Whoosh, Whoosh, Whoosh.

Wiper blades should be replaced every six months to a year or as soon as you notice a difference in driving visibility. When wiper blades no longer make proper contact with the windshield surface, they can begin to squeak, chatter, skip, smear or streak reducing driving visibility.  Danger Will Robinson, danger!

As the seasons change in the Raleigh area the snow, ice, rain and sun can cause the rubber compound on the blade to split and crack over time, creating reduced visibility when you use your wipers in inclement weather.  Responsible auto mechanics say periodically changing out your old blades for new ones to allow the windshield wiper to effectively remove debris.

It is just one of a myriad of car maintenance chores that you count on Jim Liacos to handle swiftly, accurately, and economically.  He and his crew at Jim’s Auto Service are some of the best auto maintenance professionals in the Raleigh area.  Call ahead for an appointment at Jim’s location 3711 Tarheel Drive.  That phone number is (919) 824-4566.

Volkswagen…a World-Wide Classic.

You would be hard-pressed to find an adult who has never heard of this classic car manufacturer.  From the Bus to the Beetle, Volkswagen has been a part of our culture for well over a half-century.  Do you own one or want to?  If that is the case, then you should be aware of some mechanical challenges that you may face.

1.  The check engine light that has become a recent problem particularly in 2013 Jettas.

2.  Oil sludge…this has reared its head in 2000 model Passats.

3.  Wiring harness shorts…particularly in the 2006 Jetta.

4.  Coil failure is a particular problem of the 2004 Passat.

Volkswagens are engineered to last for many, many years if you treat them with TLC.  In our area VW’s are treated like children by the team at Jim’s Auto Services.  Jim Liacos and his staff are Raleigh’s Volkswagen repair professionals.  No matter the model or the year you can trust Jim’s Auto Services every time!  Call them for an appointment today at (919) 824-4566.

The Summer Sun vs. Your Car.

The sun is a formidable opponent when it comes to your car.  The heart of your car is your battery.  When the sun beats down, that battery takes quite a toll.  If you think about it, what would be more likely to happen, cold weather affecting the performance of your battery or hot weather?

The truth is, it is the searing heat.  Just look at the label.  If you purchased your battery anywhere from five to seven years ago then its shelf life is just about over.  That is especially true if you live in a hot climate like Raleigh.  Over-charging as well as excessive heat also contributes to its limited life as its liquid evaporates over time.

Fear not, there is someone who has your back!  In the Raleigh, North Carolina area Jim Liacos is your ultimate shade tree mechanic.  For decades, he has been Raleigh’s battery replacement specialist.  Before you find yourself stranded on the side of the road make an appointment at his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive by calling (919) 824-4566.

How About a Break on Your Car Repair?

We are coming out of winter and it is an exceptional time to have your vehicle maintained.  I can just about guarantee you that if you have not had a mechanic look at your car in 2017 something needs to be done.  Maybe it is only an oil change, but getting on top of it now could save you countless dollars and frustration later.

One of the things that causes us to put off the inevitable is price.  We think…I’ll just wait another thousand miles until I really need vehicle maintenance.  Meanwhile, people are driving around Raleigh just waiting for something to go haywire under the hood.  What if you could get a “deal” on your next auto maintenance or repair bill?

You deserve to save money!  The ultimate vehicle mechanic in Raleigh agrees.  He is Jim Liacos.  For more than 4 decades he has been repairing every possible vehicle on the road.  Go to the website www.jimsautoservices.com and take a look at the specials.  Then make an appointment at Jim’s Auto Service located at 3711 Tarheel Dr. by calling (919) 824-4566.

When to Flush.

No, we are not talking about that…it’s your radiator that is the subject of this article.  Your car’s engine coolant will cause an engine to overheat.  It’s the coolant’s job to circulate through the engine and the radiator.  When summer comes that is what will keep your engine running at full capacity.

What are some of the signs that your vehicle needs a coolant flush?

