Salt

[JohnD1079]

There has got to be something that can replace it and not be as bad(road salt). I mean they have some crazy new technology, and they havent come up with a replacement for road salt that dosent cause rust and dosent get you car soo damn dirty?

I just realized how much it sucks. My car got more dirty in one day than it would in 6 months.

[cp[mike]]

a new technology thats as dirt cheap and readily available, and disappears as quickly and harmlessly once the snow melts, as salt? none.

gonna be around for quite a while.

some areas use just dirt/gravel, some use it mixed with salt, some use straight salt.

i cant say that salt isnt fabulous for what it does, and i wouldnt mind it if it didnt kill metal so fast.

[cvc7chris]

not much salt in Va!

so..im not worried about it
but it does suck
got all my familys cars dirty i know that

[foamypirate]

My local are uses dirt. Makes the the roads look nasty, all brown and poop lookin'.

[Joshy]

My local are uses dirt. Makes the the roads look nasty, all brown and poop lookin'.

IMO, poopy lookin' roads are better than rusty quarter panels. Is there any reason why dirt or dirt/gravel mixtures are preferred over salt? I assume it must be cheaper, because after all, its readily available everywhere. Salt is just more effective because it combines with whatever water is on the ground to lower its freezing point, and I guess moreso than straight up dirt.

and wikipedia lists this compound,

Calcium magnesium acetate is an alternative to road salt. It is approximately as corrosive as normal tap water, and in varying concentrations can be effective in stopping road ice from forming down to ~27.5 °C (its Eutectic temperature).

[TypeG]

a) Sodium Chloride (rock salt) NaCl is the most commonly used due to its low cost. NaCl is not very effective at low temperatures, so other, more aggressive chemicals are used.
b) Calcium Chloride CaCl2 works at lower temperatures, but costs more than NaCl.
c) Magnesium Chloride MgCl2 is the most aggressive of the snow melters, operating at the lowest temperatures, and also the most expensive. It also is very damaging, particularly on automotive glass surfaces. It can etch glass surfaces within several hours. Frequent use of the windshield washers can dilute MgCl2, preventing it from etching the glass. If the glass is etched, use a proper glass polish from a variety of sources, or a quality chrome polish, to remove the damage.
d) Brine (salt water) solutions are also sprayed on the roadways in some areas before snowfall, to prevent the snow from adhering to the roadway. If following a sprayer truck, be sure to flush all areas of your vehicle, particularly the undercarriage, to remove all traces of the solution.

i don't see them using anything else for a long time....if ever, considering salt is the most abundant mineral resource on earth. later.

[jacobuchanan140]

beet juice

[NAiL05]

Just wash your car weekyl or so to rinse off the salt. I need to do that to mine in a few days after it rains.

[alexsaccord]

i don't see them using anything else for a long time....if ever, considering salt is the most abundant mineral resource on earth. later.

Both of these products are expensive to produce and store. Where as salt is a natural product, easily mined and can be stored outside. I work for the local DOT. IF people want to drive on summer like roads in the winter time this is the price we have to pay.

[GHOST 2.2]

get a plane ticket to the south or go to california and burn your lungs.

[starchland]

salt is cheap im assuming...they could use a better mix with more sand in it. personally i enjoy snow covered roads

[HondaB18]

The dirtier the better. Get a daily driver? Move down south?