SUMMER is upon us, which means it’s a great time to hit the road and head to the beach for some sun, surf, and sand. But hold that thought. Before you park your car by the shore, there’s something you should consider.
You see, particles from the ocean can have devastating effects on your car. By parking near the shore, you expose your car to sea spray. These are the aerosol particles formed in the ocean and are ejected into the atmosphere. Naturally, these can have a bad corrosive effect on your car.
A publication by the Transportation Research Board in the US identifies sea spray as one of the leading causes of vehicle corrosion in many northern American states. And in places like Australia, the question of whether or not a car has been parked near the beach is common in the secondhand market.
What kind of damage can it cause, exactly? Well, the combination of heat and sea spray can dull and ruin your car’s finish. Furthermore, various internal and external parts can start to rust over time. Yikes. Granted, it can take some time before any of that happens, but it’s still worth considering when planning your next road trip.
Of course, you can’t always avoid driving to the beach. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep the corrosion at bay: If possible, park in a closed garage or parking space, and avoid driving directly on or through salt water. After your trip, get your car washed and waxed. To make doubly sure that your car stays rust-free, have the undercarriage hosed off as well. (topgear.com.ph)