1.  Seeing your temperature gauge go up.

2.  A puddle of antifreeze underneath your car.

3.  You hear a grinding sound.

4.  Rust is visible in the coolant.

5.  Steam emanating through the hood.

That last one should get your attention!  This is a good time of year to pay attention to this potential problem.  When the time comes, make an appointment with Raleigh’s ultimate “shade tree mechanic”.  Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Service is the answer for all of your car maintenance needs.  Make an appointment or drive in to 3711 Tarheel Dr. by calling (919) 824-4566.

Put Your Car on the Clock.

Say what…put your car on the clock?  What do we mean by that?  Well simply this…in the spring and fall we are governed by the clock.  We are about to spring forward after falling back late last year.  You even schedule your dental cleanings and change your smoke detector batteries bi-annually.  Why not put your auto maintenance on the clock as well?

With spring right around the corner, when was the last time you had your battery checked?  When was the last time you had your oil changed?  What about the air filter and other internal parts that need to be checked periodically?  If you stay on schedule then chances are you won’t end up stranded on the side of the road.

For my money, give me an auto mechanic who has grown up “under the hood”.  One who has seen them come and go for decades.  Give me someone who has worked on Studebakers and hybrids.  Raleigh’s ultimate shade tree auto mechanic is Jim Liacos.  Let’s spring forward and make an appointment at his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive by calling (919) 824-4566.

Maintaining Your Engine.

Maintaining a car’s engine is like proper health care and diet for your body.  If your vehicle’s engine is neglected it will give up on you.  No one wants to be stranded on the roads around Raleigh in the winter.  Why not use common sense and treat your car’s motor like your own internal organs?

People don’t know what to pay for a simple tune-up anymore.  Spurious auto mechanics around the country are charging as much as $1000 for a simple tune-up!  Step 1: Check your owner’s manual.  What are the scheduled tune-ups for your particular vehicle?  Just as you should not ignore them they don’t need to be done TOO frequently either.

Step 2 is obvious.  You pick up the phone and call Raleigh’s ultimate shade tree mechanic, Jim Liacos.  If you don’t know him already then go to www.jimsautoservices.com and fill out an estimate right on his website.  Jim has spent four decades tuning up vehicles in the Raleigh area.  Give him a call today at (919) 824-4566.

An Auto Mechanic Who Really Does It All!

So many car mechanics specialize in one make of vehicle when it comes to repair.  We see German auto repair, foreign cars in general, or “we specialize in trucks”.  When you are driving a specific type of vehicle that may be okay, but give me someone who is adept at repairing everything on four wheels.

There are hybrids and diesels and mini-vans and trucks all over the Raleigh area highways and bi-ways.  If you see a mechanic that you are confident has all the knowledge to do the job right you want to adopt that person to do all of your preventative maintenance in 2017.  That man really does exist in this age of specialization!

He is the ultimate shade tree mechanic, Jim Liacos.  You see, Jim learned all about the repair and maintenance of cars and trucks decades ago.  Unlike some of the young guns who just go to school to learn about a specific type, he has become proficient at repairing nearly all of them.  He really is Raleigh’s true full-service auto mechanic.  Call him for an appointment at his shop on 3711 Tarheel Drive at (919) 824-4566.

Winter and Your Vehicle in Raleigh.

Raleigh is not Milwaukee, but it’s not Miami either.  Wintertime can and will take a toll on your vehicle if you are not prepared.  Have you had your coolant checked recently?  It could really be out of whack if you have too much water and too little antifreeze proportionately.  When temperatures drop below 32 degrees that water in your radiator will freeze.

Maybe you have neglected your windshield wipers.  If we have a rainy, slushy, snowy spell they will be in almost constant demand.  You had better be sure your car’s wiper blades are in tip top shape.  Have your tires checked as well.  A sudden cold snap will suck some of the air right out of them and the tread needs to be as close to new as possible.

