Victory Auto Service & Glass - May 2021

Victory Auto Service & Glass - May 2021

MAY 2021

Empowering You to Make Better Decisions SAVE TIME AND MONEY KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT

Just like a doctor’s appointment, nobody wants their routine oil change to be “eventful.” When you find out something is wrong with your car, you may immediately wonder about the financial and time burden required to fix it. However, just like at a doctor’s office, you deserve to know all your options — in treatment and financing — before going forward with your decision.

It’s always been part of my dream that we can do just that for our customers at Victory!

I love what I do, but it’s no secret that our industry breeds mistrust, and I completely understand why. Over the past few decades, I’ve heard hundreds of stories about shops giving inconsistent diagnoses, failing to give options for “treating” your car’s issues, or simply charging more than they should. This is partially because not all mechanics are willing to take the time to explain your options. Perhaps they don’t know how to explain your car’s issues in a relatable, understandable manner. What many shops don’t realize, though, is that explaining the issue thoroughly is a key responsibility to customers like you. You wouldn’t want to hear that your body has a problem, but have a doctor who refuses to explain what it is. That’d be crazy! It’s the doctor’s responsibility to ensure you understand the problem so they can begin to explain how to fix it. You can save a lot of time and money by understanding your car’s issues ahead of time. For example, just because a part is worn doesn’t mean your car is unsafe. By taking time to explain your car to you, you’ll not only understand it much more deeply, but we often open up new possibilities that other shops don’t offer. Knowing what to expect is a powerful tool whether managing a vehicle or our bodies.

Some issues we might discover are so small that it might take 30,000 miles until it ever becomes an issue. For other issues, we can offer to repair a part instead of replacement and monitor the part over time (especially if you come in regularly for oil changes). Unfortunately, we discover misdiagnosed repairs from previously visited shops all the time, such as a harmless seep being miscategorized as a leak or vice versa. I’ve heard many stories from my customers about how, after driving into the closest auto repair shop — or even a dealership, which is not as trustworthy as you’d hope — they were suddenly quoted for a “necessary” $800 brake repair they can’t afford. Then, they get a second opinion with Victory, and we’ll be able to offer a far wider selection of solutions. This makes it more affordable, even with serious repairs.

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BEFORE YOUR NEXT CAR PURCHASE

Get Fit With Your Family 5 EASY WAYS TO GET EVERYONE MOVING

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. As a parent, you probably know exercise is important for your children’s physical development. It helps build healthy bones, muscles, and joints and reduces the risk of developing diabetes and other diseases later in life. But did you know that physical activity also has many mental and behavioral health benefits? It’s been shown to improve children’s cognitive skills and concentration, boost their self-esteem, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. One of the best ways to encourage healthy behaviors in your children is by modeling them yourself. Studies have found that more than 80% of adolescents and adults are not getting enough aerobic activity, showing that children often follow in their parents’ footsteps and that exercising together can benefit everyone. You may be thinking it’s hard enough just to get yourself to the gym, but Stephen Virgilio, author of “Active Start for Healthy Kids,” encourages parents not to limit themselves to traditional forms of exercise. Instead, think of exercise more broadly as “leading an active lifestyle.” And remember that exercise can be fun and a great way to get in more family time.

You don’t want your newly purchased used car to break down soon after you buy it. Yet, it happens all the time. That’s why, if you’re buying a used car, there’s only one way to guarantee your next vehicle’s quality: a pre-purchase vehicle inspection. It could even save you thousands of dollars. Make Sure to Get a Pre- Purchase Vehicle Inspection! I’m a location manager at Victory, and a few years ago, a mother kept coming into our shop with several used vehicles. Her daughter just turned 16, and her mother wanted to buy her a used car for $5,000 or less. However, her mother wanted to be sure the cars were of decent quality and wouldn’t have massive repairs.

As time went on, the shopping experience became more frustrating for them. They’d bring in a car they loved aesthetically, but as soon as we’d get it on the lift, we’d notice huge issues that could cost anywhere from $800 to $4,000 in repairs. That can turn an affordable vehicle into an expensive vehicle very quickly. Much like our bodies, cars can have hidden issues. Not everyone is vigilant about car care, and most used cars we see need about $1,000 of repairs. Some sellers may be unaware about their car’s condition — maybe they park on grass and have never noticed the car leaks underneath.

Here are five easy ways to incorporate more movement into your family’s day.

1. Create a walking ritual. Start walking around the neighborhood before or after dinner each night. Aim for a 20-minute stroll. 2. Have a dance party. Clear some space in the living room, make a playlist with everyone’s favorite tunes, and boogie down for as long as you have the energy. 3. Turn chores into games. Dirt has invaded from outer space and must be eliminated. Set the scene with your kids, grab your tools, and get to work removing the enemy while having fun. 4. Incorporate simple exercises into screen time. Start by making up fun names for exercises like situps or jumping jacks. Then, challenge each other to see who can do the most during your favorite show’s commercial breaks. 5. Get fit in the great outdoors. Cleaning up the yard, planting and maintaining a garden, or just running around outside are all great ways to get in more movement.

That’s why nobody can really know what’s going on with a car until a technician gets under the hood and takes a good look at it, inside and out.

There are huge benefits to getting a pre-purchase inspection beyond knowing every problem with a potential purchase. After your pre-purchase inspection, you can bring our technicians’ report to your seller and explain the costs so you can ask for a discount. It can be a great asset for negotiating your vehicle’s price. When people hear about pre-purchase inspections for the first time, they often say, “Wow! Sellers let you do that?” Yes! And if there’s a seller who refuses to allow a pre-purchase vehicle inspection, DO NOT buy that car. That’s a huge red flag in the auto industry, and you’ll keep your money and your family safer if you buy a vehicle of guaranteed quality.

