CHICAGO (WGN) — Winter weather swept across much of the United States over the last two weeks, draping swathes of the country with a blanket of snow and ice, but as temperatures start to rise drivers — and their cars — will have to contend with salt on the roadways.

Salt spreaders are deployed in cities like Chicago in an effort to tackle the hazardous driving conditions winter weather can impose.

Road salts work by lowering the freezing point of water, preventing ice from forming.

The Department of Streets and Sanitation manages more than 9,400 miles of roadway and uses a fleet of salt spreaders to help the city prepare for the impact of winter weather. According to DSS, over 400,000 tons of salt are stationed at salt piles around the city. 

Residents can even view the city’s snow fleet in real-time at chicagoshovels.org.

Can road salts damage my car? 

While road salts can make an icy drive a bit easier, they can also increase the potential for rust damage and the corrosion of brake and fuel lines.

AAA said the National Highway Traffic Association has issued safety advisories in the past linking road salt and de-icers to the corrosion of brake components that could eventually lead to brake failure, especially in older cars.

According to AAA, Americans spend billions in car repairs from rust damage caused by de-icers each year. Between 2012 and 2017, U.S. drivers spent an estimated $15.4 billion on rust repairs caused by de-icing methods.

What can you do to prevent rust damage?

There are several steps drivers can take to avoid rust damage from road salts. 

According to AAA, the first steps begin before the winter, when drivers are advised to wash their vehicles and apply a fresh coat of wax before the first big storm that would call for the use of road salts. 

Drivers are also urged to avoid driving during and immediately after a winter storm when road salts are either being applied or are at their highest concentrations. 

But after salts have been spread and begin building up on vehicles, drivers are advised to wash their cars and pay particular attention to the undercarriage of their vehicle, where road salts can build up. During a car wash, it is best to use high-quality car wash solutions and avoid using household dish detergents, as they could strip the wax off of a vehicle. 

Lastly, in the springtime, drivers should give their vehicles one last cleaning, as any built-up deposits of road salt could lead to corrosion year-round.

How often should you head to the carwash? 

Throughout the year, drivers should head to the car wash about once a month. But drivers are advised to visit a carwash after any big snowstorms, or when they believe their vehicle may have been exposed to salt or other types of de-icer. 

When should you head to the repair shop? 

According to AAA, several malfunctions caused by rust could land a car in the shop and drivers should pay close attention to their vehicles during the winter months.

Dashboard warning lights

The organizations said drivers who experience in-dash warning lights for brakes and other critical systems should quickly head to the repair shop for a vehicle assessment. 

Spongey breaks

Drivers who notice a soft or “spongey” feeling when applying pressure to the brake pedal should seek out assistance from a repair shop. 

Road salts and moisture can lead to rusty and brittle break lines that could crack or break, causing a leak. 

Loud exhaust or strong odors

Drivers may notice the smell of fumes in or around the vehicle or find that their vehicles are louder than usual, which could be the result of road salts collecting beneath a vehicle and causing exposed parts of a muffler and exhaust system to rust.