im not sure how things will work out with the x yet seeings as this will be the first ny winter it will see... but i do know that on my last car (04 focus zx3) the salt/sand combo DESTROYED my quarterpanels around the wheel wells, the paint and clear coat was 95% stripped and on a black car that stands out quite a bit. so i know personally ill be looking for every way possible to keep that road junk off the paint and hope for the best once spring comes and the car is clean for more than 30min again.