Auto Service
Auto innovations promise safety and convenience
Baby-boomer mythology had a generation believing we’d already be at least 10 years into commuting to work in personal rocket packs, jettisoning from home to office to shopping center to wherever. So much for yesterday’s predictions. But excitement exists today on the automotive horizon for some great gadgets that are just around the corner or…
Read MoreA great summer vacations starts with a safe arrival
Sunnier Chicago days signal summer soon will be sizzling. No doubt, Winnetka motorists are ready to embrace the warm weather, but how about our cars? If a vacation vs. a staycation is in your family’s forecast, it makes sense to ensure your vehicle is up for the rigors of the open road. Don’t take for…
Read More8 tips for greening your ride – without buying a hybrid
Just a few years ago, the notion of driving a lean, mean green machine was the pursuit of a minority of the American driving public. But now, it’s easy to find yourself among drivers seeking a “green” machine that adheres to the reuse-repurpose-recycle motto more than the commandment: “On your mark, get set, GO.” Economic…
Read MoreConsumers prefer independent auto shops to their new car dealers
Consumers prefer independent auto repair shops like Hong Kong Auto Service over new car dealers, according to an annual survey from Consumer Reports. In the annual survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, independent auto shops outscored dealership service departments for overall satisfaction, price, quality, courteousness of the staff, and work being completed when…
Read MoreDriving escapes to lift the winter blues
If the idea of 6 more weeks of winter has you feeling blue, here are 6 of our favorite Midwest driving getaways to help you warm your spirits until spring arrives: Ski and snowshoe on the St. Croix River: Looking for somewhere new to ski or snowshoe? Check out the St. Croix River in Minnesota’s…
Read MoreHow to save big with a little preventive maintenance
Question: I change the oil in my car every 3,000 – 3,500 miles, and I regularly have the tires rotated. But then I hear auto experts like you talking about “properly maintaining my car.” What kind of car maintenance is required beyond oil changes and tire rotations, and do I really need to spend the…
Read MoreYour favorite articles on car care and repair in 2014
Happy New Year! As we kick off 2015, we like to look at what car care information you found to be the most valuable in 2014. In case you missed it during your busy year, here are the top 7 auto service articles from 2014: 7) 4 Reasons to Buy Tires from Hong Kong Auto…
Read MoreTop 12 family car games to keep the kids entertained all the way to Grandma's house
If you’re among the 43+ million gearing up for travel this Thanksgiving—90 percent of whom go by car—you’re likely to have oodles of quality family time on the road. And while DVDs are a godsend for many parents, holiday travel is also an ideal time to turn off the electronics and create fond family memories…
Read MorePainfully obvious, 'helpful' tips from today's car owner's manuals
Have you ever joked about some consumer warnings that seem blatantly obvious? We’re thinking of the very cautious, “Don’t use the hairdryer in the bathtub,” or the lesser known, “Do not put any person into this washer.” It seems carmakers have jumped on the bandwagon and are dumbing down their vehicle owner’s manuals. “If the…
Read MoreWhy do I need new brake rotors?
One of our most popular articles from the past year was one that addressed a common question: Why does it seem like I need new brake rotors with every brake job? Most of us learned to drive when it was the norm to “turn” the rotors, also known as machining the rotors, when we needed…
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