Meadow Lake auto repair shops are dealing with some supply chain issues and an increased demand for service brought on by the recent cold snap. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Supply Chain + Demand

Auto repair shops experiencing supply chain issues, increased demand

Dec 20, 2021 | 4:49 PM

Meadow Lake auto repair shops are advising people to conduct preventive maintenance on their vehicles and prepare for emergency situations while travelling throughout the holidays.

The advice comes at a time when local vehicle repair services are working to overcome supply chain issues while also addressing an increase in service calls brought on by the extreme weather conditions.

Brad Huziak, owner of Nu Line Auto, explained many vehicles on the road today are better equipped to handle the harsh conditions, but there are still some drivers disproportionately affected by the season.

“Vehicles today seem to handle the cold much better than they did before fuel injection,” he said. “The cold snaps don’t affect us as much as they used to 15–20 years ago.”

At the same time, one recurring trend tied to the holiday season is the spike in demand for new batteries.

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“The cold weather will find a weak battery. Those are the ones we see failing right now. The cold weather will sort out the bad ones in a hurry.”

Huziak said the average vehicle battery has a lifespan between three to five years, and once it reaches that point, they become more susceptible to the frigid temperatures. One way to help extend a battery’s serviceability is to make sure the vehicle’s block heater is plugged during periods of extreme temperatures.

While the demand for batteries has increased with the cold snap, the supply of the item is not a concern. The supply chain woes come into play when more specific repairs require items not typically in stock.

Huziak said supply chain issues have resulted in shipping taking longer than normal, which is expected, but inconvenient.

“There have been a few items we’ve been waiting two or three weeks for, but as a whole, most of the common components we need every day have been readily available.”

The issue isn’t exclusive to the local business. Meadow Lake’s OK Tire location is also experiencing supply chain delays due to the business’s major warehouse being located in B.C.

Melonie Bear, operations manager, said while many of their supply needs have been met by their local source, NAPA Unified Auto Parts Inc., there are still several items on hold until the shipping issues have been resolved.

“We have to wait for them to allow us to order tires,” she said. “Once that opens up again, we’ll be able to open more. If our other warehouse that we order from is out, we have to sit and wait.”

The business was aware the cold snap would create a demand for car batteries. Knowing the supply chain issues could present a problem, OK Tire turned to other suppliers to fill the stock ahead of time.

“As soon as it gets cold, our phone starts ringing. We like to make sure we have stuff ahead of time because we’re expecting that,” she said.

She added the clientele has been very understanding and patient with any delays.

Both Huziak and Bear mentioned people should prepare for emergencies ahead of any travels throughout the holiday season and conduct a pre-travel inspection to ensure everything is in good working order.

Drivers are warned not to over inflate their tires as the increased pressure paired with the harsh conditions will lead to excessive wear. Motorists are also advised to complete an oil change, pack a survival kit and make sure their vehicles are equipped with seasonally appropriate tires.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp