MAZDA Maintenance 101: Protecting Your Car from Salt and Road Chemicals

The winter season can make driving unpredictable. While salt and road chemicals help make the roads safer, they can also wreak havoc on your car. Our Mazda maintenance technicians at The Autobarn Mazda of Evanston are sharing tips on how to protect your vehicle this winter.

Wash Your Vehicle Regularly

It may seem counterintuitive, but it’s crucial to wash your car regularly throughout the winter. When mixed with moisture, road salt becomes corrosive and can break down your clear coat and paint. It’s especially aggressive to metal. It’s important to consistently wash it off your vehicle to minimize the damage, with a strong focus on the undercarriage.

Utilize Protective Products

There are also many protective products that you can use to safeguard your vehicle, including waxes, sealants, ceramic coatings, rust inhibitors, and more. These products make barriers to help prevent buildup on your vehicle. Our team is happy to help you determine the products you need.

Watch for Warning Signs

As you drive, road salt splashes up and settles on your vehicle. Sometimes, it can seep into seams or other areas and begin to affect your vehicle from the inside out. Watch for warning signs that road salt is already affecting your vehicle, such as:

• Noisy brakes (which could signal corroded brake components)
• Chalky blotches in the paint finish
• Metal that no longer shines
• Small rust spots forming
• Peeling or bubbling paint

Schedule MAZDA Maintenance in Evanston, IL

Our team can help you protect your vehicle from road salt and chemicals. You can start to see damage from road salt in a matter of weeks if your vehicle is left untreated, so don’t wait. Visit The Autobarn Mazda of Evanston for Mazda maintenance today!