Category: Auto repair
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13 Winter Driving Hacks to Put Some Fun Back into Cold-Weather Driving
There is very little to smile about when it comes to driving in the winter in the windy city. Did you know that one of the oldest names for Chicago is Mud City? Doesn’t it feel as if that name should still apply? That or Slush Heaven, it’s a toss-up. When the cold weather has Read more
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6 Reasons Why Your Car Won’t Start and What To Do About It
Is there anything in life more frustrating than getting ready to leave work and feeling so thankful that the day is over, but when you turn the key to start the car. . . nothing. Or maybe you hear that cranking sound, and the car won’t start. Other times, the car makes a clicking sound, Read more
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5 Reasons for Choosing an Independent Repair Shop Instead of the Car Dealer
When it comes time for auto maintenance or repairs, choosing where to go can feel like a real tug of war. Many people think that a dealership should know all the ins and outs of their vehicle, making the dealer an “obvious” choice. On the other hand, many consumers are turned off by the pricing Read more
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Your Car Just Failed the Emissions Test. Now What?
It’s time to renew your tags and you received a notice that your vehicle needs an emissions test before you can do so. No problem. You head down for what you think will be a quick emissions test and bang! That nice man tells you that your car failed! In fact, he won’t even test Read more
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Save Time, Money and Headaches When Buying a Pre-Owned Car
Are you considering buying a pre-owned vehicle? That’s a money-savvy choice when you consider that the value of new cars drops substantially as soon as you drive it off the lot. One key to purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is finding one that is safe and is going to be reliable for you. Finding that trouble-free Read more
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What Every Driver Should Know about the ABS on Their Vehicle
We Chicagoans do love our cars, don’t we? Especially in the slush-fest that describes a typical Chicago winter. Staying warm and dry inside our cars when those howling winds and swirling snows hit is a sheer delight. Driving in these conditions, however, is another story. Everyone has at least one hair-raising tale that involves ice, Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more
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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 Read more