For those of us languishing in the Salt Belt this winter, the battle against vehicular corrosion is in full swing. Depending on where exactly you live, that battle can seem never-ending.
Road salt may make daily commutes safer, but it does a nasty number on your ride over time. Body panels, undercarriages, wheels, interior carpets, and more can suffer. The lifespan of your vehicle can be cut short if you’re not diligent about getting rid of salt build-up and residue.
Learn how to combat this rust-causing compound with some surefire car care tips, so your ride lives to see another winter.
What is Road “Salt”, Anyway?
Road salt is a substance that is commonly used to melt snow and ice on roads and highways during the winter months. It is typically made up of a mixture of salt, such as sodium chloride, and other chemicals, such as magnesium chloride or calcium chloride.
That salt can eat away at the metal parts of a car, causing rust and corrosion. This can lead to a variety of problems, such as weakened structural integrity, difficulty starting the engine, and increased wear and tear on other parts.
Which Parts of your Vehicle are Most at Risk?
One of the parts of the vehicle that is particularly vulnerable to road salt damage is the undercarriage. This is because the undercarriage of a car is often in contact with the salt-covered road, and it can be difficult to clean the salt off of this area.
Other parts of the vehicle that can be damaged by road salt include the wheels, brake components, and exhaust system. Not to mention interior carpets and upholstery that get trashed by you tracking it in on your shoes and boots.
So, what can you do to combat road salt damage to your vehicle?
Here are a few tried-and-true methods for cleaning road salt from the interior and exterior of your car:
Wash your car regularly: One of the best (and easiest) ways to remove road salt from your car is to wash it on a regular basis. This will help to remove the salt before it has a chance to do significant damage. It is recommended that you wash your car at least once a week during the winter months. Remember to always wash your car during the daylight hours. Ideally, the outdoor temperature should be above freezing.
Use a pressure washer: If you can’t fit in a proper wash, a pressure washer can be an effective tool for removing road salt from hard-to-reach areas of your car, such as the undercarriage and body panels. Be sure to pay special attention to your wheels and tires, since road salt loves to build up and hide in those tight crevices and tiny spaces.
Use a specialized road salt cleaner: There are also specialized cleaners that you can purchase to remove road salt from your car. Products like 303 Salt Neutralizing Wash Boost and Eastwood Road Salt Neutralizer are designed to break down the salt and remove it from the metal surfaces all over your vehicle.
Vacuum your car’s interior: Just like you want to wash your car’s exterior regularly, so should you at least run a quick vacuum over the floor mats and carpets. Shaking out your floor mats will do in a pinch, but a lot of the wet chemicals get trapped inside your carpet fibers and lead to premature breakdown.
Getting a full professional car detailing at the end of the season is a great way to make sure you get every ounce of damaging road salt off and out of your ride. Just think of it as a spring cleaning for your car – and a solid first step toward rust prevention.
An Ounce of Prevention
Aside from moving to a warm climate (which always seems like a great idea right about now), there are also a number of preventative measures that you can take to protect your vehicle from road salt.
Parking in a garage: If possible, it is best to park your car in a garage during the winter months. This won’t totally block salt, but it can help to protect your car from the salt and snow that can accumulate on the roads and get sprayed on your car by other passing vehicles and road maintenance trucks.
Using car covers: No garage? Another way to protect your car from road salt is to use a car cover. This will help to keep the salt and snow off of your car, and it will also protect the paint from fading due to the sun.
Getting a good wax job: Applying a wax or sealant to your car can help to create a barrier between the metal and the salt, which will help with rust prevention, at least on the paint and body of your car.
Inspecting and protecting your undercarriage: You can also help to protect your car from road salt damage by inspecting the undercarriage on a regular basis. This will help you to identify any areas that may need to be cleaned or treated in order to prevent rust and corrosion. Check out companies like Line-X that offer special spray-on waterproof and chemical-resistant coatings to guard your car’s belly. Line-X also offers spray-on bedliners.
Investing in all-weather floor mats: If you live in a harsh winter climate and want to protect the inside of your ride, all-weather floor mats are a no-brainer. You can invest in a set of quality custom-cut mats like the ones from WeatherTech that are laser cut to match your car’s specific make and model. Husky Liners has a veritable cornucopia of protective offerings — everything from custom floor mats to mud flaps, truck bed liners, seat covers, garage mats, and much more.
Using safer ice-melting alternatives in your own driveway: If you have a long driveway or even a short one, using products that effectively provide traction, like sand or kitty litter will help keep your car from being damaged by your own actions. Products like Safe Thaw offer a salt-free alternative that isn’t harmful to your vehicles, pets, or other wild life.
At the end of the day, you just have to accept that living in a beautiful area of the country that enjoys the change of seasons comes with some inherent challenges. That doesn’t mean you have to accept untimely wear and tear on your beloved vehicle, though. A bit of attention and time can ensure you have a reliable and great-looking ride for years to come.