Thanks for reading and stay safe out there!

–Chad P.

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Become a Savvy RV User And Save Money on Your Summer Road Trip

This past fall, RV manufacturers reported a 31% increase in sales compared to 2019. This was no doubt related to an effort to stave off the spread of COVID-19, which had more families opting to take road trips and camp instead of going on tropical and European vacations. While the great outdoors can be the perfect affordable backdrop for family vacations, it doesn’t come without a cost. You can hit the road without your bank account taking a hit with these three must-do tips! Stay for Free If you’re on a cross-country adventure, you will need a place to park and rest each night before continuing your adventure the next day. Rather than shelling out money every night, consider

free options. Search for public land that’s part of the Bureau of Land Management or in a Wildlife Management Area that allows overnight camping. Walmart allows RV parking at no cost, but some locations pose safety concerns. To mitigate this, well-meaning RVers have listed Walmart locations with red flags. You can check them out at AllStays.com. Save on Fuel Fuel could be your biggest expense, but you can cut down on the inevitable by driving slower than 60 mph when it’s safe to do so. Once you hit 60 mph or above in your RV, your gas mileage will drop. Furthermore, you can keep your gas bill in check by sticking to trips within your state, planning your route to avoid unnecessary detours,

and leaving early to miss the traffic. Each little action could make a big impact on your fuel bill. Re-Use Items in Your Home You may have a long to-buy list for your RV, but not everything on there may be necessary. Before splurging on the latest gear, consider what you have in your home. Use old kitchen utensils and plates, cleaning supplies, bedding, and entertainment items like books and toys in your RV to save money and clear some clutter from your home. It’s a win-win! Looking for more RV tips? Check out GanderOutdoors.com or download apps like AllStay, RVParky, and State Lines. Happy trails!

Shaved Asparagus Salad Inspired by ACoupleCooks.com

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Not many people know about the hidden costs of jumping from one auto repair shop to the next. We understand that many customers simply want to save money, or they just don’t know whom to trust. That’s why we hire highly trained staff, such as certified technicians at every single Victory location. To become a certified technician, it takes two years of proven car experience and a specialized exam, not dissimilar from exams in the legal and medical fields. By the time you leave your doctor’s office, you don’t want to feel pressured into taking one treatment option — you want to feel good that you’ve chosen a treatment based on your informed knowledge. It’s always been my dream that, at Victory, we put that power in your hands for your car. Our goal is to give you the very best information possible for every step along your vehicle maintenance journey so you can make informed decisions about your vehicle without any pressure. My team and I are grateful for you, and if you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask a technician or give us a call. We’ll be thrilled to help.

Tangy citrus and salty Parmesan cheese complement earthy, fresh asparagus, a favorite spring vegetable with a short growing season.

Ingredients • 1 lb asparagus spears • 1 tbsp lemon juice • 1 tsp Dijon mustard • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

• 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. With a vegetable peeler, shave each asparagus spear from tip to base. This is easiest to do if the asparagus is on a flat surface. 2. Place shaved asparagus in a bowl and blot off excess moisture with a paper towel. 3. In a separate bowl, make a vinaigrette by whisking together lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. 4. Pour vinaigrette over shaved asparagus and add Parmesan cheese, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings.

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

1 Empowering You to Make Better Decisions 2 5 Ways to Increase Your Family’s Fitness 2 Before Your Next Car Purchase ... 3 3 Tips for RVing on a Budget 3 Shaved Asparagus Salad 4 Ask a Tech for Fast Auto Facts

No matter how long you’ve been a car owner, there are always new things to learn! Here are several facts most people don’t know about their cars, and it may even help you in a crisis (or trivia night!). Rust never sleeps, so wash your car. Don’t park in grass — it can create a moist environment beneath your car and cause rust. However, if you wash your car regularly, you can help prevent rust. When you get a car wash, be sure to purchase the option with the undercarriage spray. Car batteries are regional. Car batteries are designed for regional environments. A battery in Florida is different than one in Minnesota due to different temperatures and humidity. Under-inflated tires reduce fuel economy by up to 30%. With under-inflated tires, you’ll not only wear down your tires faster, but you’ll also lose about 30% of your fuel economy. Protect against sludge and engine failure, get your oil changed! With a lack of oil changes, engine sludge can build up and cause breakdowns. Getting an oil change every 3,000 miles is ideal, but if you drive a lot of highway miles, 5,000 miles is perfectly fine. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s needs. Just be sure to check and top Ask a Tech!

FAST AUTO FACTS

off your oil, as needed. Some engines burn oil, causing the level to drop, which can be detrimental to your engine in the long-term.

A sweet smell is sometimes the first sign of a coolant leak. You often never see a coolant leak when your engine is running because it evaporates before it can hit the ground. However, coolant leaks can cause very serious repairs. You’ll often sense them from an unusual sweet smell in your car, kind of like syrup. Take an extra 20 minutes to let your engine cool off. When in doubt, tow your vehicle. If your car’s temperature light is blinking away, that means your car is overheating and you need to pull over. Even if you’re five minutes away from home, taking extra precautions to pull your car off the road could make the difference between a $400 repair and a $4,000 repair. Classic cars require constant tinkering. Remember how in classic movies, fathers and sons are constantly tinkering with their cars in the garage? There’s a reason why. Every 2,000–3,000 miles, classic cars need tinkering and adjustments. Stay away from purchasing one if you’re not sure you can afford the repairs!

That’s all from us for now. Hope these are helpful for you! Thanks for reading and stay tuned!

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