How Rock Salt Affects Your Vehicle

In many parts of the country, icy, snowy roads necessitate the use of salt and other ice-melting products to make them passable in the winter. While road salt is necessary for road safety, it can also cause harm to your vehicle. 

How To Rock Salt Damages Your Vehicle

Steel, which is an alloy of iron with carbon and other elements, is used to make the majority of automotive components, including the body, suspension, and braking parts. When iron comes into contact with water and oxygen, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in iron oxide, often known as rust. 

Salt allows electrons to travel more quickly within that chemical reaction, speeding up the rusting process on bare steel components rather than creating it. 

Road salt corrodes the car’s paint, causing rust to grow beneath the surface, bubbling up, and the metal becoming brittle and flaky. The damaged area eventually breaks loose, and if left untreated, a hole can form. 

Road salt encourages rust and can harm a vehicle’s mechanics. The undercarriage of a car or truck contains several spots where road salt can cause damage if not removed. It might be difficult to locate impacted regions, so having the vehicle inspected by a specialist is a smart option. Rust can cause damage to the car’s frame and hydraulic brake system, making it hazardous to drive.

Some Tips To Keep Your Vehicle Safe From Rock Salt

Stay away from salt-based products. Do check the ingredients of your ice melt before buying it. Avoid using any chloride-based ice melter for the roof or driveway. 

Wax acts as an invisible screen, protecting the paint surface. To protect it from corrosive salt, apply a solid, thick coat before the winter season begins. Also, seal the undercarriage. 

Make sure your tires are clean and clear of salt before winter arrives. Then, throughout the winter, keep monitoring and cleaning. 

Use a DIY car wash with high-pressure hoses to spray the salt off hard-to-reach locations like beneath wheel wells and behind fenders to ensure comprehensive quality control. Also, hose down the undercarriage. 

When driving through enormous pools of water, be cautious. They not only collect a lot of slimy filth, but they also attract road-crew salt.

If you must travel in inclement weather, avoid doing so immediately before and after a snowstorm, as you are more likely to encounter fresh road salt. 

Do not drive in thick snow for both car care and safety reasons. Salt can be packed into the undercarriage by thick snow, making it difficult to remove. It frequently results in corrosion and even drivability issues.

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Winter Car Maintenance: Essential Tips for a Safe, Rust-Free Drive

Winter can be harsh on your vehicle, so car maintenance becomes especially important. Cold weather, road salt, and icy puddles can all wreak havoc on your car. Here’s how to keep your car in peak condition during the winter months, with tips on anti-rust treatments, undercarriage washing, and smart driving habits.

1. Anti-Rust Treatment for Winter

Winter brings not only snow but also salt-covered roads, which is a major cause of rust. Applying an anti-rust treatment before winter is one of the best ways to protect your vehicle. Anti-rust sprays form a protective layer on the car’s metal parts, keeping road salt from creating corrosion. Pay special attention to the undercarriage and wheel wells—these areas get the most exposure to road debris and moisture, making them prone to rust.

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Key Steps:

• Use a high-quality anti-rust spray, focusing on high-risk areas.
• Reapply mid-season if you drive frequently on salted roads.
• Opt for eco-friendly treatments to protect both your car and the environment.

2. Regular Undercarriage Washing

Salt buildup on the undercarriage can silently damage your vehicle. Washing your undercarriage every few weeks can prevent salt from sticking and causing long-term damage. While it might seem tedious, a thorough undercarriage wash removes grit and salt, keeping your car’s structural integrity intact.

Tip: Don’t just wait for a warm day—schedule regular washes, even when it’s chilly. Many car wash services offer special winter packages that include undercarriage cleaning.

3. Drive Smoothly and Avoid Puddles

One of the simplest but most overlooked winter car maintenance tips is adjusting your driving habits. Ice, snow, and salt can create dangerous and corrosive puddles, especially in low-lying areas and intersections. Avoiding these puddles not only protects your car from rust but also prevents hydroplaning on slick surfaces.

Slow and smooth driving in winter is also beneficial. Quick stops, sharp turns, and speeding can strain the brakes and suspension. If you have to park outdoors, choose a covered area when possible—this minimizes exposure to moisture and salt, protecting your car’s finish and mechanical parts.

4. Monitor Your Battery and Fluids

Your car’s battery and essential fluids are more vulnerable in cold weather. Before temperatures drop too low, check your battery health, and make sure it’s fully charged. Engine oil and brake fluid should be winter-ready as well—opt for lower viscosity oils to keep your engine running smoothly.

Consider using a winter-grade windshield washer fluid that doesn’t freeze, so you can clear off ice and salt easily without worrying about the washer fluid turning into slush.

5. Inspect Tires and Brake Pads

Winter roads can be slippery, so well-maintained tires and brakes are critical. Snow tires with deep tread will help maintain traction on icy roads, while checking and replacing worn brake pads ensures you’ll have responsive stopping power when you need it most.

The Safe Choice for Winter Car Maintenance

Standard rock salts and certain de-icing products can also contribute to corrosion when they splash up onto your vehicle. Some winter-safe alternatives, such as Safe Paw, are less corrosive and won’t harm your car’s paint or metal components. Choosing eco-friendly de-icing solutions on your driveway also helps reduce the buildup of salt that can find its way onto your vehicle’s undercarriage.

Conclusion

The majority of salt damage occurs beneath the car, where it is difficult to notice. Washing your car at a carwash with an under-spray removes salt before it causes corrosion. In the winter, wash your car frequently, especially after storms when roads may have been coated with salt. 

Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.

Finally, keep a safe distance from salt or brine-spreading service trucks. You want to stay away from the spray and reduce the amount of salt that gets on your car’s underbelly. Avoid deep puddles of melting, salty snow whenever feasible for the same reason. By using a chloride-free ice melt you can safeguard your vehicle from corrosion and other salt hazards. So next time when you plan to get ice melter for the roof or driveway, or walkway, choose salt-free, natural ice melt.

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