All of that de-icing stuff laid down on Jersey roads, such as brine and rock salt when the weather is bad, can wind up costing big bucks for car owners farther down the road.

The chemicals that prevent us from slipping and sliding on the highway stick to our vehicle's body and its underpinnings.

Greg Brannon, director of automotive engineering and industry relations for AAA, says while your car's body may look bad, "brake linings on the vehicle are often susceptible to corrosion, as well as exhaust systems."

"Your undercarriage is certainly one of the places that you might not think about when you are out and about. You think about all of that salt and brine that is going up on the undercarriage of your vehicle. But that is what the mechanics of your car are."

AAA/Northeast spokeswoman Cathleen Lewis says "70% of motorists are going to be vulnerable to this sort of damage to their vehicles." And it adds up to the tune of $3 billion dollars a year.

Brannon says the rust damage from de-icing chemicals cost drivers over the last five years more than $15 billion dollars to repair.

Lewis says it is important to get the underside thoroughly washed and checked out when winter ends.

"Also, if folks are able to, stay off the roads before a snowstorm and right after, because that is when the most salt and brine are on the roads."

Joe Cutter is the afternoon news anchor on New Jersey 101.5

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