The 435,000 Mile Lexus: Dedicated Maintenance Goes the Distance

by Marjorie, Social Media Manager

Rob and I were having a chat about oil changes the other day, and I asked him how frequently his average customer visits the shop for routine maintenance, such as oil changes. Although I asked the question for marketing purposes, I was also personally curious to know how the "average" driver maintains his or her car, as I myself am a notoriously neglectful car owner.

His answer was as you would expect: all drivers are different! Some come in for the recommended 3,000 mile oil change, some for 7,000 miles, and a few (like me) come in for maintenance only when their car is hacking and wheezing from a dry engine.

However, I was shocked when he told me about one customer in particular who visits Cars for Keeps for an oil change every two to four weeks. "Two to four weeks - you mean twice a month??!!" I said, aghast that someone would be that dedicated to their car's maintenance. "Isn't that just...unnecessary?" I asked Rob, who did an equivalent of an over-the-phone shrug. "Well, his Lexus is the best in our High Mile Club," he said.

Like all good business owners, Rob keeps tabs on his best customers, inducting owners of cars that show...shall we say "unusual vitality" into the Cars for Keeps High Mile Club. The Club includes vehicles - many of them older - that are still running smoothly after an impressive number of miles (thanks to dedicated owners and the automotive expertise of the Cars for Keeps crew). But Gale and his 2000 Lexus LS400 tops them all, purring smoothly after a whopping 435,000 miles!


Perhaps Gale's bi-monthly oil change visits are a bit excessive, but if you compare the cost of two oil changes per month to a monthly car payment, he's getting quite a deal. In the end, buying a new car (or a new engine or transmission) is far more expensive than maintaining the one you already have. We're not suggesting you come in every month for an oil change, but coming in every three months for an oil change and routine inspection can save you (and your car) from a lot of grief. Remember, Cars for Keeps' routine "Pit Stop" inspections are always free!

Safe driving!

5 Tips to Help You Speak "Auto Tech" to Your Car Technicians

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

Have you ever brought your car into a repair shop only to realize you have no idea what to tell the technicians? Or - perhaps more commonly - to realize that you have no idea what your car technicians are telling you?

Well, first off, we take pride at Cars for Keeps in making sure our customers understand exactly what's wrong with their autos, and how we plan to fix it. Ok, well maybe not EXACTLY (that would be a long, boring visit indeed), but a well-informed car owner is far more capable of keeping their car healthy, which is what we're all about.

If you're anything like me, you might tend to say things to your car technician like, "Um, it's not working. I know something is wrong with the...car. Fix it!" Here are a few ways to prepare for your next visit to the repair shop, impress your technicians and make sure you're getting the best service for your car:

1) Take a moment to write down your car's symptoms and/or performance issues. Sloppy steering? Any rattles, vibrations or unusual smells? Does it have trouble starting? Weird sounds? Does the steering pull? Even if you don't know what these symptoms mean, this information can help your technician more accurately diagnose your car.

2) Bring the paperwork from previous repairs, tire changes, oil changes et cetera with you. Think of these as your car's "medical records" - and who doesn't ask for a diagnosis from the doctor without first giving him or her your medical records?

No surprises here!

3) Use the terms "passenger side" and "driver's side" instead of "right" and "left" when describing what's wrong. This will help clarify what you're describing; it turns out, "left" and "right" are subjective to where you're standing!

4) If there's any jargon, process or problem a technician describes that you don't understand, ask him or her to explain it more thoroughly. We pride ourselves on keeping customers well informed, but we can't answer questions you don't ask!

5) Read over the repair order thoroughly and ask technicians to explain any parts you don't understand. If certain parts are vague or not clear, ask they be rewritten so there are no surprises later on.

Safe driving and healthy cars!

Pardon me, but is that your snake lying on the ground?

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

The big black rubber band looking thingy, the black strip of rubber you see lying in the middle of a traffic lane, is not a snake; it's a "serpentine" belt.

Every time you see a broken drive belt lying on the ground at a stop light, you see the evidence that someone’s not going to get where they’re going today without some surprises.

