Road salt is a crucial weapon in Kentucky's battle against icy and hazardous roads. By lowering the freezing point of water, it turns ice and snow back into liquid form, which makes for less hazardous roadways. However, road salt can wreak havoc on your vehicle. We at Fort Mitchell Garage, the premier auto repair and body shop in Covington, KY, want you to understand how road salt corrodes your car, what you can do about it, and how we can help.

How Road Salt Damages Your Vehicle

Road salt accelerates the corrosion process that leads to rust, metal damage, and other serious problems. Although repeated exposure to road salt can ruin your paint job, most of the damage occurs underneath the car because the underbody has little protection.

The salt can eat holes in your floorboards, your muffler and exhaust system, the coil springs, and even the frame of the car. Many vehicles have been rendered unsafe to drive because of rust eating away at the support structure. Our body shop professionals never enjoy delivering disastrous news, so we encourage you to take steps to prevent road salt corrosion.

How to Prevent Road Salt Corrosion

The best way to prevent road salt from eating away at your car's underside is to schedule regular trips to the car wash during winter. Flushing the underbody on a monthly or bi-weekly basis washes salt away and prevents it from destroying your vehicle from below. Make sure your car wash offers an underbody flush, and you'll reduce the chances of long term salt damage and the need for auto repairs.

Another good idea is to have us or another reputable auto body shop winterize the vehicle by coating your car's underbody with an oil-based, rust-resistant solution in late autumn, before the snow falls and the county road commissions bring out the salt.

Fort Mitchell Garage, the most trusted body shop in Covington, KY, has been in business for more than 100 years, so we have the experience and expertise to keep your vehicle in top shape through all seasons. Visit our website for contact information and directions, or call us at (859) 431-3326 to discuss your car care needs with one of our friendly, knowledgeable auto repair professionals.