I try to attend two Zumba classes every week. It’s a fun way to stay in shape and doesn’t require anything more than comfy clothing and good shoes. I’ve learned over the years that I need to replace my shoes more often than I would expect. The reality is that the shoes I’m wearing for Zumba support not only my feet but the weight of my body as I jump, spin and dance around. I don’t pay a lot of attention to them until my legs or knees are sore after a workout. My first thought should be, “Maybe I need new shoes.” It never is. I always think of a myriad of other things it could be. Harder workout, different floor, etc. Customers will come into our shop and say, “I think I need new tires or maybe a wheel bearing is going out.” In reality, many times it is a suspension issue that needs to be addressed. When you think about what your suspension does on the road, it is easy to recognize why parts wear out and need to be replaced. Your suspension holds your car, that weighs thousands of poun ... read more

It's interesting how many customers come in and say, "I don't know anything about cars, but this is what's happening with my car." Back in the old days, if your phone broke, you purchased a new cord, because that's probably what was worn out. Now, when my iPhone isn't working, I call the Genius Bar and make an appointment. I walk in at my appointed time, hand the wonderful Apple employee my phone and say, "It's broken. It won't open when I drag my finger across the screen.” I don't know why. I don't care why. I just want it to work. It's usually something I did and I'll try not to do it again, but no guarantees. In the past, many people had a lot of knowledge about vehicles. Many people performed oil changes, tune-ups and worked on brakes in the garage with their dad. They had a basic understanding of a vehicle’s mechanical systems. When they did have to bring their vehicle in for repairs, they could tell the technician which system was malfunctioning. In my opinion, people still have ... read more

My Mom always told me to have a pair of boots in the trunk of my car. Probably because she knew I would not have weather-appropriate shoes on if I was involved in an accident or my vehicle broke down. She was correct. Jeff and I were driving on the highway and were hit by another car on New Year’s Eve years ago. I had on an awesome pair of high heels appropriate for New Year’s Eve, but not so appropriate standing on the side of the highway in the winter. After Jeff boosted me out of the car, he was able to get the trunk open and get my boots. I called my Mom the next day and told her she was right. The lesson here is to make sure you have some emergency items in your vehicle. Michigan weather can be vicious and we should be prepared for it. Having a blanket, extra boots, gloves and a hat in your vehicle can mean the difference between being inconvenienced by a dead car or being put in a dangerous situation by not being prepared

Cabin air filters are the hidden, forgotten, unloved car part. You can’t see them so you don’t really think about them. They are usually hidden in the area under your dashboard or close to your engine compartment. They clean the air inside your car. Is this an important job? I think it is. Have you ever noticed a musty, old smell inside your car? It may be that your cabin air filter needs to be checked. In the summer the air conditioning unit is on and drawing all that sneeze causing air into your car. Allergens float around inside your car like little uninvited hitch hikers. In the winter, the heat and defroster are on and they both utilize the air coming from the outside which goes through the cabin air filter. I mistakenly thought summer was the hardest time of year for your cabin air filter. I was reading an article on the importance of timely replacement of your filter and learned that winter is tough on them. Soot levels from the engine are increased as the weather cools off. The ... read more

Can you imagine the first person to strap some leather to their feet for protection? I'm sure it wasn't very pretty. Over 2000 years ago, someone actually took several pairs of shoes and put them in an earthen jar. These shoes were discovered in a burial site in Luxor. They believe they placed them in a wall because they were the most valuable possession they owned. They may have intended to return for them and never did. Fast forward to 2016. Some people think of shoes as simply foot protection. A female customer and I were talking about our difference in opinion about footwear. She buys a pair of shoes and wears them until they wear out. I could not comprehend that statement. Some people feel like that about cars. Drive whatever works for you and then replace as needed. Some people love a certain type of car and may collect them. Others, like Jay Leno, collect cars of all types, makes, and vintages. I would like to be the Jay Leno of shoes. Spring is coming and I'm lured by all the p ... read more

