Winter Driving Problems an Auto Body Shop Can Help You With

It’s almost year-end, and the fallen leaves will soon be replaced by snow. The snow in cold places like Englewood, Colorado alters the roads, which makes driving in such weather tricky and dangerous. Aside from making sure they have an auto body repair contact for vehicle trouble, drivers have plenty to keep in mind when driving in winter:

Hail Damage

Englewood is part of the greater Denver metropolis, so the area experiences a climate similar to the Mile High City. As hail is a natural occurrence in Denver, vehicles in Englewood regularly take drops of solid ice, causing dents in the body. Small dents can sometimes pop out with heat from direct sun, and dent repair kits exist for minor dings — but for real hail damage, professional paintless dent repair restores the panel without disturbing the factory finish.

Car Heating

Englewood sees below-zero temperatures at the peak of winter, so drivers naturally run their heating systems hard. Overuse and the harsh outdoors take a toll, and the system can take longer than usual to warm the interior. Check three areas: the amount of antifreeze in the vehicle, leaks in the radiator hose, and the condition of the thermostat.

Wheel Alignment

Snow makes roads harder to handle, and rough handling can knock wheels out of alignment. Improper alignment hurts tire performance and makes the vehicle unsafe. Watch for road obstructions and worn suspension components — and when in doubt, have an Englewood shop like Young’s Auto Body & Collision Repair, LLC check it out.

Road Salt and Your Paint

De-icing chemicals used on Colorado roads cling to lower panels, wheel wells and the undercarriage. Left in place, that residue can speed up corrosion anywhere the paint is chipped or scratched. As a general rule, rinse the underside and lower body regularly through the winter, especially after a storm, and get stone chips touched up before rust gets a foothold.

Visibility: Windshield, Wipers and Lights

Cold mornings are hard on glass. A small chip can spread into a long crack when a frosty windshield meets a hot defroster, so deal with chips early (see our auto glass and windshield replacement page). Replace streaking wiper blades, keep washer fluid rated for freezing temperatures in the reservoir, and clear snow off headlights and taillights before you drive so other drivers can see you.

After a Winter Slide-Off or Fender Bender

Low-speed winter bumps often look minor, but a cracked bumper cover can hide bent brackets, damaged sensors or crushed energy absorbers behind it. If you slide into a curb or another car, photograph the damage, exchange insurance information, and have the vehicle inspected so hidden damage is caught before it becomes a bigger repair. Browse our collision repair services to see what we handle.