‘Be nice to your car,’ says driver who warns that to avoid huge repair costs, you must do these 3 things after winter
AN auto repair shop owner has revealed the six best ways a driver can prepare their vehicle for spring, including taking care of the paint.
Road salt and dirt can wreak havoc on a vehicle, but there are ways to combat the damage, the expert said.
Nancy Kneble, one-half of the couple who owns Kneble’s Auto Service Center in Mays Landing, New Jersey, goes over the six items she recommends drivers inspect before embracing the seasonal change in a recent video uploaded to their YouTube (@KnebelsAutoServiceCenter).
“Many people don’t realize that the winter weather is harsh on our vehicles,” Nancy said.
“And many don’t know there are six things that can be done to their vehicle to get it ready for spring to extend the life of the vehicle and avoid those pricey repairs to their suspension.”
The East Coast uses sodium chloride mixed with liquid calcium chloride on the roads as an anti-icing material, and it’s incredibly effective against ice on roads.
In New Jersey, the mixture is called “brine,” and Nancy said that it’s known to cause damage to vehicles over time when not washed away.
“The brine on the roads can wreak havoc on our vehicles,” she said.
Therefore, as winter fades in the rearview mirror, it’s important to take special care to wash away the road salt and take care of the exterior.
“Be nice to your vehicle,” she said.
“Give it a bath! Wash the dirt and salt from the undercarriage, which could lead to rust over time. Take care of your vehicle, and it can be more dependable for you.”
Rydell Cars wrote that road salt, when not washed away after the season is through, can dramatically increase the rusting process of key components of a vehicle, like the suspension, subframe, and even braking systems.
When mixed with water to make the brine, it makes the process even quicker – increasing the need to remove salt effectively.
“You can take measures to limit salt damage by waxing your vehicle and installing all-season floor mats,” the site read.
“Waxing the entire vehicle’s surface protects it from corrosion and staining, helping prevent salt from permeating surfaces. This is best done before the wintry weather hits, but it can be done at any time.”
As Nancy warned, washing the undercarriage isn’t just a precaution, it’s a necessity if someone wants to keep the vehicle long-term.
During the winter, it’s important to keep up with removing salt from the safety components that tend to collect salt when driving on the road.
“The undercarriage should be cleaned once every 10 days during the winter months to prevent buildup and corrosion,” the site warned.
“Spray water directly under the vehicle to clear salt and other debris from hard-to-see areas. Undercarriage components that are at risk from salt include the exhaust, coil springs, subframe, fuel lines, and brake system.”
If the task is neglected, it can lead to costly repairs that would normally never be a concern.
“Even though the undercarriage isn’t seen, damage to your vehicle’s unprotected underside can cause safety and performance issues.”
Thankfully, there are steps that drivers can take to prevent extensive damage if regularly washing the undercarriage isn’t an option.
“Undercarriages may be treated with a specialty oil solution or salt neutralizer for an added layer of protection.”
Nancy also recommended that drivers check their tires for wear and depth, examine wiper blades for effectiveness, and listen for any noise or feel for vibration from the brakes.