Ask an Expert: How to protect your car from road salt

by John and Theresa Kightlinger

When winter weather strikes, salt and sand are excellent tools to provide a safe road
for drivers. Salt melts the ice even when temperatures are below freezing, and sand
keeps the salt in place.
But while salt and sand help your car grip the road in less-than-favorable weather, they also can spell trouble for a car’s finish or even cause vehicle damage.
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to protect your car this winter.

Wash and wax the exterior of your car. Getting a car wash isn’t just something for the spring and summer months. In fact, keeping your car washed and waxed regularly in the winter is one of the best things you can do to prevent salt and sand damage to your vehicle. Cars should be washed, if possible, every two weeks during the winter, including the undercarriage where salt can get stuck. Vehicles also should be washed after each snowfall, if possible. Winter also often means cold temperatures. If it’s below freezing, hold off on your car wash until the temperature rises. Otherwise, water may freeze on your car’s surface and cause damage, too.
As for waxing, cars should be waxed every three months during the year. Be sure to get
your car waxed before the first snowfall is expected in your area and consider applying a ceramic coating for added protection.

Clean the car’s tires. Snow and ice can get stuck and freeze in your car’s wheel wells – often taking salt, sand, or even bits of dirt or asphalt with them. Over time, these can damage your car’s undercarriage or the wheel well. Be sure to clear debris from around the wheels before you hit the road, and target these areas when washing your car in the winter.

Plan your driving around weather (if possible). These days, roads are almost always pre-treated ahead of an expected snowfall or ice storm. That means salt is on the road even before the first snowflake falls.
If possible, plan your travel around snowstorms, opting not to drive the day prior to, during,
or the day after a snowfall. This can help minimize the amount of salt your car encounters (and help you avoid possible dangerous driving conditions). Of course, avoiding driving entirely isn’t always possible. If you do have to drive, be mindful of avoiding potholes and
puddles, which can collect dirt, salt, and other items that could damage your car.

Keep an eye on the interior. With road salt, the exterior of a car often gets the most attention, but it’s important to care for your car’s interior, too. Salt and grime can be tracked in on your shoes during the winter, quickly staining the carpet. To prevent this, you can put down plastic weather floor mats to protect the inside of your car. If you do track in any salt, be sure to vacuum and clean the carpeting or seats promptly to help prevent staining.

Touch up paint chips. Salt can corrode metal quickly, especially on paint that’s damaged. If your car has any chips or scratches to the paint job, be sure to repair them promptly – ideally before the first snowfall. This will protect the actual body of your car from damage and prevent the paint job from deteriorating further.

John and Theresa Kightlinger own My Body Shop at 401 N. Clinton St., Stockbridge.The couple have lived in the area and raised their children here over the past 20 years. John has been in the auto body business since 1985, and Theresa began work at General Motors after high school. Between the two, they have been working on cars for more than 75 years.