Quality Plus Auto - June 2021

June 2021

There’s Nothing Like Being a Dad

When I look at my two sons and my daughter, I’m proud of how they turned out. They’re great people who have wonderful families of their own. They’re dedicated to everything they do and put a lot of effort into accomplishing their goals. And they always try to do what is right. A lot of these values were instilled in me by my dad while growing up on the farm. He taught me that what you get out of life depends on what you put in. If you give it your all and put in the time, you’ll get more of what you want. I worked to instill these values into my kids, and I’d say I was successful! Of course, when my kids were growing up, I was off working. I worked a lot — and still do. I’m thankful that I had my wife, Jill, by my side. She’s a great mom who took care of the family while I worked. The older I got, the more I realized just how important family was. I may have worked a lot, but I knew I still needed to make time for my family when I could. Now, with my kids grown up with kids of their own, I see the values they’re instilling in my grandkids. They’re continuing the tradition of raising great kids! It’s a great accomplishment for a father, or any parent, to see those values passed to the next generation. As parents, you spend years teaching your kids how to be good and how to do the right thing. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it. You know you’ve done a good job as a parent when you see how well your grandkids are doing. They’re a reflection of you and your own kids. Now, I’m not saying every day is like that. There will always be bumps in the road. For some parents and grandparents, you might look at your kids and wonder, “What went wrong?” It happens — nobody’s perfect!

I like to think that one of our family traditions is to improve yourself, better your family, and make life better for the next generation. I know that all the hard work I put in paid off for my kids, and all the hard work my kids are putting in right now will pay off for their kids. As I reflect on my family and on being a dad, I wish you a happy Father’s Day. I hope your family brings you as much joy as mine does to me.

Wake Forest • 919.453.0345 — Raleigh • 919.231.6164 -Randy Bunn

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Published by Newsletter Pro • www.NewsletterPro.com

Explosive Swings Are Allowed on the Golf Course With the U.S. Open coming up in June (barring any major COVID-19-related developments), the participants are sure to leave audiences in awe of their explosive drives. While “explosive” in this context doesn’t mean anything is actually exploding, there is a precedent for golf balls that literally explode. In fact, that precedent led to the creation of a pretty interesting state law in Massachusetts: No one is allowed to sell exploding golf balls. According to Chapter 148, Section 55 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, “Anyone who sells or knowingly uses … a golf ball containing any acid, fluid, gas, or other substance tending to cause the ball to explode”

4 Easy Ways to Boost Yo

Drivers love to maximize fuel efficiency. If you find that your vehicle isn’t taking you as far as it used to between fill-ups, try these different ways to get more mileage out of it.

Skip the warmup.

Many drivers are in the habit of “warming up” their engine before heading out. This has some merit when it’s cold out and you want to warm the interior of the car, but warming up the engine just because you can will only waste gas. The same can be said for idling. If you’re not going to be in your vehicle for an extended period of time, there is no reason to keep the engine running.

can be fined $500 for the first offense and

up to $1,000 or imprisoned for a year for any

Rely on cruise control (when you can).

offense after that. You would think that the existence of this law means that at some point, people were just

When you’re driving highway speeds, cruise control is a great way to extend your mileage. Of course, it’s really only effective if you are able to drive at a consistent speed while avoiding the gas and brake pedals.

smacking exploding golf balls around the Bay State before the lawmen kiboshed it. However, the truth is a little more nuanced.

Quality Plus Automotive employees from both location together recently to enjoy the return of warm weather good fellowship at the “Spring Thing,“ a family-friendly hosted at our Wake Forest location. Employees and the families enjoyed tasty offerings from a local food truck participating in fun activities including a virtual laser shooting range,

While it’s unknown what exactly prompted the legislation, there are a few clues as to what sorts of incidents Massachusetts governments were trying to avoid. The first clue is that prior to the late 1960s and early 1970s, golf balls were actually manufactured with a caustic liquid at the center. This led to the unforeseen injury of a boy namedWilliam J. in 1912, who, while “dissecting” a golf ball, ruptured the rubber fluid sack at the center. Some of the liquid got in his eye and caused permanent damage to his sight, despite multiple visits to the doctor. Even though golf ball manufacturers stopped using caustic liquids in the centers of their golf balls in the 1920s, the liquid centers of golf balls made in the following decades could still cause harm. If someone dissected a golf ball and ruptured the fluid sack of one of these later balls, the crystalline material within could still cause injuries. Fortunately, solid core golf balls became common during the 1970s, removing liquid core golf balls from the course for good.

corn hole, disc golf, and prize drawings. The lucky

winners took home gift certificates, Yeti drinkware, a cooler, gift baskets, beach gear, and other items. We’re looking forward to more opportunities to get together in the upcoming months!

