Halloween Driving Safety Tips: Keep Nebraska Families Safe on the Road.

Nebraska winters can be tough on vehicles. Freezing temperatures, icy highways, blowing snow, and unpredictable weather make it important to prepare your car, truck, or SUV before winter arrives. Whether you're commuting through Holdrege, traveling between North Platte and McCook, or driving around York or Plattsmouth, a little preventative maintenance can help keep your vehicle running reliably all season. At Janssen Auto Group, we want Nebraska drivers to feel confident wherever the road takes them. Here are seven important vehicle maintenance checks to complete before the first snowfall. 1. Test Your Car Battery Cold temperatures can significantly reduce battery performance. If your vehicle has been slow to start, or your battery is several years old, have it tested before temperatures drop. A healthy battery is especially important during Nebraska's freezing winter mornings. 2. Inspect Your Tires and Tread Depth Your tires play a major role in winter driving safety. Check tread depth, look for uneven wear, and make sure your tires are properly inflated. Cold weather can cause tire pressure to drop, so check it regularly using your vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure. If your tires are worn, consider replacing them before snow and ice arrive. 3. Check Your Antifreeze and Coolant Your engine's cooling system does more than prevent overheating. Proper coolant concentration also helps protect your engine from freezing temperatures. Have your coolant condition and protection level checked to make sure your vehicle is prepared for Nebraska's coldest days. 4. Replace Worn Windshield Wipers Snow, freezing rain, and road spray can quickly reduce visibility. Inspect your windshield wiper blades for cracks, streaking, or poor contact with the glass. Replace worn blades and keep winter-rated windshield washer fluid in your vehicle. 5. Have Your Brakes Inspected Winter roads demand dependable braking performance. Have your brake pads, rotors, and brake fluid inspected before winter driving conditions arrive. If you notice squealing, grinding, vibrations, or changes in braking response, schedule an inspection promptly. 6. Check Your Heating and Defrosting Systems A properly working heater and defroster are essential during Nebraska winters. Your heating system helps keep passengers comfortable, while your defroster helps maintain visibility when windows fog or frost over. Have any unusual noises, weak airflow, or inconsistent heating checked before winter begins. 7. Stay Current on Routine Maintenance Winter is not the time to overlook routine maintenance. Check your oil, filters, belts, hoses, exterior lights, and other important vehicle components. Following your manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule can help identify potential problems before they become unexpected roadside inconveniences. Get Your Vehicle Winter-Ready at Janssen Auto Group Preparing your vehicle for winter doesn't have to be complicated. A professional inspection can help identify worn components, maintenance needs, and potential issues before freezing temperatures arrive. Janssen Auto Group proudly serves Nebraska drivers with automotive sales and service across Holdrege, North Platte, McCook, York, and Plattsmouth. Our dealership family represents Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Honda, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram. Whether you drive a daily commuter, family SUV, or hardworking pickup truck, our team is here to help you prepare for the season ahead. Don't wait for the first snowstorm to think about winter maintenance. Visit Janssen Auto Group or schedule your next service appointment today. Wherever Nebraska roads take you, we're here to help keep you moving!

Janssen Auto Group is proud to support Holdrege Duster Girls Wrestling with a donation in 2026, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to local students, athletics, and the Holdrege, Nebraska community. As a Nebraska-based automotive group, Janssen Auto Group believes supporting local communities goes beyond selling and servicing vehicles. Investing in local schools and athletic programs helps create opportunities for students to develop confidence, discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Girls wrestling continues to provide young athletes with opportunities to challenge themselves, build leadership skills, and represent their schools with pride. Janssen Auto Group is honored to support the Holdrege Duster girls wrestling program and recognize the dedication of its student-athletes, coaches, and families. With dealerships serving Holdrege and surrounding Nebraska communities, Janssen Auto Group understands the importance of strong local partnerships. Community involvement is an essential part of building lasting relationships with the people and families it serves. The 2026 donation reflects Janssen Auto Group’s commitment to helping local organizations thrive and supporting the next generation of Nebraska athletes. Janssen Auto Group is proud to stand behind Holdrege Duster Girls Wrestling and the positive impact local athletics have on students and the community.

