Swiss Alpine passes are among the most beautiful roads in Europe – but for your car they are hard work. On the way down the brakes work hard and produce brake dust, insects collect on the front, and some sections are covered with grit or, in spring and autumn, salt. Here's how to get your car back in shape after a pass drive.
What a pass drive leaves on your car
- Brake dust on the wheels, especially after long descents.
- Insects on the front bumper, grille, mirrors and windscreen – plenty of them in summer.
- Grit and stone chips on the front, sills and wheel arches.
- Salt in the shoulder seasons, when the pass road has been salted.
Step by step after the tour
- Let the brakes cool down. Don't wet wheels and brakes straight after a long descent – hot wheels make cleaners dry on quickly.
- Soak the insects. Wet the front thoroughly first and let it soak. The longer insects dry in the sun, the more stubborn they become.
- Wheels first. Loosen brake dust with separate tools and rinse thoroughly – details in our wheel cleaning guide.
- Wash the paint with the 2-bucket method, using 7WASH Wash Shampoo – in a self-service wash bay if washing at home isn't allowed.
- Clean the windows streak-free, inside and out, with 7WASH Glass Cleaner.
- Dress the tyres. After drying, apply 7WASH Tire Dressing to the sidewall – never to the tread.
Check after the tour
After washing, stone chips on the bonnet and windscreen are easiest to spot. Have small paint damage and chips in the glass checked early by a specialist workshop.
Getting ready for the next pass drive
- A sealant such as 7WASH Hydro Slick makes insects easier to remove.
- A microfibre cloth and a bottle of 7WASH Wash & Wax Waterless in the boot help with mirrors and headlights on the road.
- Top up the screen wash – with an insect additive in summer and antifreeze in winter.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my wheels so black after a pass drive?
You brake a lot going downhill, and that produces brake dust. It should be removed regularly, but only once the wheels and brakes have cooled down.
How do I remove dried-on insects?
Soak, let it work and then wipe off gently. Don't rub them dry – that causes scratches.
Do I have to wash straight away after a pass drive in winter?
If the road was salted, remove the salt as soon as possible, ideally at temperatures above freezing and with an underbody wash.