6 Truck Issues That Show Up After Extreme Cold

By February in Iowa, most trucks have survived the worst of winter. But just because your truck made it through the cold doesn’t mean everything is fine. Extreme temperatures, road salt, potholes, and repeated cold starts quietly stress your vehicle. Many problems don’t show up during the freeze, they appear after temperatures fluctuate.

At Beyer Motorsports in Cedar Falls, we see a pattern every February. Here are the six most common post-winter issues truck owners experience.

1. Weak Batteries That Finally Give Out

Cold weather starts to strain batteries. Even if yours survived January, it may now be operating at reduced capacity.

Signs of a post-winter battery issue:

• Slower cranking than usual
• Dashboard lights flicker
• Electronics behaving inconsistently
• Battery more than 3 years old

Cold weather permanently reduces battery strength. February is when marginal batteries fail completely.

Solution: Battery and charging system test before it leaves you stranded.

2. Suspension Wear from Frozen Potholes

Iowa roads in winter are brutal. Ice expansion and snowplows create potholes that punish suspension systems.

Symptoms:

• Clunking noises
• Steering drift
• Uneven tire wear
• Vibration at highway speeds

Shock absorbers, tie rods, ball joints, and bushings take the hit.

Solution: Suspension inspection before minor wear turns into costly repairs.

3. Brake Corrosion & Uneven Wear

Road salt accelerates corrosion on rotors and brake hardware.

Watch for:

• Squealing
• Pulsation when braking
• Soft pedal feel
• Rust buildup on rotors

Winter moisture causes uneven pad wear and sticking calipers.

Solution: Brake inspection and cleaning before spring driving increases.

4. Fluid Contamination

Short winter trips prevent full warm-up, allowing condensation to build inside the engine and crankcase.

Possible results:

• Milky oil appearance
• Reduced lubrication
• Increased internal wear

Coolant can also degrade under extreme temp swings.

Solution: February fluid inspection and oil change if needed.

5. Alignment Problems from Rough Roads

Snow-covered potholes often go unseen. Hitting them at speed can throw off alignment.

Signs:

• Steering wheel off-center
• Vehicle pulling to one side
• Uneven tread wear

Ignoring alignment issues shortens tire life significantly.

6. Exhaust & Emissions Stress from Excessive Idling

Long warm-ups and winter driving conditions increase carbon buildup in diesel systems.

Diesel-specific issues:

• DPF stress
• EGR buildup
• Reduced fuel efficiency

Problems often surface once temperatures fluctuate.

Don’t Let Winter Damage Linger

February is the ideal time to address small issues before spring workloads ramp up.

Schedule a post-winter inspection at Beyer Motorsports in Cedar Falls today.