Looking for ways to get better gas mileage? You don't necessarily need a new vehicle to improve your fuel economy. Simple changes to the way you drive, maintain, and use your vehicle can help you get more miles out of every tank. For Nebraska drivers, long highway trips, rural roads, changing weather, and everyday commuting can all affect fuel economy. Here are 10 practical ways to improve your gas mileage. 1. Drive Smoothly Rapid acceleration, hard braking, and aggressive driving can significantly reduce fuel economy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 15% to 30% at highway speeds and 10% to 40% in stop-and-go traffic. Accelerate gradually, anticipate stops, and maintain a consistent speed whenever traffic and road conditions allow. 2. Check Your Tire Pressure Properly inflated tires can help your vehicle roll more efficiently. The Department of Energy reports that properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by about 0.6% on average and up to 3%. Check your tire pressure regularly, especially when temperatures change. Use the pressure listed on the driver's door-jamb label or in your owner's manual—not the maximum pressure printed on the tire. 3. Watch Your Highway Speed Fuel economy generally decreases as speed increases, particularly at higher highway speeds. You don't need to drive below the speed limit to save fuel; simply avoid unnecessary speeding and maintain a steady, legal speed. This can make a difference for Nebraska drivers who regularly travel long distances on I-80 and other highways. 4. Avoid Unnecessary Idling An idling vehicle uses fuel even though you're not going anywhere. The Department of Energy estimates an idling vehicle can consume roughly a quarter to a half gallon of fuel per hour, depending on the engine and conditions. If you're parked and don't need the engine running, shut it off. 5. Use Cruise Control on Long Trips When traffic and road conditions are appropriate, cruise control can help maintain a consistent speed and reduce unnecessary acceleration and deceleration. It's especially useful on long highway drives, but avoid cruise control when roads are slippery or conditions require frequent speed changes. 6. Remove Extra Weight and Cargo The more weight your vehicle carries, the more energy it needs to move. Remove unnecessary items from your trunk, cargo area, or truck bed. The same applies to roof racks and cargo boxes. Exterior cargo increases aerodynamic drag, particularly at highway speeds. If you aren't using a roof-mounted accessory, consider removing it. 7. Combine Your Errands Several short trips can use more fuel than one longer trip because your engine consumes additional fuel while warming up. When possible, combine errands into a single trip. Planning your route can save both fuel and time. 8. Keep Up With Maintenance Routine maintenance helps your vehicle operate as efficiently as possible. Keep an eye on tire pressure, follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule, and address warning lights or changes in vehicle performance promptly. If your gas mileage suddenly drops, a maintenance issue could be part of the problem. 9. Track Your MPG Want to know whether you're actually improving your fuel economy? Track it. Fill your tank, reset your trip odometer, and record the number of miles driven before your next fill-up. Divide the miles driven by the gallons needed to refill the tank. For example, 360 miles divided by 12 gallons equals 30 MPG. Tracking several tanks will give you a better picture of your vehicle's typical fuel economy. 10. Choose a Vehicle That Fits Your Needs Sometimes the best way to improve fuel economy is to choose a vehicle designed for the way you drive. If you primarily commute and travel on highways, a fuel-efficient car or crossover may make sense. If you regularly tow or haul, a truck or SUV may be the better choice. Janssen Auto Group offers a variety of cars, trucks, and SUVs for Nebraska drivers, so you can compare vehicles based on fuel economy, capability, size, and features. How Can I Get Better Gas Mileage? Start with the basics: drive smoothly, maintain proper tire pressure, avoid unnecessary idling, watch your highway speed, remove unnecessary cargo, and keep up with routine maintenance. Small changes can add up over thousands of miles, particularly for Nebraska drivers who spend a lot of time on the road. If you're considering a more fuel-efficient vehicle, explore the current inventory at Janssen Auto Group and find a vehicle that fits the way you drive.