Hey All,

I don't have the same level of lift access I had many years ago and before owning my 2015 LX. This is also my first NEW car, even though it is now 1 year old with almost 19k miles.

I'm in Southern Indiana where we do see some road salting...

I'm curious if anyone has started to see some potentially problematic corrosion areas on your GK Fit. Mine is great right now, I believe... But there is a chance I'll own this car for a long long time... 10 years from now it may only be a weekend auto-crosser but still I would like to have it in the best condition possible.

I've got the unlimited wash package at my local car wash with paint protection and under-body being the two options I have as default when I swing through the wash. I sure wish I knew what the "paint protection" was all about... I've only waxed the car one time this first year and the water beads up nicely and the paint feels slick. And sadly the car is a driveway car..

Any places you all would look out for? Any places you would spray some type of undercoating or preventative?

Sorry for the long winded opener.

 

My car is a bit over a year old and I'll hit 30K in a week or so. Live in Central IL (aka "The Middle West"), and they salt like crazy here, too.

I plan to do the same routine I did with my '00 New Beetle that I sold with ~220K miles and at 12+ years old, with no rust-through issues anywhere (other than having to completely replace the exhaust at around ten years old).

And that is, I run the car through a touchless wash (with undercarriage wash) as often as weather and temps permit throughout the winter… We usually try to park our cars in an unheated pole barn, especially in really cold (-20°F) or when heavy snow is forecast.

I've read that parking in a heated garage can be bad, as snow and ice (mixed with road salt) melts and the salty water then goes to town, especially anywhere it can wick into cavities. No personal experience with that, though, so take it with a grain of salt, so to speak.

es

 

Regular touchless car washes with undercarriage wash is your best bet. I also have a power washer with a propane on demand water heater to blast the car off as needed.

 

I appreciate this response. It's nice to know that what I'm doing now with the car wash could actually payoff. I've learned in the past that undercoatings can the worst thing... Many people don't realize how many drain holes are under a car and covering them just makes your car a water bottle.

If anyone has already seen places where crud and debris likes to gather, please share.

Thanks!

 

I think potential problem areas would be under the splash guards if you have them. I do. Also under the rear wheel well liners if you have them.(not sure if they only come on the ex or all the fits). I have them also. I might remove the splash guards and spray some type of protectant in there. As far as the wheel well liners I have been contemplating pulling those out all together and having the wells rhino lined. The wheel well liners I have are kind of saggy anyway and I would rather just remove them.

 

I second the idea of using a spray truck bed liner on areas not covered by the plastic covers underneath.
Make sure to wash it regularly to keep the paint in the best condition possible so you don't have to repaint it later. I'd also suggest a paint sealant unless you just like to wax.

 

Be very careful with bed-liners. Some vehicles have drain paths or weep holes that let water out of a body panel. I'm not sure the truth to this on the Fit but you want to make sure you don't close off an exit hole.. I have seen this multiple times on cars with pinch seams.

So far I have only noticed sand and debris sitting on top of the rear suspension near the coils and when I look behind the engine when looking down from the top. I don't think either of the places I have seen will have a ill effect.

My vehicles in the past have had issues above exhaust, suspension alignment adjustment pieces, and places where tire spray is more aggressive.

Currently I think my best move is wiping off the lower door seal and door seam after each car wash. Along with the fact it does get unlimited washes.

 

Agree with Bassg... above. Been doing a self-directed power wash every few days during the winter to remove the salt/sand/grime. Then a rinseless wash whenever it needs it in my garage. Been doing this for 4 years now and it seems to work well.