An Auto Mechanic with a Degree in Biochemistry…Makes Sense.

What?  Yes, that is what Jim Liacos the owner of Jim’s Auto Service of Raleigh brings to the table among many other things!  After returning from the Army, Jim went to Iowa State to earn that prestigious degree.  From there, he became a scientist at the National Disease Center concentrating on diseases that affect herd animals.

This sounds like a work of fiction, doesn’t it?  Where did this renaissance man get his knowledge for fixing cars and trucks?  Well, when Jim was growing up dad ran a taxi cab business featuring a fleet of Checker Cabs.  Someone had to repair them when they broke down.  That task fell to our aforementioned “man for all seasons.”

Jim Liacos is an ASE Certified Master Mechanic and employs like-minded people at this shop located at 3711 Tarheel Dr. in Raleigh NC.  When you need expert auto repair from people who have worked on every imaginable type of vehicle on the road, drive in to Jim’s Auto Service or call for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

It Isn’t Sexy, but it Sure is Efficient!

It’s the minivan.  The best of the used ones can provide years of service to your family.  It all starts in the cabin.  Minivans offer more space for both passengers and cargo than even three-row SUVs.  Minivans can also be really comfortable, with heated leather seating, second-row captain’s chairs, and high-end infotainment systems for passengers.

Here are some of the better used minivans to choose from –

1.  The Honda Odyssey…top rated by J.D. Power a couple of years ago.

2.  The Toyota Sienna…offers the driver’s speak easy system.

3.  The Kia Sedona…it has optional second row first-class lounge seating.

4.  The Chrysler Town and Country…it has proven to be very, very reliable.

5.  The Dodge Caravan…with 33 cubic feet of storage behind the third row of seats.

If you decide to buy a used minivan in 2020 one thing is certain.  If you are driving on the roads around our capital city Jim’s Auto Repair will keep it rollin’ along.  Jim’s Auto Repair is Raleigh’s complete vehicle repair headquarters for all makes and models on the road.  Visit the shop at 3711 Tarheel Dr or call (919) 824-4566 for an appointment.

Do Cars Still Have Carburetors?

As you would expect, fuel injection systems have changed significantly in the 100 years since cars started becoming a fixture on world-wide roads, and carburetors were one of the first fuel systems to be used, lasting well into the twentieth century.  Production vehicles today use computerized fuel injection to feed fuel and air into the combustion chamber of the engine.

Computer controls allow the engine to operate at peak efficiency in every situation.  That allows the vehicle to start right up time after time.  You may be familiar with motorcycles, which are one of the last holdouts of the factory production carburetors.  In order to get a bike started on a cold day, you have to pull out the choke.  After that, you have to let the engine warm up.

Jim and his crew at Jim’s Auto Service understand the modern computerized fuel injection system as well as the good old carburetor.  Jim has been repairing cars since they were hand-cranked (not really…it just seems like it!).  For any service on your vehicle, whatever it may be, call Jim’s Auto Service at (919) 824-4566 for an appointment at 3711 Tarheel Dr. in Raleigh.  

What is a Shade Tree Mechanic?

For decades every neighborhood had its local shade tree mechanic. That man (or woman) did their own oil changes, replaced their own brakes and generally did most of their own repairs on various vehicles. These handy types would even help out a neighbor or a friend for maybe a few dollars if the job was a long drawn out one that needed special tools or expertise.

Fast forward to the heart of the 21st century.  The world has certainly changed.  Today, there are check engine lights, electronic systems, factory service centers, etc.  To compete and evolve, the shade tree mechanic had to adapt.  In some cases, they just went off quietly into a different profession and did not want to be a part of the factory “team”.

In the case of Jim Liacos - the ultimate shade tree mechanic, he opened his own shop called Jim’s Auto Service.  From his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive, he built a thriving auto repair business that specializes in great customer service on all makes and models of vehicles.  Call for your next maintenance procedure at (919) 824-4566.

Do Volkswagens Cost More to Repair?

If you have ever owned one you are aware that VW's have always cost more to service. As far as oil goes just check what kind of oil they use and price it out wherever you get your oil changes done.  What about general maintenance?  In terms of repairs they tend to cost more. It largely depends on the model and which parts need to be replaced.

Electrical problems can be inherent in Volkswagens.  Diagnostics can be expensive and do not always produce results.  In general though, VW owners are happy and satisfied to be part of the family.  Know this, when Volkswagen owners are surveyed throughout the world, they give this unique ride very high marks.

The bottom line is this…when your VW needs to be repaired you can always trust Jim’s Auto Service.  They are your headquarters in the Raleigh NC area for Volkswagen service and maintenance.  Jim’s is a full-service repair garage located at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.  Give them a call for all makes and models at (919) 824-4566. 

The Best Hybrid Cars on the Market.

Are you considering owning a hybrid?  It seems to be the wave of the future.  Hybrids may help keep this planet going throughout this century and into the next.  Hybrids are rigorously tested for braking and handling on a test track, and then driven on a real-world test loop that mixes city streets, twisting back roads and highway miles.

