Brine used on roads to prevent ice can cause serious rust damage to vehicles
North Texas: After winter weather, many drivers are left wondering how to get rid of the brine on their cars. This brine is sprayed on roads to prevent ice, but it can be a real headache for your vehicle.
So, what exactly is brine? It’s a mix of salt and water, and it works better than regular salt because it sticks to the road. When rock salt is used, a lot of it just bounces off. But brine stays put, which is great for the roads but not so great for your car.
Brine often contains magnesium chloride, which is even worse for your vehicle than regular salt. It melts ice at lower temperatures, but it also sticks to your car’s underbody, causing rust. The combination of water and salt is a recipe for corrosion.
Unlike rock salt, which needs high humidity to dissolve, magnesium chloride can start causing damage at much lower humidity levels. And when the weather warms up, the corrosive effects can get even worse.
To protect your vehicle, the best move is to hit a car wash. Make sure they clean the underbody well to get rid of all that brine. You can also use products like Salt Away to help remove any leftover salt.
And let’s not forget about good old Mother Nature! A good rain can wash away that brine from the roads. Here’s hoping for some rainy days ahead in North Texas!
