On Limiting Your Vehicle's Salt Diet

BY BRAD SEARS

I was flipping through a newspaper the other day and found a Letter to the Editor regarding the life of the average automobile. The writer was commenting on the recycling of cars by replacing the engine rather than trading the car, if the engine goes sour.
The writer turned out to be the executive director of the Engine Re-power Council. His message was simply, “Smart shoppers, like smart motorists, make better decisions when they know all the options. When it comes to a car engine, engine repair and engines in general, one option is often overlooked. Many consumers facing major engine damage think that buying a new vehicle is the only solution; when in fact, installing a worn-out used engine that has been re-manufactured can save money and provide environmental benefits by saving energy and new material resources. Explore this site, http://www.enginerepower.org/, and learn the facts about re-powering your car or truck with a re-manufactured/rebuilt engine.“ His logic is sound providing the rest of the car is sound. Here in New Hampshire the old horseless carriage has a basic enemy that more often than not signals the end of the useful life of a vehicle. That enemy is rust. The rust is caused by the product spread on wintry roads. Salt. That salt substance makes it more safe to drive in snow and ice. During the winter months, washing the salt from the underside of the car or truck periodically could stretch the life of the vehicle. Then making major repairs on the car, like installing a rebuilt engine, becomes a viable option. However, it also has been my experience in over 50 years in the auto service industry that proper maintenance is also the key to getting the most service life out of your "set of wheels", a.k.a. your automobile, without the need for major service. Then, there's the salt-free option. Our current family car has over 220,000 miles on the odometer and is still running strong. But, it has had the advantage of being just like its owners, it's a snowbird car, wintering in Florida and other warm climates in recent years, being sure to keep it out of the ocean.

ABOUT the AUTHOR ...
Brad Sears put one of his first cars together, piece by piece, while living the other side of the fence from an auto salvage yard. That was about 60 years ago. If anyone's still looking for those parts, he's hiding out in Florida this winter. During those decades since, he wasn't hiding. He began as "the kid with the hands" at his parents' Needham MA Gulf station, troubleshooting auto challenges and performing a lot of routine service for a growing customer base. He went on to a pioneering automotive-related career in radio, television ("Last Chance Garage" on PBS), auto racing and its media coverage, newspapers (Auto Writer, Manchester Union Leader, syndicated), automotive service consulting, and Automotive Technology Instruction, from high school to corporate to auto pro workshops. Tony at AutoWorks has been one of his attentive students in professional clinics. The values of customer service and consumer confidence have guided Brad Sears's work in the auto industry, whether it be with his neighbor's car or a sit-down conversation with an automotive company president. Currently, he can be found on RV.net and AllExperts.com, answering questions, exploring auto electronics challenges and "wheels" of all sorts, histories, and sizes.