damage to the painted surface of your car as the weather warms up warns Mark Thorsby, ICA's executive director. "When the temperature rises above freezing, the moisture formed by the melting snow and ice combines with chemicals in road salt to wreak havoc on the thin painted surface of your car, Eventually, after the paint begins to corrode, the metal underneath it will be exposed and rust will form".

This potential for damage can be minimized and even eliminated by following ICA's. suggestions for cold weather washing:

1. If at a full-service car wash, ask one of the attendants to thoroughly dry the area around the insides of the doors and trunk as well as around the area where a power antenna is mounted to the car. They usually will do this without being asked, but it doesn't hurt to remind them.

2. If at an exterior-only or self-service car wash, bring a few extra dry towels with you to perform these tasks yourself. Purchase a lock de-icing product and keep it in your coat pocket or purse when leaving the vehicle or at all times during these months. These products are available at most. car washes or convenience stores.

3. Periodically apply a good silicone spray to all weather stripping during freezing weather. Water will not collect evenly on silicone-treated surfaces.

"Washing your car in cold weather doesn't have to be a concern," Thornsby explains. "In fact, it eliminates more concerns than it creates. And, as long as you make sure that the areas around the doors, trunk and power antenna are wiped dry after a wash - and that you have a lock de-freezing or de-icing product with you - you shouldn't have to worry at all.

The International Carwash Association is a nonprofit association representing more than 3,000 professional car wash and detail business owners who operate more than 12,000 car washes and detail shops. Other ICA members include industry manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.