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598 Wellington Ave. Suite 110
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-763-4223
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The automotive service industry
can seem like a mystery. Many drivers find it difficult to understand
the inner workings of their cars, the repairs and maintenance
they need, and most of all, the estimates and invoices they receive
at their service center. At Import Performance, we agree with
the GI Joes that "knowing is half the battle."
With this "Tricks of the
Trade" page, we hope we can shed some light on the sometimes
intimidating world of car repair. We'll post articles on topics
we think are important for our clients, as well as links to other
articles and blogs that many of our customers have found helpful
when it comes to understanding their vehicles.
If you'd like to stay up to date
on the latest information offered on this page, you can check
back regularly or become our Facebook or Myspace friend! We'll
update both of those profiles with this information regularly.
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1.
"The Most Reliable
Used Cars - 2009 List by Consumer Reports"
We love import cars! And for good
reason! Consumer Reports ranked import cars some of the most reliable
used cars in the industry. Check it out:
http://blogs.internetautoguide.com/6447488/auto-repair/the-most-reliable-used-cars-2009-list-by-consumer-reports/index.html
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2.
WRAL Reports: "Save Money On Car Maintenance"
Money's tight and now more than ever, people
are looking for ways to save money. WRAL, Raleigh's local news
channel, provides helpful insight to drivers looking to save
on car maintenance without sacrificing quality. Check it out:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/4659907/
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3. "A
Keeper Is Cheaper" by William Jeanes
(AARP Magazine 2009)
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4. Forbes
Magazine: "How To Make Your Old Car Seem New"
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If your parents are anything like mine, when
they dropped the keys to your first car in your anxiously awaiting
hands, they said, “Remember to get the oil changed every
3,000 miles.” Semi-obedient 18 year-old girl that I was,
I agreed. Nevermind that I had absolutely no idea what an oil
change was, where to get it or how much it would cost. The fact
of the matter was, at that point in my life, I probably would’ve
shaved my eyebrows in exchange for that car (It was a 1995 gold
Honda Accord, by the way. With a sunroof and premium sound,
it was coveted by many, but only driven by the few whose parents
bought mid-life crisis convertibles and handed it down to them).
Anyway, silly me, I didn’t think getting an oil change
sounded that complicated. I snatched the keys, turned on my
heel and ran in the opposite direction before they could change
their minds.
Three thousand
miles later, standing at the counter of our local service station,
I was at the mercy of the “rhymes with Iffy Boob”
technician before me. With a completely straight face, he informed
me that my 4 year-old Honda was going to essentially spontaneously
combust if I didn’t fork over a sum of money tantamount
to my first semester of college tuition. Only after tears, a small
nervous breakdown and a threat to “call my dad”, did
he give up the shanigans and perform a simple, “regular,”
oil change on my car.
Fast forward three years and I’m walking
down the aisle with a reliable, trustworthy mechanic. What can
I say? Car maintenance can be traumatic for women. Marrying
a mechanic seemed like a great way to avoid being strong armed
by the car maintenance mafia. Just kidding! Kind of…
Anyway. Five years later, my husband and the
owner of Import Performance – Talin Germain – tells
me that given my driving history and the car I drive, a regular
oil change isn’t the best choice for me. Actually, I’m
a prime candidate for synthetic oil changes. Who knew? All of
a sudden a billion questions surface: How does he know that?
Why synthetic? Why me? Synthetic oil is freaking pricey! Thankfully,
Talin can break this whole thing down for us, once and for all.
Here goes nothing:
Regular oil, the
cheapest option, comes from fossil fuels, a limited resource.
Despite this fact, a regular oil change will only run you about
$35.00 at most service stations. Keep in mind that you’ll
need to have your oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever
comes sooner, if you use regular oil. If you don’t put many
miles on your car, in other words if you seem to reach the 3 month
marker before you’ve driven 3,000 miles, regular oil changes
are probably the best option for you.
But if you’re like me and you drive A
LOT (I would never make it to that 3 month mark.), synthetic
is probably your best option. Synthetic oil is a manmade chemical
replica of regular oil. It doesn’t breakdown as quickly
as regular, so it lasts longer – you can typically drive
up to 7500 miles between synthetic oil changes depending on
the make of your car. And even though the initial price tag
seems high in comparison to a regular oil change (on average,
they’ll cost you about $65.00), you get to drive twice
as long between oil changes. In the end, a synthetic oil change
can actually save you money.
But synthetic oil has other benefits too. It
keeps your engine cleaner and lubricates it better, especially
when you initially start your car, which is vital. Each day,
when you start your car, it takes a second or two for your engine
to build oil pressure. This can be taxing on your engine because
it’s operating under subpar conditions: its parts aren’t
lubricated. But unlike regular oil, synthetic clings to the
metal in your engine when you stop your car. When you restart
it, there’s oil leftover to provide lubrication until
the oil pressure builds. When you combine this benefit with
the fact that synthetic lubricates the engine better at operating
temperature, the result is an elongated engine lifespan. Translation:
if you so desire, you’ll probably get to drive that car
“into the ground.” Synthetic has also been known
to increase gas mileage because it reduces the internal resistance
of the engine. Last, but not least: synthetic is manmade, so
it’s renewable, unlike regular oil.
All that said, there are still drivers out there
that should choose regular oil. If you rarely drive your car,
stick to the o’naturel stuff. Talin tells customers that
your oil must be changed at least once a year, even if you don’t
hit 3,000 miles on the odometer. And for everyone out there
trying to go green, keep in mind that since regular and synthetic
are chemically the same, they are equally as potentially damaging
to the environment.
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6. "You
Work Hard for the Money!"
So
You Better Treat Her Right! - 20 days of
tips that will help you save money on your auto expenses
That's right,
we're kicking this discussion off by quazi-quoting a 1983 smash
hit single by Donna Summer. Disco diva that she may be, Mrs. Summer
claims to know a thing or two about working hard for the money
and her 80s chart-topper is proof that a lot of people believed
her. Well, maybe they didn't believe her, but they certainly related
to the song and we believe you can too. After all, we are in the
throws of what some might call an economic crisis.
As usual, the team at Import Performance wants
to make sure you get the biggest bang for your Benjamin and
in light of current events, we've knocked our heads together
to come up with 20 tips to help you save money when you drive
up to the pump or pull into the repair shop. We'll post a new
tip on our website at http://www.importperformance-nc.com and
in our Facebook status update each day for 20 days.
We'll also earmark
(pun intended) every fifth tip by posting a full-length article,
which will give details about the tips we think are most important
and helpful when it comes to saving big bucks on car service,
preventative maintenance and repair.
So check back with us here on Facebook or on
our website each day for a new money-saving tip. And remember:
At Import Performance, we know you work hard for the money.
So trust us and treat your car right!
Day 1: "You
Work Hard for the Money" Saving Tip:
Check your tire pressure regularly! Under-inflated
tires produce more drag, making it difficult for your engine
to propel the car forward. The result: you put the pedal to
the metal and waste valuable moola on gas. To avoid this scenario,
measure that pressure every other time you fill up. You can
find the correct tire pressure in your owners manual.
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Day 2: "You
Work Hard for the Money" Saving Tip:
Use the proper gas for your car! It may be Captain
Obvious, but many people think using a higher octane improves
the gas mileage and longevity of their car. Nope! When you use
a different octane than suggested in your owner’s manual,
it reduces fuel economy and overtime, damages your engine. P.S.
Drive like a law-abiding citizen. Driving within the legal speed
limits maximizes your gas mileage.
Day 3: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Change your air filter! Dirty air filters restrict
the air flow to the engine, which makes it work harder to propel
your car forward. "Ridin' Dirty" wastes gas, which
takes $$ out of your pocket. Have the air filter checked at
every oil change. Air filters are inexpensive to replace, but
will save you big money in the long run.
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Day 4: "You
Work Hard for the Money" Saving Tip:
Your car is like your love life – it needs
a little spark every now and then. Change your spark plugs according
to your owner’s manual. Worn-out spark plugs waste gas,
but they can also damage the ignition and emission systems.
The result: a repair as expensive as “making it up”
to your girlfriend after you forgot your anniversary.
Day 5: “You Work
Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
This tip could get funny fast, but it's probably
best just to say: get your oil changed regularly. Oil lubes
the engine, increasing its lifespan. Without it, your engine
is kaput. Now the big question: regular or synthetic? For answers,
check out our FB Discussion, “Lube Jobs” (See? Get
your mind out of the gutter!).
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=72070416378&topic=9078
Day
6: “You Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Don't warm up your car! Modern cars (anything
made after Vanilla Ice released “Ice Ice Baby”) don’t
need to be warmed up. It’s actually bad for the engine since
oil pressure is low while your car idles. Low oil pressure = less
lubrication = premature engine failure. Not so good. Warming up
your car also wastes gas. Shame on you! ;)
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Day 7: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Check fluids regularly. Maintaining proper fluid
levels (especially oil), improves gas mileage and increases the
longevity of your car’s engine. Check’em out every
other time you fill up. For those of you who can’t tell
a dip stick from a door knob, never fear: Next time you come see
us at IP, tell Talin and he’ll show you how to check and
properly top-off your car’s fluids.
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Day 8:
“You Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Don’t run your car on empty! You know who
you are. Playing those reindeer games allows moisture to build
up in your tank, leading to poor engine performance. It also forces
the pump to push dirty fuel at the bottom of the tank through,
clogging your fuel injectors/filter. Wintertime: that moisture
sinks to the bottom, freezing your fuel lines, leaving you stranded.
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Day 9: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Ever seen "Uncle Buck"? His car backfires
something fierce. The tragedy that is his vehicle doesn’t
have to happen. Seriously, don’t ignore noises that come
from your car. Especially noises like that. Come see us if your
car starts sounding like a double barrel shotgun. People don’t
need to run in fear when you pull up to the grocery store.
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Day 10: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Don’t be afraid to price shop for routine
auto maintenance or repairs, but be sure to compare apples to
apples. You wouldn’t compare a purse from Walmart with a
Coach bag, would you ladies? Unspeakable. The same goes with car
repair shops. To find out how to get the best bang for your buck,
check out our Facebook discussion, “How Do You Like Them
Apples – Advice on Auto Repair Pricing.”
Day 11:
“You Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Keep the wheels
on your bus going round and round by aligning and rotating your
tires. Rotating your tires every other oil change ensures that each
tire wears evenly, reducing the likelihood of bald spots and premature
replacement. Likewise, alignments (get one when you buy new tires)
reduce tire wear, improve steering & increase the longevity
of your new wheels.
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Day 12: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Get a brake fluid flush every 30K miles or with
new brakes. Over time, rust/debris accumulates in the fluid, damaging
the system. A BFF helps you avoid spending big bucks on a repair.
Plus, you'll feel all warm & fuzzy when you get cut off in
traffic, slam on the brakes, and your car comes to a life-saving
STOP because you’ve taken care of those babies.
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Day 13: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Get your transmission serviced
according to the suggestion of your owner’s manual. Every
transmission is different, but they all have at least one thing
in common: they’re WICKED expensive to replace or repair.
Transmission services also keep your car running “like butta,
baby.”
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Day
14: “You Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
You like to keep cool and so does
your car. Have your coolant flushed every two years to keep your
engine running at the proper temperature and your car will be
less likely to give you the cold shoulder on the side of the road.
Coolant flushes are another one of those preventative measures
that helps drivers avoid pricey repairs too. Just lookin’
out for ya. ;)
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Day 15: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Everybody likes to save money, but if we had to
give out a “Biggest Penny Pincher on the Planet” award,
we’d probably give it to Clark Howard. Check out how you
can save big and RETIRE EARLY by driving your car for 10 years
or more by visiting Clark’s website and reading the following
article:
http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/2004/03/31/7411/
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Day 16: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Has your normally fuel-efficient ride become a
gas-guzzling-gold-digger? Or maybe the “Days of Thunder”
are long gone and you feel like you’re “Driving Miss
Daisy” when you put the pedal to the metal. You might want
to try a fuel injection service. They can improve your car’s
fuel economy and increase its performance.
Day 17: "You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Check Engine – What does that mean? How
much will that cost? The truth is we’re still honing our
psychic mechanic skillz, so we can’t tell you until we take
a look, but ignoring it is not the solution. It could be an indication
that you’re up for a big service, but it might also mean
your gas cap isn't screwed on tightly enough (no kidding). Just
come see us. ;)
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Day 18: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Don’t lose the powa (think Schwarzenegger).
If your car is whining and moaning at you when you turn (seriously,
that’s what it sounds like), you might need a power steering
service. This elongates the life of the system, keeps a big repair
at bay and helps your car steer effortlessly – it won’t
take 30 revolutions of the wheel and 20 minutes to do a 3-point
turn!
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Day 19: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Get your suspension checked out twice a year.
If it’s acting whacky it can throw off your alignment, causing
uneven tire wear. The cash register goes “ching ching ching”
when you fork over the dough for those new tires. An unhappy suspension
can also produce wicked drag and suck the life out of your fuel
economy.
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Day 20: “You
Work Hard for the Money” Saving Tip:
Our last tip is
perhaps the most important, so we aren’t going to be cute
or funny. Simply put: You must get your timing belt replaced according
to the manufacturer’s recommendation. If you procrastinate,
your timing belt will likely break and demolish the engine of your
car. You will cry (despite your unshakable ability to stay strong
under pressure) when you get the bill to fix the resulting damage
of your negligence. Okay. You might not cry. But you definitely
won’t be happy. That said, the friendly staff here at Import
Performance can promise you one thing that might lift your spirits:
despite our knee-jerk reaction to this situation, we will refrain
from telling you, “I told you so.”
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We
happily serve the Wilmington, NC area and specialize in car repair,
service and maintenance for the following cars:
Audi,
BMW,
Jaquar,
Land
Rover, MINI,
Mercedes-Benz,
Porsche,
SAAB,
Volkswagen,
Volvo,
Acura,
Daewoo, Honda,
Hyundai,
Infiniti,
Isuzu,
Kia,
Lexus,
Nissan,
Toyota,
Mazda,
Mitsubishi,
Scion,
Subaru
and Suzuki
repair, service, tuning, and maintenance.
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