Foreign vs. Domestic.

Don’t worry, this is not going to get political.  This pertains to foreign vs. domestic cars being driven around the Raleigh area.  In the past it used to be that foreign cars were known for their quality, while domestic cars were made to be more affordable.  Now, the gaps between quality have greatly closed.  Domestic cars are being made with higher quality and longevity.

In the old days, foreign vehicles were widely recognized for their high-quality aesthetics.  Now it really depends on personal preference.  American cars, however, still maintain the favored muscle car.  Cars are being sold at around the same price, whether foreign or domestic.  So…you make the call!

Whatever you drive we’ll take care of it for its entire life.  Foreign or domestic we don’t care.  We are your ultimate shade tree mechanic in the Raleigh area.  Whenever you need emergency repairs or routine maintenance on your foreign or domestic vehicle come into Jim’s Auto Service at 3711 Tarheel Dr. or call (919) 824-4566.  

What’s Wrong? Don’t Worry We’ll Fix It!

You know when your car conks out (or sounds like it is about to) people tend to either go to their trusted mechanic…or seek out a new one.  So, would you rather go to a mammoth service center where you are no more than a number, or an auto repair shop that is populated with “shade tree mechanics” who have worked on all types of makes and models?

Whatever the problem with your vehicle, we can fix it.  Is your battery dead or dying?  Are your brakes going out?  Do you need a bulb or wiper replaced?  Did your heating system go out?  Is it time for an oil change or one of the various schedule maintenance on your car?  Maybe it is the dreaded check engine light.

Here at Jim’s Auto Service we have been repairing cars and pick-ups and SUV’s for decades.  Our loyal customers come from all walks of life around the Raleigh area.  The next time you need vehicle maintenance give us a call at (919) 824-4566 to make an appointment…or stop by the shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.

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.

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. 

We Know You…You Know Us.

There are large corporations that do decent work in many fields.  Let’s face it, the big retail giants have caused the mom and pop hardware stores to go the way of the dinosaur.  It is just progress, they say.  There is a greater selection of goods because of buying power which also results in lower prices.

How does that pertain to auto service?  After all, there is only one way to properly service your vehicle…the right way, the first time!  A large chain repair operation where the personnel come through there like a revolving door may not be the best choice to have “your baby” serviced and back on the road.

Enter the “ultimate shade tree mechanic”.  Jim Liacos and his loyal staff have been serving the Raleigh area with personal, quality, guaranteed auto service for decades.  Why trust the chain to do the work?  Count on the caring professionals every time at Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Call ahead at (919) 824-4566. 

Get Free Advice First.

How many times have we entered into something without knowing the true final cost?  It happens to all of us at one time or another in a variety of ways.  There is little in this life more jolting than “sticker shock” when you see the final bill!  Near the top of that list may be the function of vehicle repair.

On occasion we wait to long to fix a problem because we are worried about the final cost.  When we do that, it is possible that a minor issue will become a major one!  So, how do we avoid that when we hear our car making noises, or the check engine light is on, or we notice something else that we can’t explain or repair on our own?

The answer in the Raleigh area is Jim’s Auto Service.  It is right there on their website jimsautoservices.com.  On the estimates tab you can fill out and send in your vehicle’s issues and send it to Jim who will give you as complete an assessment as possible.  Then, if you wish, just bring it in to 3711 Tarheel Drive or call ahead at (919) 824-4566.

Tune it Up and Turn it On.

This is the time of year to have your engine tuned to prepare for Raleigh’s hot, humid summer weather.  Since your vehicle should be tuned up once a year, why not make it an annual habit to have it done every spring?  IF a timing belt snaps, your engine will likely be ruined in a matter of seconds.  You don’t get a second chance!

What are some reasons to get a tune up?

1.  Here’s a good one…you won’t be stranded on the side of the road.

2.  Avoid an accident traveling at higher speeds.

3.  Extend the life of your vehicle.

4.  It could save you a LOT of money in the long-run.

You can pay me now or pay me later as the old saying goes.  I am Jim Liacos.  I have been tuning up engines in the Raleigh area for decades and I have a great staff who will get you in and out of here in a timely fashion.  Stop by the shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive or call ahead for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Oh Boy, It’s the Check Engine Light.

It’s a sight that makes our stomach turn…a modern work of technology that helps us know when our vehicle might need a particular service.  What, exactly does it need?  A flashing check engine light is typically indicative of a serious problem affecting your vehicle's ignition, fuel or emission systems.

