DoingBusiness forOver20Years withover130years combined experience
QUALITY From
By Heather Jordan | Photos by Nordstrom’s Automotive
Nestled amidst the farmlands of eastern South Dakota, Nordstrom's Automotive stands as a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and family legacy. What began as a modest dairy farm in the late 1960s has grown into an award-winning Gold Seal Certified Auto Recycler, drawing visitors from across the globe to witness its state-of-the-art operations and rich history.
Humble beginnings on the farm
The origins of Nordstrom's Automotive trace back to the late 1960s when Art and Marie Nordstrom took over the family dairy farm after the sudden passing of Art’s father, Walt Nordstrom. Walt, a respected state senator, along with his now widowed wife Leona, left behind a legacy of hard work and determination, which inspired Art and Marie to dig deeper into the farm’s potential. While the farm provided for their family, Art’s passion for vehicles began to take center stage.
Their journey into the automotive world started with a simple need: a functional pickup truck for the farm. Art purchased a wrecked Ford pickup, repaired it, and sold it for a small profit. This initial success sparked an idea that would soon evolve into a full-fledged business.
“That Ford pickup gave them the idea eventually,” Shannon Nordstrom notes. “They used the pickup for a little over a year, and then my dad sold it, made $72 on it, and he realized that he could do that again and duplicate the process. So, that is what started fixing up Ford pickups, Chevy pickups, and fixing a few for neighbors and friends, eventually getting into fixing up grain trucks.”
Art began repairing more vehicles, first for neighbors and then for a broader clientele. By the early 1970s, what was then Nordstrom’s Used and Rebuilt Trucks was on its way to becoming a household name in South Dakota.
In the words of Shannon, “Build it, and they will come.”
A Family Legacy Racing Roots and Family Values shaped Nordstrom’s Automotive
Racing roots and family values
The Nordstrom family’s love for racing played a pivotal role in shaping their identity. A modified Ford tractor, lovingly dubbed the "Nordstrom Special," became a symbol of their weekend racing adventures. The family would gather at local speedways, including Huset's Speedway and Lake County Speedway, cheering on their creation as it roared around the dirt tracks. This racing culture instilled a sense of camaraderie and excitement that permeated the family business.
The tractor, custom built on the farm by Art and with the help of his brother Greg Nordstrom, was fitted with a 390 Ford Mustang engine. According to Shannon, “That tractor was a symbol of our excitement. There was always hard work going on here at the farm, but that tractor was the excitement. My dad would crack open the throttle of that tractor and the 390 Mustang motor would come to life!”
This spirit carried over into their business practices, where every customer was treated like family. Whether it was providing a playroom for children or keeping a refrigerator stocked with refreshments, Art and Marie emphasized creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone that came out to visit what they called “The Funny Farm.” “There were cows, crops, and cars all growing, and we were all a bit zany and liked to laugh, so the funny farm fit perfectly. We all had names on the CB radio that coincided with it, too,” Shannon recalls. Art was the “Funny Famer,” Marie was the “Funny Gal,” their oldest daughter, Yvette was the “Funny Girl,” the middle daughter Suzette was the “Happy Hippo,” and Shannon was the “String Bean.” They all grew up
working the farm, working and learning about vehicles, building their new found faith as new Christians in 1972 and learning how to keep many balls in the air at once.
This “on the job training” would treat them well and lead them to levels that none of them expected. Yvette would go on to persevere and create the famous “VanderBrink Auctions.” Suzette would work her way up to a regional sales and training position with Monrovia Nurseries, and Shannon would lead the automotive business, working with a great team of people.
Faith played a large role in the Nordstrom’s upbringing and when Shannon’s mom became a Christian, she brought the rest of the family into the fold and that was HUGE and the origin of where PTLA (Praise The Lord Always). “Art put it on the tractor as a silent testimony. Mom and Dad used to pray hard, too, and the neighbors who had a bible study used to pray, ‘If those Nordstrom’s could be as good as they were bad, they could be something special.’ Shannon recalls. Thank you, Jesus, those prayers came true. That is why the letters PTLA is on EVERYTHING we put public facing,” Shannon explains. “Faith is our foundation for everything as our mission statement says.”
Growth through Innovation
In 1989 Shannon convinced Art to sell his 1964 Impala SS the family took on their 2nd honeymoon. “Art and Marie renewed their vows in the church after becoming Christians, all of us kids were in the small wedding and went on the honeymoon to the Black Hills for a weekend with them,” Shannon adds. “The car was a big deal. Art would love to find it back, and it may have
1979 Trans AM 10th Anniversary
with 1,900 actual miles. Pontiac 400 with 4-speed.
been one of my best sales pitches in my life convincing them to sell that car and buy a computer system. This would later be replaced by the Hollander System and Shannon and the team would partner with them to renovate many things for Nordstrom’s and the industry. Ironically, to this day Art has never turned a computer on and still uses a flip phone.
