How to Protect Your Car from Road Salt Damage
November 21st, 2020 by Fix Auto USA
Road salt damage to cars is a common problem in the winter. If you know how to prepare for potential salt damage, you can protect your vehicle against severe damage to its body, tires, and mechanical components.
How to Protect a Car from Road Salt: Here’s What You Need to Know
Road salt helps drivers avoid slick roads in winter. It lowers the freezing point of water, and in doing so, makes it difficult for water to freeze on winter roads. Road salt is frequently applied to roads before a snowstorm to help keep them safe for drivers. It can even reduce the risk of car collisions, as vehicles are better equipped to maintain a firm grip on roads where salt is present.
Although road salt can help you drive safely in winter, it can inadvertently damage your car. When road salt comes into contact with your vehicle, it causes a chemical reaction that can corrode your car.
Does Road Salt Cause Rust?
Road salt is corrosive, and it can cause your car to rust. In addition, if your car is repeatedly exposed to road salt, the issue can escalate to the point where it can damage your car’s brakes, fuel system, and other components.
How to Protect Your Car from Snow and Salt
Here are five things you can do to protect your car from snow and salt in winter:
1. Wax Your Car
Apply a coat of wax to your car’s exterior before winter arrives. The wax coat helps shield your car’s exterior against damage from snow and salt. If you use car wax, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also take your car to an auto detailing professional who can apply a coat of wax to your vehicle.
2. Clean Your Tires
Wash your tires and ensure they are clean and salt-free. If you notice any tire damage or signs of wear and tear, take your vehicle to a certified auto mechanic shop. You can get your tires inspected by a certified auto mechanic and have them repaired or replaced as needed.
3. Avoid Puddles
Keep an eye out for large puddles when you drive. Road salt and debris can gather in puddles, so driving over them can increase the risk of damage to your car.
4. Avoid Deep Snow
Stay away from deep snow any time you drive in winter. If you drive over deep snow, you may unknowingly cause road salt that is packed within the snow to get stuck in your vehicle’s undercarriage. Of course, if you drive over deep snow, you risk getting your vehicle stuck in the snow, too.
5. Maintain a Safe Distance from Salt Spreaders
Be cautious when you take your car on the road in winter. That way, you can watch for snow, road salt, and other issues and ensure you can limit their impact on your vehicle.
If you see a truck spreading road salt before a snowstorm, you should stay away from this vehicle. Otherwise, if you travel too closely behind this truck, large amounts of road salt may accumulate on your car.
Finally, if you believe road salt has damaged your car to the point where it is no longer safe to drive, visit a certified auto mechanic to assess your vehicle and immediately address any mechanical issues that may lead to a collision.
This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto San Mateo, a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing San Mateo.
