Salt and Rust: How Winter Roads Slowly Destroy Your Vehicle

Road salt is essential for winter safety, but it is one of the most damaging things your vehicle encounters all year. Salt and moisture work together to accelerate corrosion on metal components, especially brake lines, fuel lines, suspension parts, and the underside of your vehicle. Once rust starts, it spreads quietly and often goes unnoticed until repairs become expensive.

Winter driving exposes your vehicle to salt buildup every day, even when roads look dry. Parking in a warm garage can actually make corrosion worse by allowing salt to stay wet longer. Regular undercarriage washes during winter help remove salt before it has time to cause damage, especially after heavy snowfall or highway driving.

At DJ’s Garage, we inspect rust prone areas and recommend preventative maintenance to help slow corrosion before it becomes a serious issue. Addressing rust early protects the safety and longevity of your vehicle and helps preserve its value. A little prevention during winter can save thousands in repairs down the road.

When you’re ready, the next strong options are winter driving habits, emergency kits every Canadian driver should carry, or preparing your vehicle for extreme cold snaps, all of which continue this series naturally.