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Wednesday 31 March 2010

Protect Your Car From Road Salt

Every winter drivers should take active steps to protect

their car from road salt.



Road salt is necessary for safe transportation when snow and

ice accumulate on roads and highways and cause dangerous

driving conditions.



Salt was first used in the 1930's in snow and ice control to

make roads safe and passable by creating a lower freezing

temperature of the water. It is the most available and

cost-effective de-icer. It is easy to store, handle, and

apply.



Some 15 million tons of de-icing salt is used each year in

the U.S. and about 4-5 million in Canada.



Salt keeps snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and to

allow snowplows to remove accumulations quickly and

efficiently.



Studies show that salt use reduces accidents by 88%.



Washing your car during wintertime is one of the best things

you can do to maintain the value of your car. Mud, salt,

rain, sleet, and snow can damage your car's clear finish.

Mud and salt caked on the undercarriage promote rust,

especially in older vehicles, and can also affect how well

your car drives.



To prevent winter damage, it is recommended that you wash

your vehicle every 10 days. Wash your vehicle whenever the

temperature is 40 degrees F. and above. Do it during the

day so that it dries completely before freezing evening

temperatures begin.



Immediately after washing the vehicle, open and close all

doors, the trunk, and other parts of the car with locks

several times before parking it to prevent locks from

freezing.



Always wash your car right after a snow or rain shower.

Rain and snow collect pollutants in the air and drop them as

acid rain which can damage the cars protective finish. Snow

and sleet also include the corrosive road salt.



Wash the underside of your car often during the winter

months in car washes that do not use recycled water.



Avoid driving through large puddles of standing water which

is saturated with road salt.



Any paint chips that are larger than the tip of a pen should

be taken care of immediately.



Wax your car at least every six months. Put a good heavy

coat of wax on your car before the winter storms hit. This

heavy coat will protect your paint from the corrosive salt

and cold temperatures.



More frequent waxes are needed if your car is red, black or

white because these colors are more susceptible to acid rain

and UV rays.



When spring time rolls around, treat your car to a good wax

job again. Be sure to remove all road grime and salt off of

the car before you begin waxing

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