Beyond the Surface – Identifying Hidden Winter Damage

As the Maryland frost finally begins to thaw, many drivers in Carney and Parkville are breathing a sigh of relief. However, just because the ice is gone doesn’t mean your vehicle is out of the woods. Winter is notoriously hard on a car’s body and structural integrity, and often, the most significant damage isn’t visible at a glance.

The Silent Threat of Road Salt

We all know that Maryland’s Department of Transportation isn’t shy with the road salt on I-695. While it keeps us safe on the ice, that salt is highly corrosive. By March, it has had months to settle into the nooks and crannies of your vehicle’s undercarriage. If you had a minor “tap” in a parking lot back in January, that salt has been working its way into the exposed metal of your frame or body panels ever since. At Jerry’s Collision Center, we see “hidden rust” every spring that could have been prevented with a professional post-winter inspection.

Potholes and Structural Alignment

The transition from freezing to thawing creates the perfect recipe for Baltimore potholes. Hitting a deep crater on Joppa Road doesn’t just pop tires; it can shift your vehicle’s alignment and damage suspension components. If your steering wheel feels off-center or you notice uneven tire wear this week, your frame might need a precision check on our computerized alignment system.

Why a Professional Eye Matters

A “DIY” inspection often misses hairline cracks in plastic bumpers or bent support brackets behind the fascia. Our technicians use state-of-the-art scanning technology to ensure that your vehicle’s structural “bones” are as solid as the day you bought it.

This week’s tip: Give your car a high-pressure undercarriage wash, then bring it to Jerry’s for a complimentary visual inspection. We’ll make sure winter didn’t leave any expensive parting gifts.