Saturday, December 16th, 2017
A gritty situation!
Well, it looks like we have got the worst of the snow behind us, for now at least. Every wondered what the results of all that grit and salt are on your vehicle ? We hope to give you a little insight in to what it can do and what you can do to keep your vehicle hassle free and in great condition.
We have all seen the gritters out in force over the past few days (unless you live in a remote area or in one of the un-visited side roads). Have you ever wondered exactly what they are putting on to the roads and why ? The usual payload is a mixture of salt and grit. The salt, as you can imagine, is used to melt the ice and get rid of any slippery surfaces which could cause your vehicle to slip and slide all over the road. The grit on the other hand is there to create a more uneven surface to the road and provide more traction between your tyres and the tarmac.
So, can these two substances have a detrimental effect on your car or van ? In a word, yes. It’s important to know what they can do and how to stop them from doing it !
Basically any parts of the underside of your car are exposed to the corrosive properties of the salt which can lead to rusting. The brakes and exhaust system are very vulnerable and as they are unseen then it is highly advisable to get your vehicle checked after a prolonged period of cold weather. Here at Golds our highly trained mechanics can spot any minute signs of damage before they get out of control.
A good car routine wash of your vehicle will also make sure that any residue left of the paint work is dealt with. Chipped paint can be a major problem as any uncovered bodywork will be open to corrosion. Using a good quality wax will help to protect from any wear and tear.
Salt can also be a nightmare for alloy wheels so it’s always best to just take a few seconds to wipe any residue from them after each trip.
As ever, be safe on the roads.
Golds.