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Winter has finally come to the northeast, and all Pennsylvania drivers are getting ready to navigate the unpredictable weather and dangerous driving conditions that come with it. Thankfully, our state has made some great advances in the fight against inclement weather, but one of PA’s best weapons in the fight against ice and snow is also one of your automobile’s biggest enemies: Brine, or pre-wetted salt.

During the 2021-2022 season, PennDOT sprayed 12.6 million gallons of brine on our roadways, helping to reduce accidents and improve safety for all operators and passengers of motor vehicles. This is a tactic that many cold-weather states in the USA employ, but brine’s best quality is the same reason your car hates it: It likes to stick around.

An estimated 40% of traditional rock salt bounces off roadways, whereas the salt and water mixture of brine clings to cold surfaces, making it exponentially more of a threat for ice and snow. But what sticks to the road can also stick to your undercarriage, which presents a real (and potentially severe) threat to your automobile. The salt and magnesium chloride in brine will corrode the metal of your vehicle over time if left unprotected or untreated. And while the bottom of your car bears the brunt of these conditions, it’s important to remember that every metal surface is susceptible to the same corrosion.

This threat of corrosion increases if you store your car in a warmer environment (like a garage), as the chemical reactions take place faster in higher temperatures. It’s unfortunate that a substance that saves lives (and taxpayer dollars) can also cause drivers such an unwanted headache. Thankfully, PA drivers have a way to fight back against the destructive side of salt and brine.

Here are a few strategies you can employ to reduce the risk your car faces and improve your defenses against the creeping threat of rust and corrosion: First, try not to drive behind brine trucks when on the streets or highways. Fresh brine has a better chance of splashing up against the bottom of your vehicle and an increased chance of sticking around once it gets there. Second, you can make it a regular practice to wash the undercarriage of your car (although in cold weather, this might not be the safest option). You could also try moving to a warmer climate, but there’s another option that will provide world-class security against the onslaught of ice and snow: Line-X Protective Coatings and Krown Rust Protection.

The self-healing, moisture-displacing Krown Rust Protection safeguards your vehicle, reducing repair costs and keeping your resale value high. Safe for electronics and electrical components, it’s a vital step in maintaining the safety and integrity of your automobile. Likewise, Line-X Protective Coatings ensure a long-lasting shield that can be applied to virtually any surface. Used together, these products can provide an almost impenetrable barrier between your automotive investment and the harshest of elements.