What is your car like underneath?

[Tinytim]

And do you pay any attention to it and look after it.
I've got a bit paranoid now about the condition of my car underneath and I want to keep it in top condition especially with all the salt on the roads.

I have heard of people keeping cars off road for winter but this is a bit extreme and a waste.

I'm thinking of using wax oil underneath to fend off any salt corrosion. Does anyone else use it?

There's a funny story to how all this came about.
Bought my previous car at 6 years old, a MKIV golf.

After about 12 months of ownership the brakes needed replacing so my dad offered to show me how to do this.
Now before I go any further I'll explain I keep my car in the best condition I can. Inside and out see kept immaculate and it was polished and waxed often. Always serviced and oil changed every 6000 etc.

Anyway we jacked the car up and my dad went berserk.
Said I have abused the car, just shove fuel in it and don't think about looking after it.

I was shocked as I spent so much time and money looking after it.
Apparently I have neglected the car by not getting underneath it with a wire brush and wax oiling it.
He said its full of corrosion underneath and his 14 old car puts mine to shame.

So now I have another newer car I want to keep it as good underneath as I do the paint work and interior.
It's only 3 years old and I have already been under it to see what it's like which is very good. There are barely any signs of corrosion.

So what can I do to keep it perfect underneath and keep the salt at bay?
I'd like I hear from others who do anything with the underside of the car as I don't know anyone that wax oils it.
According to my dad everyone does, unless they want there car to be a rot box lol.

[reflex11]

I would like to know this also!..
I detail the whole car but i think underneath is bad :S if I could get to look underneath easy I would but I don't have a lift? would a jack work? or will it dent the seals?!?

[dub singh]

Usually just take it to an overhead ramp and pressure wash it underneath once every 3months, (once a month from September to March)..

Used waxoyl on the mk2 tho.. aerosol cans did the job fine around the arches, exhaust, suspension etc

[PDT]

In the most part the mk5 is well protected underneath by platic shields and arch linings. I see 6 year old mk5's with 100k on that look perfect.

[Tinytim]

I would like to know this also!..
I detail the whole car but i think underneath is bad :S if I could get to look underneath easy I would but I don't have a lift? would a jack work? or will it dent the seals?!?

Luckily I now have two trolley jacks and axle stands. Makes getting underneath it easy.
I would only use the jack supplied with the car to change a wheel and not actually get under the car.

[PDT]

I wouldnt even use the standard supplied jack for changing a wheel....

[Snoopy]

Did all underneath with waxoyl and did all the cavities, behind all the wheel arch covers, bonnet, doors, hatch internally the lot.
Why? Read the many rust threads on here for a start.  
Other reason? because of the lack of protection except a few plastic covers.
Another reason? I did my mk1 GTI back in 1990 with a few topups since and it seems to have worked on that.
Cars use to be undersealed, sadly there like fridges now, just simply white goods most people just throw away after a few years and the manufacturers build accordingly.