Long after the snow is over, your car is in danger

WASHINGTON — Winter storms move on, but the road salt and brine don’t go anywhere.

Often, the mix loiters by clinging to vehicles, and that’s bad for your ride.

“The [road brine] is wonderful when it comes to treating the roads, but what happens afterwards is, it could damage key safety components on your car,” says John Townsend, a spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

The road treatment can damage cars’ brake lines, fuel lines and wheel walls, according to the car club. Repairs to a rusted brake line can cost more than $1,000.

While car washes have been busy following Saturday’s snowfall, drivers aren’t going just for looks. AAA recommends going to one that cleans the undercarriage.

“We’ve seen so many cars in recent years that have been damaged because of the use of road salt,” Townsend says.

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