A J,

No. Washing will not get to the salt inside all the cracks and crevices where the rust starts.

Only solution is to not drive the car in the winter. Get a $500 winter car and this will cost U less than repairing the rust on your MB.

Believe me. I'm from northern PA so I know what I'm talking about. My '80 300SD that I don't drive in the winter has barely a trace of rust while my '79 300SD is ready to fall apart becaused it was always used in winter by PO. I actually have to junk the '79at the end of this year because it won't pass inspection anymore because of the rust.

As Hatterasguy says: "Look for the rust spots" because they will be poking thru if you drive it in the salt. Are you really going to wash the car every day you use it in the cold winter? Fat chance!

P E H