To combat the slippery streets of winter, many road crews put down ample amounts of rock salt. Although this allows for safer travel, it can also negatively affect car parts in a number of ways. To safeguard your vehicle from the damage, learn how rock salt works, the impacts it can have, and what you can do to minimize them in the sections below.

The Relationship Between Rock Salt & Car Parts

What Is Rock Salt & How Does It Work?

Rock salt, or sodium chloride (NaCl), is commonly applied to icy streets during the winter. One may think that the large crystals are responsible for providing traction, but there’s actually a more scientific explanation: salt lowers the freezing point of water. When it’s applied to ice, it decreases its freezing point so a thin layer of water forms on the surface. As the salt continues to dissolve into the liquid water it creates, more and more of the ice reaches the lower freezing point. This process rapidly melts the ice until the surface of the road is exposed, allowing tires to get a better grip.

How Does Rock Salt Damage Car Parts?

Salt is a corrosive substance, which doesn’t pair well with exposed car parts. Although limited exposure to salt isn’t concerning, problems start to occur when it’s left to eat away at materials over time.

As a car drives over a salted road, the substance is kicked up and under the vehicle. When this is allowed to stay on the surface of the car throughout the season, it can corrode the body of the vehicle and other crucial car parts. Rust will eat away sections of the frame and damage exhaust and suspensions systems.

How Can the Damage Be Prevented?

To minimize the damage rock salt can wreak, have an auto body shop apply a sealant to the undercarriage of your vehicle. Otherwise, regular washing is the best way to prevent corrosion. Taking your vehicle to a car wash with an under-spray will rinse away the salt buildup.

Trester Used Auto Parts has been offering the best in car part sales and repairs in the Milford, OH, region for more than 60 years. The company’s knowledgeable crew addresses a wide range of automotive issues with a focus on excellent customer service. For more information, call (513) 831-9141 or visit the website today.