DOWAGIAC, Mich., — Auto repair shops in Michiana are seeing a sudden increase in their workload after being hit by lake effect snow within the last week.
Drivers across Michiana have faced icy roads and white out conditions, leading to multiple crashes and pile ups, including a 100 car pile-up on the toll road on Monday.
Chris Harris, Fixed Operations Director at C. Wimberley Ford, Inc. Service, says they've been busier than usual within the last week.
"As far as my body shop, there's a big uptick in work, just because of the accidents and sliding around and bumping into stuff," said Harris.
Harris tells ABC 57 his crew are seeing longer hours due to the rise in traffic at the shop.
"The guys do come in earlier, they're staying a little bit later just because the amount of workflow at this time of year with the snow and stuff on the roads, it's a high volume right now,"
With an influx of damaged cars comes longer wait times.
"Some cars are in here for same day repairs. Some are two or three-day repairs," Harris explained.
"Some are even longer, if we have engine replacements or engine tear downs, transmission tear downs and rebuilds, sometimes those are six to 10 days," he continued.
However, with the spike in cars coming in and out of their garage, Harris says he has good news to share.
"We give a lifetime guarantee on the workmanship of the repairs. Lifetime warranty on the paint work as well. As far as the warranty goes on the repairs, we stand behind our workmanship."
Harris also shared they offer buy one, get one free oil changes up to six quarts.
Auto repair shops ABC 57 spoke with say they're preparing to work longer hours to get you back on the road safely.