Understanding Hydroplaning: What It Is and How to Prevent It
Hydroplaning starts as low as 35 mph, not just in a downpour. What causes it, what to do the moment it happens, and how to avoid it
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Content reviewer · Old Orchard Nissan Blog
Gary DeWig
Service Director, Old Orchard Nissan
Gary has worked in automotive service for more than 30 years, fifteen of them with Nissan in Skokie. Today he runs the service department at Old Orchard Nissan, and before an article about maintenance, repairs or safe driving goes live on our blog, he reads it for technical accuracy.
- 30+Years in automotive service
- 17Blog articles reviewed
- 4.9 / 5416 customer reviews on DealerRater
About
About Gary
Gary DeWig has worked in automotive service since 1993. He started as New Car Prep Manager at Arrow Chevrolet, getting new vehicles ready for their owners, and in 1998 moved to the service drive, where he spent the next quarter-century as a service advisor.
That career ran through Rizza Chevrolet, Grossinger Autoplex and Saab Exchange in Morton Grove, and then fifteen and a half years at Martin Nissan in Skokie, from 2008 to 2023. In July 2024 he became Service Director at Old Orchard Nissan, where he leads the service drive and the technicians.
In his own words: “I’ve been involved with the automotive industry for the better part of 30 years, so I have the knowledge, experience and understanding of all facets relating to automotive servicing.”
A service advisor spends the day turning what a technician found into plain language an owner can act on. That is exactly what a good maintenance article has to do, and it is why Gary reviews ours.
Customers rate him 4.9 out of 5 across 416 reviews on DealerRater (September 2026); his reviews also appear on Cars.com.
Career
From the service drive up
Six dealerships and more than three decades, all on the side of the business that keeps owners’ cars on the road.
- Service Director — Old Orchard Nissan, Skokie · July 2024 – present
- Service Advisor — Martin Nissan, Skokie · June 2008 – December 2023
- Service Advisor — Saab Exchange, Morton Grove · June 2006 – May 2008
- Service Advisor — Grossinger Autoplex · May 2001 – May 2006
- Service Advisor — Rizza Chevrolet · January 1998 – May 2001
- New Car Prep Manager — Arrow Chevrolet · April 1993 – January 1998
Credentials
Licenses & certifications
- Reasonable Suspicion Training for Supervisors (non-DOT) — Certified Training Solutions · April 2026
Expert review
What Gary reviews on our blog
Gary reviews the articles closest to his service drive: anything an owner might act on before booking an appointment. How the review fits into our process is described in our editorial policy.
- Maintenance schedules — model-by-model service intervals for the Rogue, Sentra, Altima, Pathfinder, Frontier, Murano, Kicks, Versa and Armada.
- Warning lights — what dashboard lights mean and which ones need a technician now.
- Check-engine diagnostics — the first steps when the check-engine light comes on.
- Brakes — grinding noises, wear and when pads and rotors need attention.
- Safe driving — hydroplaning, wet roads and Chicago-area driving conditions.
- Owner guides — keeping a Nissan healthy through Chicago winters and summers.
- Used vehicle inspections — what to check on a used Nissan Titan before you buy.
- Service and repair — what our service drive offers Nissan owners around Niles and Skokie.
Expertise
Areas of expertise
- Nissan scheduled maintenance
- Service advising and repair explanations
- Brake service and diagnostics
- Warning lights and check-engine diagnostics
- Service department operations
- Wet-road and winter driving safety
On the blog
Articles reviewed by Gary DeWig
Every article below was written by the Old Orchard Nissan Editorial Team and reviewed and verified by Gary before publication.
Nissan Dashboard Warning Lights: Symbols and What They Mean
A complete guide to Nissan dashboard symbols and meanings — which warning lights need immediate attention, and which can wait for service.
Read the articleUsed Nissan Titan Near Chicago: Complete Buying Guide (2004–2024)
Shopping for a used Nissan Titan near Chicago? Our complete guide covers every generation (2004–2024), what to inspect, which trims to buy, and why Old Orchard Nissan is your best source.
Read the articleNissan Armada Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Armada service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, towing and heavy-duty care, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Murano Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Murano service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, what to do when, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Versa Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Versa service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, oil and fluid basics, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Sentra Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Sentra service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, what to do when, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Rogue Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Rogue service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, what to do when, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Pathfinder Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Pathfinder service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, what to do when, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Frontier Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Frontier service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, work-and-tow care, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Altima Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Altima service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, what to do when, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleNissan Kicks Maintenance Schedule
Complete Nissan Kicks service guide for Chicago drivers - maintenance intervals, what to do when, service costs, and common issues by year.
Read the articleThe Nissan Owner’s Chicago Maintenance Guide
Chicago-area Nissan maintenance guide - service schedules, cost estimates, winter and salt prep, and model-by-model intervals for every Nissan.
Read the articleNissan Rogue Check Engine Light: What It Means and What to Do
Nissan Rogue check engine light on? Learn the most common causes, what solid vs. flashing means, and when to get it checked at our Skokie service center
Read the articleWhy Are My Nissan’s Brakes Grinding? Sounds, Causes, and When to Come In
Grinding brakes on your Nissan? Learn what morning rust grind, worn pads, and stuck debris sound like — and when to visit our Skokie brake shop near you
Read the articleNissan Service & Repair Near Niles IL
Get expert Nissan service and repair near Niles IL. Schedule maintenance or factory-certified repairs with genuine parts and fast, reliable service.
Read the articleNissan Sentra Check Engine Light: What It Means and What to Do
Sentra check engine light on? See the common causes, why it often pairs with the traction light, and when to visit our Skokie service center near you
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Service at Old Orchard Nissan
Bring your Nissan to Gary’s team
Questions about something you read on our blog, or ready to book the service it describes? The service drive is open Monday through Saturday.