[qwerasdfzxcvbnm]

What are people's thoughts here on rust protection? Car will be driven in Southern Ontario in the winter, lots of road salt. Will wash every few weeks in the winter. Would like to keep it for 10 years. Honda's warranty guide states: "Application of additional corrosion inhibiting materials is unnecessary and not recommended by Honda", which makes me think that I should be able to get away without spraying anything. Honda Dealer made it sound like my car will rot into the ground, and I should buy their wonderful "Appearance Protection: Corrosion and Undercoating" addon package.

 

[robardin]

Pick the narrative you believe is more likely:

#1 - Honda Mfg. Co. says you don't need to get a rustproof underbody coating, but of course you do: it's just that they already got all the money they will ever get from the sale of this car to you, and can only get more if/when you buy another Honda after this one rusts away like a nail at the bottom of a well. But your brave car dealership guy refuses to let a loyal customer fall into this trap, and has nobly stepped up to shield you from Honda's nefarious long con with this extremely reasonably priced protection package, not mentioned as a standard Honda package because bwahhaha the rust is their ally.

#2 - Honda Mfg. Co. has designed and engineered this vehicle to last a long time, and have taken things into consideration such as parts of the world with heavy winters and road salt - after all, any story like "these cars all rusted out after five Canadian winters" would be a pretty black mark on their name brand in that entire region. Simply making sure to continue to wash your car in the winter (and not to let it sit belly deep in rock salt laden slush from November to March) is all you need. But the dealer is always looking to tack on a little more "almost certainly unnecessary" stuff to pad the bottom line, so hey, play it up and who wouldn't want "extra protection" against "the devastation of road salt" for a "one time cost" that you'll quickly forget you ever paid?

 

[qwerasdfzxcvbnm]

Heh that's a great explanation! Also, for option #1, I think if the cars did rust, the dealer wouldn't even offer the protection service, since they would make far more money replacing a rusted-through quarter panel when you roll in after 5 winters.

 

[Josephine81]

The underbody covers/panels/shields whatever name you want to call them. When you go to clean, they should be removed because there are openings/slots and the salt and other contaminants will stay unless you remove those covers. Driving through an Automated Touchless Car Wash does nothing but harm everything on your vehicle. Avoid driving through a car wash and do it by hand.
The coating that Honda puts on from the factory won't last against harsh winters and road salt, I got my 2022 Civic Touring
undercoated by Corrosion Free. You can go to Rust Check or Krown. Stay away from Ziebart as they will ruin your vehicle and their prices are sky-high.

Dealerships will try to sell you Rust Proofing service, do not fall for it as they mark it up 100 percent and pay the service to get the car done for you.
Rustproof service cost $400, the dealership sells that service to you for $800. The dealership just made $400 from you.

I was shown Honda Care VSC (extended warranty) by the finance manager. He was trying to sell me Zurich VSC of 8 year/ 85K mile with a $100 deductible for $2,147 even though showed me Honda Care.
I called another dealership that was out of state. Got Honda Care for $1,105 good for 8 years/ 120,000 miles with a $0 deductible. Yes! got my Honda Care Member ID from Honda Finance Corp in my USPS mailbox.
Always buy your car at or less than MSRP. Depending on the cost of the car, most dealers make $3,000 and much more depending on the model you are buying.
So, there is room to negotiate. Do your homework and know what the value/price of the car goes for to start with. Go to several dealerships to get a feel for what you want. Never tell a Sales person that you are going to pay in cash. Watch out for Dealer Markups. You will often lose money on your Trade-In. Use Carvana or other online sellers to get a better deal on a car you no longer want. Trade-In is like going to the pawn shop and getting a fraction of what it is worth.

Get Pre-approved by your financial institution/bank/credit union depending on if you can get a low APR.
Otherwise, go through the vehicle manufacturer financing services such as American Honda Finance Corp. or Toyota Financial Services.

 

[NYRcivic829]

Just continue to wash your car throughout winter and you’ll be fine. Your car won’t rust out after 10 years if you take care of it.

 

[Zeroptzero]

I used to rust proof my cars for winter conditions in Southern Ontario, I always got rid of the cars before they ever developed rust so it seemed like a waste, though I still believe rust proofing works if you keep your car long enough - 10-20 years.

On my new Si and my new WRX I have sprayed the inside cavities with rust proofing on the doors and trunk , I spray them through the lower drain holes. The doors and trunks will rust first. It is very easy to do yourself, using Rust Cure or Rust Check cans from Canadian Tire. I didn't do the hood as it is aluminum. I also buy a season pass 90-day carwash at Petro Canada , one wash per day for 90 days - late December through March gets me through the worst of it and it works really well to get the salt away. The salt and slush doesnt' stick as well either with the wax application of the car wash products. I've got two newer cars so I wash one car every 2 days.