Today at Nordstrom’s 2.0, the facility has added a 65,000-squarefoot building boasting a geothermal system with 21 miles of underground plastic piping. The company’s dedication to green practices extends to every aspect of its operations, from properly and safely recycling fuels, oils, coolant, refrigerant, tires and
Shannon and Tamie love their 2024 Bronco Raptor that they had wrapped and the personalized plate reads, "WRAPTR."
"That’s what the show is all about, saving people money, making them better consumers of the automobile, and having a lot of fun doing it,” Shannon adds.
now even being one of the first Certified High Voltage Vehicle Dismantlers in the country, equipped and ready to handle the newest technology vehicles.The building was designed by Shannon with the help of his team and the contractors working with Cleveringa Construction. “An architect was only hired at the end to make sure we were doing the things needed to be in compliance with county regulations,” Shannon adds.
“So, in the environmental piece of what we do, being green is important to us,” Shannon notes. “This building is green itself. Our entire 65,000 square foot building of new construction is heated and air conditioned by geothermal. Our employees wanted a wonderfully comfortable workplace and adding the air conditioning and all-LED lighting lets us run this building in the coldest months of winter at an extremely affordable rate.”
The "Under the Hood" Radio Show: A business within the business
In 1990, Nordstrom's Automotive ventured into broadcasting with the launch of their highly successful "Under the Hood" radio show. Inspired by an idea from Shannon Nordstrom’s mother Marie, the show began as a local program on KSOOAM Radio.
“It started as my mother’s idea while she was out custom windrowing alfalfa,” Shannon adds. “She was listening to Wayne Pritchard on the radio and said, ‘You know what? We should have a little show to talk about our cars and parts business on the radio.’ My dad had connections through the fair with the tractor pull, and she went and talked to KSOO radio, and after a few conversations, they agreed to put a 19-year-old kid on the air.”
The Show was put on the air as the “Nordstrom’s Cars and Parts Show” on KSOO. The show matured over time eventually with Shannon bringing on new employee Russ Evans and then moving to KELO AM 1320 and becoming the “Nordstrom’s Under the Hood Show with the Motor Medics.”
The show provides automotive advice, helps listeners save
money on repairs, and showcases the expertise of the Nordstrom team. Shannon, along with co-hosts, Russ “The Super Tech” Evans and Chris Carter use the program to connect with a broader audience, further cementing Nordstrom’s reputation as an industry leader.
“Chris is from the Chris and Doc Show, the number one radio show in Sioux Falls. He’s the voice of the people and is running the board. Our producer Doug Mashek with Prairie House Productions and also takes the calls. All we get is a call screen, or a screen that says, ‘Bob from Nebraska, ’94 Ford pickup starter. Or Tom from California, 2014 Toyota Tundra, suspension noise.’ That’s all. We have no resources in front of us except for a notebook where I keep notes and we give people automotive advice on the air,” explains Shannon.
“That’s what the show is all about, saving people money, making them better consumers of the automobile, and having a lot of fun doing it,” Shannon adds.
Shannon and their small team have learned, worked hard, made connections and have self-syndicated the show to now play on close to 250 radio stations from Westwood One Satellite, weekly podcasts on all the major podcasts sites and are now growing a YouTube channel. “The Studio and technology were
all “hand built” by Russ Evans, and it is quite impressive to all who visit!” Shannon exclaims. “Russ has helped grow the show by learning the industry, technology and bringing next level “color of the wire” insight to callers. He is amazing, and now a partner in the show,” Shannon notes.
Building a legacy of leadership
A cornerstone of Nordstrom's success is its emphasis on leadership and mentorship. After a short stint in tech school for telecommunications, Shannon knew his heart was in cars and joined Art and Marie and handful of key employees in the business full time in 1988.
Under his guidance, the company established the CANI (an acronym for "Constant And Never-ending Improvement") principles and the training room named for it, where employees receive monthly training and feedback. “It’s been very important that we continue to stay in front of our employees,” Shannon adds. “When we built Nordstrom’s 2.0 it was imperative that we had a training room for those meetings that we had every month. We can fit every employee in the room and we are able to show multimedia things that we want to train on, pictures of things that have been done well, and things that we want to improve on.”
In addition to using the room for dedicated meeting space, Nordstrom’s also used the space to meet the needs of the community. “During COVID, we were able to let Victory Life Church use it for their youth group. There were up to 120 kids up here praising the Lord on Wednesday nights. That has been a blessing for us to be able to have that opportunity available.”
