During the winter months, our vehicles tend to take a beating from all of the salt on the roads. But have you ever really considered the effects of snow on your car? Whether you own a car, SUV, or truck, all vehicles are highly susceptible to damage caused by the rock salt that is used to keep our roads free from snow and ice. Large particles of this salt can over time lead to corrosive damage on just about any vehicle part that is exposed.

How does the salt damage my vehicle?

All metal parts can easily corrode from the brakes to the engine block when the salt from the roads reacts with water and oxygen. So as the snow continues to melt and the water mixes with the salt and air, this can easily spell trouble for our vehicles. The parts of your car or truck that are most at risk are the wheels, brakes, exhaust pipes, mufflers, and andy other metal components that are located relatively low to the ground. However, we don’t want to forget about your vehicle’s paint. The same salt that can corrode the metal on your vehicle can also cause the paint to lift away and peel off, leaving you with an expensive repair bill.

Okay, so how can I prevent this from occurring?

Keeping all of this in mind, it’s so important to thoroughly wash your vehicle after driving on roads that have been treated with rock salt. Since this tends to be any road in New England between the months of November and April, we recommend bringing your vehicle to a car wash frequently, or if you have the ability to do so, washing your vehicle yourself at home. As long as you are removing those salt particles from your vehicle (and don’t forget to wash under your vehicle too) this will help extend the life of your car by a lot!

Don’t forget about your windshield wipers!

Snow can also damage your windshield wipers and washing system. Thin layers of ice tend to form around the blades that are in tight contact against the windshield. Therefore, you need to ensure that both your vehicle’s wipers are raised before a snowstorm arrives. Make sure that you thoroughly remove any traces of ice from the wiper blades before putting them into place again, otherwise your windshield can easily be scratched by the invisible layers of compressed snow or pure ice.

And finally…don’t forget the state laws!

While it’s never a fun task, we want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that Connecticut state law mandates that all vehicle operators must remove the snow from their vehicle before driving on any road. I am sure everyone has been behind someone who did not follow this rule and knows how dangerous it can be to have large chunks of snow hitting your windshield from the car in front of you.

The main takeaway

The New England weather can certainly reek havic on our vehicles, but if you follow these helpful tips, your car will certainly thank you for it. Have a question on your auto policy? Paradiso Insurance is an experienced insurance agency ready to help you with any doubts. Give us a call at 860-684-5270 or click here to request a quote today!