 

[philp]

Solid advice for underbody maintenance. When it comes to owning a car your tips on negotiating, avoiding dealer markups, and considering alternative options for selling or trading in are spot on. It's a must for harsh winters. I went with Rust Check for my ride, solid choice. And you nailed it on the dealership upsells got my Honda Care from an out-of-state dealer and pawn shop too, and saved a bunch. Good wishes.

 

[5358]

To be honest with you the undercarriage of this car is pretty protected. All kinds of sheet metal covers plastic covers that will ever rust. Sheet metal is cheap replaceable I wouldn't see the point in it on this car. The rotor hats though might want to put something on those make sure the caliper slide pins stay lubed and free.

 

[DKL]

Yes, these cars will eventually rust if exposed to de-icing chemicals (salt/calcium/magnesium chlorides), or if you live in a coastal area. In addition, some of the better metal prepping chemicals used during manufacture, are no longer used because they're not "environmentally friendly". In Maine, we're seeing brake lines rot out in as little as 3 years. Rust preventatives definitely help, but the cars will still rust, just slower. There's Rust check, Krown, Fluid film/Woolwax etc. I've always used fluid film, but now I'm trying one called Waxoyl, which has good reviews, and seems to hold up better than fluid film.

 

[5358]

You know something sitting here running custom brake hard lines. I never thought to look under that Honda to see if they use coated lines? This old trucks about to get a new set though the ones on here from 96 are gone. 😬

That tools paid for itself multiple times over. Eric the car guy was right well worth it. I've been doing custom brake lines fuel lines all sorts with it. Eastwood tools for the win 👍.

 

[ltwakeutsch]

The underbody covers/panels/shields whatever name you want to call them. When you go to clean, they should be removed because there are openings/slots and the salt and other contaminants will stay unless you remove those covers. Driving through an Automated Touchless Car Wash does nothing but harm everything on your vehicle. Avoid driving through a car wash and do it by hand.
The coating that Honda puts on from the factory won't last against harsh winters and road salt, I got my 2022 Civic Touring
undercoated by Corrosion Free. You can go to Rust Check or Krown. Stay away from Ziebart as they will ruin your vehicle and their prices are sky-high.

Dealerships will try to sell you Rust Proofing service, do not fall for it as they mark it up 100 percent and pay the service to get the car done for you.
Rustproof service cost $400, the dealership sells that service to you for $800. The dealership just made $400 from you.

I was shown Honda Care VSC (extended warranty) by the finance manager. He was trying to sell me Zurich VSC of 8 year/ 85K mile with a $100 deductible for $2,147 even though showed me Honda Care.
I called another dealership that was out of state. Got Honda Care for $1,105 good for 8 years/ 120,000 miles with a $0 deductible. Yes! got my Honda Care Member ID from Honda Finance Corp in my USPS mailbox.
Always buy your car at or less than MSRP. Depending on the cost of the car, most dealers make $3,000 and much more depending on the model you are buying.
So, there is room to negotiate. Do your homework and know what the value/price of the car goes for to start with. Go to several dealerships to get a feel for what you want. Never tell a Sales person that you are going to pay in cash. Watch out for Dealer Markups. You will often lose money on your Trade-In. Use Carvana or other online sellers to get a better deal on a car you no longer want. Trade-In is like going to the pawn shop and getting a fraction of what it is worth.

Get Pre-approved by your financial institution/bank/credit union depending on if you can get a low APR.
Otherwise, go through the vehicle manufacturer financing services such as American Honda Finance Corp. or Toyota Financial Services.

View attachment 12027

God forbid someone wants to make money. How did you afford to pay for your car? I sure hope wherever you work didn't make a profit so they could employ you, allowing you to purchase a car.
That would be wrong. So very wrong.

 

[dangen443]

The underbody covers/panels/shields whatever name you want to call them. When you go to clean, they should be removed because there are openings/slots and the salt and other contaminants will stay unless you remove those covers. Driving through an Automated Touchless Car Wash does nothing but harm everything on your vehicle. Avoid driving through a car wash and do it by hand.
The coating that Honda puts on from the factory won't last against harsh winters and road salt, I got my 2022 Civic Touring
undercoated by Corrosion Free. You can go to Rust Check or Krown. Stay away from Ziebart as they will ruin your vehicle and their prices are sky-high.

Dealerships will try to sell you Rust Proofing service, do not fall for it as they mark it up 100 percent and pay the service to get the car done for you.
Rustproof service cost $400, the dealership sells that service to you for $800. The dealership just made $400 from you.

I was shown Honda Care VSC (extended warranty) by the finance manager. He was trying to sell me Zurich VSC of 8 year/ 85K mile with a $100 deductible for $2,147 even though showed me Honda Care.
I called another dealership that was out of state. Got Honda Care for $1,105 good for 8 years/ 120,000 miles with a $0 deductible. Yes! got my Honda Care Member ID from Honda Finance Corp in my USPS mailbox.
Always buy your car at or less than MSRP. Depending on the cost of the car, most dealers make $3,000 and much more depending on the model you are buying.
So, there is room to negotiate. Do your homework and know what the value/price of the car goes for to start with. Go to several dealerships to get a feel for what you want. Never tell a Sales person that you are going to pay in cash. Watch out for Dealer Markups. You will often lose money on your Trade-In. Use Carvana or other online sellers to get a better deal on a car you no longer want. Trade-In is like going to the pawn shop and getting a fraction of what it is worth.

Get Pre-approved by your financial institution/bank/credit union depending on if you can get a low APR.
Otherwise, go through the vehicle manufacturer financing services such as American Honda Finance Corp. or Toyota Financial Services.

View attachment 12027

I agree that Krown protected all of my Honda's in the past from rust, BUT - the formula does affect the rubber compound in the Hondas. My seals and gaskets absorbed the rustproofing and became enlarged and warped. Something Krown has not perfected yet...

 

[dangen443]

The underbody covers/panels/shields whatever name you want to call them. When you go to clean, they should be removed because there are openings/slots and the salt and other contaminants will stay unless you remove those covers. Driving through an Automated Touchless Car Wash does nothing but harm everything on your vehicle. Avoid driving through a car wash and do it by hand.
The coating that Honda puts on from the factory won't last against harsh winters and road salt, I got my 2022 Civic Touring
undercoated by Corrosion Free. You can go to Rust Check or Krown. Stay away from Ziebart as they will ruin your vehicle and their prices are sky-high.

Dealerships will try to sell you Rust Proofing service, do not fall for it as they mark it up 100 percent and pay the service to get the car done for you.
Rustproof service cost $400, the dealership sells that service to you for $800. The dealership just made $400 from you.

I was shown Honda Care VSC (extended warranty) by the finance manager. He was trying to sell me Zurich VSC of 8 year/ 85K mile with a $100 deductible for $2,147 even though showed me Honda Care.
I called another dealership that was out of state. Got Honda Care for $1,105 good for 8 years/ 120,000 miles with a $0 deductible. Yes! got my Honda Care Member ID from Honda Finance Corp in my USPS mailbox.
Always buy your car at or less than MSRP. Depending on the cost of the car, most dealers make $3,000 and much more depending on the model you are buying.
So, there is room to negotiate. Do your homework and know what the value/price of the car goes for to start with. Go to several dealerships to get a feel for what you want. Never tell a Sales person that you are going to pay in cash. Watch out for Dealer Markups. You will often lose money on your Trade-In. Use Carvana or other online sellers to get a better deal on a car you no longer want. Trade-In is like going to the pawn shop and getting a fraction of what it is worth.

Get Pre-approved by your financial institution/bank/credit union depending on if you can get a low APR.
Otherwise, go through the vehicle manufacturer financing services such as American Honda Finance Corp. or Toyota Financial Services.

View attachment 12027

I agree that Krown protected all of my Honda's in the past from rust, BUT - the formula does affect the rubber compound in the Hondas. My seals and gaskets absorbed the rustproofing spray and became enlarged and warped. Something Krown has not perfected yet...

 

[dangen443]

Yes, these cars will eventually rust if exposed to de-icing chemicals (salt/calcium/magnesium chlorides), or if you live in a coastal area. In addition, some of the better metal prepping chemicals used during manufacture, are no longer used because they're not "environmentally friendly". In Maine, we're seeing brake lines rot out in as little as 3 years. Rust preventatives definitely help, but the cars will still rust, just slower. There's Rust check, Krown, Fluid film/Woolwax etc. I've always used fluid film, but now I'm trying one called Waxoyl, which has good reviews, and seems to hold up better than fluid film.

I agree that Krown protected all of my Honda's in the past from rust, BUT - the formula does affect the rubber compound in the Hondas. My seals and gaskets absorbed the rustproofing spray and became enlarged and warped. Something Krown has not perfected yet...