Shannon also carries the family’s dedication to community and industry leadership. and has become a respected industry speaker. As an active member of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), he has served in various leadership roles, advocating for the industry’s growth and sustainability. In recognition of his contributions, Shannon is set to take on the role of ARA President this fall in Birmingham, Alabama, further solidifying Nordstrom’s influence in the automotive recycling world.
Expanding operations and embracing technology
Today, Nordstrom Automotive’s goal is to dismantle 50 Full-Service Vehicles per week, meticulously dismantling
1989 Trans AM 20th Anniversary Turbo Trans AM. With only 9,000 actual miles with the 3.8L Buick V6 GNXinspired motor, both of those cars including the 1979 and 1989 Trans AMS are 1 of 1,500 made.
2022 BMW M8 Competition Convertible: Tamie and Shannon call it the “date night” car.
and grading parts for resale. Each vehicle is assessed using advanced software that calculates demand and market value, ensuring the company maximizes its inventory’s potential. All parts dismantled from vehicles are photographed and the complete vehicles have photos and videos on YouTube so that customers can see exactly what they are buying.
Nordstrom’s is also a proud member of Team PRP, a national
network of over 200 auto recycling yards. This partnership allows them to fill the voids in their extensive inventory and also to sell products to partners all of over the U.S. Nordstrom’s is proud to be part of this group to open up more markets and ensure inventory completeness.
Shannon realizes he is not always the smartest person in the room and he trusts input from his employees and team of managers.
Nordstrom’s now has 80 employees and Shannon commits to a calendar to take each of them out for lunch to talk and more importantly listen, during their annual review month. Shannon works with leading the team, along with integration of technology.
A commitment to sustainability and community Environmental stewardship remains at the heart of Nordstrom’s mission. “The EWE Pullet (you-pull-it) Self Service Used Auto Parts yard is a separate business built on ten acres on the north side of the property where customers are able to pull their own parts from a rotating inventory of over 1,200 vehicles,” Shannon explains. “It is a totally different business model with amazing savings. The trademarked slogan is “Your Tools, Your Labor, Your Savings” with the registered trademark symbol at the end.” In addition to that trademark, Nordstrom’s is a registered trademark with the USPTO, along with “Under the Hood Show, and are just a few of the patents that I have achieved.” Shannon notes.
Beyond its environmental efforts, Nordstrom’s is deeply committed to its community by supporting many faith-based and familybased events in the area. Nordstrom’s has supported KNWC Christian Radio since milking cows in the barn and Art and Marie are proud of the Nordstrom-Johnson building at the Sioux Empire fair grounds they gave to the county to be the permanent home of the Faith Temple Friday Food Giveaway that delivers sustainable food to thousands of people weekly, no questions asked. This spirit of giving back is a testament to the Nordstrom family’s values and their belief in building lasting relationships.
Looking to the future
Art, Marie and Shannon, along with his wife Tamie, who has worked in the business also since they were married in 1995, have led a great team to make Nordstrom’s what it is today, and
they are not satisfied. Grounded in faith, they will work hard with CANI to reach new heights.
As Nordstrom’s Automotive enters its third generation of family leadership, the company remains dedicated to innovation, sustainability, and customer service. Shannon and Tamie’s son, Riley has recently started his journey at Nordstrom’s. He will be learning the ropes and giving them three generations working in the business at the same time and the opportunity for a 3rd generation to lead them.
From its beginnings on a small dairy farm to its current status as a global influencer in automotive recycling, Nordstrom’s Automotive exemplifies the power of hard work, faith, and family. It is more than a business; it is a testament to what can be achieved when passion and purpose align. PTLA.
SGT. TRAVIS OLSEN
A DRAG RACING TRAFFIC COP
"It often seems to raise eyebrows at the dragstrip when people learn what I do full time."
My earliest memory was in September 1982. I was riding home in my father, Tom Olsen’s then newly acquired 1963 Chevrolet BelAir. The car was eventually restored to a mirror image of one he had in 1966. I grew up hearing stories of big block Chevelles, Muncie 4-speeds, high performance small blocks, 409 cars, “fuelie” heads, gassers and “TriFive Junior Stockers.”
My father has been a lifelong gearhead largely in the realm of Chevrolets since the mid 60’s in the Sioux Falls area. Growing up in the 80’s and 90’s, I found myself obsessed with cars as well. Probably to my parent’s annoyance I pointed out every IROC-Z Camaro as we travelled Sioux Falls, which at the time was the hot car, alongside the 5.0 Foxbody Mustangs. Chomping at the bit, in 1995 I got my own car to learn on, in the form of a 1967 Chevy II, commonly known as, but not always necessarily accurate, “Nova.” This car eventually made its way to Thunder Valley Dragway near Marion, SD. The car was light, solid and with relatively minimal effort ran 12 second timeslips at the drag strip which, at the time before nitrous and turbochargers were commonplace. It was a respectable street car, especially for a 17-year-old kid.
