Weekend Fun - Be The Adventure

Here are a few fun ideas for this upcoming Labor Day Weekend! Below is a list of some our favorite things to do on this long weekend.

1. Hiking - What is better than spending some time outdoors with the family? Go exploring and see something you've never seen before. Plus it's good for you!

2. Go support your local team - Football is finally back and baseball from major league to little league, is something your family will enjoy watching!

3. Try a new restaurant or cuisine - Go to that Sushi restaurant you've wanted to try, or maybe try Brazilian BBQ. It's okay to be adventurous!

Maintenance Myths--UNMASKED!

All right, all right. There are a lot of ideas about car care out there, but which ones do you follow? We’re here to bust through some maintenance myths and possibly save you a buck or two on your next service appointment.

MYTH: Oil has to be changed every 3,000 miles. It doesn’t hurt. But it is probably a waste of money. Familiarize yourself with your owner’s manual – seriously. Your maintenance schedule is probably not as strict as you think, and you might even be able to go twice this “recommended distance” without getting an oil change.

MYTH: Treating your car with premium gas after running regular for a while is beneficial. Just stick with your recommended octane level and you’ll be all right – the system will stay clean regardless. Some premium grade gas might have extra detergents in it, but a lot of the time that’s just a marketing gimmick. It’s up to you if you want to experiment to see what helps your car have the best performance.

MYTH: Wipe down your dash and tires with protectant compounds to keep them shiny. A lot of these “protecting” wipes on the market actually strip tires of their original protectants, and it’s possible that they actually cause drying and cracking on the dashboard. Stick with warm soap and water instead.

Check Engine Light: What To Remember, What To Do, & What It All Means

It’s one of the most common occurrences on the road, but how do you handle it?  If the “check engine” light comes on while you’re out and about, do you know what to do?  Here’s a hint: don’t panic!  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

The first thing you should do is pay attention to the sound and feel of your car. Is there smoke coming out of the tailpipe? Any odd mechanical rattling? You should stop and call for help if you notice anything abnormal about the way your vehicle is running.

If that’s not the case, think about where you were before the light came on. Did you just buy gas?  If so, the “check engine” light might be on to alert you that the gas cap is loose. Pull over, tighten the cap, and continue driving. If that was the source of the problem, the light will turn off by itself.

If you’re not fresh from fueling up and everything is still running normally (no smokey/electrical smells, mechanical noises, etc.) call our Service Department and make an appointment or schedule a visit with us online. We want to make sure you’re safe on the road—let us diagnose and repair the problem for you.

Our top choices to see fireworks in Los Angeles on the 4th!

Do you need a place to watch the fireworks on the 4^th of july? Well we have you covered. Here is our list of top 3 spots in LA to see them!

GRAND PARK

Here's something you don't see every day: fireworks shooting off the the roof of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Grand Park's Independence Day festivities will do just that. It's the first year they've done this, but if they're off the roof, you'll probably be able to get an eyeful from the Grand Avenue 101 overpass (oh yeah, or most tall Downtown buildings). The ka-booms begin at 9 pm.

200 N GRAND AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90012

EXPOSITION PARK

The official viewing spot for Expo Park's hour-long show is Christmas Tree Lane (between S. Coliseum Drive and Expo Park Drive off of Figueroa), but you can see pretty well from the Natural History Museum's lawn. The show starts at 9.

3980 MENLO AVE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90037

GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY

It will be crowded but here are some of the best views in LA.

2800 E OBSERVATORY AVE., LOS ANGELES, CA 90027

Father's Day Gift Ideas For the Gearhead Dad

Father’s Day is right around the corner, and if your Dad works on his vehicle more than the average person then we think getting him these gifts will put a smile on his face. Because at the end of the day that’s what it’s all about, making Pops proud!

Gas gift card

Jump-starter battery

Solar-powered flashlight with hand crank

Navigation system

Polish & Detail Kit