Corrosion-Body Rot

[nucleardawg]

I have been out in Western New York state, for the past month for my job. The condition of many cars, out here is just...well terrible. Walking out to my rental car tonight, I couldn't help noticing, chrome bumpers nearly rotted away, on a newer Toyota Tacoma. Many of the Dodge Rams, have the entire sidewall of the bed rotted away. These are just two examples.

With the snowfall that they get out here, (Oswego) salt is widely used for a good time of the year. I would be leery of purchasing, a new car out here just because, it seems almost inevitable that cars are going to start rotting away.

What are posters, using to slow, or possibly prevent this corrosion in these climates? Personally i'm assuming it's just a matter of time before it happens out here.

 

[saberz]

Well I know people in Canada(lucky SOBs) have a Krown oil treatment that is done to their entire vehicle. I live in NJ and the winters while bad are nothing like NY or PA. Good advice i've been given is to routinely wash the under carriage of your vehicle as often as possible. Those days that are slightly warmer than colder with no snow/rain are the days to do that between snow storms.

Other's use fresh/new motor oil and a brush/roller on their undercarriage. My concern with that is water contacting it and polluting/making oil slicks everywhere.

 

[2003f7]

It's just a matter of time. If you drive on salted roads your car will rot. Many times from the inside out.

 

[Warstud]

I think the dodge rams are known for rust.....in fact I seen one the other day with the rear bumper rusted right thru. Didn't look all that old either.

 

[nucleardawg]

I personally live in the Seattle area. That area is known as wet, rainy. But man the vehicles out here just take a beating with the salt, i'm talking holes in a newer Ram I could put my head in!

 

[Panzerman]

Thats why they give you the Lifetime warranty on the drive train, thats all thats left after 10 years.

 

[nucleardawg]

Boy I would hate to take the depreciation on a new vehicle. I guess I would drive a beater in the winter, and save my new car for better weather, though I know many can't do that.

 

[Bluestream]

check this out: https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/1671836/

 

[nucleardawg]

Impressive to say the least. I guess for many though a vehicle's upkeep is unimportant, or they just don't know the choices out there.

 

[MrCritical]

Dodge must have caught on.

They did away with Lifetime Powertrain warranty.

 

[eljefino]

I'm not a fan of washing the salt off mid-winter. When it's white and dry it's not really irritating the metal all that much. Liquify it, spray with a high pressure hose, and you might get it even deeper in the folds of metal and whatnot and create a worse issue.

The first rains of spring, and the resultant puddles, are all the washing my undercarraige gets.

Maintenance for me is unplugging holes that should be unplugged in the frame and whatnot (for drainage) and watching areas like wheel wells so any perforation there does not fling sand/salt/water slurry up into unprotected areas like the engine bay and inside rocker panels.

 

[mechtech2]

I'm in the Chicago area.
About as bad as it gets for salt and rust .
I think the automakers subsidize salt for roads!

High maintenance works. Rarely will a one shot deal/application keep the car in good shape.
Each vehicle has it's own problems. Spraying various anti rust insulating materials into panels and frame rails helps. Sometimes holes should be drilled for access.
[BTW and stock drain holes should be open!]
Every year wash and check the underside of the car. Touch up any spots. Rustoleum is handy, cheap, and works pretty well.