Torque and Chrome

is winter and/or salt for snow bad for chrome wheels?

i have 20" chrome wheels, and i was wondering if the rumor that you need winter tires is true. people say that you need to change your wheel because the snow will eat the chrome on it. is this true?

Public Comments

1. YES. salt will eat thru the chrome if not cleaned off. Once under it eats into the metal and the chrome will peel off
2. Salt causes corrosion on any bare metal! As long as there is a barrier the rims should be ok
3. Salt, such as is used on roads in wintertime, is bad for anything metal, including the wheels, frame, and body of your car. I wouldn't go so far as to get separate wheels for the winter, but I would recommend that you clean the car frequently during the winter if they salt roads where you live. Try to get the salt off all metal parts of the car.
4. Yes, clean it off asap, then apply a chrome polish or metal polish.
5. YES, it is very bad! Take off your chromes for winter and only put them on in the summer! The Salt can eat away at the chrome.
6. Yes ! The chloride (salt) is vary toxic and will etch even the chrome on the wheels, and your lug nuts also, where the wrench has marred the chrome. Some states use cow urine as a melter, that also contains toxic acids..