In late 2000 I found myself following in the footsteps of my dad and brother into law enforcement with the Sioux Falls Police Department. Continuing my passion for all things cars, I had been a salesman at a reputable tire shop, but after one Police ride-along, I was hooked on the very diverse, often exciting work and camaraderie which I was missing after a short pre- 9/11 military experience. I naturally found myself gravitating toward the specialty of the traffic section, still due to the fascination with motor vehicles.
Despite still having a job to do, more than a few times I encountered fellow gearheads in my work which often culminated with an “Alright, I gotta see what you got under the hood…!” Some
of these encounters even resulted in years long friendships, and naturally sometimes not, but either way many were surprised at the Traffic Cop that had a passion for horsepower and had a clue what he was looking at.
It often seems to raise eyebrows at the dragstrip when people learn what I do full time. More often than not, people find it fascinating, but I equate the hobby and career as having some similar facets. Both have some elements of excitement, camaraderie, and sometimes you win, and sometimes you don’t. The people you meet come from all walks of life. On duty sometimes I have to drive fast, and conversely, at the dragstrip, I get to drive fast. Frankly, I wouldn’t trade my career, or my car passion for anything different.
As the years went by, my family grew and several Camaros, Mustangs and Novas came and went. I have taken my 15-yearold nephew Jake under my wing to immerse him in the culture and hopefully continue the legacy. I am lucky enough to still find myself in the car scene and some drag racing, often with Jake on scene and learning the ropes. We occasionally are found running a newer Camaro at Thunder Valley as well as with my dad’s 1956 Chevrolet 210 Handyman wagon at the Tri-Five Nationals in Bowling Green Kentucky. Nothing screams “America” more than firing up a vintage Chevrolet in the burnout box at Beechbend Raceway on the last note of our National Anthem, an experience that I will never forget or take for granted, just like the day I graduated the Police Academy.
I look forward to anything I can answer for you in the future and hopefully help bridge the gap between the car community and law enforcement.
Do you have a traffic safety question?
Please email heather@michelscom.com to submit your inquiry and Sgt. Travis Olsen will offer an explanation in his monthly column.
Sgt Travis Olsen is a 24 year veteran of the Sioux Falls Police Department, having spent 18 of his years in the Traffic Section as an Officer and currently a Supervisor. He became a Department Motorcycle Operator in 2009 and supervises that unit, and in addition oversees the Department’s Office of Highway Safety Operations and many of the City’s serious crash investigations. During his time on the Department he has also assisted in various stages of recruit training, the Honor Guard Team, and is proud to have also served 11 years on the Department’s SWAT Team. He is also a second-generation Officer having served with his father Tom Olsen, and brother Justin Olsen, both of whom are also contributors to the Motor Market Magazine. Sgt. Olsen is a lifelong gearhead and he enjoys motorcycling, working on cars and drag racing at Thunder Valley in Marion, SD and Beechbend Raceway in Bowling Green, KY.
By Bob Schmeichel
As I was growing up, I have always felt that a father and his children’s relationships seem to be closer in most families when vehicles were involved as kind of a teaching tool. Back then boys, and sometime girls, too, were eager to learn how mechanical things worked and at the same time understanding how to take something apart and put it back together while gaining confidence in their abilities. I taught both my son and daughter how to change a flat tire as soon as they learned how to drive at 16. I know it might seem like a small feat today, but my daughter, who has her own family now, has always been eternally grateful that I showed her how to do that along with other small things, even with most cars being almost trouble free with being built better.
Even with that early teaching they still call me for advice if they think they have a vehicle issue they don’t understand. I did get more into the broader teaching end of mechanics, body work, and painting with my son and his car when we set his ‘72 Nova up to drag race at the high school drag races at Thunder Valley. Those were precious times for both of us then that neither one of us will ever forget. To this day, my son still wishes he had his Nova back that he sold 27 years ago while going to college.
My story today has similar connections to it with Keaton Whitcomb, his brother and their father. They grew up in a similar car-orientated family. The boys learned how to recognize the tri- five Chevys as well as other vehicles at a young
age, and there always seemed to be an underlying rule to have a vehicle looking as good as it possibly could. Keaton knew his father had a longing desire to have a 1967 Camaro convertible for the longest time, and noticed one at Williams Automotive while on his way home after college for the weekend back to Madison in early November of 2004. So, he stopped and checked it out before continuing his trip home.
