Our news
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Peel-out pix: Our 5 fave movie chase scenes
From today’s eco-friendly, efficiency-minded and fanatically frugal vantage point, the dawn of the modern-day car chase scene (circa late 1960s to early 1970s) looks like a decadent wonderland. Preserved on film, these sequences surely must be the stuff from which only dreams are made: gas at around 35 cents a gallon; high lead and low…
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Hauntings under the hood: 7 scary sounds not to be ignored
Don’t be spooked if you have scary sounds lurking under your hood. Hong Kong Auto Service is here to to drive away the groaning, grinding, clunking and high-pitched screeches that may be haunting you. Instead of tricking yourself into wishing these ghastly noises away, treat yourself to a visit to your trusted advisers at Hong…
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Fall check up: Is your vehicle road ready?
With colorful leaves falling outside, nature is calling. This means a road trip to see the season’s best colors is in order for many who look forward to annual trips to apple orchards, lake houses, pumpkin farms and hikes in the woods. Whether taking a quick jaunt across the state line or trekking a couple…
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Lease return checklist: Save hundreds by addressing potential penalty items ahead of time
Leasing a vehicle can be a great decision if you receive an attractive deal—one where you put little money down and receive low monthly payments. When it’s time to return your vehicle, what was once a great deal can sour quickly if you violate the lease company’s excessive wear and tear policy. While we all…
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Help! Know when to pull over ASAP and when it's OK to continue on your way
When most of us learned to drive, there were three dashboard indicators we needed to be aware of: the battery light, the engine temperature gauge and the oil light. And if the oil light came on, we knew it was serious and that we needed to pull over immediately. Today’s sophisticated cars light up like…
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How to prevent the scorching heat from leaving you stranded
While we may feel plagued by the recent streak of stifling heat and thick humidity, the extreme temps also take a toll on your car. Aged or worn components are more likely to fail in hot weather than in cold, and you may not want to learn the hard way where “the weakest link” is…
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Braving a breakdown: How and why to arm young drivers with car care basics
Teen driving safety is often a hot topic this time of year, with graduation parties, last hurrahs with friends, and college preparations in the air. While safety and making smart choices are two key topics, there’s another important matter that hit home recently when I stopped for gas 7 hours into a 9-hour trip. As…
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Money Maker: 10 ways to save gas with vehicle maintenance
With gas prices climbing steadily, it’s easy to feel powerless at the pump. But we’re here to show you how to save real dollars—not pennies—by keeping on top of these fuel-robbing basic maintenance items: Time for a tune-up? Worn spark plugs, plug wires, and other faulty ignition parts reduce your car’s ability to clean and…
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Top web sites, phone apps for finding the lowest gas prices
With local gas prices pushing $4.25 and $4.50, a trip to the gas pump these days can be a sickening event. And while we can reduce unnecessary trips and running around town, we’ll still eventually have to fill up. To make it as easy on your wallet as possible, try these web sites to find…
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9 ways to maximize your fuel economy
If you’ve had sticker shock at the fuel pump lately, rest assured that you’re not alone. Prices at the local pumps are among the highest in the nation, and at $4 per gallon, now’s an ideal time to make sure you’re maximizing your fuel economy. Short of trading in your minivan for a Mini Cooper,…