WINTER SUX
- Thread starter buster
- Start date
- Status
I spent some time back east last summer. Being from the west coast, I was totally SHOCKED at the salt damage on so many newer cars. Why even buy a new car if you're going to drive it in the winter? My gosh, the damage done to vehicles in those states, on a yearly basis, must be in the millions! It's sad that in this day and age they can't come up with a better alternative. Can't the populace demand some changes? I know I would. Out west we have cars that are twenty years old that have zero rust....and are regularly driven. I may just be ignorant of the facts of salt and sand, chemicals etc. when it comes road traction, but something must be better than destroying expensive automobiles like this.
Salt doesnt do that much damage anymore. My parents 1983 Nissan had a little rust on it, but my dad never washed it either. My stupid town does the alternative--sand. Its absolutely useless on snow/ice. It snows, they drop sand. Cars drive, kick the sand to the side of the road, and now its slick again (not that the sand did much anyway). ITs much better to drive a car with a couple of tiny rust spots after 20 years than one that has to be rebuilt because you got in an accident.
Insurance companies call the DOT when the slightest snow falls, prompting trucks to go out dumping 1 gallon per foot of salt.
I've seen three year old cars with rust holes. It's not worth it IMO and many other states have other methods. I'll take PLOWING the roads over salt anyday.
Ive not seen many cars made in the last 10-15 years with any rust on them. My 1994 has a little rust on a couple of bolt-heads underneath, and it wasnt washed much by my parents either. Cars are so rust proofed at the factory now that its near impossible to get them to rust. No, plows and sand are not better than salt. Plows have to be there continuously if its snowing. And sand gets kicked to the side. Salt dissolves in melted snow and creates a nice slurry over the whole road. The roads are dry in the morning. Lack of salt leaves a thin film of water over the road during the day, which freezes at night causing a sheet of ice over the roads. Like I said, Id much rather drive a car with a couple of TINY rust spots than one thats been rebuilt because you slid out and wrecked it. Most people dont keep a car more than 3 years anyway, so who cares. I guess we each have our own opinions. My ultimate solution is to move where its warm.
FL-400S-I'm with you on the way to de-ice. Sand is so useless. I had a VDOT contractor say that the reason they are to put it down is to have some sort of "abrasive" to cut into the ice. Problem is, that by the time it gets through the snow, its been pushed to the sides of the road. He didn't like their idea either and only lets them load his spreader with salt. The chunks come out big enough to grind into the ice and become effective, unlike the sand. Plus, the sand stays around for a LONG time after the winter is gone. Really makes riding the motorcycle interesting in some curves and at intersections. Hmmmm, wonder if I could sue the state for creating this kind of dangerous situation??
Wish they would just stick with the salt. I've seen far more cars that have been "sandblasted" than I've seen rusted.
I think my solution would be to follow your last statement too
.
I think my solution would be to follow your last statement too
The weather here is crazy! It's midsummer and yesterday it was 35C (95F) and more humid than usual in this semi Alpine area of Australia. Canberra is 3000ft above sea level. Today it's totally grey with expected max of 25C (77F). What's unusual is that the Weather Bureau have issued a sheep graziers alert for cold, wet, windy conditions and snowfalls down to 1400 meters tonight just two hours drive from here in the Snowy Mountains. Expected min tonight 6C (43F) with a max tomorrow of 18C(64F) and back to max of 29C (84F) on Sunday. From Summer to Winter within 24 hours.
I'm not sure what kind of salt they use in your area. But dispite the efforts of auto manufactorers todays cars are far from rust proof. You wont see any major sheetmetal rusting, but crawl underneath or open the hood and you'll see it. All it takes is a scratch and the rust starts.quote:
Originally posted by FL-400S:
Ive not seen many cars made in the last 10-15 years with any rust on them. My 1994 has a little rust on a couple of bolt-heads underneath, and it wasnt washed much by my parents either. Cars are so rust proofed at the factory now that its near impossible to get them to rust. No, plows and sand are not better than salt. Plows have to be there continuously if its snowing. And sand gets kicked to the side. Salt dissolves in melted snow and creates a nice slurry over the whole road. The roads are dry in the morning. Lack of salt leaves a thin film of water over the road during the day, which freezes at night causing a sheet of ice over the roads. Like I said, Id much rather drive a car with a couple of TINY rust spots than one thats been rebuilt because you slid out and wrecked it. Most people dont keep a car more than 3 years anyway, so who cares. I guess we each have our own opinions. My ultimate solution is to move where its warm.
-T
I agree with T-Keith. I was in Buffalo this past summer and cars that had only a couple of years on them had rust. Other metals and finishes that were exposed, on these same vehicles, looked faded and/or effected as well. Maybe some that live in the rust-belt states should take a trip out west. Our cars out here look great even after ten years.....if minimally cared for.
I'm just glad I only deal with rain in the winter!!
I'm just glad I only deal with rain in the winter!!
- Status
Similar threads
