After the Freeze: The Hidden Toll Winter Takes on Your Vehicle

The snow has fallen, the plows have passed, and the roads are finally clearing. You might think your car made it through the storm unscathed, but winter leaves behind more than just slush.

At Jerry’s Collision Center, we see many vehicles that look fine on the outside but are suffering from “winter wear” beneath the surface. From corrosive salt to the dreaded “pothole season,” here is what you need to look out for once the skies clear.

1. The Silent Corrosor: Road Salt

Road salt is a lifesaver for traction, but it’s an enemy to your car’s body and frame. Salt is highly corrosive and loves to hide in wheel wells, door edges, and the undercarriage.

• The Risk: If left alone, salt eats through clear coats and eventually leads to rust on critical components like brake lines and frame rails.

• The Fix: Give your car a thorough wash—including the undercarriage—as soon as temperatures rise above freezing. If you notice any bubbling paint or rust spots, bring it to Jerry’s for a professional touch-up before it spreads.

2. Pothole Season is Here

Winter weather is the primary architect of potholes. Moisture seeps into cracks in the pavement, freezes, expands, and then collapses under the weight of traffic.

• The Risk: Hitting a deep pothole can do more than just pop a tire. It can bend rims, knock your vehicle out of alignment, or damage your suspension and steering components.

• The Signs: Is your steering wheel vibrating? Does the car pull to one side? These are red flags that your alignment has been compromised.

3. Hidden “Fender Bender” Damage

Sometimes, a minor slide into a snowbank or a “tap” in a parking lot doesn’t look like much. Modern bumpers are designed to flex and pop back into place, but the hardware behind them is much more sensitive.

• The Risk: High-tech sensors for your backup camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are often located right behind your bumper covers. A small impact can jar these sensors out of calibration.

• The Fix: If you had a minor “oops” during the storm, let our experts at Jerry’s run a diagnostic. We’ll ensure your safety tech is actually working when you need it most.

4. Cracked Windshields

Small chips from road salt or gravel can quickly turn into massive cracks when the temperature fluctuates. Turning on your defroster on a freezing morning creates “thermal shock,” causing that tiny chip to spider-web across your field of vision.

• The Fix: Don’t wait! Repairing a chip is much faster and more affordable than replacing an entire windshield.

Why Choose Jerry’s Collision Center?

Winter driving is tough on your vehicle, but the repair process shouldn’t be tough on you. Whether you’re dealing with major collision repair or just want an inspection after a rough winter season, our team is here to help.

We offer:

• Expert Color Matching: To make sure your car looks like the storm never happened.

• Precision Alignment: To get you back on the straight and narrow.

• Safety Sensor Calibration: To keep your vehicle’s tech as smart as it was on day one.

Don’t let winter damage linger. Visit Jerry’s Collision Center today and let’s get your vehicle back to showroom quality!