When you see a belt on the ground do you wonder what would happen on your car? Do you wonder if your belt (or belts) are getting ready to do the same thing?

Well… Here are a few facts:

a. No belt is impervious to damage from a foreign object. Modern belts are much tougher though and have a more predictable life span. It’s worth noting that most modern vehicles also utilize protector panels keeping out sticks & stones & worse. If a minimum wage quickie lube guy left one off, would you know?

b. Due to the need for cooling, charging and most critically, power steering, most vehicles can’t run for long without a drive belt. The power steering pump is driven by a belt on the vast majority of vehicles, leaving the steering very stiff if the belt fails. Note that your steering won't fail, but to feel the difference, try turning your steering wheel without the engine running… Other reasons are cooling, as usually the water pump stops turning (all the hot coolant just sits still) and charging, because the alternator is no longer being driven, meaning all of the electricity your vehicle is coming directly from the battery which typically won't last long.

c. The belts are one of the more critical items we inspect during your regular pit stops. We follow clear performance and wear specifications to determine if the belt system has the best chance of reliably performing through till the next seasonal pit stop.

What could you expect if the same were to happen to you? The first thing you would probably notice is the battery or alternator warning light on your instrument panel, steering will suddenly become stiff, requiring significantly more effort to turn and the engine will start to run warmer than normal. While each situation is unique, the old standard of continuing the same direction as much as possible, finding the nearest place to pull off the road safely and then turn you heater up all the way before the temperature gets out of control (in winter to give you some cabin warmth you may need for a few minutes). Keep in mind, when the engine temperature gauge goes into the red, damage is occurring, the longer in red, the more lifespan is consumed. Too long and engine replacement is the only option. Don't hesitate to call for help, if you are unsure who to call, we hope you'll think of us (that card in the glovebox?) we'll be glad to guide you in getting the help you need.

The best thing to keep this from happening to you? Get regular maintenance inspections (not just a quickie lube). Our clients get our Seasonal Pit Stops free!

5 Ways to Prevent Costly Ice-Induced Car Damage

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Technician

The cold weather is upon us. The cold wreaks all kinds of havoc on vehicles. Any problems that you may have had in the warmer months seem to be multiplied by the cold. What are some basic things you can do to protect your vehicle?

1) Marjorie talked earlier about washing away the salt that accumulates from roads. This is great preventative maintenance. It can help minimize any rust from the salt that may form. Not only on the body of the vehicle, but many other parts such as your brake lines or fuel lines.

2) Drive slower. This one should be a no brainer. Driving slower can reduce your chances of being caught in a ditch or worse in an accident.

3) You should also drive slower when your cars engine is cold. This will prevent any premature damage internally to the engine. Many people do not realize the other fluids in your vehicle are also cold, such as transmission fluid, power steering fluid and differential fluids. So avoid high revving your engine and fast cornering until you have at least some drive time to warm those up too.

4) Turn off all accessories when you shut your vehicle off. This includes your lights, blower motor, wiper blades, ect. These extra accessories are not needed when you start your vehicle for the first time and only add an extra draw on your battery when starting your vehicle. Only after your vehicle is started should these be turned on. And don't start the wipers until they are no longer frozen to the windshield!

5) Do not force your windows down. Manual windows are, of course, more resilient to this over power windows. When your windows are frozen shut you should not force them down with the window switch. If they do not go down right away they are frozen shut. You should press up on the switch and wait for them to thaw out. You can speed up the process with a de-icer spray. Many of these motors, just like wiper motors, have plastic gears internally and plastic mounts. They are prone to break especially in the winter, often with costly repairs!

With a few basic steps you can minimize any headaches in the winter and enjoy the holiday season. I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year and a Happy Holiday season.

Drive safe and until next time!

A Women’s Point of View: Yesterday’s Hero, Tomorrow’s Friend

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

About ten years ago, our service manager Dennis Sweet happened to be in the right place at the right time. He was in a parking lot when the battery blew up in one of the parked cars. There were a lady and a dog sitting in the car, very much in distress. She could not open the locked doors because there was no power to unlock them. Battery acid fumes were seeping into the car's interior. The occupants were in extreme danger. Dennis broke out the back window of the car and got both the lady and the dog out safely. In a matter of minutes, the car caught on fire.

