Wade Osberg, an auto mechanic at Hanson Auto Repair in Blue Earth, services a larger vehicle than usual: a Blue Earth Fire Department firetruck.

Between the pandemic and rampant inflation, the new and used car market looks quite different today than it did three years ago.

However, Terry Hanson, owner of Blue Earth’s Hanson Auto Repair and Sales, maintains that some laws of vehicle maintenance never change.

When asked what he wishes more people did to prolong the life of their vehicle, Hanson immediately replies, “Change the oil every 3,000 miles to every three months.” 

He explains that even though synthetic engine oils theoretically last forever, they do not change the fact that oil tanks get dirty.

“Especially if you live in a rural area,” he adds. “You’ve still got to get the dirt out.” 

Hanson, who entered the auto repair business in 1984 and has run his own repair business for the past three decades, is brimming with useful tips for vehicle owners.

His repair shop offers a full docket of services, including diesel repair, differential repair, oil changes, clutch service, DOT inspections, transmission repair, A/C service, electrical repair, brake service, grain trailer repair and engine repair.

“And anything in between,” Hanson chuckles.

You could say he has seen it all over the years.

However, Hanson’s vehicle services often begin with the same, methodical process.

“Usually we give it a quick look to start,” he says. Particularly during this time of year, it is a given that vehicles need to be checked for an oil change, anti-freeze levels and adequate tire pressure.

“We’ll check the brake rotors, even tire wear,” he adds.

Since most vehicle owners lack the ability, and the equipment, to hoist their car in the air and examine its underside, Hanson suggests that the average driver use their ears to determine when their vehicle needs immediate attention.

“If you hear something you haven’t heard before, you should bring it in,” he advises. He even recommends inviting a friend into the passenger seat for a second opinion, particularly if you feel your ears might be deceiving you.

Blinking lights on the dashboard are also a clear indicator that something is wrong.

A steady yellow light is slightly less cause for concern. However, red or flashing lights should be addressed immediately, according to Hanson.

“If you have a red light come on, it means stop right away,” Hanson says. “It can save thousands of dollars. A yellow light can probably make it home.” 

While certain lights on the dashboard warrant an immediate stop, Hanson actually recommends the opposite in the unfortunate event that you encounter an animal in the road.

“If a raccoon or deer runs out, even a dog, don’t swerve, just hit it head on,” Hanson advises. He explains nasty accidents often occur when motorists swerve to avoid an obstacle in the road.

Hanson also recommends seeking immediate attention for your vehicle following such an incident, even if your vehicle has collided with a small animal, such as a squirrel or raccoon.

“A raccoon actually does more damage than a deer,” Hanson notes. He explains that many modern-day vehicles sit low to the ground, and can easily sustain damage to their undersides when they encounter a solid obstacle in the road.

A final mistake Hanson witnesses all too often in his repair shop? 

“People use their back-up cameras too much,” Hanson observes. “They don’t look at the side mirrors.”

Hanson has seen many a vehicle brought in to Hanson Auto Repair with damaged side mirrors, which were unwittingly grazed on the edge of the garage while their drivers were focused on the back-up camera.

Of course, there usually comes a time when a driver is ready to trade in their vehicle altogether.

Typically, Hanson has a handy rule-of-thumb for purchasing a vehicle: he recommends buyers seek a used vehicle with approximately 20,000 to 30,000 miles on the odometer.

“It used to be able to save people about $7,000,” he estimates, adding that lightly-used vehicles are significantly cheaper than new ones, and, usually, they have already received any preliminary servicing needed when they first hit the road.

“Once they have the bugs figured out, they are good for a long time,” Hanson says.

He refers to this as his ‘old’ rule of thumb, however, because today’s vehicle market – for both new and used cars – defies the laws of its predecessors.

“Since COVID, it’s been so limited on what’s out there,” Hanson explains. “Price has just gone nuts since then.” 

While now is not the best time to buy a vehicle, Hanson does have advice for those who simply cannot avoid it.

“Stick with smaller dealers,” he suggests, adding the vehicle market in larger cities can be a ‘rat race.’ “The more local you can keep it, the better.” 

Hanson notes the value of the relationships people may have built with their local auto repair and sales shops over the years.

An auto repair and salesman himself, Hanson counts his relationships with clients as one of the best parts about what he does.

“I like dealing with people,” he says, “and solving problems.”