Greg Biffle leads the Pennzoil ‘Change for Charity’ event to break the oil change world record

Jiffy Lube, Pennzoil donate more than $6,900 to local charities

INDIANAPOLIS – On August 3, a new world record was set at the Pennzoil Change for Charity Event in Indianapolis. Working at an incredible pace, the Indianapolis Jiffy Lube crew members completed 120 oil changes in one hour - changing two cars per minute. In total there were more than 200 oil changes completed with the crew pouring more than 29,000 ounces of Pennzoil motor oil.

Westfield Jiffy Lube manager honored by Jiffy Lube International

Scott Washnak named Manager of the Year among 2,200 Jiffy Lube locations

INDIANAPOLIS – Jiffy Lube of Indiana store manager Scott Washnak recently was named Manager of the Year by Jiffy Lube International (JLI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Oil Company that represents more than 2,200 Jiffy Lube locations across the United States and Canada. Washnak manages the Westfield, Ind., store located at 14837 N. US Hwy. 31.

Originally from Roseville, Mich., Washnak has been with Jiffy Lube for six years since he started at a location in Lansing, Mich. The first Jiffy Lube of Indiana manager to receive the honor, Washnak was nominated by his district manager, Lonnie Hinkle, and his award was announced at the JLI annual meeting in San Antonio.

In conjunction with the award, Jiffy Lube of Indiana gave Washnak a cash prize of $2,500, which he plans to use for his upcoming honeymoon in Maui.

“I am truly honored by this award,” Washnak said. “The entire Jiffy Lube of Indiana management team truly is a ‘well-oiled machine,’ and I’m just glad to be a part of it. That Jiffy Lube International would recognize me in this way really is humbling.”

“We’re all very proud of Scott,” said Steve Sanner, owner of Jiffy Lube of Indiana. “We have some of the best managers in the business, and this type of recognition underscores our commitment to quality and top-notch customer service.”

Washnak lives in Lafayette, Ind., with his fiancée, Jessica Layden, and their two-year-old son, Brendan. The couple will be married this year on July 8.
 

Tips for Winter Driving from Jiffy Lube of Indiana

Test the battery
Extreme temperatures are harder on batteries, leaving many drivers stranded in cars that won’t start. Have your battery checked by a reputable service center to ensure proper functioning. Although some manufacturers guarantee batteries for five or six years, many batteries will not last that long.

Check tire inflation and tread
When roads are covered in ice and snow, it is important to have tires that are properly inflated and have plenty of tread. This will provide the best possible traction and handling. Also, keep cat litter or a bag of sand in your trunk in case you get stuck in a slippery spot. Throwing a cup or two of litter or sand under your tires may provide the traction you need to get moving again. 

Check vehicle fluids, including oil
Vehicles require a variety of fluids, including antifreeze and transmission, brake, windshield washer and power steering fluids, to run properly. Take extra care as cold weather approaches to ensure these fluids are performing at their peak. Otherwise, fluids may break down or need replenishing during severe weather, leaving you stranded in the cold or causing damage to your engine.  

A trusted mechanic or preventive auto maintenance expert can help you check these fluids.

The changing of the seasons also is a good time to consider changing your oil. Few consumers realize that some vehicles require different “weights” of oil (a measure of thickness) for different seasons. As temperatures drop, oil begins to flow much more slowly through the engine. Motor oils that are too thick will take longer to reach vital engine parts, causing the engine to run without sufficient lubrication. Long-term, this can cause engine damage. And because the engine must work harder to circulate thicker motor oil, it is less fuel efficient.

Again, consult your owner’s manual or a trusted mechanic to determine the proper weight of oil for your vehicle in winter weather. 

Ensure good visibility
Visibility is another issue when driving during the winter – not only because of snow, ice and fogged windows, but also because of the de-icing sand and salt all over the roads. To reduce problems, make sure windshield washer fluid is full. In fact, some washer fluids go beyond cleaning and include de-icing components. De-icing fluids can make a big difference in visibility and safe driving.

In addition to de-icing fluids, your windshield wipers are your most important defense in bad winter weather. But many drivers damage their wipers by yanking them free from frozen windshields. Often, this snaps the wipers or pulls them apart. Instead, clear away the snow and ice around the wipers and then wait for the car to defrost before driving. As the windshield warms from inside, the wipers will be released undamaged.

Prepare an emergency kit
Taking a few extra minutes to pack a vehicle with emergency essentials is worth it. When traveling, consider stocking your vehicle with several winter essentials – including blankets, flashlights, old boots, a shovel, food and water.

Finally, ask a trusted mechanic to check your vehicle’s belts, hoses and spark plugs. Ensuring that these vehicle parts are in good working order minimizes the likelihood of being stranded on cold winter roads.

No one wants to be stranded in bad weather. Reduce the likelihood of such a situation by preparing now for winter driving conditions.
 

 
Improve Fuel Efficiency by as Much As 10 Percent* With These Preventative Auto Maintenance Tips

Editor’s Note:  Jiffy Lube experts are available for interviews and demonstrations of the tips below.

As gas prices continue to soar, drivers can take several steps to improve their fuel efficiency and save dollars at the pump. Preventive maintenance specialists at Jiffy Lube recommend the following:

• Change your oil every 3,000 miles. The additives in motor oil break down over time, and sludge can build up, causing your engine to work harder. Replacing the oil every 3,000 miles will help your car run more efficiently.

• Have all of your fluids, filters, hoses and belts checked and replaced, if necessary. A clogged air filter, for example, can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 percent.

• Check the tires. Make sure they are wearing evenly and that the pressure matches the recommendations of the manufacturer. The less rubber that actually meets the road, the more efficiently the car will operate.

• Don’t overload your car. Excess weight makes the engine work harder, using more gas.

• Maintain a constant speed when possible and don’t speed! Speeding and quick, accelerated starts use up more gas.

• In icy conditions, don’t gun the engine to get out of ice patches. This uses more gas and is hard on your transmission. Instead, keep cat litter, salt or other ice-melting products in your car and put a cup or two around the tires if you need additional traction to get out of a tough spot.

• Extended idling burns more gas than re-starts, so turn the engine off if you will be sitting for long periods of time.

• Consider using synthetic oil in your vehicle, especially during the cold winter months. Synthetic oil contains no contaminants, flows more quickly in low temperatures and reaches engine parts faster to reduce wear in a cold start.

“Following your vehicle manufacturer recommendations is the best way to maintain a fuel efficient vehicle,” said Lonnie Hinkle, senior district manager for Jiffy Lube of Indiana. “Change the lubricating fluids in the engine and transmission and the anti-freeze/coolant in the radiator as directed in your owner’s manual.”

Jiffy Lube, located on more than 2,200 of the busiest street corners in America, is synonymous with convenient car care. The company pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 and today serves in excess of 30 million customers each year. Jiffy Lube of Indiana has been locally owned and operated in Indiana since 1985 and has more than 50 service centers throughout the state.

*Source: U.S. Department of Energy