The Shade Tree Mechanic.

Maybe you have had the good fortune to know a true shade tree mechanic.  It is someone who fixed cars in their driveway back in a day under the shade of a big tree.  That is where the expression comes from.  What we tend to forget is that person learned auto repair from the ground up…not at some school or factory.  It is a disappearing breed in Americana.

Back in the seventies cars were pretty much the same.  Over the years “shade tree mechanics” disappeared as the job of auto repair became more complicated.  It just makes sense.  However, a few of them grew with the technology and opened their own shop.  If you find one of those you find someone who has a genuine love for anything on four wheels.

We know of one such master auto mechanic in Raleigh NC.  His name is Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Service.  Jim seemingly was born under the hood and has been at it for over 40 years.  Think about how precious your vehicle is to you…it is to him as well.  Make an appointment and drive into his shop at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  He is Raleigh’s true Shade Tree Mechanic!

Car Repair Estimates.

Oh boy, you know that your car needs maintenance.  Maybe it is urgent and maybe it’s not.  Either way YOU have to take time out, maybe from work, and drive around to find out how much what you THINK needs done is going to cost.  Don’t we have better things to do?  Wouldn’t it be nice to fill out a form on your computer and submit it for a free estimate?

Naturally, you need to have some knowledge of what things need to be done, but you know when routine maintenance procedures are due on your vehicle.  Your manual will tell you how often to change the spark plugs, when your car needs a new air filter, or if it is time for a transmission flush.  Things like that are easy for you to troubleshoot.

At least one master auto mechanic in Raleigh NC wants you to avoid taking time out of your day to come to his shop.  He is Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Service.  Jim has been underneath the hood for over 40 years.  All he needs for you to do is visit his website at www.jimsautoservices.com.  Fill out the estimate form and get a free quote.  Then you can make an appointment and drive into his shop at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  How about that!?

Make Your Labor Day Weekend Plans!

Raleigh Seafood Festival 2016

(Follow the link above for more information)

2nd Annual Raleigh Seafood Festival

Labor Day Weekend 2016 (Sept. 3rd & 4th)

NC State Fair Grounds in Raleigh, NC.  

"The Raleigh Seafood Festival is a family friendly 2-day event that brings a variety of local seafood vendors, live local bands, arts & crafts exhibits, kids zone and a great outdoor atmosphere."

 

The Right Car Maintenance Habit.

What do you do when the seasons change?  Chances are you make your bi-annual trip to the dentist…whoopee!  Maybe you change the batteries in your important electronics.  You probably switch out air filters if you own your home.  There are many things that we set our mind to doing when back-to-school time arrives.

How about adding auto maintenance to that list?  If you are conscientious about your vehicle you are already having the oil changed every 90 days.  That cycle may be coming up.  Why not have everything checked.  You already know that winter driving will take a greater toll on your car.  Have all of the mechanical features checked now and avoid emergencies in a couple of months.

Now I would suggest that if you are going to trust one shop to do ALL of this WITHOUT trying to upsell you I would go to a professional mechanic like Jim Liacos who has been doing this for 40 years.  Jim’s Auto Services is your Raleigh North Carolina preventative maintenance auto service center.  Drive in for a check-up today at 3711 Tarheel Drive or call ahead for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

August Car Problems.

We always are aware of the obvious…air conditioning, brakes, tires, overheated engine, etc.  Summer driving is and will continue to take its toll on our vehicles.  We thought it might be important to stay on top of other possible mishaps that may occur as you travel the highways and byways of the Raleigh area through Labor Day.

1.  Cracked windshields.  They are far more likely this time of year.

2.  Shocks.  Trouble usually occurs when you are doing a lot of open-road driving.

3.  Leaks.  They develop from your brakes and transmission.

4.  Catalytic Converter.  Make sure that your spark plugs are in good working order.

5.  Power Steering.  Being out on the open road means you are traveling at faster speeds.

Be aware that the hard work of summer driving takes its toll on your vehicle.  Don’t take summer driving lightly!  Your heightened awareness can save you from being stranded on the side of the road.  Jim’s Auto Services is your Raleigh North Carolina summertime auto service expert.  Drive in for a check-up today at 3711 Tarheel Drive or call ahead for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Checking Your Tires in Summer Heat.

Tire inflation is vital to summertime driving.  Chances are you are putting more highway miles on your car…or at least you will be.  The intense summer heat combined with those hard-driving miles spells wear and tear when the rubber meets the road.  The air pressure is what supports the weight of your vehicle NOT the tire itself.

It is vitally important to remember that air pressure expands when heated and contracts when cooled.  Of course, this happens not only seasonally, but day and night as well as you consider when you will be traveling this summer.  Here is a tip…for every 10 degrees the tire pressure will increase by 1 pound per square inch.  Think about that as the temperature nears 100 degrees!

Whether you are doing the same driving this summer that you do 12 months a year or you are headed out on a summer vacation it is important to have your tires examined by a professional.  That man in the Raleigh North Carolina area is Jim Liacos.  Jim has spent his entire adult life repairing cars.  Jim’s Auto Services is your Raleigh tire care expert.  Drive in for a check-up today at 3711 Tarheel Drive.

Road Trip!

Yes, it is that time again.  Happy 4th to one and all in the Raleigh area.  Now your attention may be turning to that summer vacation.  You have waited all year for this.  Stop mail delivery.  Find someone to watch the pets.  Make sure you have a job to come back to…just kidding.  And above all, have your vehicle ready for the long ride.

Make sure that the oil is changed even if you just had an oil change a month or two ago.  You may be tacking on thousands of miles in the next couple of weeks.  Make sure that every one of the fluids in your car has been topped off.  Check the condition of all hoses and belts.  Definitely make sure that your tires are prepared for the long journey.

There are many items on the road trip check list.  All of them need to be checked off by a trained professional before you hit the hot summer road.  Your Raleigh full service vehicle check-up pro is Jim Liacos.  Jim is and has been the owner of Jim’s Auto Services for decades.  He will give your car a clean bill of health before its summer sojourn.  Make an appointment today at (919) 824-4566.