I'm debating taking my car out between snowstorms here in the frigid northeast, but I've often heard that the corrosive road salt used by the public works dept. does untold amount of damage to the bottom of cars. Looking for opinions/feedback.

 

I don't think loose dry salt causes too much problem. It's when the salt gets wet and creates ions that damage paint and accelerate rust.

I will drive my car during the winter if the roads are bone dry, and little chance of melting snow going across the road. If dry salt deposits on the surfaces of my car, the first time they will get a chance to get wet is when I wash them off, with no time to do any damage at all.

The other problem is the little stones they throw all over the road to improve traction. That's another story, and a big reason the car only gets driven once every week or two.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Destiny2002
[B]I don't think loose dry salt causes too much problem.

 

I have lived in the "rust belt" all my life. The visible "salt dust" that you see is not the problem, It is where the salt dust gathers that you don't see that causes problems. The salt gets caught in the little seams of the body and frame and all kinds of little tiny places that you can't see. Then you have a very difficult time just spraying it off especially if you can't see all of it. Cars around here tend to rust from the inside out. My poor truck is starting to do it now.

Not only will my S2000 sit in the garage all winter, but it will not come out until AFTER it rains a few times and washes all the salt off the roads.

 

That's why I'll never go back to the "rust belt"

 

I voted for #1 but I also do #4 as a precaution. I live in an area where there is significant salt used on the roads but not as much as other urban areas. Take a "re-look" at my "extreme" winter picture. You could say it has seen the worse conditions you could possibly subject a car too. I'm going into my 3rd winter. If you are worried about it a lot or really anal about your car's condition, then don't drive it. It ain't worth the loss of sleep over it. Guys here who have seen my car when it's all cleaned up can't tell that it's been through such conditions.
BUT have no fear. Modern day cars are rust proofed extremely well from the factory and this car is no different. None of my newly bought (in the last 15-20 years), daily driven cars (mine or my wife's) have had any under body rust issues. Not that there's anything wrong with it ('cause it's your baby), but I think you guys worry about this too much.

 

xviper that pic almost made me cry. You sir are a cruel, cruel man.

 

Yes, I am but I pamper it everytime I wash it and it gets the "spa" treatment in the spring.

 

Oh My God!

My truck never gets that bad!

 

DJ,

It's a tough call. Everyone's saying reasonable stuff here.

Use your judgement. It is precisely because of salt, sand, and other nasty road hazards in winter in New England that "Nebuchadnezzar" (my S) stays garaged.

It's a damn, long stretch until the crap gets off the road!

I'm going through withdrawl!