Ontario woman buys electronic rust control device, but her car still rusts
When the highways turn slippery in many parts of Canada, road crews add salt, sand and brine to help drivers get added traction.
All the chemicals combined with road salt can create a corrosive chemical reaction that could cause your car to rust.
When it comes to rust protection, many car dealers will offer to sell you an electronic rust protection module that is usually installed under the hood and is supposed to stop rust by putting an electric charge throughout your vehicle.
In automotive circles there are still many debates as to how effective these electronic devices are.
"I was just so upset because I paid extra for paint and rust protection and I have peeling paint and rust at the bottom of my driver’s side and passenger side doors,” said Jennifer Capel of Mississauga, Ont.
Capel said when she bought her 2017 Ford Escape she purchased an extended warranty from the dealer as well as spent $903 for a rust protection module and $565 for paint protection.
When she initially contacted CTV News, the dealer did not want to cover the entire cost of repairing the paint and rust issues.
“Between the paint and rust protection that I paid for it was over $1,400 and what did it do? It doesn’t seem like it did anything,” said Capel.
Electronic rust protection devices has been around for decades and while the technology has been shown to help prevent corrosion on boats, it’s not clear how effective the electronic protection is on vehicles.
CTV News went to Centennial College in Scarborough, Ont. where students are training to becoming mechanics and asked automotive professor Garrett Nalepka if he believes that electronic rust control works.
“We have seen over time several of these companies come and go and they always claim that the electric devices are working to prevent rust, but we really don't have a lot of evidence if they are working or not," said Nalepka.
Nalepka said even if a vehicle did not have rust protection, most would not show any signs of rust for five to seven years as vehicles are now more rust resistant due to better steel, paint and coatings.
George Iny, director of the Automobile Protection Association (APA), is more blunt.
“The APA does not recommend electronic rust protection," said Iny, who added "it's overpriced, it's the most expensive of the rust proofing treatments.
"We've seen it sold for up to $2,000 or $1,800 and it's the one with the least scientific backing.”
The APA does recommend rust proofing sprays, which are sold by various commercial companies across Canada and has endorsed Krown Rust Control on it’s website.
Nalepka also recommends having a vehicle sprayed annually to try and prevent rust and credits having his 1998 Dodge Ram being sprayed each year to lasting more than 20 years on the road with 780,000 km.
"I’m a strong believer in oil sprays on vehicles, anything that is repelling moisture" said Nalepka.
CTV News also reached on to CAA and Nadia Matos, manager of External Communications said “It is very hard for us to recommend electronic modules as we have not seen any data that proves it is a viable way to reduce rust or that it works better than other options.”
“Our recommendation is to spray your vehicle every year, in the summer months with Krown Rust Control. A vehicle that is annually treated will last longer and will run better. It uses a patented method to protect your vehicle from the dangers and mechanical failure that rust can cause. This gives the owner the opportunity to keep it for an extra five years or more and to save thousands of dollars,” said Matos.
To have a vehicle oil sprayed is about $150 depending on the size of the vehicle.
After many negotiations with her dealer, Capel’s paint and rust issues were repaired under warranty.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed Thursday in Nepean dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.