Quality Plus - August 2021

Quality Plus - August 2021

August 2021

Should You Give Your Kid a Car? What I’ve Learned From Years of Fixing Up Vehicles Every year right around this time, I see parents make a big mistake. It starts when they sit down to think about sending their kids off to high school or college for the new year. Maybe the kid just got their driver’s license or is heading to school out of state. In that situation, parents with means often think, “Well, now’s the time to give Junior a car!” That is a really generous idea. A car is an amazing gift, and in my opinion, everyone should have one (no surprise coming from a car repairman!). However, I think it’s a big mistake to give your kid a car without strings attached. It’s important for a child to work and save up for their vehicle. They don’t need to pay for the whole thing, but they should at least chip in on the purchase. There are a few reasons I have this perspective. First of all, it’s what I did as a kid. My very first car was a used Chevy Chevelle, and I worked on the farm for years to save up for it. I ended up saving around $2,000 —which was a lot of money back then considering my family lived for years without running water or electricity. The car itself cost about $3,500 or $4,500, so I saved up around half. Chipping in made me feel great. I still remember the first time I drove that car to school. Usually I rode the school bus, so driving myself felt like a privilege. My dad paid for my car insurance, but every other vehicle-related expense, including maintenance, oil changes, and gas, was on me. If I wanted to go somewhere, I had to save for gas money!

this because of my experience, though. Since I’m in the car repair business, I’ve actually seen the way kids treat cars when they get them for free from Mom and Dad. A lot of young people come into the shop with cars their parents bought them. More often than not, these cars have never been washed, never been cleaned on the inside, and they’re all banged up on the outside. It’s not a big deal for these kids if they bump into the curb or open their door into something and scratch it up. Why? Well, they don’t appreciate how much hard work it takes to save up for a car. Once, I worked with a father and son and saw this happen right in front of me. The dad had owned a particular car for a long time. I’d serviced it for him for years and it looked brand new. Then, he gave it to his son, and within six months, the boy had trashed it! The car was completely destroyed, not because the kid was trying to tear it to pieces but because he just didn’t care about it. He never washed it, cleaned it, or put in the effort to take care of it. As a car man, it hurts for me to see vehicles get so roughed up. In my own house, I laid down the law with my kids early: “No job, no car.”They all had to work for their vehicles and maintain them themselves. I think both having an income and taking care of a car early on helps prepare kids for the real world, where they’ll have to juggle those responsibilities. If you’ve been thinking about giving your kid a car at the end of this summer, I hope this story has made you think twice. I’m all for car ownership, but only as long as it comes with responsibility!

P.S. Flip to Page 2 for tips on protecting your car from your pets!

Wake Forest • 919.453.0345 — Raleigh • 919.231.6164 -Randy Bunn

If a kid works for their car, they’ll take better care of it and really look after it. I know I did. I don’t just think

1

Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

Don’t Reach for the Coffee

Oh No, Not the Leather 3 Do you like to take your dog to the lake or the dog park in the summer? What about hunting in the fall? Or a quick trip to the groomer? If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, then your vehicle is at risk of pet damage.

If you can’t start your day without your daily cup — or cups — of joe, you’re not alone. More than 450 million cups of coffee are consumed by U.S. residents every day, and unfortunately, heavy caffeine consumption may not be healthy. (It’s a big reason why celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Jim Carrey, and Kim Kardashian don’t drink it!) Moderate amounts of caffeine can improve your mental health, and some studies suggest it could even prevent some chronic conditions. However, there are major downsides to overconsumption, which equates to more than four cups of coffee each day. These can include high blood pressure, addiction symptoms, and decreased mentality. If you want to break out of the caffeine cycle and reduce how much coffee you drink, try replacing that cuppa with one of these methods!

Dogs and cats can really do a number on a car’s interior, and they can even scratch your exterior paint. We see vehicles come into the shop all the time with muddy pawprints, nose-smudged windows, and even scratched and torn upholstery. To protect your car this summer and fall, try these three pet- proofing methods.

1. Limit their access. Your pet can only

damage the parts of your vehicle they can reach, so consider transporting them in a crate, investing in a gate to separate the trunk of your SUV from the seats, or buying a seatbelt harness that will keep them in place while also acting as a safety feature. (Sleepypod, Kurgo, and Vastar are good options.)

Stretch

After lying in one position all night, your body may feel stiff and achy. Stretching awakens your muscles and helps you break out of that groggy morning feeling. Start with your back and do some slow core twists. Then, sit on the floor and lay your legs out in front of you. Stretch forward, then sit back up. Next, position your right foot on the opposite side of your left knee. Keeping your hips centered, turn your torso

toward your right foot so that your right arm is on your right knee. Switch to the other side and repeat as needed. Finally, pull your head toward your shoulders to loosen your neck.

Go for aWalk

When you wake up in the morning, head outside! Movement stimulates your brain and improves your mood, and the act of walking is relaxing enough that it doesn’t require much effort on your part. Plus, it’s a great way to get your steps in, wake up slowly, and get outside before a busy day.

