During winter, cars can suffer from various damages such as corrosion, dead batteries, tire damage and mechanical failures. Here is a brief list of positively reviewed Bloomington autobody shops and the services they offer, along with how they might benefit drivers.
Tire Barn Warehouse — 3450 W. Third St.
Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Key winter services
- Tire replacement and installation: As its name might suggest, Tire Barn has tires. Salt, rough roads and potholes can strip tire safety, resulting in needed replacements.
- Free auto assessment: According to Tire Barn’s website, it does a free multi-point inspection on vehicles by reviewing vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance schedules, pointing out any items of concern, and providing customers with a written copy of the inspection form
- Wheel alignment: A wheel alignment corrects the angle of wheels to the vehicle as intended, which can save fuel efficiency, tire life and a driver’s life.
“We specialize in anything tire: nail in the tire, rotations, balancing,” service advisor Skylar Allen said.
Mission Auto Care - 1306 S. Monon Drive
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Key services
- Tune-up: Oil changes, air filters and tire alignment are included in this service. Like an annual physical, checking to see that your mode of transportation is doing well every year never hurts.
- Transmission overhauls: Long-term freezing temperatures like Bloomington has experienced in recent weeks can freeze transmission fluid and damage the gearbox systems. Getting the car's gearbox serviced could save thousands of dollars.
- Brake service: With slick roads, drivers can tend to slam on the brakes and wear out the system. If the car has had trouble stopping on time, that could be an indication to bring it in before an accident occurs.
“We specialize in everything mechanical, such as A/C work, suspension and breaks,” office manager Tricia Stevenson said.
Midas - 2619 E. Third St.
Hours: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday
Key winter services
- Full diagnostic: This service is helpful for getting to the root of a car’s problems if something seems amiss.
- Battery replacement: Over winter, batteries can lose their life, especially if the car is an older model. Replacing the battery could save a call for a jumpstart in the future.
- Belt replacement: Winter temperature changes can cause car belts to shift and break. Getting a belt replaced would restore wasted power to the rest of the car.
World Wide Automotive - 2661 W. Schmalz Blvd.
Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday
Key winter services
- Damaged wheels and tires: Debris hidden under snow along with harsh roads may lead to tire/wheel damage, and getting it checked out could be essential to stay safe.
- Splash pans/splash shields/fender liners: These can become brittle and crack due to extremely cold temperatures, eliminating the protection to a car’s finish.
- Heat output repairs: Blowing out a car’s heat during the winter is a common occurrence, and with the inconsistent Midwest weather, it is a recommended fix.
“We only specialize in Japanese and German cars along with MINI Coopers, but we are proficient in hybrid models too,” service advisor Zach Vogler said.