Fast forward ten years. This same lady came into Cars For Keeps a few days ago. She was looking for a new repair facility to keep her car maintained properly and she heard some very good things about Cars For Keeps. She and Dennis recognized each other and had a happy reunion. She has made Cars For Keeps her new car maintenance facility “for keeps”. Doing good when the opportunity comes around is like a ripple. It is never forgotten and it keeps circling, coming back to a person in surprising ways. In this case, we welcomed a new customer and also acquired a new friend. I have worked at Cars For Keeps now for four years and have watched these guys consistently go out of their way to help people. Call it “Christmas nostalgia” but from a women’s point of view, this is a good thing.

Wiper Blades: Going Unnoticed Until It's Too Late!

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Technician

When it comes to driving, there are few things more important than visibility, and dull, cracked or bent wiper blades can mean the difference between a clear view and no view. With the snow season upon us wipers can really be abused. However, with proper care and maintenance your wipers can last several years. I’m here to show you how to do just that.

First things first: always turn your wipers off when you turn your car off. Not only does this help cold weather starting, but if they do freeze to the windshield overnight it can prevent many issues. For example, when the wiper blade motor is trying to work and the blades are stuck you can create extreme stress on the motor. Many have plastic gears inside that can easily strip out. Also many wiper arms are made out of soft aluminum. If the blades don’t move and the motor does you can run the risk of ruining both wiper arms, with costly repairs.

Secondly, when scraping your windshield you will want to lift your wipers off the windshield (carefully). If they do not come off right away continue scraping until the defrost kicks in more. Tearing them off when they are frozen runs the risk of tearing the blade from the frame and basically ruining your blade. Some customers have told me that they are using an anti-ice spray to melt away the ice formations. This is also a good way to help speed the process up (ITS COLD!). NEVER, ever, ever use hot water, coffee, tea, etc. on your windshield, you run the risk of cracking it beyond repair. So for those of you who like to take shortcuts in the morning, resist the temptation to use your hot coffee as a defroster!

Thirdly, clean your blades often. Rubbing alcohol on the blade surfaces applied with a cotton cloth or tissue works wonders. This eliminates any grime that may have built up. Also eliminating the ice will help improve visibility. With these easy steps you can have wiper blades that will last for seasons to come. In fact, my wife is on her fourth season on her blades, which we bought the first week we got the car. Oh and don’t forget about the washer fluid! BTW if your low stop by cars for keeps and we will top it off for you (free)! Until next time!

Thanks for the reminder and the great tips, Robert. I myself have not been taking care of my wiper blades this winter, and as a result I got stuck on the freeway with only a tiny patch on my windshield to see through. Drive safe!

Washing Away the Salt: A Michigan Winter Car Maintenance Essential

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

We've covered just about every aspect of effectively preparing your vehicle into reliable winter-weather transportation. But now that winter is here, what can we do to make sure our vehicles stay reliable and healthy?

For car owners, Michigan winter roads are not only infamous for black ice and snow drifts; they're also infamous for that special anti-ice additive: salt. It's the main reason that car owners living in "the car manufacturing state" have one of the poorest returns on their vehicles in the nation. The natural process of oxidation that happens over time to the steel components of your car are rapidly accelerated by salt, turning our beautiful, locally-manufactured vehicles into virtual rust buckets overnight.

You can read more about exactly why salt + the underside of your car = rust that would make Red Green proud, but understanding why this happens doesn't help us maintain healthy, rust-free cars. There's really only one solution to the problem of winter salt: go to the car wash frequently. Some of your car's most vulnerable metal parts and components are underneath your car, completely exposed to the road's salt spray, so be sure to include undercarriage washes each time you visit the car wash this winter.

Interior salt can erode from the inside as well - in addition to making car interiors dirty. Here's a brief YouTube clip with some tips on getting out those winter salt stains (I'll give you a hint: it involves vinegar, water and elbow grease!).

