What's everyone's thoughts or experience with driving in SALT with your Cybertruck?

[Jacob]

It just started to snow here in Michigan and with that comes SALT! I think I'm going to drive my old Escalade while they are salting the roads this winter. Now I doubt that the salt will rust holes in the CT stainless steel but tarnish it maybe? Maybe it can be buffed out in the spring with BKF? Then there is the galvanic corrosion that occurs between aluminum and stainless. I'm sure that the engineers at Tesla took that into consideration but how well? Anyway, just wanted to see what other members on CTOC think about it.

Sponsored

 

[mongo]

It just started to snow here in Michigan and with that comes SALT! I think I'm going to drive my old Escalade while they are salting the roads this winter. Now I doubt that the salt will rust holes in the CT stainless steel but tarnish it maybe? Maybe it can be buffed out in the spring with BKF? Then there is the galvanic corrosion that occurs between aluminum and stainless. I'm sure that the engineers at Tesla took that into consideration but how well? Anyway, just wanted to see what other members on CTOC think about it.

Yep, Michigan here also. Salt in winter calcium chloride in summer (dirt roads at least).
We run the truck through an automatic car wash now and then. Most bathed vehicle I've ever had ?

 

[CyberGus]

When life hands you salt... make margaritas

 

[CyberGus]

There are plenty of DeLoreans that have survived northern winters. Many did eventually rust out, but only the mild-steel frame underneath (and only where the epoxy coating had started to crack and fail).

My stainless cookware is immersed in boiling salt water every time I make pasta, I think the Cybertruck can handle a little salty snow.

Of course, only the exterior is stainless, the components underneath are all steel/aluminum. I would say that you should treat the Cybertruck like any other vehicle when it comes to winter driving.

 

[Macgreiner]

Not much of a truck if you can't drive it in winter?

 

[Mini2nut]

I wouldn’t worry about the SS exterior panels. It’s the front and rear steel A arm suspension components that would be my concern.

 

[Jacob]

I wouldn’t worry about the SS exterior panels. It’s the front and rear steel A arm suspension components that would be my concern.

This is my opinion as well. I'd have to imagine that the cast aluminum frame is isolated electrically from the body. It would be really disappointing if it is not.

 

[koolio]

I'm curious about this salt / errosion as well. I'd be truly shocked if it gets ruined over several winters.

That said, I spoke with a local detailer / ppf installer and they specialize in CTs. The owner owns one as well and when I called inquiring about corrosion or staining they said they did see some last winter and that they couldn't fully get the stains out. Now, I also think...well, you're trying to sell me ppf lol.

 

[Bobo_LaDouche]

I drive on salt flats regularly, with several types of vehicles. Salt is very nasty stuff. I strongly recommend a strong rinse under your car regularly. Make a pvc frame, rectangular with a hose fitting, and drill holes to squirt water upwards. Hook up the hose, drive over the sprinkler frame, turn it on. Be creative with your hole placement, depending on how many vehicles you are washing underneath. Good luck, try not to get wet and cold.

 

[HaulingAss]

Driving in salt will not hurt it. But it needs to be sprayed off to prevent the salt from sitting on various components for extended periods, at least those components that are not as rust resistant as the stainless steel body.

I've always rinsed my cars off whenever it warms up. That's when the corrosion actually happens. When it's below freezing the corrosion process slows down to almost nothing. The last thing you need to worry about is the stainless steel. It will never rust through, and any staining is super easy to remove.

 

[Outdoors]

Sorry I am away. So no pics. Mine look great with tons of salt impredempents. Crap some of those salt trucks dump mountains. Brine for me is more of the concern. Like liquified salt. I do a rinse and wash almost daily.

My surface patina is insane. I will do a post later in the spring.

 

[Lasttoy]

Wow u r on the Great Salt Lake in Utah??? Cool

 

[Outdoors]

Wow u r on the Great Salt Lake in Utah??? Cool

Nope. I do spend a fair amount of time in Michigan that loves road salt. Even as a kid I went in the Detroit rock salt mines 1100 feet below the surface on tours prior to one of the early closings.

The OP is from Michigan. I assume they may feel the salt coming. Sometimes so much salt that the roads are white with powdered salt.

 

[nasg]

My issue has been with the lack of washer fluid spray. It seems to cake the salt on m windshield instead of clean it off.

 

[a310pilot]

My issue has been with the lack of washer fluid spray. It seems to cake the salt on m windshield instead of clean it off.

This ^^
I am in Canada and the washer fluid or rather… the lack there of has been a HUUUGE pain in the back.

my washer fluid is filled to almost the max but even then.. the pressure for the spray is so low. The wiper just basically dry runs and smudges salt all over the windshield

Sponsored