By Kristen Rodman, AccuWeather.com Staff Writer
February 4,2014; 5:37PM,EST
Road salt lowers the freezing point of water, according to Manager of Vehicle Services at Firestone Complete AutoCare Joe Roger.
"It chemically turns that ice back into water so that the car tires can then reach the pavement for traction, instead of just sliding on top of the ice," Roger said.
While road salt is imminent to safe winter driving, it is also extremely corrosive and over time it can cause extensive damage to vehicles.
The biggest threat salt poses to a vehicle is rust, which is accelerated by repeated exposure to salt. Rust on certain parts of a car can create a slew of problems ranging from hydraulic brake system leaks to subframe damage.
Due to the construction of a vehicle with most of the underbody being wide open, most salt damage occurs underneath the car and as a result can be difficult to detect visually.
"Underneath most cars is wide open and subject to everything and all of the elements," Roger said. "All of the water and salt that can be kicked up and sprayed up underneath the vehicle are just going to stick, sit there and corrode."
After driving on salt treated roads, many drivers then pull their vehicles into a garage, which allows the ice, snow and salt from the roadways to sit underneath the car and rot away at the car's under components.
This rotting or corrosion can harm the car's exhaust and muffler systems, coil springs and the frame of the car. Damage to the subframe of a vehicle is common in the snow belt areas in the Northeast, according to Roger.
The necessity of road salt makes it hard to avoid these issues but visiting a car wash frequently during the winter months can help car owners battle salt's detrimental effects.
"Go through a car wash that has an under-spray," Roger said. "That will try to reduce the chances that all that salt and salt water will get on the vehicle and start to corrode."
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Vehicles can also be taken to a collision shop prior to the winter season to have their vehicles pre-treated with an oil solution under-spray to help fight winter road salt damage.
As driving on road salt is fairly common during the winter months, drivers should be aware of potential damage and never drive a vehicle with a red brake warning light on. This light indicates a low fluid condition and can lead to severe consequences if driven without immediate consultation.
If drivers experience any other maintenance issues involving the brake system during the winter months, immediate attention should be sought after.
While all damages are not necessarily visible, the best way to ensure that a vehicle is and will continue to function properly is to have it checked by a professional before the winter season or whenever it is also due for an oil change.
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7h- Kenneth McMillan · Works at Retired from US ArmySalt is not essential to winter road safety nor does it lower the freezing temperature of the ice or snow.
Including more sand or ground up gravel will provide what is essential to winter road safety- traction. (That's why kitty litter works!) Kitty litter also absorbs moisture and swells slightly enhancing traction when put under the car's tires to get going. Salt does not "lower" the freezing point of water though it does appear to raise it. When the temperature remains below freezing - mid 20's - the ice or snow does not melt no matter how much slat is distributed. As soon as the sun shines on it however, it begins to melt.Some states use excessive amounts of salt in the name of road safety. This is pharsical. What they are doing is damaging what is a significant investment for some people and ruining the enviornment as well. 
Steve Ball · Works at CenturyLink, Area Plant Supervisor - U.S. Air Force, MSgt Ret.To state salt is essential to safe winter driving demonstrates a total lack of subject matter knowledge. Spend a couple winters in North Dakota, these headline storms that shut the rest of the country down are just normal winter weather and guess what no salt, no sloppy mess and no vehicle damage and far fewer pot holes. It's the biggest racket going they actually have people convinced that it's a good thing to spend thousands of tax dollars to destroy their vehicles and roads and then tax more.
Greg Wilburn · Frostburg State UniversityNo kidding? Some states (like Maryland) use salt without regard for anything (like your drinking water, forests, wetlands, and native trout streams).
Joseph Mangas · Top CommenterNo salt in Nebraska either. Growing up in Ohio, it seemed odd not to use it. However, car bodies last a lot longer, although the roads aren't as clean as they otherwise would be. They will use a de-icing liquid that is sprayed on the highway. I don't know if it's better for the environment, but salt run-off is definitely not good for mother nature (although ironically, we get it from the Earth).
Barry J. Konsor · Follow · Grants Pass, OregonHere in Oregon, it's illegal to apply road salt. Cars last a long long time. We take the opposite approach, requiring chains in snow zones, and allowing studded tires in winter months. Seems to be a lot more viable approach.
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