That's it for now. Thanks for stopping by, and safe driving!

A Women's Point of View: Pieces and Parts

by Colette Cooley Cars For Keeps Office Manager

I work with car parts every day. All these funny-shaped pieces made of metal, plastic, rubber, glass and even material. For a non-mechanic, there is something magical about a tiny piece of plastic or a thin bit of wire that can mean the difference between a great big automobile that runs and one that does not run. Take a gasket for example. How can this thin piece of what looks like paper, be so essential to your car? Yes, I know, it keeps oil from leaking out so you won’t have a geyser under the hood, but wouldn’t Gorilla Glue work just as well? And what is it with all that wiring? We are talking a mile or more of wiring running throughout your car. It’s like a Gordian Knot*.

It seems to me that since we are well into the 21st Century, cars ought to be wireless. Everything else is wireless. We have the technology to make a wireless mouse. Need I say more? Until these little inconveniences are overcome, we have knowledgeable mechanics at Cars For Keeps who will help you keep your car in good running condition.

*Greek legend is of a knot tied by King Gordius of Phrygia which could only be undone by the future master of Asia. Alexander the Great, failing to untie it, cuts the knot with his sword. A bold solution for a perplexing problem.

Nice reference, Colette!

The Cars for Keeps Seasonal Pit Stop

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

Over the years of keeping up with automotive repair and maintenance advances, we have strived to help our clients stay up to date with their vehicles needs.

Many of our clients now choose to pre-set their next oil change or maintenance just like they do with dentist appointments. But what should we do if their individual driving habits call for less frequent oil changes? Many of our clients could go a year without needing to have their oil changed; a few of them roll up three thousand miles in just two or three weeks.

Engine oil was only capable of lasting three to four thousand miles up until 30 years ago. Improvements in oil formulas, oil filter and engine designs now allow most drivers to exceed five thousand miles easily today.

We recommend oil change intervals depending on your individual driving habits.

In racing, a “pit stop” is where quick, minor services are performed to get racers back in action as fast as possible with the best odds of making it the maximum distance before another pit stop is required. The “pits” are a spot just off the race track. (we’re not referring to a hole or dungeon here).

At Cars for Keeps, we use the term Pit Stop to explain our strategy of making sure your ride is ready for another round of safe, reliable driving with the unique challenges of the next season.

So in order to make sure you aren’t sacrificing your safety, reliability or budget, we offer our clients the Seasonal Pit Stop.

The Cars for Keeps Pit Stop simply allows us an opportunity to check your vehicles lights, tires, wipers, belts, hoses and fluids. We analyze all the fluids, including the engine oil to make sure they are fully capable of protecting their related systems.

The best part of the Cars for Keeps Pit Stop is that it’s absolutely FREE for our clients. All it takes is your participation in pre-scheduling your pit stop, allowing us to contact you via e-mail for your reminder and then coming in at the scheduled time or re-scheduling if the original time does not work out for you. Call us at 616-846-1989 to schedule your free pit stop.

Now with the Cars for Keeps Seasonal Pit Stop, there is no excuse for risking damage to your vehicle by not catching potential repairs needed, or simply making sure you are getting maximum life from your tires.

A Women’s Point of View: Thanksgiving

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

AAAHH! The Holidays are approaching faster than the speed of light. While half of us are eagerly looking forward to next Wednesday night’s activities of baking pies, peeling 20 pounds of potatoes, and cleaning the house for the 27 people who will be arriving the next day, the other half of us are happily packing our overnight bags to be thrown into the car for that long, relaxing trip to Cousin Clem’s house and all that food.

The Car! OhMyGod! You suddenly remember that you have been postponing that visit to Cars For Keeps to find out what that squeal is about in the back of the car. Your thinking, are the brakes going out? Is the axle about to fall off the car? Is there a rabid raccoon caught in the driveshaft? And now that you are thinking about it, what is that click-click-clicking under the hood? Some squirrel’s nut stash? All the nuts and bolts are loose? Is the engine about to fall off? Suddenly, you are in ‘high anxiety’ mode.

