Happy Friday!!

It's Friday and we are so thankful for that and so many things!!

We posted new pics of our current vehicle project. Just click on the link - The General - Our 5 Ton Tonka Truck :) We also posted our oil change coupon for January on our facebook page.

Thank you for supporting and loving our family auto repair shop in Denver!! Have an great weekend!

A Women’s Point of View: Winter Thoughts

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

The excitement of the holidays is over. Other than looking forward to the first signs of spring (which may be three months away), we find ourselves staring at a long winter of going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark. Or, going through last year’s files to gather all the data together to have our income taxes done. Or - and this is always a favorite - losing that ten pounds you put on over the holidays. Have I cheered you up yet?

All of us at Cars For Keeps understand the “mid-winter” mindset, which is the strong urge to just curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace for the winter. All of nature wants to hibernate when it is cold, right? But, as responsible humans we must attend to those things that need our attention. Your car(s) are one of those things and we will make your experience with us as pleasant as we can while your car is being cared for. From hot coffee for you to the play area for the kids to checking your email on the complimentary computer with Wi-Fi to the baby changing area, we always consider your comfort and convenience.

Consider counter measures to lift your spirits. Take an after dark walk, even if it is only around your back yard. Enjoy those great big snowflakes gently falling or how the snow looks on a moonlit night. Get together with friends/neighbors, build a bonfire and roast some hotdogs. Visit someone who can’t get out and laugh over the silly things both of you have done in your lives. Do whatever it takes to make you smile.

xO sportscars. South Africa

I am glad to introduce the company and products of one of our AADA members, namely Mr Abdul Gakiem Fakier.

The companies name is xO sportscars.
The offices are located in South Africa.

Imagine driving to the race track on the perfect day in a low slung sports car and the engine roaring as you start your journey. As you get to the race track you either race straight away or you do some quick adjustments. The flags drop, lights green, and the engine screams as you launch full thrust! Acceleration and handling come together as though they are one.

We manufacture a range of products and custom fabrications to suite our clients needs.
Current production models are the xO500 and xO400.

Model specifications.

xO500

Weight: 500kg+
Engine: VW or Audi engines
Gearbox: 5/6 Speed Manual
Front Brakes: 2 Pot
Rear Brakes: 1 Pot
Suspension: Rosejointed Double Wishbones
Body armour: GRP Panels


xO400

Weight: 400kg+
Engine: Busa and other engines
Gearbox: 5/6 Speed Sequential
Front Brakes: 2 Pot
Rear Brakes: 1 Pot
Suspension: Rosejointed Double Wishbones
Body armour: GRP Panels

A wonderful job indeed.

A Woman's Point Of View: New Beginnings

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

It's a brand new year and we are all filled with hope, optimism and excitement over the possibilities that the new year brings to our hearts and minds. We make New Year's resolutions that, somehow, are soon forgotten or given up on, but not in vain! The process of resolving to change the way we do things stirs our imaginations and helps us to remember dreams and goals we may have forgotten. Why not take those dreams out, dust them off and reconsider them in the light of your current circumstances? You have more of life's experience under your belt now to help make your dream come true. Why not go for it?

We at Cars For Keeps are pursuing some dreams of our own. Yes, we are experts in car repair, but it's people who are the number one concern and priority to us. Our dreams are to benefit our customers - whether you have been using our services for years or you are coming to us for the first time. Watch for some pleasant surprises coming your way from us soon.

The free tip for the week is this: That charming little drawer in your car that used to be called an ashtray is actually an under utilized treasure, especially useful to women and small children. It is a handy place to throw all those little things like change, paperclips, thumb drives, candy, gum, pieces of toys, business cards, ear pieces, SIM cards, etc., etc. This little drawer should be cleaned out once a year. This might be a good time to do that.

Auto Suspension, Shocks & Struts: Why Repair & Maintenance are Key to Safety!

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

Last time I brought my little Ford Focus in to Cars for Keeps for a check up, Bobby found a problem with the car that had been evident for months prior to my visit. With the car hoisted up on a lift, he lead me around to the rear of the car and lifted up on the rear right wheel.

It easily moved up and down.

"Ok, now see how this wheel moves really easily just by me lifting it?" Bobby said. "That's because the spring is shot. Imagine the whole weight of your car resting on the wheel. The rear springs are hardly providing any shock absorption at all."

Bobby went into further detail, but all I could hear was "repair costs repair costs repair costs".

"So...how important is it, exactly, for me to get this problem fixed?" I asked. Not one to be a pushy sales guy, Bobby shrugged and told me that if left unfixed, it could lead to damage to the rest of the rear suspension. It would also be one uncomfortable ride, what with zero shock absorption and all. Then there was safety.

As it turns out, having well maintained suspension systems are a key factor when it comes driving safety. Let's look at why.

Auto suspension systems are composed of springs, shock absorbers and linkages which connect to the vehicle's wheels. In essence, the suspension system is what connects your vehicle's body to its wheels and manages the weight distribution. The suspension system is responsible for two main tasks:

1) to maintain even traction by keeping the vehicle's wheels in contact with the road, and

2) to dampen vibrations, bumps and road noise for passengers, providing a more comfortable ride.

Struts and shocks aren't only about having a more comfortable ride. They play a key role in keeping your vehicle's tires in consistent contact with the road. They provide the cushion your vehicle needs to maintain much-needed traction. Worn struts and shocks will cause extra bounce and vibration, lowering your vehicle's traction. A car with worn shocks and struts might not notice much of a handling difference under normal circumstances, but in an emergency stop, that wear can cost drivers an extra 30-40 feet in braking distance.

In other words, worn shocks, struts and suspension systems can eliminate a driver's ability to brake quickly when it matters.

Of course, suspension systems are also tied to steering, so faulty suspension systems can also cause potentially dangerous steering or handling problems. Aside from safety issues, worn or misaligned suspension systems can cause uneven tire wearing, and lower gas mileage.

To make sure your vehicle is operating with the best safety and efficiency, keep an eye out for any of the following symptoms of faulty suspension systems:

• Vehicle bounces when going down the road
• Steering is hard or loose
• Vehicle pulls to one side or wanders down the road
• Steering wheel vibrates, shimmies or jerks
• Clunking or other noises when turning

If your vehicle has any of the following symptoms, it could be as simple as a misalignment or loose spring. The only way to know is to have it checked out!

Pride Auto Care supporing Rachel's Challenge Denver Colorado

Al Pridemore of Pride Auto Care presents a check to Rachel's Challenge.



Rachel's Challenge is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing bullying, school violence and teen suicides by sharing the story of Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the 1999 Columbine High School shootings.
Rachel deliberately reached out with kindness and compassion to those who were new at school, picked on by others, or just didn't have any friends.

Lunar Eclipse Tonight!

There's a total lunar eclipse tonight. Here's some links, so you can see it, too!

Total Lunar Eclipse
How to watch the Lunar Eclipse

Visit our car repair's shop on facebook to see a video of it if you missed it here - Mastermind Enterprises Auto Repair Facebook Links