Three reasons you may be cheating yourself with a quick oil change

Are quick oil change stations like drugstore reading glasses? We think so and here’s why: 1. Cheaters are a quick solution to an immediate need, reading things close-up when your vision is blurry. Nothing more. An oil change at an oil change station is a quick solution to the immediate need to keep your car’s…

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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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Fun family car games for your summer travels

Everyone who has ever taken a trip with kids knows that in addition to snacks, entertainment for the journey is a must. One way to keep the “are we there yet?” questioning to a minimum is to keep everyone’s attention diverted with games and activities. And while hand-held video games and portable DVD players can…

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Free maintenance: What you need to know about this new car freebie

Q: I recently bought a new car from a dealer in Wilmette, and it came with a free maintenance plan. But when I called to schedule my first “free” appointment, I was told that my oil change might not be covered because “it’s too soon.” The car uses synthetic oil and has 5,200 miles on…

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Should I repair my car or buy a new one?

Repair car or buy new

Question: My car needs a number of repairs (new tires, brakes, timing belt) and I’m not sure it’s worth putting the money into it. It’s got about 110,000 miles on it, and there’s some good looking new cars out there! Should I go ahead and upgrade or just fix my current ride? Answer: According to a new…

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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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Rebuilt parts are a great way to go green and save money

Green car repair

Question: My car needed a new alternator recently, and the service advisor at your auto repair shop suggested installing a remanufactured unit. Will a rebuilt alternator last as long as a new one? Answer: Yes, your service advisor was correct, and there are a lot of financial and environmental reasons for choosing rebuilt parts! According to…

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