My car is pretty well maintained. Letting your vehicle go too far over an oil change in our house is frowned upon greatly. I think all three of our children get a little nervous if they glance up at the oil change sticker in their car and see it is much past the mileage oil change due. I was driving in Eastown on the brick road when I heard something that sounded like chains being dragged behind my car. Once I was off the bricks, the sound ceased. Everything was working fine so I waited until I was at work the next day. In the morning, we often have a couple of minutes to chat about the day's work. I asked if someone could drive my car when they had a chance and explained what had happened. Grant drove my car later that day to determine what was malfunctioning, and fixed it. It was simply that the brake caliper needed an adjustment. I mentioned that I had never heard someone describe a problem with that sound before. To me it sounded like chains. Grant said, "What it really sounds like ... read more

Several months ago on Facebook, there was a picture of shoes that many people where commenting on. If you look at the photo above, you'll understand why. There was no conceivable reason for these shoes to exist other than the fact that they are crazy, unique and fun. I don't even know what you would wear with them. You couldn't wear regular length pants because you are NOT going to take the chance they'd be covered up. Hopefully if you do wear them, the people you are with are both shoe lovers and have a sense of humor. Or, dog lovers. There is a saying, “putting on the dog” which means to get dressed up for a special occasion. With these shoes, you can do that literally. Although, I don’t recommend them for a wedding unless the bride has a really good sense of humor. What does this have to do with cars? Nothing. It is just interesting how one person can find something on the internet that intrigues, interests or scares them and it can ‘go viral’. Have a kitten or puppy video and toss ... read more

2016 is swiftly coming to an end. This is traditionally the time of year that we look at what we did the past year regarding finances, weight, exercise, attitude, etc. Then we decide whether we need to have a New Year Resolution. If you read the statistics for keeping resolutions, many of us don’t even make it through January. If your car could talk to you, would it ask you to set a New Year resolution for car maintenance? I’m not the car whisperer but I bet some cars would ask you to add “Maintain the car correctly!” to your list. I can hear your car begging you to change the oil on time, have the fluids checked and make sure that you follow the recommended service schedule for your vehicle. Why? Because your car wants to have the longest life span possible, just like you do. Just like you resolve to go to the gym, pass up dessert and have a positive attitude, it will take you making a conscious decision to do these things. When you get an oil change, schedule your next appointment be ... read more

There is a lot of controversy this time of year regarding stores opening on Thanksgiving Day to get a jump start on the Black Friday crowds. For us, Thanksgiving has always been a day of spending time with family and eating way too much food. It’s important in the midst of all the cooking and catching up with relatives we don’t see enough, to give thanks. What are you thankful for? Take the time this Thanksgiving to be thankful and to tell the people in your life that you are thankful for them. Even if they took the last piece of pecan pie that you were dreaming about at the feast. For the first time in many years we will be closed this Friday. We have the opportunity to spend some time with relatives that we don’t get to see as much as we’d like. It also gives our employees an opportunity to spend an extra day home with their families. It was a big decision for us because the day after Thanksgiving can be busy and we like to be available for our customers. But, sometimes when you own ... read more

We are using a new software program in our shop. It has some really interesting capabilities which will make us more efficient and bring added value to our customers. But it’s new software, and we have to learn how to use it. It’s not always pretty. The temptation to go back to the old ‘known’ way of doing things is strong. However, nowadays, there is rapid progression in how we do everything. It’s very evident in the automotive industry. We are very dependent on our vehicles because our lives are busy. Therefore, we need our vehicles. If someone had told me when I was sixteen years old that I would have a small computer in my pocket that acted as a phone, game board, internet connection and a myriad other things, my first question would be, “What’s an internet?” Those portable information centers allow us to be busier and receive more information than any human in history – all without actually “speaking” to anyone. We can now send you a picture of what is malfunctioning on your vehic ... read more