How To Avoid Salt Damage This Winter
Winter is officially here. If you live in a colder climate, it’s likely salt has already been distributed out on the roads to counter snow, ice, and slush. Wondering does road salt damage cars? The answer is yes. While salt plays an important role for public safety in the winter, it can inflict some damage to your vehicle if you’re not careful. Salt can destroy your vehicle’s finish, increase rush, and potentially interfere with your car’s driving performance. We put together some winter car maintenance tips to help you, and you can do even more to prevent salt damage with Rosen Service. Visit Rosen Kenosha Hyundai today!
Wax Your Vehicle’s Exterior
Your vehicle’s doors, fenders, hood, and tailgate are the most vulnerable to rust damage from salt because they retain a lot of moisture. Waxing the exterior of your vehicle can help prevent this damage. Wax works to protect the paint surface of a vehicle, almost like an invisible shield. Vehicle waxing can be a tricky business, so it can be helpful to find Hyundai Service Near Me for professional waxing that properly applies a good coat and seals the undercarriage of your vehicle.
Wash Your Vehicle Yourself
Most car washes use repurposed water, meaning it probably contains levels of salt, especially in the winter months. To avoid salt exposure at the car wash, try a DIY car wash at home. You can use a hose (high-pressure hoses work best), making sure to spray the salt off of hard-to-reach areas like beneath wheel wells and behind fenders. Also make sure you spray under your vehicle at multiple angles to ensure all salt is washed off.
Avoid Driving Before And After Snowstorms
High salt distribution is most likely happening immediately before and after snowstorms. You’ll want to try not to drive at these times to reduce your vehicle’s exposure to salt over the long run.
Wash Your Vehicle During The Day
Washing your vehicle during the day allows it more time to dry since the frigid temperatures at night will just freeze any remaining moisture. The optimal temperature for washing your vehicle is 40°F or higher. If you can, try to get in a wash every ten days or so. This will prevent salt from accumulating and causing greater harm to your vehicle.
Clean Your Vehicle’s Tires
Closest to the road, tires probably get the most exposure to salt throughout the winter. This means you should pay extra attention to your vehicle’s tires. Keep them clean and salt-free by checking and rinsing them every few days or so.
Visit Rosen Hyundai!
Looking for Hyundai dealers near me? At Rosen’s Kenosha Hyundai, we can help you prevent or fix any salt damage on your vehicle. Visit us today to learn more about or schedule winter maintenance!
