The Grande Prairie Alliance Church is hosting its Annual Winterize Your Ride event. One of the event organizers Dan Rigler says the event started 10 years ago because winter is a hard time for people.
“You have the added home heating costs, you have the added electricity costs, you have added vehicle costs, just in gasoline because you have to let your vehicle warm up,” Rigler says. “Because of this people are stretched and this year more than other years.”
The day is meant to help those who regularly wouldn’t be able to, get their vehicles serviced. Rigler says that the space allows them to work on around 25 cars at once. Volunteers will look over the vehicle when it is brought in and make sure it is in safe working condition. Rigler says that things like fluids will be checked and topped up by the volunteers looking at the vehicle.
“We are going to make sure your starting system is good, your charging system is good. All your electrical, your batterie tests good, clean cables. You know we check for engine error codes. We make sure that your tires are properly inflated because they do go down.”
Rigler adds there will also be someone on site who can help put on winter tires, that are already on rims. He says that the event wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the volunteers who donate their time, and the sponsors who help with supplies.
The Winterize Your Ride event runs Saturday between 9 am and 4 pm at PrairieCoast equipment. It is a drop-in event, no appointment is needed.