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Snow on the Japanese roads, a major cause of rust.

In Japan, during winter, a critical element supports safe vehicle travel in cold and snowy regions: deicing agents. These agents, often seen as white powder spread across highways and city streets, play an essential role. This article explores their composition, effectiveness, impact on vehicles, and considerations for auction sites in affected areas.

Basic Information and Effectiveness of Deicing Agents

Deicing agents, also known as calcium chloride or anti-icing agents, are primarily used to melt snow on roadways and prevent freezing. Common ingredients include salts like calcium chloride, sodium chloride, and magnesium chloride, which leverage their chemical properties to produce the following effects:

1. Snow Melting Effect
   Spreading deicing agents facilitates efficient snow removal, making it easier to clear roadways.
2. Anti-Freezing Effect
   Pre-treating roads with deicing agents prevents snow accumulation and reduces the likelihood of melted snow refreezing. Typically, water freezes at 0°C, but deicing agents lower this temperature through a phenomenon known as freezing point depression, ensuring safer road conditions.

Main Components and Their Characteristics

• Sodium Chloride (NaCl)
  Sodium chloride solutions can lower the freezing point to approximately -20°C, making them widely used. However, they pose a significant risk of metal corrosion.
• Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂)
  This agent can reduce the freezing point to as low as -50°C, making it suitable for cold climates. It generates heat when dissolved in water, offering immediate effectiveness in critical scenarios.
• Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂)
  With a freezing point reduction capability of around -30°C, magnesium chloride, often derived from by-products like brine, is known for its environmentally friendly attributes.

Impact of Deicing Agents on Vehicles

While deicing agents are indispensable, they can seriously affect vehicles, primarily through rust.

How Rust Progresses on Vehicles

Salts in deicing agents, when mixed with moisture, accelerate metal corrosion. These agents tend to accumulate on a vehicle’s undercarriage and body, especially due to tire spray, exacerbating rust even in minor scratches. Potential problems include:

• Perforation of the vehicle’s undercarriage
• Non-compliance with inspections due to exhaust or oil leaks
• Corrosion of the exhaust system (muffler)

Precautions for Auction Sites in Affected Areas

Deicing agents are predominantly used in Japan during winter, especially in heavy snowfall regions. These areas are concentrated along the Japan Sea coast, including:

• Entire Hokkaido region, Tohoku region, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui
• Mountainous regions in Nagano, Gifu, Yamanashi, Shiga, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Nara
• San'in region (Tottori, Shimane) and northern parts of the Chugoku region (Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi)

When purchasing vehicles at auction sites in these areas, it is crucial to inspect the vehicle’s undercarriage carefully. Japanese car auctions often include comments on auction sheets, such as “Rust on undercarriage” or, in more severe cases, “### Corrosion on undercarriage ###.” These remarks indicate that the vehicle may require additional repairs or coatings after purchase, necessitating thorough consideration.

Additionally, in countries like New Zealand, which import vehicles from Japan, undercarriage rust can be a significant issue. Special attention should be paid when exporting vehicles from Japan to such destinations.

Japan's Car Culture and Emphasis on Cleanliness

Japanese car owners place a high value on cleanliness and aesthetics, regularly washing their vehicles. According to a survey by GfK Japan, the frequency of car washing among Japanese consumers revealed:

• Once a month: 25% (most common)
• More than once a month: 42%
• Once every three months: 16%
• Once every six months: 15%

Q＆A

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