Here are some reasons why that nasty light might have come on-

1.  The catalytic converter needs attention.

2.  The mass airflow sensor could need to be replaced.

3.  Spark plugs and wire plugs may be loose.

4.  The oxygen sensor is on the fritz.

5.  The best one…just a loose gas cap!

Go to the light.  Point your vehicle toward Jim’s Auto Service one of Raleigh’s premier auto service shops.  Jim Liacos is the ultimate shade tree mechanic who has worked on every type of vehicle LONG before there were “trouble lights”.  Jim and his crew will check things out at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Call for an appointment at (919) 824-4566.

Special Orders Don’t Upset Us.

You have heard these words before when promoting a fast-food restaurant chain.  So, how does it apply to your vehicle’s mechanical repair?  What we are referring to is the ability to do the same great job on ALL vehicles.  Be they foreign or domestic, we fix them all.  The new era of electrical systems does NOT challenge us.

When you learned your profession as a “shade tree mechanic” you can make that claim.  That means we did not study at the hands of specific auto manufacturers as many people do.  The truth is, I have had the greatest teacher of them all…experience.  You learn by doing, and in the last 40 plus years I have just about repaired ‘em all!

I am Jim Liacos, the head of Jim’s Auto Service here in Raleigh NC.  You may read about my history and background by visiting www.jimsautoservices.com.  I hope you feel that no matter what type of vehicle you drive you will trust me and my staff to fix it right the first time at our shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Stop in or make an appointment by calling (919) 824-4566.

Vehicles Built to Last.

We thought you might like to see some of the vehicles that hold up the longest and best on the highways and bi-ways of America.  In the old days, people bought new cars routinely every couple of years rather than maintain them.  Today, quality workmanship and just the economy in general may dictate that you keep your car on the road longer.

The average age of a vehicle on US roads is more than 11 years!  That may surprise you.  Modern vehicles are higher in quality, designed and engineered to last longer than ever.  A Consumer Reports survey of 740,000 people, has identified ten vehicles that are the most likely to make it to 200,000 miles.  You might want to check that out.

If you are the average driver around Raleigh, then your vehicle is about a decade old.  You need to seek reliable maintenance to keep it humming along.  The answer is always Jim’s Auto Service at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Keep your car, truck, SUV, or mini-van on the road well into its second decade and keep Jim’s number handy (919) 824-4566.

Bring ‘em all in.

We will handle them all…domestic, foreign, hybrid, SUV, trucks, etc.  My staff and I are what are known as “shade tree mechanics”.  What that means is we did not go to school to learn how to fix a specific model of vehicle.  We learned under the “mighty oak”.  From Edsels to today’s hybrids we fix them all.

What you need to know as 2018 dawns is that the changing weather in the Raleigh area means that your vehicle needs to stay in tip-top condition.  As we catch basketball fever around here we want to be able to get to Tarheel games safe and sound.  Don’t worry, we will be here to make sure that you do!

We are Jim’s Auto Service.  I am Jim Liacos and for the last 40+ years I have learned to fix every make and model of vehicle with four wheels (and some with two when I was a kid).  When you need vehicle repair and maintenance in the Raleigh area please make an appointment at our 3711 Tarheel Drive location by calling (919) 824-4566.

Another New Model Year.

When you are in the auto repair business you look at the new year as a new model year.  There are many new cars on the roads of Raleigh that were not there at this time last year.  I have seen them come and go…from Edsel to Prius.  Some makes and models survive and thrive and some go the way of the dinosaur!

Whatever the case may be, I have made it my life’s work to maintain and repair them all.  Some people may call me the “ultimate shade tree mechanic”.  My name is Jim Liacos.  I did not go to school specifically to repair a certain type of vehicle.  I graduated from the mechanical school of hard knocks and hope to be your auto mechanic in 2018.

As we gather together with family and friends this time of year we at Jim’s Auto Service wish you a safe and happy Holiday season and a prosperous New Year.  If you have just bought a new car or are trying to get by with your current ride for another year we will be here for you.  Merry Christmas from Jim’s Auto Service of Raleigh.

You are NOT too Busy to Keep your Car on the Road.

During the busy holiday season you may not be thinking about keeping your vehicle properly serviced.  The truth is, you need your car more than ever this time of year.  It had better start and keep running all the way to grandma’s house!  Not only is a break-down inconvenient, but in ever-changing weather it could be downright dangerous.

When was the last time you had your battery checked?  When was the last time you had your vehicle’s oil changed?  When was the last time your tires were checked?  I know…nag, nag, nag, but it is for your own good and the safety of your family.  Before it gets away from you why not have a check-up on your car?

The ultimate shade-tree mechanic in the Raleigh area is Jim Liacos.  Jim does it all on just about every make and model out there.  Jim is the owner of Jim’s Auto Service.  He and his team are Raleigh North Carolina’s complete vehicle care and maintenance specialists.  Call for an appointment today at his 3711 Tarheel Drive location (919) 824-4566.

