Car In The Garage In Winter: Good Or Bad?

The garage protects your car’s paint and finishes from the sun’s harmful rays and rust-inducing rain in the summer. During winter storms, your automobile is safe inside the garage, away from the snow and ice. But do you have any idea that keeping your car in the garage in winter can damage it?

It’s common knowledge that the salt we use to treat our roads throughout the winter is bad for your car’s body panels and undercarriage. Metal rusts when exposed to salt. People use ice melt with magnesium chloride or kosher salt to melt ice, but these products also contain corrosive chloride. Let’s find out how to ensure your car’s safety this winter.

Car In Garage

Pros

In cold weather, parking your automobile outside can hasten the corrosion of your brakes. While some rust is unavoidable in the winter, you may decrease the amount of moisture your vehicle is exposed to by keeping it parked inside. 

Battery difficulties can occur if you park your automobile outside in harsh weather. On the one hand, the heat might cause your battery fluid to evaporate, reducing the life expectancy of your automobile battery.

During extreme weather events, you incur a larger risk of vehicle body damage if you park outside. Heat and sunlight can cause your car’s dashboard, steering wheel, and upholstery to deteriorate.

Non Toxic Ice Melt

Cons

Most people are unaware that storing their car in the garage during the winter can exacerbate the rusting effects of road salt.

As you drive, salt collects in the fenders and other crevices of your automobile, producing rust. But you might not understand that when you get home and park in your garage, the slushy ice that has accumulated on the roadways will melt due to the heat of the engine – as well as the warmer air in your garage – and the water that develops can boost the salt’s rust-forming capabilities. 

This may actually cause your automobile to rust more than if you keep it outside. Furthermore, because of the lack of circulation in your garage, the moist areas on your automobile will not evaporate as rapidly.

Taking Care Of Your Car

By using a safe, salt-free, and natural ice melt, you can protect your car from rusting and other toxic effects of chlorides. Avoid using rock salt or kosher salt to melt ice. Whether you have access to covered parking or not, a salt-free ice melt will ensure the protection of your car and property from snow and ice. You can take extra precautions to preserve your vehicle by: 

• Using a car cover that is waterproof 
• Using a sunshade to cover the windshield 
• Getting your automobile washed on a regular basis
• Avoid overheating the garage in the winter
• Ensuring that the location is sufficiently ventilated can help our vehicle dry out faster and reduce humidity.

Salt Removal and Winter Car Protection: Essential Tips

When winter hits, road salt becomes both a friend and a foe. It keeps the roads clear of ice but can cause serious damage to your vehicle. Without proper salt removal, salt can corrode metal parts, increase the risk of rust, and damage paint. So, let’s dive into essential steps to protect your car from winter’s damaging effects.

1. Why Salt Removal is Critical for Vehicle Protection

Salt is a powerful corrosive agent. When it gets wet, it can accelerate rusting on your car’s undercarriage, brakes, and other exposed areas. Over time, this corrosion damages the vehicle’s structural integrity, reducing its lifespan and resale value. Regular salt removal is crucial for protecting your vehicle.

Bulk Purchase With Safe Paw

Pet Products Powered By EzPz.pet

2. Effective Salt Removal Techniques

Rinsing Immediately After Exposure

One of the simplest ways to remove salt is with a good rinse. If you’ve driven on salted roads, make it a habit to rinse your car within a few days to prevent salt from settling. Pay particular attention to areas where salt tends to accumulate, like the undercarriage and wheel wells.

Undercarriage Protection

Your vehicle’s undercarriage is the most vulnerable to salt damage since it’s in constant contact with wet, salted roads. Some car washes offer specific undercarriage washes, but applying an undercarriage protection treatment yourself can be even more effective. Look for high-quality sealants that create a barrier against salt and moisture, keeping rust at bay.

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.

3. Additional Tools for Winter Vehicle Protection

Beyond salt removal, certain tools and equipment help keep your car in top shape all winter long.

• Protective Coatings: Applying a wax or ceramic coating to your vehicle before winter begins helps seal the paint, creating a slippery surface where salt has less chance to stick. For long-lasting vehicle protection, a quality wax or ceramic coat is ideal.
• Brushes and Sponges: Soft, non-abrasive brushes are perfect for removing salt without scratching your vehicle’s paint. Use these tools with gentle cleansers to safely scrub salt away.

4. Protecting the Undercarriage and High-Risk Areas

Salt has a way of sneaking into crevices, and the undercarriage takes the brunt of this exposure. Protect it by regularly cleaning and coating it with rust-prevention products. An undercarriage spray or sealant can act as a protective barrier. Reapply as needed to keep your vehicle protection strong throughout the winter months.

Additional Tips:

• Avoid parking in snow piles or puddles where salt accumulates.
• If possible, use a heated garage, which can help dry out your car and slow corrosion.
• Consider applying a salt-resistant sealant specifically formulated for the undercarriage.

5. Safe Paw and Eco-Friendly Options for Driveways

You might already be using salt or chemical-based ice melt on your driveway, but these products can easily splash onto your vehicle, further increasing the risk of corrosion. Look for eco-friendly, non-corrosive de-icers, like Safe Paw, to help keep your car (and driveway) safe. Unlike traditional rock salt or chemical agents, Safe Paw provides effective ice melting without causing metal damage or negatively impacting the environment.

6. Importance of Routine Maintenance During Winter

Winter maintenance doesn’t stop with salt removal. Regularly inspect your car for any signs of rust or wear. Addressing small rust spots early can prevent bigger (and more expensive) issues down the road. Pair salt removal routines with seasonal checks, tire maintenance, and an occasional full wash.

Maintaining your vehicle during winter takes effort, but it’s worth it to keep it running smoothly for years to come. With simple, consistent salt removal and undercarriage protection techniques, you’ll drive confidently through winter without worrying about long-term salt damage.

Conclusion

You won’t have to scrape off the ice and snow that accumulates if you park your car in the garage at night. It not only saves you time but also prevents you from scratching your car with an ice-scraper. By using a salt-free ice melt, you can avoid the dangers of corrosive chlorides.

Other Ice Melt Products

---