Do Cars Rust Faster in a Garage?

Cars are a big monetary investment, and it’s our priority to keep them up and running for as long as possible. We wash, wax, and regularly change out fluids in our cars to keep them in tip-top shape. Many of us worry what’s happening to our car in the garage while we sleep.

Do cars actually rust faster in a garage?

Cars may rust slightly faster in a garage under certain conditions due to the difference in temperature. Oxidizing agents on the surface of the car like rock salt or moisture will work faster in a garage, especially if it’s heated.

There’s a lot of reasons why your car’s rate of decay might be accelerated in a garage. Thankfully, a lot of the conditions that cause your car to rust faster in a garage can be addressed with some TLC.

The rest of this article will dive into the various causes that make your car rust and how to handle each of them.

Is a Car Better Off in a Garage?

It’s worth noting before we discuss the downsides that a car is always better off kept in a garage than outdoors. A garage has much more stable temperatures and protects a car from the elements.

The consistent temperature helps keep essential fluids and oils in working order while also stopping hazardous weather events from damaging your car.

Cars Rust Faster Due to Fluctuating Temperatures

Most people are likely to have their garage warmer than the outside, especially during a frigid winter.

When it comes to areas of the world where temperatures drop overnight, cars are at risk of developing condensation on the windows if your garage isn’t well insulated, causing corrosion which will mar the look of your vehicle.

Of course, these conditions are exactly the same outside, so there’s no reason to leave your car out in the cold just because of this risk. Instead, you should address the insulation issues in your garage so that the temperatures are more stable.

Heated garages don’t run the risk of temperature fluctuation because they maintain a more consistent temperature. You shouldn’t worry about the garage being too hot for the car― it beats direct sunlight any day.

Cars May Rust Due to Faster Oxidation

Another primary reason that your car may rust faster in your garage is if you live along the coast or areas with a lot of snow.

Seawater is particularly dangerous for metal and can rust it very quickly. When you combine salt with moisture and warm air, you create the perfect conditions for oxidation.

Since the air inside your garage is likely warmer, a car in a garage may be subject to rusting more quickly. Of course, if you’re out on snowy roads all day, similar conditions can arise when you bring the car back into the garage.

The warmer air in the garage melts the snow and speeds up the oxidation process, especially if you salt your car when you get home. The issue lies in the fact that the salt adds a crucial element to begin rusting your car.

Cars Rust Faster Due to Neglect

We’ve all probably left our cars in need of washing longer than we should at one time or another, but an unwashed car offers much less resistance to rusting than a well-maintained one. Washing your car can remove dirt and grime from the surface as well as any road salt attached to it.

Waxing also offers a layer of protection from dirt and salt to protect the body of your car and makes washing your car easier in the future. Cars with rust already on them will be more prone to rusting in the future, so to ward off the onset of rust, you should wash your car every 2-3 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Grass Make Cars Rust Faster?

Grass can somewhat speed up the process of rusting if the grass is wet. Wet grass has moisture that clings to your car rather than dripping off, offering moisture for the oxidation process.

This is yet another reason why regular washing your car is a good idea for your car’s long-term wellbeing.

Does Parking on Grass or Dirt Make a Car Rust Faster?

The effect is very minimal, but there is a slight increase in how fast your car will rust if you regularly park on grass or dirt that’s wet. The same is true if you leave your car parked in a damp area for long periods of time.

Why Do Cars Rust So Quickly?

Cars rust quickly because the metal is constantly being exposed to a variety of conditions that cause rust. Water, salt, and air are the only necessary components to begin the oxidation process, eventually leading to rust.

Some cars do rust faster than others, most likely due to the lesser quality and thickness of the metal.

Conclusion

In short, you should keep your car in your garage. It’s just better to keep it protected from the elements. There’s not much you can do to dramatically slow down the onset of rust except to keep your car clean.

The processes that cause rust accelerate when it comes to the warmer temperatures and humidity in a garage, but regardless, garages are still the best place to keep your car.

Be sure to regularly wash your car every 2-3 weeks to keep dirt and salt away and prevent the onset of oxidation.

If your garage gets freezing cold at night, you may want to also consider adding insulation to protect your car from fluctuating temperatures. If the temperature drops too low, you run the risk of water vapor condensing on your car, creating the ideal conditions for rust to form.

However you choose to address the issue of rust, you shouldn’t stress yourself out over whether it’s better or not to keep your car in your garage. The garage is always the best and safest place for a car.

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