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Drivers faced harsh road conditions no matter where they traveled in North America this past February–snow-related closures across Canada, frozen roads in Texas, icy rain in the midwest, dust storms in Arizona and flooding from Virginia to California.
How have those conditions affected performance of your vehicle? Dramatically, according to one vehicle service expert.
“The severe weather we encountered in winter of 2025 certainly put your driving skills to the test,” says Tony Molla, national host of an auto-related podcast with more than 40 years of vehicle service experience. “And it can be hard on your vehicle as well. Oftentimes it’s small things that you may not notice at first but can cause expensive repairs in summer.”
Steering problems such as wheel alignment are common in winter, Molla says. Potholes, unseen bumps and curbs and snow-covered road debris can contribute to steering damage.
“Alignment issues may be so slight at first but can cause expensive repair by the time June and July rolls around,” Molla says. “You may end up needing new tires or replacing steering components. Better to catch minor issues in early spring.”
Other issues that surface in spring include brake wear, tire bulges, weak batteries and window chips.
“All of these types of problems can lead to other issues,” Molla said. “Best to get a professional inspection before traveling during spring break.”
As North America transitions from winter to spring, Molla recommends asking your service advisor to perform a spring checkup. A professional eye can identify small spring problems before they become expensive summer repairs.
Molla suggested the following items for the spring vehicle check-up:
- Wheel alignment. Proper alignment helps prevent uneven tire wear and improves steering.
- Tire wear and tear. Is there adequate tread depth? Check for scrapes, cuts and bulges that can cause tire blowouts.
- Tire inflation. Underinflated tires can cause blowouts and accelerate tread wear.
- Wiper blades. Replace blades worn out by winter driving so you have improved visibility for spring travel.
- Leaks and drips beneath your vehicle. Fluid lines damaged by severe weather can drain critical fluids slowly and, over time, damage key safety systems such as power steering and brakes.
- Swap winter tires for all-season treads. Summer weather shortens tread life of the softer rubber used in winter tires.
- Inspect tires for bulges, odd wear patterns and balding tires.
- Brake system. Listen for odd noises coming from the wheel well or vibrations in the steering wheel. Is the brake pedal “squishy”? Does the brake pedal drop to the floor? Call your service advisor immediately.
- Pothole damage to your vehicle. In severe cases, hitting a large pothole can cause damage to things like motor mounts, suspension system components, steering gear, wheels and tires.
- Battery strength. Do your windows roll up slowly and your vehicle lights appear dim? Does your vehicle have difficulty turning over in the morning? Cold weather temperatures zaps battery power without warning.
- Cabin air filter. Reduce pollen from spring blooms from entering your passenger cabin through the climate control system. Replace your vehicle’s cabin air filter to help filter out allergens.
- Windshield chips and cracks. A small crack can grow and turn into an expensive window replacement.
- Spare tire. Don’t let a damaged spare tire sideline your family when you are traveling this spring. Check inflation pressure, tread depth, cuts and bulges.
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