Just Breathe

This might sound like it will lull you to sleep, but there are actually some breathing techniques that can help you wake up! The “breath of fire” is a rapid-fire breathing technique, during which you inhale deeply, exhale deeply, inhale deeply again, and then exhale quickly. Repeat this as needed. Other practices that focus on breathing, like yoga, can be effective, too. Waking up isn’t an exact science, but once you find a healthy method that works for you, you may never need coffee again. (Gasp!)

2 QualityPlusAutomotive.com

Seats! Ways to Protect Your Car Interior From Pets 2. Cover your seats. Whether your pet rides in the front seat or the back, there’s a cover out there designed

to protect your seats from scratches, dirt, and debris! For the back seat, we recommend a car hammock, which completely covers the seat and will also prevent your pet from jumping up front. (BarksBar

makes a great one for just $27.) You can also buy a single-seat cover if your pet rides as a passenger. These covers slot right over the existing seat. Either way, be sure to look for something waterproof. 3. Invest in scratch solutions. You don’t want your pet’s nails to leave gouges in your paint or your seat. To prevent the former, consider buying a ramp that will help them get

It’s time once again for our special Christmas in July Referral Contest! We’re excited to share this once-a-year opportunity for our customers to compete for big-ticket prizes while spreading the word about our great automotive maintenance and repair services! Do you know someone who owns a Honda, Toyota, Acura, Lexus, or hybrid/electric vehicle? Are they looking for a reliable shop to handle their maintenance and repairs? Don’t make them have to guess where to take their vehicle! Refer your friends, relatives, and coworkers to Quality Plus Automotive Service for a chance to win one of five prizes that are valued up to $400! From July 1 to Aug. 16, you’ll receive one entry for every referral you send our way. The more referrals you send, the greater chance you’ll have of winning one of the great prizes listed below!

in and out of your car. That way, they won’t leap or scramble into place and scratch your paint in the process. You can also try nail caps, which stick to your pets’ claws and can last for weeks. Soft Claws sells options in several sizes for dogs and cats.

•

YETI Tundra Haul hard cooler (capacity: 45-can, 55-lb ice) valued at $400

• • •

$100 Visa gift card

Free oil change — valued up to $75 YETI Rambler 20-oz tumbler (in sagebrush green) — valued at $30 YETI Rambler 20-oz Tumbler (in king crab orange) — valued at $30

•

In addition, every new customer you send to Quality Plus Automotive Service will receive $10 off their second visit.

Prize drawing winners will be announced on Facebook on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at noon EST/Daylight Savings Time!

There are a few rules and guidelines you must follow:

To enter the drawing, your referral must give your full name to the service advisor when making their appointment or at the time of their service. Members of the same household are not eligible for the contest. Former customers returning for service are not eligible for the contest. Referrals must have their service completed and paid for by Aug. 31, 2021. Prizes must be picked up in person by the winners. For more information on this fun contest, visit our website at QualityPlusAutomotive.com/specials or our Facebook page at www. Facebook.com/qualityplusautomotive. If you’re eager to see who wins, join us for the drawing announcement on Facebook on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 12:00 p.m. EST/Daylight Savings Time! 3

Wake Forest 919.453.0345 Raleigh 919.231.6164

QualityPlusAutomotive.com 1601 Heritage Commerce Ct. Wake Forest, NC 27587

PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

INSIDE This Issue

1

Should You Give Your Kid a Car?

Wake Up Without Coffee — Really!

2

3 Ways to Protect Your Car Interior From Pets

It’s Christmas in July!

3

Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog

4

Meet Odin, the Fireproof Dog THIS GREAT PYRENEES GUIDED HIS GOATS THROUGH A WILDFIRE In October 2017, California was in flames. One of those blazes was the Tubbs Fire, which charred its way through 36,800 miles of forests and vineyards in both Napa and Sonoma County. More than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, and 22 people were killed. But when the flames finally died, a four-legged hero emerged from the ashes: Odin, the Great Pyrenees dog. Odin belonged to Ariel and Roland Hendel, two farmers in Sonoma County. When the Tubbs Fire threatened to char their home, they packed up as many of their animals and precious items as they could. Unfortunately, their flock of goats wouldn’t fit in the getaway vehicle — and their goat-herding dog, Odin, refused to abandon them. Great Pyrenees are prized livestock guardian dogs that will do anything to protect their charges, and Odin lived up to his breed.

“In the distance, I saw Odin’s tail,” Roland told ABC. “Sure enough, there was Odin coming at the head of all his goats.”

Not only did Odin survive the fire and run right up to the Hendels for belly rubs, but he also kept every single one of his goats safe! A few wild deer even joined the goats, and he shepherded them through unscathed. The incredible story made the news, and Odin became a local legend. Unfortunately, even legends don’t live forever. This April, Odin passed away after a long life of tail-wagging, treat-eating, and goat-saving. In his honor, Great Pyrenees Rescue of Missouri gifted the Hendels two new Great Pyrenees pups: Buddy and Snowflake. They’re following in Odin’s pawsteps, protecting the goats he loved so much.

“I said, ‘Okay, Odin, take care of the goats. You’ll be fine,’” Roland Hendel told ABC News.

Both Hendels were sure they were seeing their dog for the last time. Their hearts sank even further when they heard their home had burned down completely. But on a trip back to examine the ashes, something amazing happened.

4 QualityPlusAutomotive.com

Family-Owned & Operated Since 1984