MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Even though the ice melted off Memphis streets, the brine from clean-up efforts is still all over the place.
What’s left of the salt is visible on bridges, roads, and the sides of cars.
WREG visited Madison Automotive Thursday, where employees sometimes field questions from drivers about the effects of salt on cars. Salt can sometimes cause car parts to rust.
“I’m just grateful for it [salt on the roads] more than anything, but I really haven’t thought of the effect on the vehicles,” driver Savanna Cheffer said.
Madison Automotive Owner David Jayne shared three tips about salt’s effect on cars that drivers should know:
1) Mid-South drivers don’t have to worry much about salt causing problems for their cars. Jayne said since the roads here are only treated with salt a couple weeks out of the year, cars don’t see much salt damage. “It’s just not here on the roads long enough to make a big difference,” Jayne said.
2) If you have large paint scrapes on your car, it’s important to get a car wash. Salt can cause scrapes to rust.
3) Drivers should be cautious driving on salt, even after the ice is gone. The salt can act like gravel and make cars slide.