It's O. K. Give Cars For Keeps a quick call to set a last-minute appointment. Have an oil change, an inspection for those pesky noises, a cup of coffee, a few laughs, and a little relaxation while the experts take care of everything for you. There is something empowering in knowing that your car is in good working condition. Just don't forget to fill that gas tank.

Have a joyous and safe Thanksgiving Day.

Lifetime Transmission Fluids: Who’s Lifetime?

by Dennis Sweet, Service Manager at Cars for Keeps

Hello everyone, If you have called or stopped into our shop, you have probably spoken with me. We may have even talked about maintenance. I have always felt that if I can help a client better understand the needs of their vehicle, they will better understand why we recommend it being performed.

I bring up this topic today, not only because it is important, but because I also had this exact conversation with one of our clients today. The topic was transmission fluid and why we had recommended the vehicles to be flushed out and replaced with new. Our client had responded, "but my owners manual states that my vehicle has 'Lifetime Transmission Fluid'". My response to this is, “Who’s lifetime, yours or your vehicles transmission?????" Transmission fluid, just as any other fluid a vehicle uses will wear out, get dirty, break down and even burn.

With this in mind, how long of a lifetime will the transmission have if it is trying to pump contaminated, broken down fluid through its system - or, to put in other terms, veins? I will let you think about for now, but will leave you with our perspective: it is in our best interest to think of your best interest. Our goal is to help you keep your vehicle in the best running condition it can be for as long as you want to own that vehicle. “No payments, just Maintenance.”

So long for now, Dennis

3 Ways to Prevent Winter Driving Emergnecies

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

Winter time is coming sooner than you may think. That means salty slushy roads, ice on the windshield and brrrrrr…freezing temps. What can you do to ensure a safe and reliable vehicle during these harsh wintry months?

Have your vehicle inspected by a licensed mechanic. Quick lube places do not count. Although they are able to check basic things like your fluids and battery, they are not able to check more important things such as your suspension components and reliability items. Also, those techs are NOT required to be state or ASE certified to work on vehicles. So you may not get an adequately qualified tech working on your vehicle.

Maintain your tires. The tires are the ONLY thing between you and the road. Are your tires worn to the wear bars? Not only is it unsafe for you but could also be unsafe for other drivers on the road. Maintaining air pressure also ensures that your tires are working as they were designed. Speaking of tires, do you have a set of dedicated winter tires? If not you should consider it. The difference between an all-season year round tire and a tire used only for the snowy season is like night and day. For those of you who may not have the extra funds to do this, you may want to consider saving extra cash so in the future this becomes available to you.

Carry emergency items in your trunk. A flashlight (with working batteries please), blanket, fresh water, snacks, a cell phone, road hazard beacons such as flares or the reflective triangles and also make sure your factory equipped spare tire and jack are in place. Kitty litter not only provides extra weight but can also help provide traction if your ever stuck in a snow bank. If you have a small snow shovel that will also help dig your way out of a sticky situation.

Hopefully this season will be safe and accident free, but with a little planning you can make sure that if it does turn sour you are prepared. Like a wise man once told me in boy scouts once: it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Until next time!

Cars for Keeps' Waiting Room: a Spa Parlor or a Repair Shop?

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

The waiting room here at the shop is not your average auto garage waiting room. Most repair shops disregard this aspect of business - after all, what does a cleanly waiting room have to do with fixing your car? Many repair shops I've been don't even have a waiting area - just a little grungy corner for you to stand clutching your wallet while you wait.

Cars for Keeps Owner Rob Hopp has a different philosophy on auto repair service, emphasizing the service aspect and recognizing that the car and the customer are a package deal. Sure, the quality of the repair is most important, but where is it written that quality repairs have to come from cramped, dirty facilities?

Cars for Keeps goes out of its way to provide not only the best repair service in town, but the best customer service as well. That means a comfortable waiting area for moms, kids, professionals and anyone else who drops by. I happened to drop by the shop last week and was again impressed with the reception area's cleanliness and commodities. Here are a few pictures I snapped of some of the facility's highlights. You can tell Rob takes pride in his shop - and his customers.

