Steve Miner, of Winnebago’s Miner Auto Service, knows just what to look for when it comes to checking up on cars – and their parts.

While vehicles have changed a lot in the past few decades, and become better, they still require some maintenance and it’s a good idea to have them checked out before winter hits.

“The way cars are now, with electronic ignition, fuel injection and no choke having things like regular tuneups are not as critical as they once were,” says Steve Miner. “Things like spark plugs are made to last a long, long time. But that doesn’t mean there are not things that need to be checked over and maintained.”

And, Miner should know. After working for Chrysler for a while in the 1970s, he returned home to Winnebago and went to work for his father at Miner Auto Service. Two years later, in 1987, he bought the business from his father and has been there ever since.

Some of Miner’s tips involve using the correct weight oil, checking the battery, tires, antifreeze and more.

“Cars start a lot easier in the winter now than they used to,” Miner explains. “We don’t see those cold start problems we used to. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check your battery.”

If it is older than five years, Miner suggests replacing it. He had replaced three batteries already the day of this interview.

“The problem is, you never know when it will just quit on you, and the vehicle won’t start,” he says. “And it can just die at any time, with little warning.”

Tires also need attention. He suggests a routine of rotating tires and checking air pressure. It is something he does for his regular customers on a scheduled basis.

And checking for wear. With aluminum rims, there can be some corrosion issues that cause leaks.

“Sure, with radial tires these days, they will last a long time. It used to be about 10,000 miles. Now it is 50, 60, 70,000 miles,” he says. “But you sure don’t want a flat when it is winter and 20 below.”

Another thing that has changed, Miner adds, is there is no reason to have snow tires put on anymore. Most tires are all-season.

He remembers when every fall he would have 40 people call him up the first day it snowed, all wanting to have their snow tires put on. Immediately.

Another thing that needs to be checked is the belt. While there used to be several belts under the hood for running several pieces of equipment now there is one serpentine belt that runs a variety of items.

But, says Miner, if that belt gets worn or breaks, nothing works. And, that is bad.

Windshield wiper blades are another item that should be checked every fall.

People don’t usually pay any attention to them until they don’t work in the middle of a winter storm.

Antifreeze is something many folks never give a thought to either, anymore. It lasts a long, long time these days. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t mean it is important.

“Many people don’t realize there are four kinds of antifreeze and car owners need to use the type recommended for their particular vehicle,” Miner says. “Antifreeze as a coolant is just as important in the summer, too. Cars run hot under the hood in the summer.”

Miner says he checks the PH level of the coolant on the cars he services, and recommends it be done every 24,000 or so.

“If nothing has had to be added, it should be good for many miles,” he says. “If they haven’t added water or the wrong type of coolant, that is.”

The same goes for transmissions, he says.

The recommendation now is no maintenance until after 150,000 to 200,000 miles.

“Cars today are really amazing,” he says. “And so much of it is all computer controlled. They are built to run a long time, and with very little maintenance.”

But, they still do need some attention. And then, Miner says, he recommends taking it to a qualified mechanic.

“They are so much more complicated than in days past,” he says. “Some people still want to work on their car themselves, but it is not a good idea. Sure, they can buy the parts and try it, but without proper diagnostics it can be just shooting the parts cannon at the problem without really knowing what the problem is.”

You wouldn’t try to do your own dental work, would you, he asks.

But Miner does highly recommend that everyone pay close attention to their vehicle.

“If it makes a noise, runs differently, starts to get bad gas mileage, bring it to a mechanic,” he says. “You can’t just think it is going to heal itself and get better.”

The long-time mechanic says he is surprised how many people are driving around with their “check engine” light all lit up.

“That light means something,” he says. “And it will only take a couple of minutes to hook it up and check it out. It could be minor or it could be a big deal, but get it checked.”

The cost could be small now, but it will cost a lot more if it develops into something serious.

In his 31 years in the business, Miner has seen a lot of strange things.

There have been lots of animals hiding under the hood, from mice to pets, to wild critters.

“I could write a book. I once found a bird’s nest under the hood,” he says. “With an egg in it. I joked and said that ‘now I know where baby Hondas come from.'”