What Every Driver Should Know about the ABS on Their Vehicle

ABS warning light symbol that will appear on the car dashboard

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,…

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Tips on Winterizing Your Car for the Cold Chicago Weather

winterize car at Hong Kong Auto Service for road trips

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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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 or damaged shocks, struts and other suspension-system parts.

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10 tested tips to save you money on gas

Welcome summer! As much as we love going places during this time of year, we don’t love the fact that gas prices typically soar above their already-high prices during the summer. Now is a great time to learn how you can boost your fuel economy. Here are our top 10 gas-saving tips. The best part…

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Go green to save money, help the Earth

Green car care

When you think about taking care of the environment, cars and trucks probably don’t jump to the top of your “green” list. But there are a variety of ways that drivers can get on the green bandwagon. Getting your car serviced regularly is one of the most important things you can do to minimize emissions…

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Pothole damage? Shocks, struts and alignment can be affected

shocks, struts

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNG-e_04Q_g?list=PLc3uF1gTNvcI15l9xVXfG0H5K0A7a4s26] You might get a heated argument over whether spring, summer, fall or winter is the best season, but everyone seems to agree on the worst: pothole season. And this year already has produced a bumper crop of impressive pothole specimens. These holes can do a lot of damage to tires, wheel rims, shocks…

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Bad idle air control valve triggers Check Engine light

check engine light

Your car’s “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light can flash on for more than 1,400 different reasons, and in the coming months, we’re going to share with you what some of those reasons are. The light is part of your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) system and can indicate anything from a quick fix like…

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7 tips for saving money at the pump

Gas prices in the Chicago area were at a record high at the beginning of March—$3.92 for a gallon of regular unleaded. Even though they dipped briefly, they are back on the rise. In fact, AAA predicts that Chicago-area drivers could once again be paying the highest prices in the country by late spring. To…

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Used car inspections can help you save money, aggravation

Question: I am in the market for a used car, but I want to make sure I’m not buying a vehicle that’s going to break down or cost me a bunch of money. What can I do? Answer: The best way to protect yourself and your wallet is to bring the vehicle you are interested…

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