BMW Rust Protection In The Winter

BMW vehicles are known for their durability and longevity, but unfortunately they can succumb to rust in the winter months. When we think about a BMW in cold weather, we must think of rust. Rust is caused by a combination of snow and ice, road salt, and moisture. In the winter, roads are covered with salt to help keep snow and ice from forming. As the salt mixes with water and dirt, it creates an electrolyte solution which corrodes the steel in the body of the BMW.

The moisture from the snow and rain also seeps into the metal, causing rust to form. Additionally, the cold temperatures can cause the metal to expand and contract. This weakens it and makes it more susceptible to corrosion. By taking precautionary steps such as regularly cleaning your BMW and waxing it to protect the paint, you will keep your asset moving for life.  If you need BMW repair in St. Charles, St. Louis or Wentzville, do not hesitate to reach out!

It’s Important to Protect Your BMW In Cold Weather

BMWs tend to break down more in the winter due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, cold temperatures can cause engine oil to thicken and become less effective, causing problems with the engine. Secondly, the cold weather can cause some parts of the vehicle to contract and expand at different rates, leading to increased wear and tear on certain components.

Thirdly, salt and other road contaminants can corrode certain parts of the BMW, leading to premature failure. Finally, in extreme cold weather, the battery may struggle to hold its charge, leading to reduced performance and potential breakdowns. All of these factors combine to make BMWs particularly vulnerable to breakdowns during the winter months.

Here at LPS Motorwerks, we want all of our St. Charles, St. Louis and Wentzville clients to be able to properly protect their import vehicles from the damaging effects of road salt this winter season. In today’s post, we are going to specifically focus on protecting your BMW and the steps you need to take to ensure that damaging rust does not form on your vehicle. Rust prevention is important because it not only protects your vehicle from unnecessary damage but also ensures that your BMW is performing at its peak performance.

Preventing Road Salt Damage Should be a Priority

Anyone who lives in a cold climate knows that the winter season is full of little inconveniences. Warming up your vehicle before driving it, scraping ice off of your windshield, and ensuring that your wiper blades didn’t freeze to your windshield overnight are all things that people have just come to accept as part of their morning winter ritual. While these steps are minor inconveniences, one inconvenience is a little harder to deal with: road salt. Whether you’re a fan of it or not, road salt is used extensively to ensure that roadways are safe for travel for millions of motorists.

Reducing the amount of ice on roadways is a net positive for society. However the damage road salt can have on your BMW is not. Because your BMW’s undercarriage is completely exposed, road salt can quickly rust and deteriorate vital components of your vehicle. These vital components include your brake system, muffler, coil springs, exhaust system, and even the frame of your BMW. However, all is not lost. Follow the simple tips below to help ensure that your BMW avoids as much damage as possible from corrosive road salt.

Pretreat Your BMW

The first step you can take to ensure that your BMW’s undercarriage does not become a breeding ground for rust is to get it pre-treated. This process involves coating the underside of your BMW with a special chemical that mitigates rust formation.  This rust formation is caused by moisture and road salt by making it difficult for the road salt to stick to your vehicle.

Avoid Those Puddles

Although most drivers attempt to avoid puddles because they can conceal potholes it becomes especially important during the winter. Puddles formed from recently icy roadways are inundated with road salt. This means that if you hit a puddle you are dousing the undercarriage of your car with a huge amount of corrosive material. You won’t be able to avoid every puddle on the road.  You will be doing your BMW a favor by trying to limit the amount of them that you hit on a daily basis.

Wash Your Car

At LPS Motorwerks always suggest that our customers keep their import vehicles clean. It becomes especially important during the winter season. Washing your BMW regularly during the winter will help reduce the amount of salt that builds up on the surface and undercarriage of your vehicle. The less salt build up, the less chance of damage to the surfaces of your vehicle.

The Type Of Car Wash Matters

Some car washes use high-pressure sprays and strong chemicals that can damage a BMW’s paint job, so it’s best to avoid these at all costs. For a BMW, the best car wash is a hand wash with a gentle soap and water. This will ensure that the BMW’s delicate paint job isn’t damaged. Additionally, waxing the car after the wash will help protect the paint job from future damage. Although a car wash may be convenient, it is essential to consider the type of car wash being used and the potential damage it could cause to a BMW before using it.

Get an Inspection

Before the winter season bares down on the St. Charles area, have your BMW inspected. Our experts here at LPS Motowerks are happy to help. A pre-winter checkup will identify any areas that could be more prone to wear and tear.  These are from the harsh conditions that your BMW will face.

A routine BMW inspection is an important part of keeping your vehicle in top shape. It includes a comprehensive check of the vehicle’s systems and components, including the engine, brakes, suspension, steering, and other parts. The inspection also includes a visual inspection of the exterior and interior of the car. This will ensure it is in good condition.

In addition, the technician will check all fluids, filters, and other components to make sure they are up to date and functioning properly. The technician will also look for any signs of wear or damage that may need to be addressed. A routine BMW inspection should include a road test.  This will ensure the car is running as it should, and to identify any issues that may need to be addressed.

Schedule A BMW Service Repair

Contact us today at LPS Motorwerks for BMW service. Let us help you protect your BMW from the road salt you will encounter this winter. Our expert mechanics are well versed in handling import vehicles. These BMW mechanics have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary. They will ensure that your BMW will get through the winter season as unscathed as possible.  Schedule an appointment for any BMW maintenance today.