Road Salt Damage to RX series?
#1
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Road Salt Damage to RX series?
I wonder if there is any risk of corrosion, rust or other damage from the winter salt and sand used here in the NorthEast. My previous car (a wonderful 92 Volvo 940 which got caught in a flash flood, of all things!) never had any rust or corrosion problems in spite of the heavy salt exposure each winter. Any comments on how the RXs fare in terms of exposure to the elements? Any extra care needed (washing undercarriage?) The Lexus RX 350 is such a different machine altogether....not sure if any particular care is required. Thanks.
#2
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i think all cars are subject to rust and damage from salt. after a storm, you should definately bring the car to a gas station automatic machine wash just to rinse off the undercarriage.
#3
I lived in Chicago for years and this is a must. Their car washers have the undercarriage spray. We do not have them here in ATL.
#4
Winter road salt and corrosion
I wonder if there is any risk of corrosion, rust or other damage from the winter salt and sand used here in the NorthEast. My previous car (a wonderful 92 Volvo 940 which got caught in a flash flood, of all things!) never had any rust or corrosion problems in spite of the heavy salt exposure each winter. Any comments on how the RXs fare in terms of exposure to the elements? Any extra care needed (washing undercarriage?) The Lexus RX 350 is such a different machine altogether....not sure if any particular care is required. Thanks.
Note that I use a touchless high pressure car wash as much as possible. However, about 1/2 way through winter, even that doesn't get all the gunge off so I go to either a very high end touch system (with foam "brushes") or to a coin operated wash. Also, if you time the service right, you can get a "free" wash from your dealer (LOL).
#6
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Have gone through two winters with our RX and frequent trips over our mountains under less than ideal (blizzard) conditions. Highway crews use a salt mixture here and to date have had no issues with rust or corrosion. We do try to get the RX high pressure washed as often as possible though. You shouldn't have any problems with corrosion on new 350, they are well protected.
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#8
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I did not wash off the wheels after going over a road which was treated. Now the wheel hub, calipers etc have white spots, which have not come off. Thease are the ones that are visible through the slots in the wheels.
Salim
Salim
#11
When I was at the Lexus dealership yesterday, I asked them if they had an underbody sprayer at their free car wash. They do not so I am going to put a suggestion in their suggestion box to have one added. I had checked around and found a local automatic car wash that does have underbody washing and was able to get discount tickets to that car wash thru Amazon Local. As long as the garage temperature stays below 50F there is no need to worry but when the temperatures start climbing in the Spring, get the salt off and do it every week until the salt is washed off the road by a heavy rain. The reactive rate doubles with every 10 degrees F.
Talk to your Lexus dealer about installing underbody wash equipment. Suggest it to corporate Lexus. Remember the more of us that contact them the more likely they are to make a change.
Talk to your Lexus dealer about installing underbody wash equipment. Suggest it to corporate Lexus. Remember the more of us that contact them the more likely they are to make a change.
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... Or spend the 100$ a year to get it undercoated. Then you have an extra "warranty" from the rust inhibitor place, against rust on certain year range vehicles.
There's a big difference between vehicles that are coated and not. Lexus is no different, a car never got coated vs. one that has been will appear the same on the outside, sure. But the underbody tells a different story altogether, very rusty components, bolts breaking, etc.
My 2001 ES300 was cleaner on the underside than the exterior [couple of rust spots due to damage], due to rustproofing. And my city salts the road... A LOT.
There's a big difference between vehicles that are coated and not. Lexus is no different, a car never got coated vs. one that has been will appear the same on the outside, sure. But the underbody tells a different story altogether, very rusty components, bolts breaking, etc.
My 2001 ES300 was cleaner on the underside than the exterior [couple of rust spots due to damage], due to rustproofing. And my city salts the road... A LOT.
Last edited by 01LEXPL; 02-07-15 at 11:35 AM.
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