A company called Edmonds does these tests and provides ratings.  For instance, the Honda Accord is one of the highest rated at 8.3 out of 10.  The Toyota Camry gets a 7.6 and has the best fuel economy of any sedan according to Edmonds.  Here is one more…the Ford Fusion checking in with a 7.9 out of 10.  2018 was the last model year for this sedan.

It matters not which hybrid you intend to drive.  They can all be maintained and repaired by the ultimate “shade tree mechanic”.  That is Jim Liacos and his amazing crew at Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.  They fix ‘em and maintain ‘em…all makes and models.  Just give Jim’s Auto Service a call at (919) 824-4566.

What is a Tune-up?

Your vehicle can get great benefit from a tune-up.  Put it this way…it is one of the very best ways to maintain the original performance of your ride.  Working on a car that is badly out of tune can give a noticeable boost to both engine performance and fuel economy.  That should be all that you need to know!

Here is another way to put it…do the tune-up now and potentially prevent far more expensive repairs later.  The common parts that are replaced when your vehicle is tuned-up are things such as spark plugs, wire plugs, an air filter, as well as a fuel filter.  It is not necessary to know how each of these things work in synergy, just that they do!

Jim Liacos and the tune-up professionals at Jim’s Auto Service know how to tune-up every make and model of vehicle on the roads of the Raleigh area.  It comes from decades of experience as well as staying on top of new technology.  At Jim’s Auto Service on 3711 Tarheel Drive you get both.  Call for an appointment today at (919) 824-4566.

Twenty…That’s Right Twenty!

That number can sound daunting or minor depending on how you look at it.  This is about the Volkswagen Jetta.  Yes, the Jetta.  It has twenty different types of service that are necessary over its first 150,000 miles.  Thirteen of those twenty occur within the first 100,000 miles.  Here are some of them.

At 7500 miles your Jetta needs a tire rotation, oil change, and general safety inspection.  At 15,000 miles it may be time to change the air filter and cabin filter.  When you arrive at 30,000 miles you need to be thinking about brake fluid, transmission fluid, and engine coolant.  You may also need to replace your Jetta’s spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter.

The future of your beloved Volkswagen Jetta is in good hands when you trust Raleigh’s Volkswagen repair professionals at Jim’s Auto Service.  Of course, Jim and his team repair all makes and models of vehicles, but Volkswagens are one of their specialties.  Call them at (919) 824-4566 to make an appointment at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.

ASE Professional Experience.

What is ASE?  It is short for automotive service excellence.  You don’t just open an auto repair shop and claim to be a licensed ASE professional.  It usually takes a minimum of two years of hands-on experience to attain this level of confidence.  Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Service attained ASE certification many, many years ago.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence was formed in 1972.  It is an independent non-profit organization that has worked to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals.  This is just one more reason why you should consider many factors when choosing a mechanic.

Jim Liacos cut his teeth as a “shade tree mechanic”.  That means he worked on every make and model of vehicle when he started.  He is not someone from a dealership or factory who has principle knowledge of one type of car, SUV, or truck.  When you need maintenance or repair think of Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.  Call (919) 824-4566.

Dealer vs. Mechanic.

No, this is not the next Marvel super hero movie.  It is the choice that you have when you need your vehicle maintained.  Do you go to the dealership or to one of the area’s top mechanics?  Generally speaking, independent mechanics love dealerships. Why, because dealers' stiff rates and by-the-book approach can drive customers straight to a local independent specialist.

Dealerships can add hours of labor to a job that may take the local shop less time to accomplish.  One independent put it this way…”we have not sold out our imagination”.  Dealer vs. mechanic can be a bit of a dilemma for you.  One benchmark that you can follow is that if your car is no longer under warranty, trust the local mechanic.

One of Raleigh’s best local auto mechanics is Jim’s Auto Service.  Jim Liacos learned his trade on all types of vehicles.  He truly is one of our area’s top shade tree mechanics.  Weigh the differences between dealership and independent…especially time and cost.  Call Jim or drive in to his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  You can always call ahead at (919) 824-4566.

Tune In, Tune Up, Drive Off.

When you trust your vehicle to Jim’s Auto Service for a tune-up, you are essentially asking our skilled technicians to inspect your engine, analyze vehicle performance, and make adjustments as needed.  The engine tune-up checklist will comprise both preventative and restorative engine assessment, as well as final maintenance recommendations.

Here are some of the things that we do while under the hood –

1.  Check the spark plugs visually…that tells us a lot.

2.  Is the spark igniting the fuel?

3.  Check the fuel filter.

4.  Is the fuel pump functioning properly?

5.  Adjust the engine timing if necessary.

There are other steps that we use as well.  Suffice to say, here at Jim’s Auto Service we did not get the reputation as one of Raleigh’s premier shade tree mechanics without familiarity with all makes and models.  Come to the Raleigh area’s top tune-up specialist…Jim’s Auto Service.  We are located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  For an appointment just call (919) 824-4566.

The Man Beneath your Hood.

Whom you trust to repair your car is an important decision.  Your vehicle is one of your top investments and priorities.  Raleigh, meet Jim Liacos if you have not already done so.  Jim is the chairman of the board and head mechanic at his own shop, Jim’s Auto Service.  He is a fixture in the Raleigh community and well he should be.

We like to refer to Jim as the ultimate shade tree mechanic because he learned auto repair from the ground up by working on vehicles for friends and neighbors.  He was drafted into the Army 50 years ago.  From there, he worked at NC College of Veterinary Medicine.  That’s a circuitous route indeed on the way to becoming one of this area’s top auto mechanics!

Jim runs Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Whatever the make…whatever the model, if it runs on four-wheels Jim will fix it or has a mechanic on duty who will do it right the first time…guaranteed.  Get to know Jim and his team by stopping in at the shop or calling ahead for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Don’t stay in Suspense about Suspension.

That is definitely a confusing statement.  Your vehicle’s suspension system is largely ignored until a problem rears its ugly head.  Tons of metal bear down on your car year after year.  At some point the shocks will simply wear out.  If your suspension system is on the fritz it will make your vehicle hard to control.

What are the warning signs of a faulty suspension system?

1.  Your ride is rougher than those horse soldiers of the late 19th century.

2.  When you turn your steering wheel, there is a pulling sensation.

3.  Put on the brakes.  Does your car steer in one direction or the other?

4.  The shocks have simply warn out.

What do you do next?  If you live in the Raleigh NC area you trust the ultimate “shade tree” mechanic.  He is Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Service in Raleigh.  He and his shop have been around for decades, but Jim and his staff continue to learn and grow as vehicles change.  Call for an appointment at (919) 824-4566 or drive to the shop at 3711 Tarheel Drive.

Meet the Man Behind the Business.

So many times, we do business with a company and we really don’t know who owns and manages it.  You might think that Jim’s Auto Service in Raleigh just has somebody’s name on the building, but the original Jim is long gone.  That is NOT the case in this particular instance!

Jim, in this case, is Jim Liacos.  We know him around here as “the ultimate shade tree mechanic”, because he cut his teeth repairing all types of vehicles more than a half-century ago.  His story is chronicled on his website and it is worth a read.  You will find that Jim has been involved in a number of different things over the decades.

We are lucky that he ultimately decided to open Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh many years ago.  Jim and his crew have pursued excellence in automotive repair and customer service.  Whenever you have a need for preventative maintenance or repair of a major mechanical problem trust Jim.  Call for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Safety from Bottom to Top.

It sounds out of sequence, doesn’t it?  This time it applies to what keeps your car rolling down the road this summer and beyond…your tires.  Safety starts at the bottom.  Tires are often ignored because today’s technology has made them more reliable and long-lasting as they have ever been in automotive history.

You know when your vehicle’s oil should be changed and when (according to the owner’s manual) other fluids need to be changed.  Under normal circumstances your biggest concern should be your tires.  Here is a tip.  Change your tires every four years regardless of how much tread is left.  A blowout at the wrong time could be a disaster!

For all of your vehicle’s maintenance needs (including your tires) trust Raleigh’s ultimate “shade tree mechanic”.  He is Jim Liacos and the team from Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.  Jim has been working on every type of vehicle for more than four decades.  Make an appointment today and have your tires checked by calling (919) 824-4566.

Let There NOT be Light.

Not this light…the check engine light.  In a the most radical scenario look for a serious problem that requires immediate attention.  Check your gauges and lights on your dashboard for indications of low oil pressure or overheating. These conditions mean you should pull over and shut off the vehicle ASAP!

Here are some reasons why your check engine light may have come on –

1.  It is time to replace your oxygen sensor.

2.  You have a loose gas cap…that would be nice if that’s all it is.

3.  You need to replace your catalytic converter.

4.  A cranky mass airflow sensor.

5.  Spark plugs have seen better days.

Whatever the case, you should seek the help of Jim’s Auto Service.  Jim and his staff have been the Raleigh area’s car repair and check engine light professionals since BEFORE there even was a light on your dashboard.  Make an appointment to have that check engine light diagnosed at 3711 Tarheel Drive by calling (919) 824-4566.

Sticker Shock Avoided.

There is little worse than sticker shock.  Maybe it is the price of a new car, or something as innocuous as the price of eggs at your local grocery store.  In this day and age, with instant communication sticker shock should be a thing of the past.  Every once in a while, it rears its ugly head!

You should not experience this feeling when you have your vehicle serviced.  Yet, it happens all the time in our country.  It is real, and it will continue as long as you allow it to.  Why not get a fair and honest estimate of all your car’s repair needs before you bring it into the shop and find out what it all will cost after it’s too late?

At Jim’s Auto Service, Jim Liacos wants you to know the cost of the repairs needed BEFORE you make a trip to 3711 Tarheel Drive.  That is why they put an entire page on their website at www.jimsautoservices.com so you can fill out a form under the heading estimates.  Then, give them a call for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.