Every winter in Bulgaria, our roads get covered in salt and de-icing chemicals. The ice melts, which is great, but the salt doesn't care whether it's sitting on the tarmac or stuck to your pride and joy. It gets everywhere underneath your car — the chassis, brake pipes, exhaust and sills. Leave it there too long, and rust starts creeping in. And do you know the worst part? You often won't notice it until years later.
Where does road salt cause the most damage?
- Brake pipes and hoses — if a brake pipe rusts through, it can burst.
- Suspension arms, bolts and brackets.
- Sills and wheel arch edges.
- The exhaust and heat shields.
- Electrical connectors and wiring underneath the car.
How can you protect your car's underbody from road salt?
- Wash underneath your car at least once every two weeks during winter. Been driving on heavily salted roads? Wash it more often.
- At the car wash, choose a programme that includes an underbody wash.
- Avoid washing your car when temperatures are well below freezing. Water can freeze inside the locks and around the seals.
- Once winter is over, give the underside a thorough wash and bring the car in so we can get it on a ramp and have a proper look.
What do we check when your car is up on the ramp?
During our autumn and spring inspections at Das Auto Service, we check the brake pipes, underbody protection, sills and suspension. If we spot damaged protective coating or the first signs of rust, we clean up the affected area and restore the protection. I want us to catch these problems while they're still small. Because once you let corrosion spread, things can get expensive and unpleasant.
If your brake pedal suddenly feels soft or starts sinking towards the floor, don't drive the car. A brake pipe may have burst because of corrosion.
Why are mud flaps and underbody covers so important?
Mud flaps stop a lot of the salty slush your tyres throw up against the sills and doors. The plastic covers underneath protect the engine and gearbox. If one of those covers is missing or broken, replace it. Trust me, the manufacturer didn't put it there just for decoration.
A tip from Kris Mladenov: You've driven along a salted road, then it's rained, and you're thinking, "Well, that must have washed the salt off, right?" Sorry, my friend, but no. The salt is still hiding along the edges and inside all those little gaps. To get it out properly, you need a pressure wash.
If you haven't seen the underside of your car in years, come over to Das Auto Service and we'll get it up on a ramp. I'll show you what the chassis looks like and whether there's any sign of rust. Much better to spot it now than spend the next few years wondering where all that corrosion came from. I'm telling you because I care.
What can you find in our shop to help?
Audi car wash concentrate, 250 ml
Audi car wash concentrate removes salt and dirt without damaging the paintwork or seals.
View in our shop
The Audi winter care kit has everything you need to look after your car during the colder months.
View in our shop
Audi Antifrost winter screenwash concentrate, 1 l
Audi Antifrost winter screenwash concentrate resists freezing and removes salt from your windscreen.
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- Routine servicing at Das Auto Service
- Everything you need for winter in our shop
- How do I wash my car after winter without scratching the paint?
- What should I check on my car before winter?
- Mud flaps: how do they protect your sills, and are they worth fitting?
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash my car in winter?
At least once every two weeks. If you've been driving on heavily salted or gritted roads, wash it sooner. Don't give the salt time to do its damage.
Do I really need to wash underneath my car?
Yes, absolutely. That's where road salt does some of its worst damage, and it's the one place you probably never think to look.
Is rust on the brake pipes dangerous?
Yes. If the corrosion gets bad enough, a brake pipe can burst and you could lose braking power. That's why we check them at every inspection.