Coffee, tea or...Pepsi? The only things here that require change are the two gumball machines in the corner - which we think parents won't mind at all.

Yes, you're looking at a flat screen TV, comfy chairs and a squeaky clean floor. Catch up on the news, or a snooze while waiting for an oil change - your preference.

Kid's play area is conveniently adjacent to the adult play area. To clarify, those magazines are current within the last few months, not culled from decade old boxes.

The high speed internet-equipped computer is over in the corner to the left. Brought your own? Take advantage of the facility's free Wi-Fi.

Here's the crew crunching numbers behind the desk. This is where you can find Customer Service Manager Dennis' smiling face.

If you've been putting off routine maintenance because going to the shop is too inconvenient, try Cars for Keeps' accommodating facility. Catch up on work, play with your kids, surf the net or get caffeinated; we promise you won't have to stand in a corner while you wait.

Snow Tire FAQs: Michigan Winter Driving Essentials

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

If you've lived in Michigan your entire life, like me, you understand how easy it is to become helpless to the winter elements. If you're new to the area, then you're in for a treat; Michigan's legendary lake effect snow is beautiful, unpredictable and an absolute horror for unprepared winter travelers. While there's not much we can do about keeping our cars from being buried in snow drifts or coated in ice every morning, we can do something about making sure our cars remain on the road - once we've managed to get there.

Here are a few basic facts you should know about snow tires. Check out the YouTube video at the end of this post if you don't believe tread really makes a difference. Which car will you be?

Aren't all-weather tires good enough for winter?

No. Again, I refer you to the video in this post for proof. All-weather tires are designed for dry and wet conditions in warm weather, but they're in no way prepared to give tread on black ice, packed snow and sandy slush. Snow tires are specially made with softer rubber and carefully placed grooves which quickly wear down on dry pavement - which is why you should never leave your snow tires on past spring...unless you like buying new snow tires every year.

When should I put on my snow tires?

Well, how brave are you? If you're a daredevil like me, you may intentionally wait until after the first snowfall just to test your ice-racing skills. For the rest of you, who value your and your family's safety above thrill, it's best to have snow tires put on before the first snowfall, which, in Michigan, could be anytime between October 15th and December 30th. Typically, having snow tires put on a few weeks before Thanksgiving is plenty early enough, and it ensures safe holiday travel.

Should I get studded tires?

This question is best directed to your tire dealer or auto repair shop (I'm sure Dennis has a strong opinion), but there aren't very many situations where studded tires help you more than regular snow tires - in some environments, studded tires can actually give you less traction. Studs are only good for packed snow and ice, and they will hinder traction in thick snow, slush and dry pavement. So unless you're commuting across the tundra in Alaska, sticking to unstudded snow tires is a safe bet.

Should I get two snow tires or four?

Tire dealers and some mechanics have a strong opinion on this question, too. But for those of us who would prefer not to spend an extra $250 on two superfluous snow tires, here are the bare facts: front wheel drive cars should at least have both front wheels equipped with snow tires, and likewise, rear wheel drive cars should at least have snow tires on both rear wheels. All wheel drive automobiles, of course, should have four snow tires. It's true that having snow tires on all four wheels, even on front and rear wheel drive cars, provides ideal traction, but having only powered wheels fitted with snow tires will still provide far more traction than regular summer or all-weather tires.

For rear wheel drive owners, remember to throw some weight in the back. Keeping your summer tires or some bricks in the trunk - or bed - will give you an extra boost in traction.

Safe driving!

A Woman's Point of View: Cars for Keeps Turns 20

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

Remembering birthdates, wedding anniversary’s, other important anniversary dates such as: first kiss, first date, first time driving by yourself, first day you met “Him”. It is mostly a woman thing. On the other hand, men tend to remember important dates in the future. The date of the Super Bowl, the opening day of hunting season, and the date when his tax refund should arrive. In typical male fashion, Cars for Keeps' 20th anniversary whizzed right over Rob's head this year. Still, it's not too late to pause for a moment and think about what 20 years of quality repair service has meant.

