Buying a new vehicle is an exhilarating experience for anyone. You can finally say goodbye to the long lines at the subway station, the bus stop, and the taxi bay. You can go to your desired destinations in style, comfort, and ease. But before you take your brand-new car out for its first ride, you should think about whether you have already performed all the necessary steps to ensure that it will have a long lifespan and good resale value. Rust-proofing your new vehicle can be one of the options that your dealer will pitch to you, but should shell out more money for this? Or is it simply a superficial treatment that will not have any value-added significance for your car?

Corrosion and oxidation of a car

Most modern-day cars can be driven as soon as they are delivered to your home. However, any conscientious car owner will tell you that you should also consider doing a few additional preventive measure to keep your brand-new baby looking great and running well for as long as possible. Some car owners suggest giving a brand-new car its first full detailing work plus rust proofing immediately after delivery, while others are willing to let nature and time have their way with the vehicle.

The good news is that modern-day cars are better able to withstand corrosion and oxidation, so you have to be pretty poor at car maintenance before you see the first signs of rust on your brand-new wheels. The car’s chassis is made up of galvanized steel that is especially treated to resist rusting, so you can be sure that your vehicle already comes with some level of rust protection system already built in.

However, galvanized steel cannot hold out against every day wear and tear. Every time you drive over a pebbly, gravelly road or on snowy roads strewn with salt, your car’s chassis suffers some amount of chipping and flaking. So once the zinc coating that sits on top of your galvanized steel surface is damaged, rust can set in. Small rocks, grit, and salt can all rub away at the paint job, and once the metal surface is exposed, the elements can wreak havoc on your vehicle.

Rustproof cost

Cost is the top consideration for any car owner who is offered additional rust protection package. Dealer-applied rust-proofing packages can range from $200 to $1,200, and the tab will only get heftier as your dealer continues to suggest this or that service.

Extra rustproof for your car is a good thing to have if you anticipate driving your vehicle over rough roads or in bad weather conditions, but otherwise, rust should not be foremost in your car maintenance priorities. Your brand-new vehicle is built to withstand wear and tear up to a certain point. All you need to do is to develop a healthy car care habit that includes washing and waxing your vehicle regularly, plus inspecting it for any damage inside and out so that you can head off any potential problems as early as possible. So if you ask yourself “Should I rustproof my new car?”, the answer will most likely be no.