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How To Protect Your Car From Brine & Road Salt Damage

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The chemicals used to keep roads safe during winter storms are both a blessing and a curse.

They get rid of the snow and ice, but can damage your car, CBS2's Andrea Grymes reported.

AAA says brine is the most effective tool for keeping people from losing control on roadways. Brine is a salt and water solution often combined with magnesium chloride.

But the acidic compound can eat away at parts of your car.

Mechanic Christopher Charucksiri said the damage starts in the undercarriage and then spreads.

"This truck in particular it's so bad. I mean like the shocks are rusted, the frames are rusted, the exhaust that we were having to replace is rusted through, breaks get rusted over," he said.

It's a costly problem. AAA estimates drivers spend about $6.5 billion every year repairing damaged caused by salt and brine corrosion.

But there is an easy way to save yourself from becoming part of that statistic. Mechanics say right after a snowstorm, get your car washed.

"This has been a tough winter. They do what they have to do, and you try to protect the car as best you can," said Paul Arendal.

DMV.org also suggests applying a good wax and sealant to your car before it snows. Also if you go to a car wash after a storm, see if they offer an undercarriage cleaning as well.

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