Did you enjoy that amazing snowfall we got on Tuesday? We certainly did! It’s not often you find your home draped in a soft white blanket of snow – not around these parts. And it wasn’t the normal, slushy stuff that Jack Frost has blown our way in recent memory – no, it was soft and powdery: perfect for snowballs.
Though it wasn’t record-breaking – the record for snowfall in Houston was 20 inches, set in 1896 (brrrrr!) – it certainly was special.
But now the fun is over, and work begins – going back to work and also working to avoid damage to our vehicles. What damage, you ask? Well, road salt damage, of course! While the exceptional winter weather Houston has been experiencing this week is over, the need for some exceptional vehicle maintenance has just begun.
As the arctic chill approached early this week, city and state officials were busily salting the roads in preparation for the ice. While this salt probably helped our city avoid many road accidents that otherwise would have occurred during Tuesday and Wednesday’s icy conditions, it can also potentially lead to several problems with your vehicle if it is not cleaned off.
In this article, we’re discussing what road ice is, how it can damage your vehicle, and what you can do to prevent damage.
What is Road Salt?
Road Salt (also known as de-icing salt or snow salt) is commonly used to improve the safety of roadways during icy conditions. There are a few different types of road salt: calcium chloride, sodium chloride (aka: rock salt), and magnesium chloride are the most common.
All kinds of road salt function in the same way: they accelerate the ice-melting through a process called freezing-point depression. When salt is spread over the ice (or ice forms over salt), the substance dissolves into the water composing the ice. Since salt water has a lower freezing point than fresh water, the salty ice melts. Depending on its level of salinity, salt water can have a much lower freezing point than freshwater, meaning that salted roads have a much wider safety window than unsalted.
In addition to melting ice, the salt also provides better friction for vehicles, reducing the risk of vehicles slipping on the ice.
Why Is Road Salt Bad for Your Vehicle?
Though snow salt dramatically improves the safety of streets during freezing conditions, it comes with a caveat. Salt is a corrosive substance, and all that highly saline water produced by salting roads has a habit of splashing the sides of your vehicle as well as the undercarriage.
This can lead to a variety of issues. First, it can damage your car’s paint, leading to discoloration, scratches, and even rust. It can also promote rust on your vehicle’s undercarriage, which can lead to the deterioration of your vehicle’s frame. Salt can also find its way into mechanical components, such as brake rotors or the exhaust system, where it leads to further rust and deterioration.
How Can You Prevent Damage to Your Vehicle from Road Salt?
There are a few simple steps you can take to greatly reduce the risk of damage to your vehicle from road salt:
Wash your car frequently during freezing weather.
When the temps drop, chances are de-icing measures are being taken on the roads, so be sure to wash your vehicle – both the body AND the undercarriage – frequently. This will wash most of the salt away and help prevent damage.Wax your Vehicle
Applying wax regularly creates a protective layer that shields your vehicle’s paint job from the elements – including salt. Waxing your car should be a thing you do year-round as it also protects your car’s finish from dust, road debris, and small hail- but it is especially important in combatting salt damage.
Clean you tires
When washing your vehicle, don’t skimp on the ties! Salt can accumulate on your tires while driving in icy conditions. Later, that salt is distributed to other parts of your vehicle through the spinning action of the wheels.
Avoid Driving Through Large Puddles
All those innocent-looking puddles of snowmelt accumulating on the roads during freezing conditions are actually filled with highly saline water that can damage your vehicle. Try to avoid them if you can.
Road salt saves lives, but it doesn’t come without a price. An estimated $5 billion worth of damage is incurred by its corrosive effects on vehicles and infrastructure each year in the United States. This is not a problem that people living in warmer climates such as Houston face often, but when it does, it’s important to take precautions. Even just a couple days of driving the briny streets can cause damage to your vehicle if no steps are taken to wash the salt off. Damage to the undercarriage is of particular concern since many of us are not accustomed to washing under our vehicles regularly.
Don’t forget that Monument Chevrolet has an excellent service department that cares for all makes and models of vehicles. So, if you do have any road salt concerns, stop by and see us!
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