How Road Salt Damages Your Car (And How to Prevent It)

Spring may technically show up on calendars in March, but anyone from Northeast Ohio will tell you that winter certainly hasn’t dealt its last blow just yet. And the next time that ice and snow threaten, you can bet that highways and other routes in North Olmsted and Cleveland will be covered in road salt and slush. That salty brine will then find its way onto your vehicle, coating the undercarriage and splashing up onto other areas. Is this detrimental to your vehicle? How can you combat this threat? Andy’s Autowash and auto detailing in North Olmsted, Ohio, is here to help with actionable tips and recommendations.

Road Salt and What It Does To Your Car

We all need to get where we’re going, regardless of the weather. And that’s where road salt saves the day. It works by lowering the freezing point of water, AKA “freezing point depression.” This creates a liquid brine that melts existing ice and snow and prevents future deposits from bonding to form a slippery layer. Instead, they turn into a lower-temperature sludge that doesn't freeze until temperatures drop into the low teens.

It’s a necessary thing in order to cope with life in a wintry weather pattern–road salt is absolutely essential for safe winter driving. That said, for all the good that road salt does, there are plenty of negative tradeoffs. For instance, salty slush that builds up on your vehicle has direct contact with your vehicle’s weak spots. As it refreezes in place, it can slowly and quietly damage paint and corrode metal over time. While it can be a slow process, once started, road salt will actively accelerate corrosion and lead to preventable damage and costly repairs. A rusty, dull-looking car also hits you in the wallet, with a lower resale value and higher depreciation.

Here’s a rundown of the specific risks you face if you allow road salt and briny slush to build up and stay attached to your vehicle:

Undercarriage Corrosion

When salt accumulates underneath the vehicle, it is in direct contact with the metallic and structural elements of your car. While these parts of your car are made to last when properly cared for, they are not going to be able to withstand the constant corrosive effects of road salt forever. Over time, consistent exposure to road salt will damage your car’s frame, exhaust, and suspension. You’ll find yourself replacing parts and having systems rebuilt far more often than average. The worst part is, this damage is often invisible until it becomes a serious issue that stops you in your tracks.

Paint and Exterior Damage

Road salt can wear down protective layers, like waxes and ceramic coatings. Once these layers are compromised, chips, scratches, and rust spots are the natural results. 

Wheels and Brake Components

When road salt builds up around wheels and brakes, it can form a hard crust. All the while, this salty deposit is wearing away at system components and will eventually impact performance and longevity.

Long-Term Value Loss

Road salt erodes protective layers and corrodes metal, resulting in rust. This unsightly and insidious menace will ultimately lead to costly repairs and lower resale value.

The risky thing about salt damage–particularly on the underside of your vehicle–is that it’s often invisible, until it’s definitely not. Without proper cleaning and routine maintenance, you’ll find that road salt eats away at your vehicle until you’re left with a subpar exterior and plenty of repair headaches. And while you may take the time to quickly rinse off your car on a regular basis, standard rinses just don’t cut it. That’s because they don’t typically reach all areas where salt settles–professional undercarriage car washes are a must. In fact, regular car washing is one of the easiest and most effective defenses against damage caused by road salt.

Why Regular Washing Matters More in Winter

Believe it or not, your car often gets dirtier in winter than in summer or any other season. Unless you’re regularly off-roading, the salty sludge and slush on winter roads pose much more of a threat than insect remains, bird droppings, pollen, and other seasonal hazards. These contaminants also typically have a short season. Road salt, on the other hand, is seemingly ever-present, from the first flake until spring takes over. Salt continues to damage your car as long as it remains on the surface. Even dry salt residue poses a threat, since it naturally attracts and traps moisture against your vehicle’s finish, promoting and continuing corrosion. Waiting too long between washes increases risk–washing your car in winter is more important than you think!

Wash your vehicle every week or two to ensure that salt is not allowed to build up. Washing before and after heavy snowstorms will ensure that salty road conditions don’t add layer upon layer of corrosive salt to your car’s exterior and undercarriage. The more you’re out on salty roads, and the worse your local weather conditions, the more you’ll need to be on top of car washing.

The Most Effective Way to Remove Road Salt

The answer is regular car washing, of course. But there’s more to it than that. Undercarriage washing is more important than ever in winter. This essential ingredient is critical for removing hidden salt buildup from key car systems and structural elements. Not all car washes include this–be sure to swing by Andy’s Autowash for a clean underside of your vehicle. We also ensure a high-pressure rinse that helps to dislodge stubborn salt and debris from your car’s exterior.

While you’re at it, opt for protective wash options, like special sealants, waxes, or ceramic coatings that add a barrier against future salt accumulation. In fact, these are best applied well before roads get salty if you want the very best return on your investment. When you put a barrier between your car’s clean finish and grimy road salt, every future wash is more effective at salt removal. This just isn’t a level of cleanliness that you can achieve at home.

Professional Car Wash Services Make a Difference

To optimize your car washing routine and ensure that salt never gets the chance to damage or corrode your vehicle, professional car washing is the way to go. Our car wash in North Olmsted, Ohio, will always provide you with a more thorough cleaning than even the best DIY methods could ever achieve. Our specialized equipment for undercarriage washing and hard-to-reach areas is still gentle enough for a daily visit with your unlimited package. Beyond that, it’s super fast and convenient. This encourages consistency–there’s never a good reason to drive a dirty car, especially in winter.

Stay Ahead of Winter Damage With Andy’s Autowash and Auto Detailing in North Olmsted

Every winter has its surprises and unexpected weather events. But one constant will always be the need to regularly visit your car wash in North Olmsted. Road salt is highly damaging to vehicles, but this damage is also preventable with regular care. Consistency is the key–weekly washes never allow road salt to build up to a harmful degree. You took time and effort to choose your vehicle, and you want it to stay looking great and to keep its value for as long as possible. Routine car washes can help you to achieve that goal.

Keep your car protected this winter–stop by for a full undercarriage wash and wax today. Make it even more affordable with our unlimited exterior wash plans. And don’t forget about the interior! All too often, the salt and grime get dragged into your car’s cabin, only to leave unsightly stains and lingering odors. Tackle seasonal mess with Andy’s interior services.

Questions? Contact us anytime! Otherwise, we’ll see you at our car wash in North Olmsted! Here’s to a cleaner, easier season!