From regular oil changes to checking belts and hoses, car maintenance is an integral part of keeping your car on the road. Some regular upkeep to-do’s are things you can do on your own, whereas some services may be better left to the professionals- especially when it comes to import vehicles. Frequent checks you should do on your own include: checking tire tread and condition, measuring tire pressure, testing headlights and turn signals, checking your windshield wiper blades, and looking at your fluid levels. You should also be on the lookout for any small leaks and mention them when you bring your car in for scheduled maintenance (if a bigger leak, bring in immediately). Even though you’re able to do a few maintenance checks on your own, you should also have a certified technician look at your vehicle. They are better trained to spot any issues and accurately fix anything they may find. Your car’s owner manual will let you know the recommended scheduled maintenance. S ... read more

As the temperatures rise, we become increasingly more dependent on our car’s air conditioning system to keep on cool, from our drive to work to our vacation adventures. Nothing will ruin a summer road trip faster than cranking up the air and realizing something is broken! Before it gets to that point, remember that your car’s a/c needs regular maintenance too. Help keep your air system in good shape with these tips: Run Your System Regularly Even when it’s not unbearably hot inside your car, make sure to run the a/c system for a few minutes each week. Turn the temperature to the lowest setting and the fans to high. This helps keep the system parts well lubricated and help make sure your parts are working properly. It can also help you detect an issue before you hit prime a/c weather. Check Your Filters Your cabin a/c filter catches the dirt and debris that could clog your vehicle’s air conditioning system. Even though it’s doing it’s job, when that debris builds up ... read more

With all of the trees blooming the pollen has been piling up on your car and it is important to take extra good care of your car in the spring. While most people find the yellow film to just be annoying, many don’t know the damage pollen can do to your cars’ interior and exterior. Simply wiping your windows off or spraying the car down with water won’t do the trick. This can scratch the paint and eat away at it as pollen has an acidic effect. Here are 5 Tips to Protect Your Car from Pollen. Rinse & wash– with pollen being so small, it can hide in every nook and cranny of your car. Taking your car to a Car Wash or by hand will ensure that you not only get rid of the pollen but wash away the effects it can have on your cars’ exterior. Even though you may have to fit a few extra washes in during the Spring months, your car will be in better condition in the long run ... read more

As summer fades into a cool fall breeze, you can expect to see more and more rainfall. Are you and your car ready for the coming storms? Here are some tips to get your car in tiptop shape to keep you and your family safe this rainy season. Check your Windshield Wipers Driving with bad windshield wipers can be the difference between seeing the road or seeing a blur of lights. Old or worn down windshield wipers can actually make seeing through heavy rain worse than not using them at all. If pieces of rubber are detached from the main wiper, it’s time to replace them. Check your tread It’s important to check your tires before every season, especially when you are getting ready for fall and winter. Having a proper amount of tire tread can help keep you on the road during difficult conditions, whether it’s snow or rain. What is the proper amount of tread? You should have no less than 4/32 i ... read more

You’ve been on the fence between buying a new vs. used car and decided to save some money with a pre-owned vehicle. Now what? Used cars that are sold with hidden damage can become costly problems for the unsuspecting buyer. To avoid purchasing the proverbial lemon, here are some strategies for avoiding a bad investment. The Test Drive Take the car on a test drive on both local roads and highways. In different environments, you can get a good feel for how the car responds and performs. On local roads, you will feel how the car shifts and responds to sharp turns. You’ll also get a good idea on the condition of the brakes with stop-and-go. With a quick trip on the highway, you can note if the engine runs smoothly or not. While on a test drive, keep your eyes and ears open. Make sure to note any unusual engine noises and whether or not all of the electronics in the car are working properly. The Aesthetics: Inside and Out Both the inside and outside condition of the car ... read more

Warm weather is here but let’s be honest- dreams of summer vacation are still months away. While it may not be a far-off island paradise, you can certainly take advantage of your ever-growing Raleigh area. Check out our picks below for a weekend stay-cation for a Raleigh Road Trip. Take a Hike Umstead State Park Whether you’re up for a quick walk or an afternoon of exploring, Umstead State Park has trails ranging in both length and difficulty. The Company Mill Trail is an area favorite as it offers a 1.3 or 5.8 mile hike along a beautiful trail. Hemlock Bluffs This hidden gem is more located in Cary near Holly Springs. The 3.5 mile trail offers various lookout points and plaques highlighting local plant and animal life. Lake Johnson ... read more

Travel season is coming! According to AAA, last year 46 million people hit the road for Thanksgiving while nearly double that traveled for the holiday season! With that many people driving, there are bound to be problems and issues that arise when traveling. Before you jump in the car this year, here are some emergency items that you should keep in your car just in case. Car Phone Charger This may seem like a no brainer, but back up phone chargers are a must have. Portable USB phone chargers are also a great help in case your car battery dies. Jumper Cables/Jump-Start Kit Cold temperatures can wreck havoc on your car battery, especially if you haven’t checked your battery in a while. Flash Light You might be saying “there’s an app for that.” Well, yes, but the real thing can be more powerful and last longer. Make sure you have backup batteries as well. Water and Snacks This is especially helpful if you’re traveling on longer trips and help resist ... read more

Do you, like many individuals, feel that buying a brand new car is a right of passage, or a reflection of status? Do you feel satisfied with the ability to select the exact model, color and features when purchasing new? Well, if you’ll lend us your ear, we’re hoping to sway your opinions… Buying a new vehicle is a poor investment. Why? One word: depreciation. Your vehicle will lose approximately 22% of it’s value in its first year, and after 5 years, that deprecation sky rockets to about 55%. Ownership Until your financing is settled, you don’t actually own your vehicle. If for any reason you begin to struggle financially and can’t make your payments – guess what? The bank will come in, take your car, and then resell it, leaving you with nothing but a bad credit score. This is of course also the case if you finance a used car, but the lesser the loan, the more quickly you can pay off the debt. Warranty and Repair Costs Even with a factory warranty, you stil ... read more

If you’re like most Americans, prices at the pump continue to put a damper on your road trips and everyday travel. With no apparent light at the end of the tunnel to the ever-rising gas prices, it’s important to learn how to save money on gas. Being aware of your driving habits and how they’re affecting your gas mileage is a big step. To help you conserve fuel even further, we’ve come up with a countdown of money saving tips to increase your fuel efficiency and decrease the amount of funds funneled towards fuel. 5. Planning and Carpooling – Plan ahead when you have errands and make one trip, instead of two, three or four. Continually starting your car from a cold start can use twice as much gas as a longer multi-stop trip when the engine is warm. Carpooling with friends and neighbors is also a great because it reduces wear and miles on your car and helps the environment! 4. Use Cruise Control – Using the cruise control feature on the highway can help you main ... read more

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and is a part of the Research Triangle area. The number of technology and research companies in this area is tremendous, and many of the city’s residents work in some capacity for these facilities. Commuting to and from work or to one of the many different entertainment options in the Raleigh area is still done mainly by car, and keeping yours working great is important. The number of mechanics offering BMW repair in Raleigh has grown in recent years but still doesn’t reach the same levels as that of other vehicle types. That’s why once you find a great repair expert, odds are you’ll stick with them for life. But the best BMW repair specialist will go beyond just helping repair your car when an issue arises. In fact, they should give you tips and hints that can help you get the most from your car and keep it working at its prime. When you find an expert that is willing to help you improve your car’s performance and pe ... read more