Rust and Road Salt – How to Prevent the Damage

With the winter season right around the corner, it is advised to prepare and protect your car. Not only are icy roads a hassle to drive on, but car owners should be aware of the harmful effects road salt has on their vehicle. Road salt helps to ensure safe travels, but it has drawbacks. It can cause major body and undercarriage damage to your car unless it is appropriately taken care of.

Here are some tips to help protect your vehicle from rust due to road salt:

– At the end of fall, thoroughly wash every inch of your vehicle, including the underside.

– Dry the edges of the doors inside and out, including the undersides of door handles, all hinges, plus the hood and trunk edges.

– Apply a coat of wax followed by a sealant to help keep the wax adhered to the vehicle’s paint.

– Seal the undercarriage, paying closest attention to the brake and fuel lines, as these are the most susceptible items for rust and corrosion.

– Use a good quality spray protectant on all exterior rubber or vinyl surfaces.

– Throughout the winter, take your vehicle to the car wash on  a regular basis. Many car washes offer undercarriage cleaning as well.

– After each car wash, apply an additional coat of wax to all exposed metal. Use a hand-held hairdryer to warm the metal surface before applying the wax. This will help the wax better adhere to the cold metal.

Do you have rust that needs to be taken care of? We can help! Contact us today.

Similar Posts

  • Why Isn’t My Car Heater Working?

    The heating system in a car is supplied by hot coolant circulating through the engine. A small amount of hot coolant is diverted into a hose fitted into the firewall and then into a small heater core. Cold air from the outside or recirculated air from the inside is directed through the heater core. A…

  • Understanding the Different Types of Synthetic Motor Oil

    Why Synthetic Motor Oil Matters for Modern Engines Today’s engines are designed with tighter tolerances, higher operating temperatures, and increased performance expectations. That means the oil circulating through your engine needs to do more than just lubricate moving parts. It must also resist breakdown, reduce friction, and help keep internal components clean. At Signal Garage…

  • Severe Service Requirements

    A lot of Minneapolis car owners have asked whether or not they should use their severe service maintenance schedule, which is listed in their car owners’ manual. It can be somewhat confusing, so we decided to consult an expert. Cricket Killingsworth is from QMI/Heartland, a manufacturer of automotive products and fluids. She’s been in the…

  • Car Brakes: How Do You Know When to Change Them?

    Brakes are essential to your safety. So how do you know when brake pads are wearing out and need to be replaced? There are two easy ways to check for brake wear. First off, look at your brake pads through the spaces between the wheel ‘s spokes. The outside pad will be pressed against a…