Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer

It’s no fun to be stuck on the side of the road with a broken-down vehicle in a snowstorm. Keeping your car on the road and running well is important all year, but especially in the middle of winter in our snowy state of Michigan.  DuroTech Automotive in Potterville can help you make sure that doesn’t happen to you–but if it does, they are there to quickly get you back on the road.
DuroTech Automotive serves all of Eaton County and is conveniently located at 627 Lansing Road in Potterville. It replaced Northside Towing when it closed in 2015.
Jon McNett is the owner and manages the day-to-day operations of DuroTech Automotive. McNett lives in Potterville and has been in the area since 1986. His many years of experience in the automotive business and his friendly demeanor allow him to quickly answer many of your questions over the phone to determine what needs to be done to your vehicle or, if needed, to send out a tow truck.
DuroTech Automotive has three highly qualified mechanics on staff; Damon Krupa, Josh Prather, and the newest, Rachel Fulco, who studied mechanics at the Universal Technical Institute. Krupa is an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified Master Mechanic and has been a mechanic for over 30 years.
DuroTech provides full-service repair for cars and light trucks, as well as around-the-clock towing. They will also service your vehicle with a lube, oil change and filter, mufflers and exhaust, tune-ups, brakes, air conditioning and heating. They can check your steering and suspension, your vehicle’s transmission and battery, and can provide an electronic diagnosis to determine what the issue is.  They can assist in restarting and unlocking your vehicle, and also provide flatbed towing service, which is one of the safest ways to transport your car.
Another service DuroTech Automotive is able to provide is storage. Your boat, recreational vehicle, car or truck can be stored inside or outside in a securely fenced in storage area.
If you’re mechanically inclined and prefer to do your own repair, DuroTech Automotive is your source for any parts that you need. They also offer a wide variety of automotive and truck accessories, including a complete line of WeatherTech products, such as mudflaps, cargo and trunk liners, and cup phone holders.
Despite the impact of COVID-19 on the world, McNett found that 2020 was actually their best year in business since they opened in 2015.
“We treat everyone as fair as we can, and as straight forward and honest as you can be,” explained McNett. “We want your return business, and for you to refer us to a friend.”
DuroTech Automotive’s attention to quality service has earned them an almost 5-star total rating on Google Reviews.
“Exceptional service. They quickly diagnosed a safety concern. It was fixed in 48 hours. I felt like family with every encounter we had with the staff,” wrote one reviewer.
Another wrote, “All in all, even if it takes some time, this mechanic is trustworthy, and will make the impossible happen when you need it the most.” Both reviews awarded DuroTech Automotive with five stars.
A large HO train track is set up in the DuroTech Automotive lobby. A winter hobby that his wife encouraged, McNett said, until it grew large enough to take over the dining room in their home. Now it takes up a good chunk of space in the lobby, but helps provide a nice distraction from fender-bender worries and car problems.
You’ll also find memorabilia from McNett’s car racing on the walls. McNett has won many championships in circle track racing since 1992 with his DuroTech Automotive car and has already scheduled races for 2021.
DuroTech Automotive is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Towing is available 24 hours every day. Call them at 517-645-4200.