Tag: IL
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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… Read more
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Consumers 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 more
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Top 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 more
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Painfully 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 more
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Why you should choose Hong Kong Auto Service the next time you need tires
Did you slide through the end of last winter knowing you’d need tires before the snow flies again? Even though that first snowfall is a ways off yet (or so we hope), now is a good time to start gearing up for that pre-winter tire purchase. When you’re ready, Hong Kong Auto Service is here… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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Should I repair my car or buy a new one?
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… Read more
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Go green to save money, help the Earth
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… Read more
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Rebuilt parts are a great way to go green and save money
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… Read more
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Trivia: What to do when you slip on the ice with anti-lock brakes
This winter has been full of snow and ice. If you hit a slippery patch on the road and your car has anti-lock brakes, you should: A. Throw on the hazards and turn the steering wheel violently from side to side. B. Pump the brakes hard and fast to the beat of your favorite tune.… Read more