Right about now, your car probably has a chalky layer of dust from driving in last weeks sleet/ice/snow mix.
That dirty layer is a mixture of dirt, sand and magnesium chloride. The sand and magnesium chloride help break down the ice on the road and provide traction, but it's not good for your car.
"Anytime there is different chemicals used and stuff used on our roadways for icy conditions its always a good idea to wash the undercarriage," said Steven Fuller, a technician at Park Cities Ford.
Fuller said he's seen cars that haven't had the undercarriage cleaned in years. It can lead to rusting of certain car parts that aren't treated.
Fuller said mufflers, wiring and bolts under the car can erode if not cleaned, and if the part breaks, it can be costly.
"If this rust isn't treated or if the salt that's on them that's causing the corrosion is not removed, then it's going to continue to get worse and worse," Fuller added.
Brian Creem knows all about rust on cars. The New York native now living in Dallas said he used to drive a car in winter weather, and another in good weather.
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"I had one car for 10 years and ... the rear end starting rotting away, bumpers are falling off, but I didn't care. That was a car I drove mainly in the winter," Creem said. He now owns a much nicer car and always washes the undercarriage.
John Currie owns Center Town Detail, a mobile car detailing business in Dallas. He said some of his customers are high end, but sometimes, trying to convince them to spend a few extra bucks on cleaning under the car isn't an easy sell.
"They'll think you're just trying to add up a bill or something, but more importantly, after the season change and moisture comes up under there, they'll see the difference cause of the erosion, " Currie said.
