# Does road salt corrode metal below freezing? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [December 23, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208 "2008-12-23T17:59:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TurboTSi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@TurboTSi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TurboTSi)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/1 "2008-12-23T17:59:49Z")
Mainly curious when you should wash your car. I remember someone telling me the road salt on your car will not corrode the metal when below freezing mainly because it will be “dry” since all water will be frozen. Apparently this theory states that the salt was to mix with water to corrode? Now, I’m not a chemistry person, so I figured someone on here might have a good answer. I always wash the car about once a week since I’m concerned about the finish as well. ---
**Author:** ![turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/turbo_ls1_ss/32/7303_2.png) [@turbo\_ls1\_ss](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbo_ls1_ss)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/2 "2008-12-23T18:01:14Z")
> [@TurboTSi"](#): > > road salt on your car will not corrode the metal when below freezing mainly because it will be “dry” since all water will be frozen. . i guess that really defeats the purpose of salt then! ---
**Author:** ![neonglh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neonglh/32/4951_2.png) [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/3 "2008-12-23T18:03:49Z")
If you pour a pile of salt on metal, in the absence of water, it will still corrode. ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/4 "2008-12-23T18:04:49Z")
> [@neonglh](#): > > If you pour a pile of salt on metal, in the absence of water, it will still corrode. not true ---
**Author:** ![neonglh](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/neonglh/32/4951_2.png) [@neonglh](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/neonglh)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 6:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/5 "2008-12-23T18:12:53Z")
So far, you are correct (with the equations on the internet I am finding), but I am almost positive on this one. Possibly the reason is because there is enough humidity in the air to allow the salt to corrode the metal faster than without the salt in just humid air. ---
**Author:** ![HotRodKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hotrodkid/32/7609_2.png) [@HotRodKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HotRodKid)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 6:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/6 "2008-12-23T18:49:15Z")
if every single water molocule on your car is below the tempurature that SALT WATER freezes at, then no corrosion will take place mind you, i said salt water, which has a lower freezing point then straight water, so your car might have to be as cold as -22\* F for it to be frozen solid, and obviously if every inch of sheet metal on your car is -22\*F, your probably not gonna be out driving, cause the wind chill on a day like that would turn you into n ice cube cliffs: expecting your car to be cold enough for the salt water to freeze solid isnt the best plan, wash your car and be done with it ---
**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/7 "2008-12-23T20:01:49Z")
> [@HotRodKid](#): > > cliffs: expecting your car to be cold enough for the salt water to freeze solid isnt the best plan, wash your car and be done with it ding ding ding. Like he said, salt water has a lower freezing temp then just H2O. And either way, when is the last time you saw a buffalo winter stay frozen the whole winter? It’s supposed to rain tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/8 "2008-12-23T20:04:50Z")
> [@TurboTSi"](#): > > I always wash the car about once a week since I’m concerned about the finish as well. stick with this. your original thought here was a bit :roflpicard: ---
**Author:** ![943kgt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/4bbf92/32.png) [@943kgt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/943kgt)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/9 "2008-12-23T20:06:31Z")
jeebus were you paying attention in chemistry class??? salt + water = lowered freezing point and raised boiling point! ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/10 "2008-12-23T20:12:14Z")
I’m not pretending to be a chem major, as well; but I like the idea of just keeping it clean once a week. I’ve always taken mine in for a squirt when it gets over freezing - but that doesn’t mean that corrosion _can’t_ happen at the lower temps with the high concentration of salt-to-water. Tell you what, I’m watching this one. I have two cars I’m trying to keep from road salt and both have been exposed. ---
**Author:** ![Drexial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Drexial](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Drexial)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/11 "2008-12-23T20:16:55Z")
On this topic. Does anyone know a place I can bring my car that will get the under body washed that wont make me want to cry cause I bottomed out pulling it onto the conveyor. I took it to delta sonic to wash off the underside of y car and damn near cried when I heard my car hit something hard under my car. So, any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![HotRodKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/hotrodkid/32/7609_2.png) [@HotRodKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HotRodKid)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/12 "2008-12-23T20:20:46Z")
also of note, if you wash your car and dont get ALL of the salt off, you HAVE most likely diluted the remaining salt concentrations, and the less salt there is in a given amount of water, the easier it is for that salt/water to freeze. ---
**Author:** ![dpm90iroc](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dpm90iroc/32/4966_2.png) [@dpm90iroc](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dpm90iroc)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 5:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/13 "2008-12-24T05:39:12Z")
The old school “rock salt” is less effective at temp’s under 17 degree’s. Don’t know if it hold’s true for the new liquid stuff(sodium chloride, I think) some use, it’s more expensive. ---
**Author:** ![yamba6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/yamba6/32/5161_2.png) [@yamba6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/yamba6)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/14 "2008-12-24T06:32:38Z")
if you wash your car once a week, what does it matter? hell if your scared, wash it 2 times a week. lol one way or another, you get salt on your car that is unwanted and will eventually corrode your car if its not taken care of. ---
**Author:** ![Wahoo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/wahoo/32/8265_2.png) [@Wahoo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Wahoo)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/15 "2008-12-24T06:39:25Z")
It rained today = washed good enough for me. ---
**Author:** ![chino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bcef8e/32.png) [@chino](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/chino)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/16 "2008-12-24T06:40:49Z")
i just keep buying super duper kiss that lets you rewash twice and do once a week… should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![vt1992s10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/73ab20/32.png) [@vt1992s10](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vt1992s10)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/17 "2008-12-24T06:46:37Z")
is it better or worse to park your car/truck in a garage because of the higher temperatures causing more corrosion quicker? ---
**Author:** ![yamba6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/yamba6/32/5161_2.png) [@yamba6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/yamba6)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/18 "2008-12-24T06:48:01Z")
man i miss working for northtown lexus. i had my car washed 2 times a week and paid nothing! lol. one i left that job, my car got rusty (maxima) now i got the mabu and well, that cars a pile as it is, soo… sometime soon ill wash it. lol ---
**Author:** ![psphinx81](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9a140/32.png) [@psphinx81](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/psphinx81)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/19 "2008-12-24T06:49:19Z")
my god, dont go to delta sonic. thats why some of u wonder why your paint is so effed. ---
**Author:** ![Geoff](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geoff/32/6104_2.png) [@Geoff](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geoff)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2008, 6:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208/20 "2008-12-24T06:50:40Z")
> [@yeamabu](#): > > now i got the **mabu** Yambag, what is that slang for? ma **li** bu? [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-road-salt-corrode-metal-below-freezing/60208.md?page=2)