On November 7, 1989, Rob Hopp took a giant step of faith and courage when he opened the doors of his new business, which was then called Automotive Advantage. There have been some changes since then; a new location and a new name, but the foundation the company was built upon remains the same. To serve the customer with integrity. To give every car a life of at least 250,000 miles, one car at a time. To always use sound business ethics. To give the customer all the information they need so they can make the decisions that are appropriate for them at the time. And my personal favorite: interacting with female customers by educating and informing them respectfully about automotive matters, so they feel comfortable dealing with Cars For Keeps.

We have the best customers in the world. Thank you for your continuous support over the years. Thank you Rob, for giving back to the community that means so much to you. Good Job!

Happy Birthday to Cars for Keeps: 20 Years of Quality Service

by Dennis Sweet, Service Manager at Cars for Keeps.

Happy Birthday sounds nice at any age. Some people would like to quit having birthdays once they've reached a certain age. Well, I say bring on the birthdays. In case any you are wondering what I am rambling about, I am not talking about myself; I am talking about Cars for Keeps.

As of November 1, 2009 we are 20 years old - hurray! For us, that means 20 years of helping people like yourselves keep your vehicles as long as you wanted to. Here’s to another 20 years of great clients and the satisfaction of being able to help people by keeping their cars healthy.

Thank you to all who have made these last years so rewarding. You have made saying happy birthday worth it.

Until next time,

Dennis

Quirky Clunkers Contest: Win a Free Oil Change & Full Diagnostic!

Cars for Keeps is offering a free oil change and diagnostic for the winner of this contest. It's fun. It's easy. It's a great opportunity to make sure your car is in tip-top shape.

Contest Details:

Prize: Free oil change & full diagnostic (There's also a secret prize for all contestants who enter. Find out what the prize is by entering the contest!)

Enter now!

Answer the following question:

If you could fix one thing about your vehicle, what would it be?

Tell us in 30 words or less using these steps:

1) Tweet, Facebook or email the URL to this page to your friends (http://tinyurl.com/yl6h2t4)

2) Post your answer as a comment here (so we can read it!)

3) Email us at cars4keeps@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by, and good luck!

The Art of Loving Your Car

by Robert, Cars for Keeps Mechanic

This weekend my wife and I both decided to wash our cars. Not just a little soap and water and call it a day, but to really pamper them. We started with a soapy water wash then dried with sheepskin towels. Cleaned the rims and shined the tires and then finished with a wax job. Both of our arms felt like rubber and that they may fall off!

However we were not done yet! The carpets needed to be vacuumed; the dash wiped down, the seats wiped off and all of the glass inside and out needed cleaning.

After we had gotten elbow-deep in cleaning, I started to wonder why we did this to ourselves? Because we really do love our cars! They take us places we need to be, and sometimes they take us places we've never been. Our car, next to our family, friends, pets, and co-workers, is a major part in our life and yours too. It’s been there through the hard times and the good times. Through snow, rain, super hot days at the beach or a fantastic day at the vineyard. It may have given us a few problems and needed to be brought in on a tow hook once (or more!) but we still love it.

The point is that if you truly, deep down in your heart, love your car, you will want to take care of it. We at Cars for Keeps really do love cars. We are actually car nuts, and if you want to talk with someone who will appreciate all the things you love about your car, we are here for you. We not only love our own cars, but yours too.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a practical Volvo, a rusty Ford Pickup, a shiny new BMW or a problem ridden Maserati. We want you to know that we love your car and want to keep it in top condition throughout its entire life expectancy (or longer!). We want you to experience what you car can be, and that’s a lifetime of service from ANY automobile. With a combination of maintenance and problem prevention, we've been able to help many of our clients extend the lives of their vehicles to 300,000 miles or more - at 300,000 miles of smooth running, who wouldn't love your car? We love cars for keeps, and we fix cars for keeps.

Until next time, Robert.