| If you live in a state where snow and ice covers | | | | later. The significant developments in |
| the ground each winter, you're probably well | | | | rust-prevention that were responsible for this |
| aware of just how necessary it is to de-ice the | | | | drop, also led to improved corrosion warranties. |
| roads. Since the 1930s, when salt was originally | | | | The key to making sure you're not one of the six |
| realized to work for this purpose, agencies have | | | | percent is to buy a car with a |
| been using this tried and true method to keep | | | | better-than-average anti-corrosion warranty. |
| roads safe for driving. Salt works because of its | | | | Warranties tell you something about the |
| natural ability to melt ice without adding too many | | | | confidence a manufacturer has in the car it |
| harsh chemicals to the environment. But salt is, as | | | | produces, because if they started losing money |
| we've all seen evidence of, quite corrosive and | | | | on warranties, they'd change the warranty to |
| over time, it can cause vehicles to rust, | | | | average out their costs. For example, Isuzu |
| shortening their life spans. | | | | offers a 6-year/100,000 mile warranty against |
| Beginning in 1976, NACE International (formerly | | | | perforation from corrosion. That's 20% better |
| the National Association of Corrosion Engineers), | | | | than the typical 5-year warranty. If you aren't |
| based in Houston, Texas, routinely started to | | | | certain that you'll trade your vehicle in or sell it |
| study corrosion rates on older vehicles. At that | | | | after five years, it's better to purchase one with |
| time, 90% of vehicles six years old or older had | | | | a better warranty to keep you protected. |
| rust damage. Most of that rust could be attributed | | | | Improvements to vehicles in the area of |
| to de-icing (although living near bodies of salt | | | | perforation-prevention have had other positive |
| water where the air has a higher salt content was | | | | effects. Not only does it help the consumer by |
| also a key factor). | | | | extending the life of the vehicle, it also allows |
| Manufacturers of automobiles saw a need to | | | | scarce dollars for highway maintenance to be |
| improve cars being sold in coastal areas and the | | | | used for something other than the development |
| snowbelt region of the United States. They | | | | of alternative de-icers. Those dollars can now be |
| started to make improvements which included | | | | spent on road maintenance (which reduces |
| stainless steel exhaust systems; anodic | | | | accidents and fatalities), more snowplows to clear |
| electrodeposition primer; galvanized steel | | | | roads more quickly after intense periods of |
| wheelhouses; crystal-size phosphate for better | | | | snowfall, and on additional laborers which reduces |
| corrosion resistance; anti-chip body coatings; | | | | unemployment and improves the economy. |
| weatherpac electrical connectors; and two-sided | | | | Arming your car with a good anti-corrosion |
| pre-coated steel products. | | | | warranty means you needn't worry about driving |
| The combination of these improvements aided in | | | | on salted streets. You can rest assured that your |
| reducing rust perforation from 90% in the mid | | | | vehicle is protected. And with de-iced streets, |
| 70s to only 20 percent in 1980. Further work on | | | | your vehicle can more effectively protect you |
| rust prevention reduced the amount of rusty | | | | and your passengers. |
| 6-year-old cars to only six percent ten years | | | | |