The winter months are a time when caution should take priority on the roads. Even when the roadways look safe, there may be black ice or slick spots that cause you to lose control of your vehicle. That is why New Jersey authorities aim to keep the roads free of such dangers. One common method used by state and local authorities is to pre-treat roads with brine. While this practice helps prevent ice formation and improves road safety, it can have unintended consequences for your vehicle. Understanding what road brine is, how it affects your car, and how to protect your vehicle is essential, especially during winter in New Jersey.
Key Takeaways
- Road brine, a mix of salt and water, helps prevent ice formation on roads but can be corrosive to vehicles due to its high salt content.
- Brine can corrode the undercarriage, brake lines, and exhaust system, leading to rust. It can also damage car paint, especially around wheel wells and lower panels.
- To prevent brine damage, regularly wash your car (especially the undercarriage), apply wax for protection, inspect for rust, and consider rust-proofing treatments.
- Brine may help reduce ice, but it can also make roads slick and worsen damage in a collision by corroding vehicle parts, increasing repair costs.
- If your vehicle is damaged by brine or in an accident, Elmer’s Auto Body offers professional collision repair in South Jersey to keep your car in top shape for winter.
What is Road Brine?
Road brine is a mixture of salt and water used as a pre-treatment for roads before a snowstorm or a significant drop in temperature. The solution typically consists of around 23% salt, which helps to lower the freezing point of water on the roads. By applying brine in advance, the goal is to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement, making it easier to plow the roads or for the ice to melt once traffic begins.
When driving, you may notice white lines that are thinner and fainter than paint. That is the brine on the road, left behind by the spreaders used by the roadway authorities.
What Does Brining Do?
Brining is meant to protect drivers. When brine is applied to roads, it forms a thin, protective layer that prevents ice and snow from freezing onto the pavement. This proactive approach allows plow trucks to clear snow more easily and ensures that roads are less slippery during the first hours of a storm. As a result, accidents due to icy conditions may be reduced, and emergency services can navigate roads more safely. However, while brining is effective for road safety, it can be harsh on vehicles over time.
How Do Brined Roads Affect a Motor Vehicle?
Unfortunately, the same brine that makes driving safer can also be corrosive to your car. The high salt content in brine can cling to your vehicle’s undercarriage, exhaust system, brake lines, and even metal surfaces, leading to rust and corrosion if not properly addressed. Continuous exposure to salt over the winter months can weaken key components of your car, including the frame, causing long-term damage.
Corrosion is particularly dangerous because it often starts out of sight, leaving many car owners unaware of the issue until serious problems arise.
Additionally, brine can damage the car’s paint. When it dries, the salty residue can stick to your car’s exterior, especially along the wheel wells and lower body panels. Over time, this buildup can lead to chipped paint, exposing bare metal to the elements and accelerating the rusting process.
What Can You Do to Protect Your Car from Brined Roads in New Jersey?
As you now know, brined roads enhance the safety of the roads, but they can also cause damage to your car, truck, or SUV. Fortunately, there are several preventive strategies you can use to minimize such damage, including:
- Regular Washing: During winter months, regularly washing your car is essential. Focus on cleaning the undercarriage, wheel wells, and areas where brine residue accumulates. Look for car washes that offer undercarriage cleaning services to fully remove any salt buildup.
- Wax Your Vehicle: Applying a fresh coat of wax before winter creates a protective barrier on your car’s paint, reducing the likelihood of salt damage.
- Inspect Your Car Frequently: Check your vehicle for signs of rust, especially in areas that are prone to salt exposure. Early detection can prevent further damage.
- Use a Rust-Proofing Treatment: Consider applying a rust-proofing product to the undercarriage and other vulnerable areas. These treatments can prevent salt and moisture from reaching metal surfaces.
Can Road Brine Make an Accident Worse?
Brine may help prevent icy roads, but it can also contribute to more severe collisions when accidents do occur. Salt residue makes roads slick, and while it is meant to dissolve ice, it can also cause vehicles to lose traction under certain conditions. Drivers who aren’t cautious on brined roads may still face sliding hazards, especially at higher speeds. Furthermore, if brine corrodes key components of your vehicle, such as the braking system or suspension, it could lead to a higher likelihood of an accident. Brine also can make post-collision damage worse by exposing previously unaffected areas to corrosive chemicals, increasing repair costs.
Collision Damage? Contact Elmer’s Auto Body for Collision Repair in South Jersey
Brined roads in the winter in New Jersey are meant to keep people safe, but brining can also be a double-edged sword. The salt used in the brine can damage your vehicle, and it can even make the roadways slick in certain conditions. Drive carefully!
If your vehicle has been involved in an accident, especially after traveling on brined roads, the team at Elmer’s Auto Body is here to help. From assessing corrosion damage to providing expert collision repair, we offer top-notch services in South Jersey. Protect your vehicle and ensure it’s ready for the winter season by contacting us today for a professional inspection and repair. Call one of our three South Jersey locations to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.