How Cold Does it Get in Raleigh?

December is right around the corner and the coldest weather of the year is coming as well.  Just because we don’t live in New York does not mean that our vehicles are immune from freezing temperatures.  Did you know that the average low temperature in the Raleigh area is right at the freezing mark?  If you are new to the area you might not have known that.

When the thermometer hits the freezing mark, bad things may happen to your car’s battery.  Your vehicle’s battery loses one-third of its power when the temperature dips below 32 degrees.  Simply put, dead batteries are all too common this time of year.  The mantra during wintertime is prevention prevents poor performance.

If you are new to the Raleigh area and the Triangle as we call it you will quickly discover our marvelous living conditions.  It is essential to find a great auto mechanic.  The ultimate shade-tree mechanic in the Raleigh area is Jim’s Auto Service.  Call Jim Liacos and have your car ready for its first or next winter in the triangle at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Call (919) 824-4566.

Failing Brakes are like Fingernails on a Chalkboard.

It is a sound we never want to hear…the grinding and screeching of failing brakes on our vehicle.  How long does it take to stop when you are driving down the highways of the Raleigh area?  At sixty miles per hour it will take your car the length of a football field to come to a complete stop!

What are some of the signs of failing brakes?  The obvious one is the sudden appearance of the brake light on the dashboard.  At least we have this modern piece of technology to “dumb down” the process.  If you have driven for any length of time you instinctively know that it is taking just a bit longer to bring your car to a halt.

At the very first sign of failing brakes we know where to turn in our area.  It is the ultimate “shade tree mechanic”.  Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Services is the Raleigh area brake specialist.  He will diagnose and effect any and all necessary repairs to your vehicle’s brake system.  Don’t let the danger grow.  Make an appointment with Jim Liacos at his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive by calling (919) 824-4566.

Winterizing Your Car.

It is not too early to consider what your vehicle needs to get through the upcoming winter driving season.  We realize that winter in Raleigh is NOT winter in Boston, but it still can hit hard and fast.  You cannot take winter for granted here.  It is also NOT Miami and your vehicle will be subjected to changing weather conditions.

What are some of the emergency items that should be in your car?

1.  A working flashlight

2.  A blanket, a hat, and gloves

3.  A shovel small or large

4.  A brush with an ice scraper

5.  Non-perishable food

That would be a good start.  Now, what about your vehicle beneath the hood?  For that task, people of this area have counted on the decades of expertise from auto mechanic Jim Liacos.  At Jim’s Auto Service they are Raleigh’s premier automobile winterizing headquarters.  It will be here before you know it.  Visit the shop at 3711 Tarheel Drive by calling (919) 824-4566.

Is Your VW Ready for Winter?

Your family Volkswagen is one of your most proud possessions.  Maybe you have been a VW owner since the 1960’s and you were the envy of all your “hippy” friends with your bug or bus.  Perhaps you have been “bitten by the bug” in recent years and have just purchased your first make and model of the famous German vehicle.

Volkswagens need TLC.  They require maintenance by a trained mechanic who has worked with them for years.  The tune up, the oil change, the battery, and the brake system are unique to some of these classic cars.  Make sure that you have your prized VW managed by a true professional mechanic on a regular basis.

In Raleigh NC your home for Volkswagen maintenance and repair is Jim’s Auto Services.  Jim Liacos and his staff remember when the “bug” was in its larval stage!  Trust Jim’s Auto Services to keep your Volkswagen humming along well past 100,000 miles.  Call or stop in at their shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  Call (919) 824-4566. 

Change of Season - Change of Oil.

As summer leaves us for the cooler days of autumn we can also remind ourselves to do other things that impact our lives.  Change your home’s air filters.  Change the batteries in your smoke detector.  Fertilize your lawn.  Change your oil.  That’s right, if you have been driving most of the summer without an oil change then it is high time to do so!

Why are oil changes important to the health of your vehicle?

1.  Those moving parts in your engine will simply break down without lubrication.

2.  Friction + Heat equals disaster for your engine parts.

3.  Fresh oil breaks down the dirt that forms on your engine.

4.  Poor lubrication leads to poorer gas mileage.

5.  Simply put, routine maintenance will keep your car on the road longer.

Ahhh, routine maintenance.  Now, there is something that many of us put off for various reasons.  Fall is NOT the time to be doing that.  It is the routine maintenance that keeps you from having to come up with $15,000 dollars to buy a new car!  Make an appointment with Raleigh’s routine maintenance car repair pro…Jim Liacos at Jim’s Auto Services.  Call (919) 824-4566.