Every year thousands of vehicles sustain damage during the winter months. Unfortunately, even the safeguards put in place to protect drivers and their cars from the elements can do more harm than good. For example, during the winter, many cities and towns utilize liquid de-icing methods, which contain chemicals linked to rust damage.

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Unfortunately, there is no way to get around driving through towns and cities in the winter where there is snow and ice without coming into contact with these de-icing methods. Yet, it isn’t the end of the world, and you don’t have to simply accept that your car will encounter rust issues down the line.

This is because there are ways to protect your car from rust in the winter, and the team at Route 1 CDJR will detail how in this blog. Armed with the information, you’ll be able to protect your investment which is incredibly important if you’ve purchased or are considering buying a new car soon.

How Can You Protect Your Car From Rust in the Winter

Protecting your vehicle during the winter months is crucial to ensure it continues to serve your needs. However, since it can be challenging to determine how best to protect your vehicle against rust, we’ve detailed a few of the tips you need to follow below.

Should you follow these tips, you’re far more likely to have a rust-free car for years to come.

Routinely Wash Your Vehicle

According to numerous automotive experts, one of the best ways to ensure your car is protected against corrosion and rust on the body and undercarriage is to routinely wash your car.

During the winter, salt, snow, ice, dirt, and de-icing chemical solutions can accumulate on the outside and underside of your car when you drive through your town. If you don’t wash off these substances every few weeks, it significantly increases the risk of your car beginning to corrode and rust.

Usually, to ensure you’re preventing this build-up from causing rust, you must wash your car every 10 to 14 days throughout the winter. Additionally, since it can be challenging to wash your car at home during frigid temperatures, it’s usually best to take it to a professional car wash with drying equipment.

Ensure You Apply Wax to Your Car

One of the absolute best ways to prevent your car from rusting during the winter is to apply a wax coating to the body. Using premium quality car wax will ensure that no snow or ice can accumulate on your car, preventing corrosion and rust.

Yet, how often should you wax your vehicle during the winter? Most body repair specialists state that you should only wax your vehicle twice yearly in the spring and fall. However, if you encounter very bad winter weather and the roadways are utilizing more salt and de-icing solutions, waxing your car four to six times a year might be best.

Utilize a Corrosion Inhibitor

In the olden days, people used to use waste oil as a corrosion inhibitor since the undercarriage of a car is not protected and is exposed to damaging elements that cause rust. They would spray the underside of their vehicle with waste oil to ensure it coated the carriage and prevented rust in the winter.

Fortunately, this is not the only method available, and there are far more environmentally friendly solutions nowadays. For example, you could take your vehicle to a professional company that can undercoat your car with eco-friendly oil for you. It’s somewhat expensive, but the price is often worth it to add an extra layer of protection between your car and the de-iced roads.

>Additionally, there are numerous corrosion inhibitors on the market that you can explore. Corrosion inhibitors are special products that can be used in place of oil to protect the underside of your car against rust. Even if you only apply one layer of a corrosion inhibitor, it will significantly extend the life of your car.

If you follow these tips, you’re likely to protect your car from rust in the winter. Should you be looking for a new car to try these tips on, you can speak with our team at Route 1 CDJR.

Our inventory has an extensive selection of quality new and pre-owned vehicles that you can pursue online. Alternatively, you can visit our dealership and book a test drive to try before you buy. Simply contact us here, and we’ll help you with any questions you might have.

Categories: Service