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Three reasons you may be cheating yourself with a quick oil change
Are quick oil change stations like drugstore reading glasses? We think so and here’s why: 1. Cheaters are a quick solution to an immediate need, reading things close-up when your vision is blurry. Nothing more. An oil change at an oil change station is a quick solution to the immediate need to keep your car’s…
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A great summer vacations starts with a safe arrival
Sunnier Chicago days signal summer soon will be sizzling. No doubt, Winnetka motorists are ready to embrace the warm weather, but how about our cars? If a vacation vs. a staycation is in your family’s forecast, it makes sense to ensure your vehicle is up for the rigors of the open road. Don’t take for…
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8 tips for greening your ride – without buying a hybrid
Just a few years ago, the notion of driving a lean, mean green machine was the pursuit of a minority of the American driving public. But now, it’s easy to find yourself among drivers seeking a “green” machine that adheres to the reuse-repurpose-recycle motto more than the commandment: “On your mark, get set, GO.” Economic…
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How to tell if winter took its toll on your suspension, steering or wheel alignment
The winter surely took its toll on our Wilmette roads by creating potholes, humps and bumps. These telltale signs of a Midwestern winter also might have done a number on your vehicle’s suspension and wheel alignment. Many of us think shock absorbers and struts exist merely to provide a comfortable ride by minimizing the effect…
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Consumers prefer independent auto shops to their new car dealers
Consumers prefer independent auto repair shops like Hong Kong Auto Service over new car dealers, according to an annual survey from Consumer Reports. In the annual survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, independent auto shops outscored dealership service departments for overall satisfaction, price, quality, courteousness of the staff, and work being completed when…
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Driving escapes to lift the winter blues
If the idea of 6 more weeks of winter has you feeling blue, here are 6 of our favorite Midwest driving getaways to help you warm your spirits until spring arrives: Ski and snowshoe on the St. Croix River: Looking for somewhere new to ski or snowshoe? Check out the St. Croix River in Minnesota’s…
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How to save big with a little preventive maintenance
Question: I change the oil in my car every 3,000 – 3,500 miles, and I regularly have the tires rotated. But then I hear auto experts like you talking about “properly maintaining my car.” What kind of car maintenance is required beyond oil changes and tire rotations, and do I really need to spend the…
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Your favorite articles on car care and repair in 2014
Happy New Year! As we kick off 2015, we like to look at what car care information you found to be the most valuable in 2014. In case you missed it during your busy year, here are the top 7 auto service articles from 2014: 7) 4 Reasons to Buy Tires from Hong Kong Auto…
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Get your car winter ready | Wilmette
Before we know it, winter will be here. After last year, we’re dreading another record-setter for snow fall and low temps. Even though we might not be ready to face the cold reality, what about your car? It needs to be ready for the first snowfall or icy blast of arctic air. New tires, testing…
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Top 12 family car games to keep the kids entertained all the way to Grandma's house
If you’re among the 43+ million gearing up for travel this Thanksgiving—90 percent of whom go by car—you’re likely to have oodles of quality family time on the road. And while DVDs are a godsend for many parents, holiday travel is also an ideal time to turn off the electronics and create fond family memories…
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Painfully obvious, 'helpful' tips from today's car owner's manuals
Have you ever joked about some consumer warnings that seem blatantly obvious? We’re thinking of the very cautious, “Don’t use the hairdryer in the bathtub,” or the lesser known, “Do not put any person into this washer.” It seems carmakers have jumped on the bandwagon and are dumbing down their vehicle owner’s manuals. “If the…
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Vehicle making ghoulish noises? Use our checklist to get to bottom of those haunting sounds
Are you one of those adults who loves Halloween? If so, you’re in good company. A recent study shows that 68% of adults celebrate Halloween, and if you’re one of them, you’re probably already pulling together the props and materials for this year’s perfect costume. But as you’re driving from Wilmette to Chicago in search…