Gritters Are Saving the Roads… but Destroying Your Car

9 gen 2026

How road salt causes rust — and the quick fix that saves you money later

You just heard it — that was the Council gritter.

They’re a winter lifeline, spreading salt to stop roads freezing and keep everyone moving safely. But while gritters protect drivers, they quietly do something else too:

They accelerate rust on your vehicle — especially underneath.

Let’s break down why that happens (quickly), and how you can protect your car before winter does its worst.

Why do gritters spread salt?

Gritters spread rock salt because it helps prevent ice from forming.

Here’s the science in simple terms:

  • Salt lowers water’s freezing point

  • It mixes with moisture on the road to create a brine

  • That brine melts snow and ice — and helps stop it refreezing

Good news for the roads. Bad news for your car.

The problem: brine gets into your car’s underbody

That salty slush doesn’t just stay on the road.

As you drive, the brine gets thrown up into your car’s underbody, where it creeps into seams, joints and hidden spaces — places you can’t see and rarely clean properly.

And once it’s there, the real damage begins.

The rust science (in 15 seconds)

Salt water acts like an electrolyte, which basically means it helps electricity flow between metals.

That speeds up corrosion by accelerating the metal’s oxidation process — turning it into iron oxide, better known as:

Rust.

So in winter, your underbody is being repeatedly coated in salty water, often sitting there for days at a time.

That’s how grit “eats” vehicles from underneath.

Don’t let grit eat your vehicle from below

Rust isn’t just cosmetic — it can become expensive fast.

It can mean:

  • seized bolts and components

  • premature wear on brake lines and suspension parts

  • MOT failures

  • loss of vehicle value (especially for 4x4s, classics, and daily drivers you plan to keep)

Protect it now, save money later.

The quick fix: protect your underbody with Lanoguard

Lanoguard creates a protective barrier that helps stop salt water getting the chance to do its damage.

✅ Quick and easy
✅ Anyone can do it
✅ Costs about the same as a tank of fuel
✅ Helps protect your underbody against winter salt and moisture

Ready to protect your vehicle this winter?

Winter road salt is unavoidable — but rust damage doesn’t have to be.

Discover Lanoguard protection — available now.

Protect it now. Save money later.
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