I can't drive my favorite car (79TD) for three weeks due to road salt, there otta be a law! I also understand that they use calcium cloride. Anybody know if that is as corrosive as salt? What else are they putting down and what is it doing to my other cars. This is worse than crushing old cars!

I am very pleased that I live in a climate where salt is not necessary. None of my cars have any rust whatsoever.

The downside to my climate is that the heat ruins the interiors.

Good luck,

We actually get a pretty good dose of both. BTW, I guess cacl is salt, but you get the idea. I looked it up and noticed the word "extremely corrosive". That makes me feel much better.

Calcium chloride and sodium chloride (regular salt) are pretty much equal in corrosiveness.

You've got a big battle ahead of you if you want to get rid of (or even reduce the amount) of salt on the roads. A group tried several years ago in Michigan and wound up with the entire automotive lobby against them. That's like being opposed to God in Michigan.

We got about a half inch of snow last night, and my car is caked with salt. They really gave the roads a good salting last night, as daytime temperatures today are about 15F and will be 0F tonight.

Yes, that was a tongue in cheek comment, you'll never get that crap off the road. Down here, if they even predict snow, and we don't get much in East TN, people go nuts and buy all the bread and milk in the stores. Then the county starts with the brine solution spray, which has God knows what in it. This is just a sore subject with me. Either stay home or get a 4x4, dammit.

In our case, its mostly sand they use. but plenty of it. Even if it was salt, honeslty, I"d rather have it and pay $1.25 at the car wash every day than slip and hit a tree and total the car!!

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

People in Pitt probably know how to drive on snow, people in TN like to stop on hills, so that everybody behind......

I used to live in Oswego NY, which is on Lake Onterio above Buffaloe, drove an import 2 wheel drive pick up and had no trouble getting anywhere, never even scratched a fender.

In TN I can hardly get home when we have 2" of snow. Go figure

people in pitt cant drive in snow or perfect conditions. Thats why I moved out of the city! Please get out of the left lane if you insist on driving like an old lady!!!!

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

Must be universal. Ever wonder where all these idiots came from. How come I'm the only one who knows how to drive!

Its the pedal on the right,,,,,,,,,,

its not universal; in Jersey, where I grew up, they keep right except to pass. 8 million people travel easier there than 300k do in Pittsurgh! Why didnt the Steelers make it to the Superbowl, you ask? They got stuck in traffic!

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

I don't believe the salt, etc. does much damage in the short term and as long as it stays cold, below freezing. I wash my cars as often as I can and THOROUGHLY hose off the wheelwells and undercarriage. The other thing is to fix any small chips, cracks, etc. in the paint as soon as you can making sure you get all the rust. I am hoping this keeps the corrosion at bay. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Wallknight :

So True!!! I live in DE for the most part now, and can't stand driving, lights are poorly timed, people dont drive right...
I always wondered how traffic could flow better in one of the most densely populated areas of the world (Northeastern NJ), and yet its so bad in stupid Northern DE.
I am sure driving in DE is giving me an Ulcer....
Too bad the NJ tourism board has to spread bad rumors about NJ being the armpit of the nation, becasue its full, and cant take any of the crappy drivers from other states

JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

NJ has crappy drivers. My only gripe is most don't keep right except to pass. That and the people who pull out onto major roads in front of you while you are doing 50-60mph and you have to jam on your brakes.

At one time or another I've driven a fair amount in about 40 of the 48 contiguious states and interestingly I'd say that people from Ohio are on average the best and most courteous drivers for people who live in a relatively urban state (I'm not counting areas like Nevada or Montana where you can drive half the day and only see 2 cars). Californians are generally courteous but can't drive worth beans in snow or rain. Most drivers in the Northeast are pretty good but will seldom allow you to merge and love to pull out in front of you (ever drive in Boston? Geeez!). Texans are pretty good in the rural areas but get behind one woman in Dallas on her way back from the beauty parlor and you'll never get home. Florida should give out Valium to help you cope with some of the Snowbirds that never drive over 25mph. On the other hand, I lived in Ohio for a few months and those guys actually look in their mirror and get out of the way, drive the speed limit or slightly higher, let you merge when it's your turn and flash their lights to warn you about speed traps. You gotta love it. Please, take no offense at the above. This is just one driver's observations over the years and admittedly total generalizations and completely biased!

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold