Our news
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Why does tire repair cost so much?
Question: I got a flat tire last weekend on Lake Shore Drive in the city and had to use a shop there to repair it. The cost was $40! Why was the repair so much? I remember paying $10 for a tire patch. —Deflated in Wilmette Answer: Well, years ago patching a tire was a 10-minute repair job.…
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6-point checklist to get your car ready for spring!
The winter season is finally behind us! However, the harsh cold and wintry mix from “Old Man Winter” may have caused long-term effects on your car. Frigid temperatures, potholes, road salt and more can to do a number on your vehicle. Some of the casualties caused by wintry conditions are wheels knocked out of alignment…
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What it takes to diagnose that “Check Engine” light
Lights we like: strong high beams, assertive signals and gently illuminated speedometers and fuel gauges. The not-so-welcome list: amber, yellow or red lights announcing “Check Engine,” “Service Engine Soon,” “Check” or “SES”—often with a neon-like automobile-engine outline. Don’t sweat it. The infamous and somewhat vague Check Engine light actually is relatively benign vs. other warning…
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Wheels and Deals: Cutting Car Ownership Costs
Lots of vehicle owners chalk up car-ownership costs mainly to the price at the pump or unexpected repairs, but other factors figure big-time in calculating how much your set of wheels truly is costing. Driving style, preventive maintenance and insurance options all contribute to how much you’re paying (and could be saving).
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Breathe easier with a new cabin air filter
Suffering from winter wheeze? You know…that raspy-hacky throat thing stemming from months of frigid temps, dry-as-desert home-heating systems and, perhaps, a skipped furnace filter swap (or two). Your car also could be a culprit…if it’s overdue for a cabin air filter change.
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Seeing is believing! Headlight restoration improves nighttime driving
Are you squinting or straining your eyes when driving at night? After you’ve confirmed with your eye doctor you don’t need new glasses, look no further than your car’s headlights. Are your lights cloudy, hazy or just not as bright as they use to be? Dingy or dull lenses happen when the UV coating on…
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Low tire pressure? Warning signs you can’t ignore
On a recent service visit, a young couple shared the adventures they had on a recent weekend road trip. Their destination: a favorite apple orchard. Before they left, they filled up the gas tank, checked the oil, buckled in the kids and took off. However, a glowing orange light on their dash almost ruined their…
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We offer service with a SMILE
When weekend warriors head to the hardware store for supplies to paint their family room, their to-buy list may include paint, paint brushes and drop cloths. However, from the moment they enter the store, the retail team guides them through the buying process to ensure they leave with everything they need. In the paint department,…
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3 benefits of a used car inspection
Congratulations, you’re ready to purchase your next set of pre-owned wheels. Before you cough up the cash, we highly recommend a used vehicle inspection to save you time, money and frustration down the road. Here are three benefits of a used vehicle inspection: 1. A pre-purchase inspection gives you extra assurance. Schedule a pre-purchase inspection…
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College or bust! Fill up on vehicle back-to-school basics
Before you hit the books, pick up your owner’s manual to ensure your car is roadworthy and in tip-top shape for the commute back to school. This manual is your go-to-guide to ensure your wheels get you where you need to go all semester long. Parents, it’s never too early to school your kids on…
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Phone estimates rarely ring true
Remember the old Phone First ad campaign? Its spirited little jingle implored people not to waste time and gas visiting stores that were closed or out of a certain item, but to get on the horn instead. That logic works OK for checking on inventory or asking about operating hours, but not so great for…
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Auto innovations promise safety and convenience
Baby-boomer mythology had a generation believing we’d already be at least 10 years into commuting to work in personal rocket packs, jettisoning from home to office to shopping center to wherever. So much for yesterday’s predictions. But excitement exists today on the automotive horizon for some great gadgets that are just around the corner or…