Sure, it looks pretty, but icy roads are dangerous.

Snow on the road means conditions get pretty bad.  Salt on the road means you’re less likely to get hit by someone sliding into you, but on the other hand, you’re also going to get salt on your car.  And that means rust, buildup, corrosion, and all sorts of fun things that make your car die a little sooner.

So take a few steps to help your car and you’ll be glad you did.

Save Your Car From Salt

First of all, avoid driving in salt too much.  That means, if you can, staying off the road during or just after a snowstorm.  That’s when the salt spreaders are going, so that’s when the highest concentration is on the road.

Secondly, don’t keep your car in a heated garage.  If you do, the snow has a chance to work with the warm and the wet and make rust.  If your car is cold, not much the salt can do to damage you.

Third, wash your car regularly.  Make sure that the undercarriage, especially, gets washed.   Regularly could mean once a week, once a month, or whenever it snows, depending on where you live and your preferences.

This chart will show you whether or not your state uses salt on their roads.  Check it out.

Good luck, and may you and your car be safe on the ice.  And if you’re traveling, don’t forget to pack your car for the road.

Tags: ice, roads, rust, salt, salty cars, used engine, used engines