Once at home, Keaton was excited to tell his dad about the Camaro and how nice the restored car looked while hoping dad would go see it. Much to Keaton’s dismay, as he talked the car up, he said it felt like his father was ignoring what he was telling him and never went to see the car. As Keaton told me the story, it sounded like his dad was focused on getting the family moved to Sioux Falls from Madison in a couple weeks and had a lot on his mind. Looking at a Camaro was not high on a priority list of things to do. Once they were all moved and settled in their new home, his dad finally started searching again for a Camaro in the winter of 2005. There is an irony of what happened next when his dad found the same Camaro for sale that Keaton was trying to get him to look at a year earlier at the same dealer.
Upon going to go see the car and hearing the back story on it, which was interesting in itself, his dad bought the car. The original owner had restored this numbers matching car to look like new while spending a bunch of money doing so, even though it still had the original interior and top, which were perfect yet. The other story part goes in a direction where the owner was clueless about what was going on, while unknowingly doing a Pepsi commercial with a disguised Jeff Gordon driving. The owner was an un-suspecting ride along who genuinely got scared until the commercial was done. You can see many of these online as Jeff did quite a few of these for Pepsi. After that scary speed experience, the original owner had to trade the restored Camaro off for a Jeff Gordon series Monte Carlo they had on the lot and got money to boot.
Keaton’s dad was happy he had the new looking ‘67 Camaro with around 50,000 original miles on the odometer and was proud to take it to all the area car shows around the region and more so after he had it detailed a little further to make it really stand out. Keaton and his dad traveled around to as many shows as they could, placing well with the car and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Then, just five years later in 2010, Keaton’s dad passed away from Mesothelioma, unknowingly caused by working with asbestos earlier in his life. Keaton inherited the Camaro and continues with showing it as much as he can besides keeping it up because of dad’s ethics. It was used as a getaway car when he and Mallory were married in 2016. His youngest daughter was born on May 1st of 2024 and brought her home three days later in the Camaro. Keaton says his older daughter and son love riding in the Camaro and his son mimics dad stepping on the gas while sitting in the child’s seat in the back. So, the tradition will carry on with taking care of the Camaro, showing it, and keeping it in the family because of dad connections, along with the new memories yet to happen!
Car
dozens
in 1985 and today the
www.greatplainsstreetrodders.com.
has over
A farm boy from Salem, Bob’s family moved to Sioux Falls when he was 12 years old. After graduation from Washington High School, he attended USD where he majored in Commercial Art. A lifelong auto and art enthusiast, Bob wanted to combine his passions into a career. A self-taught mechanic, bodywork, welder and painter, he worked in the industry for seven years. He later went to work for Horner Waldorf Box Company, where he worked for the next 33 years, retiring as Package Design Manager for Smurfit Stone Container. Bob has built
of street rods over the years, doing everything except the upholstery work. Bob started the Great Plains Street Rodders
Club
club
340 members. You can see more of Bob’s paintings and car features on the club’s website:
AUTO BODY & PAINT TECHNOLOGY
Join ranks with the pros as you get extreme hands-on training in collision repair using the latest technology – computerized laser measuring systems, water-borne paints, and computerized mixing systems just to name a few. You will learn metal straightening techniques, painting techniques, frame and structural repair, welding, refinishing, tinting and blending, and more!
We train on the latest equipment down draft bake booths, a chassis liner frame rack, and a laser measuring system. Our program has a virtual reality paint training system, which allows students to practice paint gun techniques in the classroom without any product usage or discharge of VOC. Graduates of this program have the freedom to move beyond the shop, applying their foundational skills to various up-and-coming manufacturing fields.
Custom Appeal
This program is designed for you. Choose between a 9-month diploma or an 18-month Associate of Applied Science degree. In that time you will learn industry skills such as automotive collision damage appraisal, paint company sales, auto body collision technology, production line painting or finishing, estimating, and restoration.
As a graduate, you will achieve industry certification in Auto Body and Paint Technology.
TRANSPORTATION DEGREES
AUTO BODY & PAINT TECHNOLOGY
AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY
• Electric Vehicle Option
• Light Duty Diesel Option
AVIATION
• Aviation Maintenance Technology
• Professional Fixed -Wing Pilot
• Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot Option
DIESEL TECHNOLOGY
• Ag/Industrial Tractor or Truck Option
• ButlerMAX
• Cat THINKBIG Option
• CNH Top Tech Option
• Light Duty Diesel Option
• Techknowledge John Deere Option
HEAVY
Today’s Extra Mile
These days the custom engine building business can be quite a challenge. In the past we could just order the parts we need and they would be shipped to us. Now, there are many obstacles in the way of that. There are supply chain problems, manufacturing problems, shipping problems, and quality problems. These are just a few of the hurdles we must conquer to build the best engine we can and what our customers deserve.
