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Understanding Car Issues

When I began thinking more seriously about car issues, it occurred to me that there were a few things I needed to do if I wanted to make things easier for myself in the long run. For starters, I began taking my car in for regular auto service, which really helped out. It was really interesting to see how many different things had to be fixed every time I went in, but when my car didn't have as many problems, I could tell that it was really paying off. This website is all about understanding and preventing car problems by making better choices.

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Understanding Car Issues

3 Ways To Prepare Your Vehicle From Winter Salt Damage

by Micheal Barrett

If you live in an area that experiences ice and snow, you are probably aware of the damage that road salt, or brine, can have on your vehicle. Brine is a solution of sodium chloride and water applied to many roads by the Department of Transportation, preventing freezing and increasing road safety. While this solution may reduce your chances of having auto body maintenance due to an accident, it can still wreak havoc on your vehicle. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize this damage.

1. Wash And Wax  

Washing and applying a good coat of wax to your car before encountering winter weather will help protect your car's finish from salt damage. Having it professionally detailed can provide even more advantages.

Professional detailing will usually buff out minor scratches or imperfections in your paint. If these small areas have impacted your clear coat, they can be portals to your paint for corrosive elements found in winter weather.

Whether you or a professional clean your car, ensure your undercarriage is not overlooked. Cleaning this area will ensure your brake lines, transmission lines, and the bottom surface of your engine do not become corroded.

Wash your car throughout the winter season. Do not allow the brine to sit on your vehicle more than a couple of days after the weather clears up. Allowing the brine to continue to sit on your car can lead to corrosion which will eventually lead to you needing auto body maintenance. 

2. Address Dents And Paint Chips 

Taking your car in for auto body maintenance to address dents and paint chips before winter weather sets in can help protect your vehicle from corrosion. Your paint acts as a protective shield for the metal body of your car. Even minor issues can quickly become significant problems when there is an inclusion in your paint, either through chipping or denting.

3. Address Accident Damage Immediately 

 Winter weather puts you at a higher risk of having an accident. If you do, you must ensure your car is repaired as quickly as possible. If you continue to drive the vehicle without making the necessary repairs, even minor damage can become a more significant problem. 

Damage to your vehicle not only weakens the metal on your car but can also make it more susceptible to rust and damaging corrosion. When you add the corrosiveness of salt into the equation, problems can quickly escalate.

Contact a service for more tips about auto maintenance.

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