Road salt can lead to rust and corrosion, damaging your vehicle’s paint and components
City: Yourtown. So, here’s the deal. Road salt is a real pain for your car. It can cause rust and corrosion, which is not what you want. It messes with the paint and can even hurt parts like brakes and the engine.
With winter hitting hard, a lot of places are using road salt to keep the roads safe. It’s cheap and works well to melt ice. But when you drive, it’s tough to keep your car clean from that salty residue.
A reader named Valatene asked if road salt really damages cars. And the answer is yes, it does. The Environmental Protection Agency says that around $5 billion is spent each year fixing cars and roads because of salt damage.
Salt reacts with water and air, speeding up rusting. This can lead to visible damage on your car. How easily your car rusts depends on a few things, like its condition and where you park it.
Parts like doors and hoods are especially at risk because they hold moisture. Plus, salt can cause other issues, like brake problems and suspension wear. These parts are made of metal, which rusts easily.
Rust can even mess with your engine and battery, making it hard to start your car. To keep your car safe, wash it often, especially the undercarriage, to get rid of salt.
And don’t forget to dry it well or park it in a warm garage. Leaving it wet can lead to more problems if the water freezes. So, take care of your ride this winter!