When we design an engine, we not only design the best engine for the customer’s use, but we need to navigate that with using the parts that are most likely available and that have the least lead time in manufacturing. Many suppliers have gone away from stocking parts and are just making them as they are needed, while some are waiting for supplies to just make the correct part. This adds significantly to the time and effort that is needed to build an engine. We have formed a great network of different parts suppliers that we use to help us through this struggle. We not only find the part, but we use the best possible quality for the price so we stay somewhat within the estimated budget. This takes many man-hours, but it is what we have to do in today’s engine building arena.
There are many machine operations that cannot be finished without the part in hand. We have found that the part that finally arrives might not be worthy, have a critical blemish, or might be the wrong dimensions. We have determined that since we cannot put back the metal once it’s been removed, that we need to wait until we have the piece in hand, and it has completely passed our quality control measures. Then we can proceed with the build.
Another factor that has arisen is the lack of quality of some of the parts. Since the pandemic many manufacturers have eliminated quality control at the factories to cut costs in an effort to stay in business. This leads to problems on the end user side and can cause premature failures if the problem is overlooked. In our increased quality control measures, we have not only been measuring all aspects of the parts and hand fit everything, but also have created procedures to test the health of the product as well.
These are just a few of the aspects and delays we have been dealing with when building custom engines today. The days of getting a quick engine overhaul are coming to a close. The days of instant availability of quality parts is long gone, but rest assured we are at the front lines doing the very best that we can. We have and always will go the extra mile for our customers. From giving our customer the special attention that you deserve to helping the customer if there is a question that may arise, we are here for you.
TALKIN’ TIRES
with Graham Tire
Keeping Your Vehicle Healthy This Winter
By Articlecity.com
Cold weather can lead to problems when you hit the road, including issues like slow starts, engine trouble, dead batteries, sluggish transmission shifts — the list of winter weather car problems continue to grow as winters become increasingly harsh and unrelenting.
Vehicles are designed to keep moving in the winter months, but without the proper care and maintenance, it will become increasingly difficult for your car to keep up. Here are some of the top issues that your vehicle may face this winter, as well as tips for keeping your vehicle alive and well in the cold.
Winter-Related Mechanical Transmission Issues
Your vehicle’s transmission is an essential and complex combination of gears, clutches, pumps, fluid, and hydraulics, which are critical for helping the transmission shift between gears. Cold temperatures can cause older transmission fluid to thicken up. This important fluid drives the hydraulic system to engage the transmission and smoothly shift gears in your car while accelerating and decelerating, so a lack of proper fluid viscosity and movement can cause problems quickly.
Cold temperatures and lack of proper fluid maintenance can cause clutches and gears in the transmission to perform poorly, especially as the metal elements contract at lower temperatures. Any water that may have leaked into the transmission areas, such as hood seals,
vent tubes, and even a slightly leaking transmission cooler located inside your radiator, will cause various problems that can be expensive to fix.
Engine
With colder weather and fewer long trips in the car, your engine may often pay the price. If not appropriately maintained in frigid temperatures, the oil in your vehicle may thicken to a consistency that is harder to push through the oil passages and into engine parts that depend on this essential fluid. This can lead to lack of lubrication, aggressive metal to metal contact, and eventually overheating and damage in the engine, which can affect the transmission and other related systems.
To help keep your engine running smoothly this winter, park in climatecontrolled or less exposed locations. Combine more trips into one to allow your vehicle to warm up a bit before driving and operate at proper temperatures for longer, and avoid letting your vehicle idle for too long.
Drivetrain
Vehicles that feature AWD (all-wheel drive) or 4WD (four-wheel drive) often perform better in slick, icy conditions, but the drivetrain’s axles, CV joints, and driveshaft must be regularly inspected and maintained for peak performance.
Clunking noises, vibration during acceleration, strong vibration from the floorboards, or resistance around turns
can be signs of a failing drivetrain. As an essential part of the complete transmission and engine system, keeping those parts of your vehicle well-maintained can help your drivetrain continue operating at peak power to provide increased safety and control in the winter.
Brakes
Brakes are a vital part of safe driving, regardless of the season. However, brakes are prone to more wear and tear in the colder months. With increased braking, sliding on ice or snow, and frequent exposure to road salt and grime, your brakes will be doing double duty.
For dependable and safe brakes, always seek a trained auto technician for routine brake checks and replacement. Keep your vehicle’s undercarriage clean before and after each winter season, as salt can have a corrosive effect on your braking system and other metal components, such as your fuel lines.
Cooling System and Radiator
Coolant
Coolant is responsible for keeping your vehicle’s essential mechanical parts cooled off while operating. Depending on the season, the heat generated by your vehicle’s engine and transmission can vary.
