How to Protect Your Car from Salt Damage
Road salt is used to ensure safe transportation when snow and ice pile up on roads and highways. However, you need to protect your car from road salt is necessary to avoid rust and corrosion too. This system was used back the 1930s to create a lower water freezing temperature, thereby rendering the roads safe for travel.
Even though salt is the most available and cost-effective de-icer and is easy to store, handle, and apply, it leads to swift corrosion as well. Here are a few tips to prevent damages caused by road salt.
Take measures before it snows
The best time to prevent salt damage to your vehicle is before the first snowflake falls; a little car maintenance will help keep the rust away. In late autumn, thoroughly wash every inch of your vehicle, including the underside. Follow up with a meticulous coat of wax and then a wax sealant to help keep the wax adhered to the vehicle's paint. Finally, just seal the undercarriage, paying closest attention to the brake and fuel lines, as these are the most susceptible items for rust and corrosion and make your vehicle unsafe if they fail. You can buy a product to do this, or you can have it done professionally.
Wash the car thoroughly
When salt is on the road, washing your car is the major factor in combating corrosion and maintaining the value of your car. Salt that remains on a vehicle surface and undercarriage for any length of time can not only cause damage to the finish, but also affect the mechanics of the vehicle and lead to rust. Keeping your vehicle as clean as possible during the winter will go a long way to cut down the damage done by salt and sand. Take your vehicle to the car wash as often as possible. Many car washes in the "snow belt" offer steam and undercarriage cleaning as well as traditional car washing. Have your car re-waxed and sealed when you have it washed.
Protect the interiors
Rubber car mats should be used during winter so that slush containing harsh road salt can't melt off your boots or stain your interior carpet. It is difficult to scrub out the stains and road salt will eventually rot out floorboards.
Don't neglect the points mentioned above - repairing damages caused by road salt could cost a large chunk of money. It is always better to be safe than sorry!