Wyoming Technical institute, also known as WyoTech, is an automotive trade school in Laramie where people from across the country come to study automotive diesel. They are also known as being the “car guys” in Laramie for the modifications they do to their vehicles.
“Techers” are the nickname given to WyoTech students and when it comes to automobiles techers are knowledgeable on how to take care of them, especially as winter approaches.
Winter care is important, especially in Wyoming where the temperature drops and there is snow and ice on the road.
Keegan Nelson, a student at WyoTech from Washington who studies diesel technology, drives a 1999 Subaru Legacy. The modifications he has made to it are coil suspensions, 16 inch wheels, and a 60 millimete r turbo inside making it a five speed manual transmission.
“Main thing, you know, get your coolant done. When it is snowing, clear off your car all the way. Don’t just do your windows , get all the snow off of your car and then if you have been driving kick out your wheel wells.”
With foreign cars there is special care that goes into a vehicle that American made cars may not require.
Quinn Stratman, a student at WyoTech from Oregon who is in the diesel program, drives a 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport. The modifications he has made to his vehicle are aftermarket lights, big fog lights, a fully custom exhaust system, and he lifted his Subaru.
“With a lot of the Japanese cars you always gotta make sure you’re doing your 50/50 ratio on water and antifreeze,” he said.
Kyle Kenny, a student at WyoTech from Utah who studies automotive, drives a 2011 Mitsubishi and a 2000 Jeep Wrangler. Both his vehicles have AGM batteries making them last a little bit better in the cold.
“Keep the car running. Don’t leave it off for too long. Otherwise it kills the battery. Start [the vehicle], let it idle for a couple of minutes and then let it warm up before because it has to get up to operating temperature before you drive it.”
For people who aren’t familiar with driving in snow, it can be intimidating.
Grady Fisk, a student at WyoTech from Wyoming studying automotive, drives a 1999 Acura RL. His vehicle has coilovers and a muffler delete to make his car louder.
Fisk said, “Take your time and learn how to drive in the snow. It definitely helps when you are not on the road and driving on snow so you can really get a feel for how the snow reacts with your car.”
