Cold Weather Kills Batteries: Here’s How to Prevent That

When the temperature drops in northern Illinois, so does your car battery’s will to live. It’s not personal. It’s just chemistry. Cold weather slows down the chemical reactions inside your battery, and the oil in your engine thickens up, meaning your battery has to work even harder to get things turning. The result? That dreaded click-click-click when you're already running late and your car decides it’s taking a snow day. Why Cold Weather Wrecks Batteries Batteries are a bit like…

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Dashboard Warning Lights: What They Mean and Real Examples from the Shop

You’re driving along, sipping your morning coffee, when a little light on your dashboard blinks on. Is it serious? Do you need to pull over right now? Or is it one of those mystery symbols that’ll go away on its own? At Bockman’s, we don’t believe in scaring people into service. We believe drivers should feel confident behind the wheel, not confused by blinking lights. Here’s a real-world guide to some of the most common dashboard warnings we see and…

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Fall Rain Is Coming: Are Your Brakes Ready?

Here in DeKalb County, we know the fall forecast all too well. Dropping leaves, cooler temps, and wet, slick roads are just around the corner. As the rainy season creeps in, your brakes need to be in top shape, not just "good enough." At Bockman’s Auto, Truck & Tire, we’ve been helping local families stay safe on the road for over 60 years. Around here, fall brake maintenance isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential. So let’s talk about what to look…

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Radiator Trouble in the Summer Heat? Here’s What Every Driver Should Know

If your car has ever started steaming in traffic, you know how fast a normal drive can turn stressful. In DeKalb County, summer heat doesn’t mess around, and neither should your cooling system. We see overheating issues all the time at both of our Bockman’s locations. Most of the time, they trace back to something small that could’ve been caught early. So let’s run through the basics: why it happens, what to watch for, and what you can do to…

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