Auto repair shops busy after weekend snowstorm

HOLYOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - With the latest winter storm to hit the area in a matter of days, this time bringing heavy rain after the weekend’s snow, many drivers are looking to make sure their cars are ready for the season while staying safe on the road.

“You do your oil changes, tune up, and keep your car gassed up,” said Freddy Menjins of Holyoke.

“Well, once it starts snowing, I try to clean the car before it gets too full of snow and I try to do that maybe twice,” added Francis Rosardo of Holyoke.

Western Mass News spoke with Pedro Centeno, owner of Peter’s Auto Repair in Holyoke, who told us what they have been seeing in recent days.

“We received calls from six o’clock in the morning from people telling us they didn’t have any heat, bad wipers, and all that stuff. This storm coming in, we’re just telling people to get your car ready, get your oil change up to date, anti-freeze, don’t put water in your radiator. It’s just going to freeze up in there,” Centeno said.

He said appointments are filling up.

“We’ve been getting calls like people want to get their car in. I don’t know if you guys seen outside. We have a pile of cars coming in,” Centeno explained. “People wait until last minute and that’s not good because if you wait ‘til last minute, your car is not going to be working…hardship…and you definitely need to get in as soon as possible.”

Centeno said it’s a good idea to get your car checked out as soon as possible to avoid costly fixes this winter season.