There are probably about 100 things that can inhibit your driving this winter.  There is one way to avoid all of that - preventative maintenance from a mechanic you have counted on for the last 40 winters.  His name is Jim Liacos.  Jim is the Raleigh area’s ultimate “shade tree mechanic”.  He doesn’t have the overhead so he keeps his prices lower.  Drive into his shop at 3711 Tarheel Drive or call for an appointment at (914) 824-4566.

Happy Holidays from a Full-Service Auto Mechanic.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but when you find a family doctor that you trust you do not ever want to leave him or her for any reason.  When the kids start going to a dentist that you really like you want them to continue visiting that particular practitioner.  The same should apply to your auto mechanic…shouldn’t it?

If you see a nationally recognized name on the front of the building that COULD give you some comfort I suppose.  Here is the downside of that.  You don’t necessarily come to know your mechanic year-in-and-year-out.  There is something to be said for having the same person repair and maintain your 2017 vehicle that you also trusted with your 1978 Chevy.

For more than four decades Jim Liacos has been the ultimate “shade tree mechanic”.  He repairs as well as maintains domestic, foreign, European, even hybrids.  If you are located anywhere in the Raleigh Durham Triangle area you can count on him to treat your vehicle with the same TLC that he did your father’s car.  Make him your new auto mechanic by calling (919) 824-4566.

Headed North for the Holidays?

Just because you had the good sense to move to Raleigh doesn’t mean all of your relatives did the same.  You may have kin folk in New York, New Jersey or some other northern state.  Now it’s time to make that annual pilgrimage for a holiday visit.  DO NOT leave the warmer, more temperate climate of our area without a complete check-up of your vehicle.

How old are the tires on your car?  They not only have to hold up under the distance, but the changing weather conditions that you will probably face.  What about an oil change?  If you are even close to 3000 miles do not try to just skate by until you return to beautiful Raleigh for the remainder of the winter season.

Being stranded up north is cold (literally and figuratively).  To take preventative measures, make an appointment to see Jim Liacos.  He is the owner of Jim’s Auto Service, your Raleigh area cold weather vehicle maintenance professional located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.  After Jim gets under the hood you will be ready for winter driving.  Call for an appointment today at (919) 824-4566.

Your Car’s Oil and Coolant vs. Old Man Winter.

If you feel the bite of winter, then you can be sure that your car is feeling the same thing in its own way.  Unless you are driving in a bubble your car is exposed to the harsh change in temperature.  Your vehicle is counting on you to take care of it so you can get from point A to point B as easily as you did when the weather was not a factor.

If you make sure that you are current on your oil changes then your car will turn over easier in cold weather.  If you use a full synthetic oil that will help even more.  Just as important as the oil is the coolant.  The proper mix of water to coolant will protect your car’s cooling system from freezing and your engine block from corroding.

No one wants to be stranded along the side of the road during freezing weather.  To help avoid that make an appointment to see Jim Liacos.  He is the owner of Jim’s Auto Service your Raleigh area auto winterizing professional.  Some minutes under the hood and Jim will have you ready for winter driving.  Call for an appointment today at (919) 824-4566.

Test Your Battery for Winter.

You can almost count on it.  Your battery will fail just when you need it most.  Weather changes challenge your battery every year.  Think back…when was the last time that you even had your battery checked?  Is it fully charged?  When did you have it installed?  After all, it is the heart of your vehicle and needs to be treated as such.

The other thing to keep in mind is having a fresh oil change at the beginning of winter.  Your engine is effected negatively in cold weather with oil that has been running through it for more than 3000 miles.  This is NOT the time of year to squeeze a little extra out of your vehicle because you are too busy during the upcoming holidays.

How about combining both with one visit?  Make an appointment for an oil change and a FREE tire rotation and battery test.  You get all of that from Jim’s Auto Services.  Jim Liacos has been repairing and maintaining vehicles in the Raleigh area for 4 decades.  Call Raleigh’s auto care specialist at (919) 824-4566 and make an appointment with Jim at his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive.

