Electric/Electronic Rust Inhibitor
#1
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Electric/Electronic Rust Inhibitor
I was wondering if any of you could comment on the (alleged) benefits of an electronic rust inhibitor device. It is supposed to prevent rust formation by sending a weak electric current through the car (using the car battery). I know our S4s are warranteed for some time (is it 7 years?) against rust. However I am interested in finding out if this rust inhibitor prevents rust on more than the body panels of the car. My wife bought a Subaru last year and had one of those electronic rust inhibitors installed on it. The salesperson told her that it even prevented rust on brake discs (!?) We never really get a chance to see if this is true because her car is almost never stationary for more than a day. I am planning to store my S4 during the summer months and I have had a bad experience in the past with brakes on my 3 series BMW seizing up in rust after only 1 summer of storage (needless to say I am not using that storage place anymore). I was hoping this device might prevent this from happening again.
#4
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You surely are joking, right? I agree with DrGP, electronic rust inhibitors is a load of crap. My mom's VW Bug was parked for a year and half without running and did fine (no rust issues).
Bruce
Bruce
Last edited by rktskicar; 01-22-2010 at 03:55 PM.
#5
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Only works on body...
It doesn't work on the rotors or brake disc's. It work the same as the system used on Navy ships. It changes the charge of the cars body so it does not allow the formation of rust. Not really a worth while item unless you plan on driving your S4 in the ocean, even then these systems do not do wonders for Navy ships. I would just rely on the corrosion warranty.
#6
AudiWorld Super User
what you're talking about is...
"Cathodic protection"
which presents two potential issues with trying to apply it to a vehicle...
1. Do you really want a voltage applied to a finicky electrical system?
2. The primary usage for cathodic protection is oil pipelines, and it's pretty difficult even there, what makes you think they can apply it to a vehicle with many many moving and ungrounded parts?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathodic_protection
which presents two potential issues with trying to apply it to a vehicle...
1. Do you really want a voltage applied to a finicky electrical system?
2. The primary usage for cathodic protection is oil pipelines, and it's pretty difficult even there, what makes you think they can apply it to a vehicle with many many moving and ungrounded parts?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathodic_protection