ROAD TRIP!!!!

So Summer is here, the kids are out of school and it is time for a road trip. But is you car ready for one? That is the question of the day.

Here are some tips before you head out to the wild , blue yonder.

1. Make an appointment to have your Carchick or Cardude have a look see at your baby.


2. Inform them that you are going on a road trip. This will put an emotional note in their head to look for any possible problems. They should be checking these things:

a. The condition of all the fluids, belts, hoses, filters and wiper blades.

b. The condition of the tire tread, wear and air pressure. Ask them to check your spare tire as it is often overlooked.

c. Check for leaks, possible decayed rubber components, etc.

d. Ask them to check the battery and alternator, or charging system. Batteries tend to fail more readily in extreme heat or cold conditions, so check it out before you leave.

e. Tires, tires and more tires. The rubber gets pretty hot when the wheels turn on hot asphalt for extended periods of time. It is important that the air pressure is correct, that there is plenty of tread left on the tire and that there are no small cracks called dry rot.


3. Load up time. Here is a list of things that might be good to have with you:

a. Drinking water and snacks

b. The right kind of clothes. Include a jacket and an extra pair of underwear (that is because my Grandmother always said to be sure and have clean underwear).

c. Travelers checks and cash.

d. Some type of roadside assistance program.

e. Maps and games for the kids.



Now go out and have a good time. Beep, Beep!!!

Funny Ad

Saw this at the end of an add or Craigslist. This may be our new outgoing message for the shop:

"My Karmic terms: :)
* No crazy people please (if you have to stop & think about that...you're crazy, don't call)
* Cash only & first come first serve
* All attempts at fraud will be reported to the FTC, ISP or appropriate agency.
* Don't call if you are not local, mining for data or for surveys.
* Do not send Spam or call to offer a “exciting new business opportunity”, do not call to “ask us what we're wearing” or for anything other than questions or meeting up."

All I can say is "Classic!!!"

Find the One You Gel With

We received a call from our customer Carly. She was having battery issues. Her male neighbor told her to go get a battery from the local parts store. She said "Who needs them? I've got Rebekah." Well, that made us feel all warm and fuzzy of course. She continued "She takes care of my car." He said "Maybe I should have her look at mine." She retorted back "Well, you'd be an idiot if you didn't go to her."



While we dislike calling people names, we couldn't be wearing a bigger smile on our faces this day. Honor, loyalty and integrity...with a little humor always makes us smile.



Do you have this kind of relationship with your doctor, banker, mechanic? One that makes you feel comforted and safe? It seems that it should be our goal in life to find those of a like mind. That we should be giving advice that is specific to and for our customers, our friends, our loved ones.



We can all add our own spice to the mix, infuse it with integrity, knowledge, faith and love. Perhaps we can all make a beautiful souffle for the dinner table called life. Toot, toot!!!

Get Your Swirl Valve Fixed

The check engine light comes on. What do you do?

1. Stop the car and cry?

2. Stop at a good coffee shop, grab a latte and then cry?

3. Drive to work and ignore it?

4. Call the Carchicks...well maybe grab a latte first. We understand.

The answer should be number 4.

So your vehicle is screaming with the check engine light on. Okay, it is not really screaming, but it can seem a bit passive aggressive because it is glaring at you all the time the car is on. We hook up the scanner (a tool that retrieves the data stored in the computer brain of your vehicle) and see that the code is P1138 "Swirl Control Valve." Who ever heard of a swirl control valve? It still amazes us, the words that are used in our business. Here is what that means.

The swirl control valve has a valve portion in the intake passage of each cylinder. When idling and during low engine coolant temperature, the swirl control valve closes, making the speed of air in the intake passage increase, which helps with the vaporization of the fuel and producing a "swirl" in the combustion chamber.

Because of this, the system tends to increase the burning speed of the fuel mixture, which improves fuel comsumption, and increases the consistancy of running conditions.

You may still be saying "What?" It does get confusing when you start hearing things being explained in terms that don't fit your vocabulary. That is why a check engine or service light may not be the simplest thing to understand.

That is what good mechanics are for. To translate the language your vehicle is speaking to you. Sometimes it is easy, sometimes not. But we feel the fun part is figuring it all out and making her and you feel all better. Toot, toot!!

We are helping to promote our customer and friend with his project!!! Chris is a great guy. A wonderful father, coach and actor. This is a short film that he wrote. It is from his heart and that is all we had to hear to offer our help!!! Give it if you've got it. Share it with the ones you love. Have fun with it. We will keep you updated.