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!?

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.

Preventative Auto Maintenance Before Summer Vacation.

Holiday ROOOOOAD…Holiday ROOOOOAD.  Maybe you are preparing that ultimate summer vacation in the summer months to come.  Where will your travels take you?  Will you head west to explore the great frontier?  Maybe this is the year to drive north and visit America’s biggest and (at least according to them) best cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Boston.

Whatever you decide to do this summer, make sure that you don’t have a vacation like the Griswolds.  I mean, think about it - you might drive a thousand miles in a month.  Now you are going to embark on a multi-thousand mile trip in two weeks.  You don’t have to be an auto mechanic to know that you are putting a lot of stress and strain on your family car.

Luckily for you there is a great auto mechanic right here in the area.  He is a 40-year veteran of preventative auto maintenance in Raleigh.  His name is Jim Liacos.  Get to know him and you will trust him with all of your car’s upkeep.  Before heading out on vacation this summer make your first stop Jim’s Auto Services located at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.

Getting an Estimate on Auto Repair.

I think most of us have gone through this.  We start to hear noises coming from our car and we take a deep breath.  Or maybe one of the trouble lights comes on.  Oh boy, how much is THIS going to cost?  Our minds begin to conjure up the worst case scenarios.  We can’t afford a thousand dollar auto repair bill right now.

The important issue is NOT to wait too long.  You may be a shade-tree mechanic who thinks he knows what is wrong under the hood.  If you happen to be wrong, then you will REALLY pay in the long run.  You need to find someone who services all types of vehicles in the Raleigh area and has been doing it for decades.

Jim Liacos of Jim’s Auto Services has a spotless reputation for repairing cars and trucks in the area for over FORTY years.  His reputation for accuracy and fairness in Raleigh NC car repair is second to none.  Find out about that “new sound” emanating from your vehicle.  Get a free estimate from Jim by calling (919) 824-4566 and making an appointment at 3711 Tarheel Drive in Raleigh.

Car Maintenance in Raleigh When You Need It.

People who are wise in many different areas can often become flummoxed when talking to a car mechanic.  You need to find someone who assesses the services that your vehicle needs at the proper intervals.  No one wants to overspend on auto repair.  You need to know when it comes time for any routine maintenance that your car requires.

Take brake fluid flushes for example.  Your auto repair shop should visually inspect your brake fluid once or twice a year to determine if it needs flushing.  Power steering fluid should last the life of the vehicle and normally does not require frequent flushing.  There are many aspects of your routine auto maintenance that you want to trust to a pro.

There is an easy answer when you are looking for auto service in the Raleigh area.  Trust an auto mechanic with over 30 years of experience.  That is Jim’s Auto Service.  Jim will tell you when your vehicle needs a certain type of maintenance and EXACTLY what it entails.  Call him today to make an appointment at his shop located at 3711 Tarheel Drive (919) 824-4566.

When Was the Last Time You Checked Your Tires?

Do you have regular oil changes?  Routine maintenance is something you always remember when it comes to your precious vehicle.  Even such things as air filters changed regularly.  You are usually on top of that aren’t you?  Be honest, when was the last time that you leaned down and inspected each of your tires for wear and tear or punctures?

Worn and/or unbalanced tires can cause a multitude of problems and pose an imminent danger to you and your family.  When tires begin to vibrate it results in unsafe driving conditions.  It is entirely possible that you won’t notice the problem until it is too late.  If your car breaks down you may be stranded on the side of the road.  If one or more tires fail you may be upside down on the side of the road!

Jim’s Auto Service in Raleigh will consistently balance and rotate your vehicle’s tires to improve wear and tear.  A smoother ride means a safer ride and less expense because you won’t be replacing tires as often or paying an auto body shop to repair the damage when you crashed into a guard rail after a blow-out!  Call Jim Liacos today to have your tires examined at (919) 824-4566…or wobble into his shop at 3711 Tarheel Drive.