How to Make Your Car Last Forever: Avoid Expensive Repairs, Improve Fuel Economy, Understand Your Warranty, Save Money

That’s total protection! Another great benefit of Carwell is that it insulates
electrical wiring harnesses and connections, allowing only 1/100th of a volt drop
across connections. This is a great electrical system protector, especially when
you consider the impact of salt corrosion on electrical connections and contacts.
Carwell is one of the best rust protection systems on the market. Use it as a
measuring stick when buying rust protection products. Find out more online at:
http://www.carwell.com.
It’s important to note that even if your car is rust protected, if you live in a salt
belt you should still wash your vehicle at least once every week during high salt-
use periods. And remember, what counts the most is washing the underside,
especially under fender wells and other enclosed areas such as doors. Paint
doesn’t rust, the metal behind it does.
Keep out of heated garages: A study done in 1992 at Cornell University
shows that most rust action is the result of road salt, and it is 20 to 30 times
greater in spring than in winter. The reason? Rising temperatures, which trigger
oxidation.
Cornell researchers warn to keep your car out of heated garages during the
winter because heat increases salt corrosion. The Cornell team found that
recycled water used by some commercial car washes often contains significant
amounts of road salt from previous car washings. So if you use a commercial car
wash, ask if they use recycled water. If they do, find another car wash.
Keep on top of rust: If you live in a salt belt state and intend to keep your
vehicle a long time, have the body inspected regularly for rust. When a rust spot
crops up, have it tended to immediately. This may require bodywork (cutting the
rusty metal out and welding new metal in place), rust proofing, priming, and
painting.
If you leave the rust alone, it will set up, creep underneath the paint, and “eat”
the structural integrity of the metal body. When adding a new body part to the
vehicle make sure to rust proof that part before installing it.