Road dust, grit and brake dust: wear on a vehicle

What do dirt and grime do to paint?

Armor All's car-wash guidance warns that dirt and grime can scratch a car while it is being washed, and that embedded dirt in the washcloth can scrape the car's surface. In its fall car-care guide, Turtle Wax says rainwater often mixes with dirt and chemical pollutants from the road, creating a corrosive film that can dull paint and etch into the clear coat if left untreated. Turtle Wax also says rainfall, mud and leaves can dull, stain and scratch paintwork.

What does brake dust do to wheels?

Turtle Wax says brake dust and buildup dull wheels over time. In its fall guide it adds that brake dust and road grime accumulate faster in wet, leaf-strewn months, eroding the finish, and that wheel arches often trap mud, leaves and road grime, which can cause harmful corrosion. Armor All says waxing wheels slows the buildup of brake dust and makes cleaning easier.

Wheel finishes differ. Adam's Polishes says most production cars have wheels that are painted with a baked-on clear coat from the factory, while polished aluminum wheels tend to be porous metal that has not yet been clear coated, so a stronger chemical like its Wheel Cleaner risks staining the fragile metal. Armor All likewise says that, depending on the wheel material, the ingredients in some wheel cleaners could damage the finish.

What do grit and dust do to glass and wipers?

Safelite lists dirt, sand or grit trapped under a wiper blade among the causes of wiper-blade scratches, saying it acts like sandpaper with every pass. It also names pitted glass combined with scratching, often from long-term exposure to sand, salt or road grit, as one situation where replacement is the better option.

Rain-X lists airborne debris, meaning sand, mud and dust carried in the wind, among the factors that deteriorate wiper blades, alongside sun, oil and moisture. It says that when blades no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface, they can begin to squeak, chatter, skip, smear or streak.

Armor All says side mirrors can easily pick up dust and grime from driving on the road, and that they should be cleaned regularly so side vision isn't obstructed while driving.

What do dusty conditions mean for the engine air filter?

AAA says most automakers recommend that the engine air filter be inspected regularly but replaced only as needed or at extended mileage intervals. In a relatively clean city or suburban driving environment, AAA says an air filter may be good for 20,000 miles or more between changes, while driving in dusty rural conditions can mean replacing it more often.