Winter does not pass without consequences. Road salt eats into metal, frozen asphalt cracks open into potholes, and moisture accelerates corrosion in places you cannot see. When temperatures stabilize, the car looks the same as it did in November, but underneath the story is different. A spring inspection is not a formality, it is a damage audit of what winter has done. While winter preparation gets you through the cold months and summer preparation readies you for the heat, a spring inspection reveals what winter broke along the way.
Salt and Corrosion, the Invisible Problem Underneath
Road salt stays on the underbody for months. It mixes with water and mud to form an aggressive mixture that attacks bare metal. At our workshop, when we put a car on the lift in March or April, we routinely find corrosion in places the owner would never see on their own.
The critical spots are the sills, floor pan, subframe, brake lines and exhaust system. Steel brake lines are especially vulnerable because corrosion can cause fluid leaks, which is a direct safety issue. The exhaust suffers twice over, salt corroding from outside while condensation works from within.
Before anything else, the underbody needs a thorough pressure wash to remove salt from every cavity. Only then does an inspection make sense. If rust is caught while still on the surface, the fix is straightforward. Once corrosion eats through the metal, the repair is far more expensive, and with brake lines it means an urgent replacement. For vehicles regularly exposed to salt, we recommend underbody protection every two to three years.
Brakes After the Winter Season
Winter is a period of increased brake wear. Salt and moisture accelerate disc corrosion, and when a car sits in freezing conditions, caliper slide pins can seize. The result is unevenly worn discs, squealing under braking, and situations where the steering pulls to one side when you hit the pedal.
During a spring inspection we measure pad and disc thickness, check the condition of brake lines, and test whether the brakes respond evenly. If the slide pins are seized, we clean and lubricate them. If discs are below the minimum, we replace them as a set with the pads. A detailed guide to brake warning signs is in our article on recognizing when brakes need service.
Suspension After Pothole Season
Roads in Bosnia and Herzegovina in March look like no one maintains them. Freeze-thaw cycles break up asphalt, and potholes form exactly where traffic is heaviest. Every pothole is an impact on the suspension, shock absorbers and rims. The damage does not appear instantly but accumulates over the entire winter.
Symptoms of a damaged suspension include clunking over bumps, play in the steering, pulling to one side and uneven tire wear. At our suspension inspection we check ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings, shock absorbers and wheel bearings. A worn shock absorber does not just mean discomfort, it means longer stopping distances and worse control in corners.
Tire Change and Proper Storage of the Winter Set
Winter tires are swapped for summer tires once temperatures consistently stay above seven degrees. The legal deadline in Bosnia and Herzegovina is April 15, but if March still brings morning frost, it is better to wait than to risk summer rubber on ice.
When we remove winter tires we always inspect them. We measure tread depth at multiple points and record the results. That way you know whether they are ready for next season or need replacing. Wheel bolt torque is set to the manufacturer's specification, typically between 90 and 130 Nm depending on the vehicle. The wrong torque means either a loose bolt or a damaged thread, both dangerous.
Store your winter tires in a dry, dark place away from direct sunlight. If they are on rims, keep them stacked horizontally or hung up. If they are off rims, store them upright and rotate them occasionally. Inflate them slightly above working pressure so they hold their shape through the summer.
Wipers and Glass After Winter
Winter destroys wiper blades. Ice, salt and grit grind the rubber down over months, and by spring the blades are usually hardened or cracked. If wipers leave streaks, smear water or skip across the glass, it is time for replacement. Good blades are an inexpensive part, but the difference in visibility during rain is enormous.
The windshield also takes a beating. Stones and grit leave small chips that can grow into cracks during winter, especially near the edges of the glass. Check the windshield in direct light and watch for chips that are spreading. A small chip that can be repaired costs far less than replacing the entire windshield, so it is better to act early.
Fluids and Getting Ready for Summer
Spring is the right time to check every fluid in the vehicle. Coolant should have the correct level and freeze protection for next season, but equally important is that it is not dirty or degraded. Engine oil, if you are close to the service interval, is better done now than in the heat of summer. Brake fluid is changed every two years regardless of season, but spring is a convenient reminder to check the level.
Before the first real heat arrives, it is worth running the air conditioning for about fifteen minutes. If it does not cool properly or there is an unpleasant odor, it needs an AC service with a refrigerant top-up and system disinfection. An AC system that sits idle all winter can lose compressor lubrication, so it helps to run it occasionally even during colder months.
A spring inspection is most useful when it is done thoroughly and in one place. Bring your car to our workshop and we will inspect the underbody, brakes, suspension, fluids and everything else that winter typically damages. If you want to schedule an appointment in advance, reach out through our booking page or contact us directly.