In the winter, antifreeze is also essential for keeping your water pump lubricated and preventing the freezing of the coolant and damage to metal components. Always check your antifreeze levels and
fill with the proper ratio based on your region and climate; typically, 1:1 coolant and distilled water. Use the wrong balance, and you could end up with frozen coolant in the engine that can lead to cracks and damage.
Radiator and Hoses
Similarly, cold temperatures are tough on all parts, especially those made from metal and rubber products. Ensure that your radiator is in good shape with no leakage and your hoses are soft and pliable, clamped tightly, and prepared for the weather fluctuations. Visiting a trained technician to service your vehicle’s cooling system for winter is always a good idea.
Other Parts to Keep in Mind: Windshields
The glass in your windshield is built to withstand extreme temperatures, but is not indestructible. If you find your windshield covered in snow and ice this winter, never attempt to clear it off with hot water. The sudden shock of temperature change can lead to small cracks that can expand over time. Instead, utilize an ice-scraper made of plastic — never metal — and an alcohol-based de-icer spray to help with difficult icy spots.
Tires
Winter temperatures can cause the air pressure in your tires to decrease. This can lead to dangerous underinflation that increases the likelihood of premature tread wear, difficulty
steering, tire overheating, and even blowouts if they get too worn. Get in the habit of checking each tire’s pressure and overall condition regularly during the winter, and don’t forget your spare.
Battery
Once winter rolls around, the battery in your vehicle may already be compromised, leading to sluggish performance or a suddenly dead battery in frost weather when you can least afford it. Low air temperature significantly decreases a battery’s capacity when it needs to work its hardest to accommodate a higher load on the electrical system (e.g., starting a cold engine with thicker oil, using windshield wipers, window defrosters, heating the cabin, using headlights more often). Also, shorter trips in the winter can cause the battery not to fully charge, further increasing the risk of failure. Check your battery periodically to make sure it’s clean (dirt acts as a conductor and can drain a battery over time) and free of any corrosion.
Don’t Get Caught in the Cold This Winter
The best tip for preventing winter car issues is to keep up with your vehicle’s regular maintenance. Anytime you notice problems with your transmission, engine, brakes, or other parts listed above, contact Graham Tire to help take care of any issues before they become costly problems.
W. Sioux Ave. Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 224-8643 Excellent customer service, nationwide warranties, and everyday low prices.
720 N. Main St. Mitchell, SD 57301 (605) 996-7709
S. Minnesota Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 336-2575 4515 N. Cliff Ave. Sioux Falls, SD 57104 (605) 336-0800 2101 W. 41st St. Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 339-3334 2320 6th Ave. SE Aberdeen, SD 57401 (605) 225-2352 2704 Fox Run Pky. Yankton, SD 57078 (605) 665-4406
2025 Counts Car Club Show
Feb. 21-23, 2025 - at the monument carshowpro.com/event/1964 Rapid City, SD
O'Reilly Auto Parts
Rod and Custom Car Show
Feb. 22 & 23, 2025 - Monticello, Iowa
Sioux Falls Snocross National
March 1-2 snocross.com/sioux-fallssnocross-national/
Dewar Car Show
May 25, 2025 - Dewar, IA
Harrisburg High School
5th annual Car Showcase
May 3, 2025
From 4pm-7pm
World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series
May 11, 2025 - Brandon, SD husetsspeedway.com
Sound of Silence Tesla Rally
May 17-19, 2025 - Custer, SD facebook.com/BHTeslaRally
Wheel Jam Truck Show
June, 2025– Huron, SD
South Dakota State Fairgrounds wheeljamtruckshow.com
- SPONSORED BY -
Wild Bill Days
June 13-14, 2025 - Deadwood, SD www.deadwood.com/event/wild-bill-days/
King Series Truck Show
June 13-15, 2025 - Lead, SD
14th Annual Sturgis Camaro Rally
June 18, 2025 - Sturgis, SD sturgiscamarorally.com
Thunder Valley Dragways Drag Racing Legends
July 5, 2025 - Parker, SD
Black Hills Corvette Classic
July 16-19, 2025 - Spearfish, SD blackhillscorvetteclassic.com
85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally
Aug. 1-10, 2025 - Sturgis, SD sturgis.com
31st Annual Kool Deadwood Nites
August 19-24, 2025 - Deadwood, SD deadwood.com/event/ kool-deadwood-nites
21st Annual Ribs Rods & Rock n' Roll!
