How to Protect Your Nissan from Road Salt Damage

March 18, 2021

Road salt is an effective way to make roads safer for winter driving ‐ but its also a corrosive agent that can permanently damage and rust your vehicle. Just like defrosting your windshields and shoveling snow off the driveway, protecting your car from road salt is an inconvenient-but-necessary winter car care task! Use these tips to help protect your Nissan from road salt-related damage this cold season!

Wax Your Vehicle

Its recommended that you wax your car every few months, with the most critical application occurring right before winter. Waxing your car applies a protective outer coating that helps minimize damage from rain, UV rays, debris, and road salt.

Wash Your Car

Although having your vehicle waxed is a great preventative measure, its also important to clean your Nissan frequently, every 10 days or so, inside and out during winter. This helps to protect your vehicle from the road salt and sand particles that build up in hard to reach places.

If your car isn't washed frequently, road salt can rust and damage exposed undercarriage components, such as your brake system, transmission, and frame ‐ which could lead to costly repairs. Learn how to wash road salt off of your car using these tips:

• Consider visiting a do-it-yourself car wash. The high water pressure and lengthy sprayers are very effective at getting salt particles out of every nook and cranny.
• Clean your vehicles undercarriage thoroughly as this part of your vehicle is most often exposed to road or rock salt while driving.
• Schedule cleanings during the day to prevent water from freezing in frigid, winter evening temperatures.
• Pay special attention to your floor mats, as this is where salt is most likely to accrue within your vehicle. To clean road salt off car mats, remove them from your Nissan, shake or vacuum them to dislodge any loose debris, and wash them thoroughly with soap and water. Allow your floor mats to air dry completely before placing them back into your vehicle.

Rustproof Your Vehicle

Rustproofing involves applying a protective outer coat onto a vehicles most vulnerable metal components. There are various methods for rustproofing a vehicle, the most popular substances being tar-based, drip oil, and dripless oil sprays.

These methods provide a hardened barrier intended to protect your vehicle from the elements, and, in effect, help keep it looking better for longer. Its best to have your vehicle rustproofed immediately after purchasing your car, but it may be beneficial in preventing further exposure to damaging elements. Check your Nissan owners manual or consult your nearest authorized dealer.

Tip: Annual inspections are still recommended after rustproofing to proactively identify any cracks in the undercoating or other potential weaknesses.

Get Rid of Rust

Road salt is one of the most effective methods for protecting drivers against icy roads, but it can also be a one-way ticket to car damage. Regularly washing, waxing, and rustproofing your vehicle are great methods to use in preventing damage from corrosion. But what if your car is already displaying interior stains or rust? Head to Nissan Parts for genuine replacement components, such as new brakes and transmission parts, made to fit your vehicle.