However, even though they’re gone, their legacy lives on in this strange Massachusetts law.

2 QualityPlusAutomotive.com

Don’t Forget About Your Auto Insurance Policy!

our Fuel Efficiency

It’s perfect for those longer trips but not so great for simply running around town.

Cut the weight.

There are a lot of strange holidays on the calendar. June 28 is no exception — it’s Insurance Awareness Day!

You might forget some hefty bags or other large items in the back of your vehicle and end up carrying them for days or weeks at a time. Or perhaps you have a bike you like to carry around on top of your car. However, having excess cargo weight hurts your fuel efficiency, and over time, it can really add up — between 5–10 miles per gallon, according to Consumer Reports. The bigger the item, the worse it gets!

It goes without saying that insurance isn’t the most interesting topic to talk about, but Insurance Awareness Day does serve as a very important reminder to review your insurance policies, including your auto policies. You want to know exactly how you’re covered. A lot of people don’t always read the fine print of their policy or know the full extent of their coverage — or lack of coverage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 1 in 8 people didn’t even have auto coverage in 2019. On top of that, many people are underinsured; they only carry the most basic insurance allowed by the state. When you’re paying a premium on insurance every year, you want to know what it is you’re paying for. While you may have yet to file a claim, you never know what might happen on the road. Many drivers tend to opt for the least expensive coverage with a few add-ons here or there. However, if they get in an accident, they may learn after the fact that they don’t have enough liability coverage and have to pay far more out-of-pocket expenses than expected. Take time to review your insurance policies at least once a year. Review them on your own or with an insurance expert to make sure your coverage still makes sense for you. You don’t have to wait until June 28, but give yourself time to do it at some point — before you head out on the open road.

Invest in regular checkups and maintenance.

Annual maintenance is a must to maximize fuel efficiency. This includes oil changes, air filter replacements,

and even tire inflation checks. When these things are left unchecked, your fuel efficiency will start to drop. This is where turning to your trusted mechanic can make a difference!

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Wake Forest 919.453.0345 Raleigh 919.231.6164

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

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INSIDE This Issue

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There’s Nothing Like Being a Dad Why It’s Illegal to Sell Exploding Golf Balls in Massachusetts Want to Improve Fuel Efficiency? Do This! It’s a Spring Thing When Is the Last Time You Reviewed Your Auto Insurance? Have You Explored a National Forest?

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Explore a National Forest for Free ON NATIONAL GET OUTDOORS DAY

Many people in the U.S. and across the world have a national park trip on their travel bucket list. While Zion, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains are all awesome locales, outdoor enthusiasts often overlook a resource that is less busy, less expensive, and usually right in their backyard: national forests. All but 10 states have a national forest (or more than one!), so if your home state doesn’t have one, it’s very likely a neighboring state does! And there’s no better time to hike, bike, forage for mushrooms or berries, or camp at a nearby national forest than this month. The tree- filled landscape will provide shade and help you beat the summer heat, and to further incentivize visitors, the U.S. Forest Service (the organization that oversees the national forests) is offering a fee-free day on Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day! While parking and day-use fees to access national forests tend to be relatively modest, fee-free days open up the opportunity to all visitors. The U.S. Forest Service has a great interactive map tool that prospective park-goers can use to learn more about the forests in their area, amenities and activities, and accessibility. Visit FS.fed.us/ ivm to access the map and see what’s near your hometown!

If you’re dreaming up travel plans beyond your state’s border, consider visiting these notable U.S. national forests.

• El Yunque National Forest: Located in Puerto Rico, El Yunque is the only tropical rainforest in the United States. • Tongass National Forest: Spanning 16.7 million acres and several islands across Southeast Alaska, the Tongass is the country’s largest national forest. • Salmon-Challis National Forest: This Idaho forest is the largest contiguous wilderness area in the lower 48 and contains the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. • Cibola National Forest and Grassland: Spread across north- central New Mexico, west Texas, and Oklahoma, this forest and grassland area is notable for its diverse ecosystems and wildlife. The Sky Islands portion of the park is also home to over 200 rare plant and animal species.

4 QualityPlusAutomotive.com

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