What road salt actually does
Rock salt lowers the freezing point of water on the road, but the spray that ends up on your car is a corrosive brine. It accelerates rust wherever there's an existing paint chip, and it pits aluminium alloys if left on for weeks. The damage is cumulative — one winter without washing shows up as tram-line staining and dull wheels by March.
Weekly rinse habit
You don't need a full wash every week in winter. A proper rinse — underside, wheels, wheel arches and lower panels — is enough to get the salt off. If you have a jet wash at home, five minutes over the underside and arches once a week is the single most effective winter habit.
The pre-winter prep wash
In October, get a proper wash with a good coat of wax or sealant on the paint before the salt starts. Waxed paint sheds salty water instead of holding it in the pores of the clear coat. A ceramic-coated car needs the least winter maintenance of any finish.
Alloys and brake dust
Brake dust bonded to a salt-slick alloy is the fastest way to get pitting. A pH-neutral wheel cleaner with 3-5 minutes of dwell time, once a fortnight through winter, prevents most of it. Iron fallout removers (the ones that turn purple) are worth doing once mid-winter.
Interior in winter
Wet floor mats sitting all week grow mould in carpet. Get rubber overmats for winter, and vacuum the carpet dry weekly. Salt from footwear will stain fabric mats permanently if left to dry in.
Frequently asked
How often should I wash my car in winter?+
Every 1-2 weeks. If a full wash isn't possible, at least rinse the underside, wheels and lower panels weekly to get the road salt off.
Does road salt actually damage cars?+
Yes — it's corrosive to any exposed metal at stone chips, pits aluminium alloys, and eats into the underbody over winters. Washing it off is the single most effective anti-rust habit.
Should I wax my car before winter?+
Yes. A fresh coat of wax or sealant in October means salty water sheets off the paint instead of soaking into the pores of the clear coat. It also makes weekly winter rinses much faster.