Our news
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Tips on Winterizing Your Car for the Cold Chicago Weather
Winter in the Chicago area can be a brutal experience. If you aren’t prepared for extreme temperatures, bone-chilling winds and levels of frozen precipitation that could drown a bass, then don’t try and reside in Illinois. By the same token, the vehicles of those who live in this geographic torture zones are subject to some…
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Client Loyalty: How Important is it to Find an Auto Shop You Trust and Rely Upon for Everything?
To many of us, it seems that loyalty is less appreciated than ever. Changing times and changing attitudes have also changed the landscape of loyalty. Thank goodness there is a place where genuine loyalty is respected and rewarded. That place is your local, independent, auto repair shop. Small or large, independent repair shops depend upon…
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4 Fall Getaways Within 3 Hours of Chicago
Think your outdoor adventures are winding down just because summer has come to an end? Think again. Fall is a wonderful time for getaways. A time to get out and about to see how gorgeous the Midwest truly is. With the tapestry of colors that is the Midwest’s turning leaves, now is the perfect time…
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Am I Safe if My Airbag Warning Light Is On?
With roots dating as far back as 1951, the modern airbag system is one of the greatest innovations in automobile safety ever invented. Unfortunately, whenever your airbag warning light or supplemental inflatable restraint (SIR) warning lamp is illuminated, this life-saving measure is most likely deactivated. This leaves you and your passengers in danger of being thrown into the…
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What You Need to Know to Maintain Your 4×4 Vehicle
Enjoying a four-wheel drive vehicle (4×4) can be a beautiful thing. Whether your vehicle is all-time all-wheel drive or allows you to select between two- and four-wheel drive as driving conditions dictate, the freedom that a 4×4 offers is, for some, one of life’s greatest pleasures. Camping, hunting, fishing, rock crawling, archaeology, or just general off-roading…
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Why is My Air Conditioning Not Blowing Cool Air?
On a hot day, the inside of your car can heat up to triple digit temperatures in just 20 minutes (because of a greenhouse effect). Before it gets to that point, you reach for your A/C controls, only to have it blow warm air in your face! With the warm summer months ahead, now’s a great time…
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Why Do I Have Squeaky Brakes, Even Though The Pads are New?
We had a new client come in this week because her brakes were squeaking. She just had new pads and rotors installed about 6 months ago, and she was a bit frustrated and concerned about what was happening. Unfortunately, brake noise and dust is not all that unusual, even when it’s so soon after a…
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6 Signs You Need New Shocks or Struts
Shocks and struts are important components of your car. Not just for comfort, but also for safety. They stabilize the up and down motion of your vehicle, help you steer, and keep your tires firmly on the ground. The pounding your shocks and struts take on rough roads eventually causes them to wear out. And…
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How to know if you really need the repairs your auto shop is recommending
When a new customer comes to us for the first time, the one question they often have (but keep to themselves) is this: Will we recommend work they don’t need? Sometimes, it’s based on bad experiences with other shops. Sometimes, it’s just because they don’t know us. We haven’t had a chance yet to earn their…
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Why do I need a timing belt replacement?
Timing belts are one of those maintenance items that car owners don’t often think about but should. The timing belt is a critical part of your engine. If it fails, your car will stop running and, in some cases, incur major engine damage. To help you head off any unexpected or costly surprises, let’s cover…
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How to Know When You’re Getting a Good Deal on Your Auto Repair
Getting a fair price for your auto repair is on every car owner’s agenda. But how can you know when you’re getting a fair deal and when you’re getting ripped off? Fortunately, there are some solid principles for helping you to know a fair price from a padded one before agreeing to the repair. Here…
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If Your Battery is 3-5 Years Old, It’s Time to Have it Tested or Replaced
Question: I’ve had my car for awhile now, and I’ve never given the battery a second thought. When should I worry about replacing it? Answer: A car battery isn’t very different from a regular battery. If the battery in your cell phone dies, you’re not going to be making any calls. When your car battery is…