Winter is a particularly treacherous time for car owners. From snail-paced traffic due to blowing snow to the slippery conditions caused by ice, driving is stressful throughout the season. While many cities apply salt to the roads to make them easier to navigate, this helpful gesture can also be an issue. Here’s how salt can affect your car and how to avoid unnecessary auto body repair by knowing how often to wash your vehicle.

Road Salt & Your Car

How Salt Damages a Vehicle

Road salt makes driving on snowy and icy roads much less dangerous during the winter, but it also gathers on the body of your car. While modern auto paint is resistant to corrosion, it can still be worn down if the salt is left on the surface for too long. This will cause unsightly splotches on your car’s body, significantly reducing its aesthetic appeal and making you invest in avoidable auto body repairs.

More concerning than paint damage, however, is damage to your car’s undercarriage. Your vehicle’s transmission, brakes, and other systems are fully exposed to the elements as you travel along winter roads. As the salt gets kicked up by your tires, it can attach to these components and begin corroding them. Left alone, the corrosion can get serious enough to make major repairs or complete replacements necessary.

How You Can Avoid the Damage

Sticking to a regular washing schedule is the best way to avoid these damages and save your wallet from shelling out for auto body repairs. There isn’t one set washing schedule that’s perfect for every situation, but washing every nook and cranny of your car once a week is a good practice to prevent damaging rust. A car wash that has a high-pressure handheld wand is excellent for making sure every bit of salt is washed off of your vehicle’s exterior and an undercar spray bar will remove the salt from the undercarriage as you pass through. It’s an extra chore during the week, but it’s one that will keep your car looking great and will save money on repairs in the long run.

If your car has been damaged by corrosive road salt, the auto body repair pros at Reffitts Garage & Towing Service, Auto Body Repair, LLC, in Hamilton, OH, are ready with the fix. The shop takes pride in offering quick, high-quality repairs and a variety of preventative services including oil changes, engine diagnostics, and electrical work. Whether you’re dealing with a tricky spot of rust or a malfunctioning transmission, the shop’s experienced technicians will get it sorted out efficiently with a focus on exceptional customer service. Visit the website for more information on the services available or call (513) 863-3008 to speak with a friendly representative today.