For some, winter means skiing, snowmobiling and other cold-weather fun. For your vehicle, however, winter can bring a long list of problems. These issues do not fix themselves over time and, when left unnoticed, can lead to costly repairs and, eventually, a vehicle that is no longer safe or roadworthy. To help prevent that, here are some of the most critical components affected by winter driving.

Emotional (and Repairable) Damage

As most drivers in the north know, road conditions are often rough to begin with, but winter has a way of turning small potholes into black holes that punish tires, wheels, suspension and steering. The force of hitting a pothole can bend wheels, damage suspension components and even cause alignment issues, often referred to as alignment drift, that some drivers do not notice until icy conditions clear. Uneven tire wear and sidewall damage are common reminders that even careful driving on moon-scaped pavement still comes with consequences.

While suspension, tires and wheels take the brunt of the impact, brakes and underbody components tend to suffer quietly. Road salt, moisture and constant temperature swings accelerate corrosion on rotors and caliper hardware, sometimes leaving brakes dragging or wearing unevenly. Parking brake cables can seize, and rust begins to creep into areas where protective coatings have deteriorated, including seams, hardware and even the exhaust. What works today may be only a few heat cycles away from leaking, rattling or needing replacement.

Cooling systems do not always fail in a dramatic fashion. Even when proper coolant is used, repeated freeze-thaw cycles slowly harden hoses, seals and plastic reservoirs. As rubber becomes brittle and plastic weakens, cracks and small leaks begin to form. Once a leak appears, it is only a matter of time before a minor issue turns into an overheating problem that leaves you stranded.

Batteries and charging systems also feel winter’s aftereffects. Repeated cold starts, short trips and heavy electrical loads weaken batteries, even if they survived the cold months without complaint. By spring, many marginal batteries cross the line from “holding on” to “not today.” A quick check now can help prevent a no-start situation that always seems to happen in the least convenient parking lot possible.

Finally, visibility items deserve attention, even if they seem minor. Wiper blades harden and tear after months of scraping ice and slush. Washer hoses and nozzles can freeze and crack, and pumps may weaken after pushing partially frozen fluid. These are not glamorous or expensive repairs, but clear visibility remains one of the simplest and most important safety wins a vehicle can have, especially during spring storms.

Spring Is the Time to Fix What Winter Started

The good news is that many of these post-winter repairs and inspections can be handled right in your driveway. With a bit of mechanical confidence, access to step-by-step OEM repair information through your ALLDATAdiy account and quality parts from your local AutoZone, even winter’s “greatest hits” can be addressed before they turn into bigger problems. For issues that go beyond basic maintenance, catching them early still puts you in a better position — informed, prepared and ahead of the repair instead of reacting to it.