Chicago winters are known for their bitter cold, strong winds, and especially for the heavy use of road salt. The city’s transportation departments deploy salts and brine solutions to keep highways and local roads passable after snow and ice storms.
While this practice improves safety for drivers and pedestrians, the chemical compounds in salt can penetrate metal, paint, and protective coatings on vehicles, leading to corrosion over time. The challenge for many car owners in this environment is to find automobiles that withstand these harsh conditions with minimal deterioration.
The problem is not only cosmetic rust but structural degradation that can compromise the safety and longevity of the vehicle. Road salt accelerates oxidation by providing a medium that facilitates the loss of electrons from metal surfaces…