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
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.