Sept. 5-6, 2025 - Vermillion, SD www.sdbbq.us
chassis building, suspension upgrade
custom headers and exhaust
engine swaps and building efi swaps
complete car wiring
hot rod MAINTENANCE
differential/axle building
cooling system
mig and tig welding
back halves, ladder bars, 4-link, roll cages
performance parts and accessories
auto restoration
NAME: Tim Smith
CAR YEAR-MAKE-MODEL: 1972 Mercury Cougar
ENGINE: 351 Cleveland (408 Stroker now)
TRANSMISSION: FMX with shift kit and 3200 stall
SUSPENSION: Stock (for now)
EXHAUST: 2 ½” with Y pipe and Flow Masters
BODY: White, Tim had it painted in 1987. He sent his basic training money home to his dad to have it painted and a bigger cam installed it while he was away.
INTERIOR: Stock Ginger Brown
Tell us a little about the car and why you chose it.
What's your car’s story?
Ironically, in 1984 Tim rolled his 1968 Ford F100 on Spook Road when he was 14 and he didn’t want to ride the bus to school. This Cougar was for sale down the road from him. Tim’s dad made the deal, $1,800 was handed over, and it was his. He drove it to high school all four years when the weather permitted. Tim had a 1950 Chevy truck he drove when the snow fell so the Cougar never experienced salt or snow.
Does your car have a name?
Yes, it does. “The Coug.”
What’s your favorite part about your car?
Tim’s favorite thing about this car is it brings him back to his youth every time he drives it.
What plans do you have for this car?
He has always loved racing it at Thunder Valley, so Tim’s next goal is getting it into the 11’s in the ¼ mile. Currently its best pass is 12.36.
What’s an interesting fact or something people may not know about this ride?
Tim won high school drags with it in 1987 and in 2017 his son raced it and did the same thing. He just wishes he had pictures from those days in 1987. When Timothy drove it back in 1987, it ran mid 15’s and when his son raced it, it ran low 13’s. Both trophies are proudly displayed in Tim’s office at home.
ASK THE MOTOR MEDICS®
TUNE-IN AND TUNE-UP!®
Dear Motor Medics,
I’m a mechanic and my co-workers battle over fuel. Our pump octane is 88 to 93 and that’s ethanol free for the 93. The guys say they get better fuel mileage using 93 octane fuel in their 0lder 1990s trucks vs using the 88-90. I think they are nuts. These are stock trucks with only air filters and exhaust upgrades. I just don’t think it’s possible. I drive a modified 2000 Chevy truck with a higher compression 454 and it requires using the high-octane fuel to prevent damage. I have to pay more for it, but it is worth the protection for my engine. I only use the cheaper 88 in my 2020 Suburban. What are your thoughts?
Thank you.
Dave in Diana, Texas
Dear Motor Medics,
Hi guys, I’m a full time RV traveler and have been for about five years. My wife and I have been very active sports people riding our bikes and motorcycles everywhere we go once we park so we have never had a car with us. We keep the bikes on a trailer behind the bus. We are going to start towing a 2020 Jeep Wrangler behind the bus and have heard many stories and opinions about how to tow and want to know what is best. If you had a choice, what would you do, trailer tow or dingy tow with the wheels on the ground?
Thank you. Chance in Ogden, Utah
Dear Dave,
It’s all about octane if we are talking about regular fuel with no ethanol in it so let’s start with that. For the sake of this conversation let’s talk about a 1998 Chevy truck with a 350 engine and we can throw a 2005 Buick Lesabre into the mix because they are basically the same for this conversation. If you burn 87 octane fuel in these, your mileage may be slightly less than using 89-91 but if you compare 89-91 to using the high priced 93, it usually makes no difference. That’s because you have more octane than needed. The car’s computers can only make use of so much octane and then they max out. The bottom line is: use the most your car can, but no more to save the most cash.
Take care, The Motor Medics
25362 Hwy. 11, Garretson, SD
605-594-4181 or 888-200-7562 www.nordstromsauto.com
Dear Chance,
The RV life sounds fun. This question comes our way a lot. Our thoughts are to get the vehicle off the ground if you are going to put a lot of miles on, but if the miles are short you can tow on the ground. The difference is that on a trailer there is zero wear and tear on the vehicle behind you. Being rolled on the ground the same tire wear is present and ball joint wear and bearing wear, etc. If you tow 50k miles you have added 50k to the vehicle even if the engine and transmission have not been on. That’s something to think about.
Take care, The Motor Medics
with The Motor Medics ® Shannon Nordstrom, Russ “The Super Tech” Evans, and Chris Carter From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.
Our skilled technicians restored the vehicles you see here in the last few years. Some are restored to “as manufactured” specifications; others have a variety of modifications. Now is the time to get your vehicle scheduled into our shop for restoration. Whether you are considering factory stock, custom, “resto-mod” or total performance, our team is up to the task. To enhance your build, we are dealers for a wide variety of performance accessories and crate engines. And, don’t forget, we also now have our own upholstery shop! Call Zach at 605-214-1193, or stop in, to discuss your ideas and learn what we can do for you!
