CRUISING INTO THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

"What if, today, we were grateful for everything?"

Charlie Brown

Thanksgiving is literally less than 48 hours away. The mad scramble to get a turkey and all the other food accessories for the feast has been well in motion since last week. People are excited to have some time off to share with their friends and families, maybe watch some football and yes, eat! Every one of us, I'm sure, has their plans in place and are pushing through this short week as fast as they possibly can.  That's because this year most Southern Californians are said to be travelling according to the Automobile Club of Southern California, who are predicting that there will be a 3.1 increase in Thanksgiving excursions.  They announced that 3.65 million residents are expected to take holiday trips and stated that this is "the highest number of travelers for Thanksgiving since 2007, when 3.99 million Southern California residents took holiday." 

More Traveling Residents....We All Know What This Means!!   Traffic!!!

A high percentage of people will be driving to their holiday destinations this week.  So, be prepared to be stuck in some traffic if you cannot get out of town before everyone else.  But, more traveling residents should be seen as a good thing, as well.  Why, you might ask?  Well, it is nice to see more and more people feeling good about making the decision to travel because it is a sign that we all may have a bit more spending money than we have had in the last decade. Although gas prices are averaging what they were this time last year, prices have still dropped since last week, which is another great incentive for folks to get out of town for the holiday weekend.  Jeffrey Spring, a spokesperson for the Southern California Auto Club stated, that "price drops are good news for more than 3 million Southern Californians who will drive 50 miles or more to Thanksgiving holiday destinations and probably pay the lowest price since 2008, when Thanksgiving gas prices averaged about $2.20 per gallon."

So Where Is Everyone Going?

According to most survey's, the top 5 Southern Californian 

destinations are:

5.) Santa Barbara.

4.) San Francisco (number 2 destination nationwide).

3.) Grand Canyon.

2.) San Diego (number 3 destination nationwide).

1.) Las Vegas (number 1 destination nationwide).

So, What Are We Grateful For Here At Shige's Premier Car Service?

All of us here at Shige's Premier Car Service are forever grateful for our wonderful loyal customers and for our future loyal customers.  We appreciate each and every one of you and what you bring to our company.  We have said it many times before, but we feel it is never enough.  We would not be where we are if it were not for all of you spreading the word about our beloved shop and bringing your friends and family to see us.  We take pride in servicing your vehicles and that we have so many satisfied customers! We work on everyone's vehicle as if it were our own because we want each and everyone of you to Live The Legacy!!!

                                                                                                  

 

PREPARING YOUR VEHICLE FOR THE WINTER WEATHER

                                               

It is that time of year again when we're starting to see some weather changes.  That's when we get lucky enough to see some precipitation here in Los Angeles, which also means snow will be falling in our local mountains too! Winter paired with the holidays is a magical time of the year to celebrate the years successes while looking forward to new beginnings. It is also a time to share winter adventures with family and friends in the mountains. Most of you are already probably making plans to head up to Mammoth, Tahoe and even Big Bear, CA. This means driving conditions will be significantly different from your typical Southern California commuting. So, we at Shige's Premier Car Service would like to help you get a head start on how to prepare for your winter excursions before winter really hits in December.  There is nothing like being unprepared because of the number of challenges one might face in wintry conditions.  And, that is why we want to help ensure that your family and friends will have the most amazing time without the headaches for safety and reliability. 

STEP 1: CAR TO DO LIST 

There are quite a few things to make sure you do before you head out of town for a winter wonderland. But, first and foremost on this list is to make sure that your vehicle has been serviced or has been on a regular maintenance schedule. If you vehicle has not been serviced, then give us a call and we will schedule you in right away. Just know that if you take care of your vehicle, it will take care of you! You should be aware of these 9 things: 

1.) The condition of your antifreeze and radiator.

2.) Check functionality of your heater and defroster.

3.) Check oil level.

4.) Check functionality of your emergency flashers.

5.) Tire pressure and tread depth.  Make sure your tires are not close to balding.

6.) Check functionality of windshield wipers.

7.) Check your battery and terminals ( for instructions on how to check tread depth, windshield wipers and for battery care, review our previous blog posts ).  

REMEMBER: Shige's Premier Car Service is here to help you if you have any questions or concerns.  Best case scenario, if you are not sure ( call us @ 310-323-1824 or make a reservation on our website) bring in your vehicle for a free courtesy inspection. Let us inspect your vehicle. We will check all of the above and more to make sure your car is in tip top shape for any or all your road trip needs.

STEP 2:  WINTER SUPPLY BOX FOR YOUR CAR

It is always a good idea to bring some extra supplies with you for you and your families safety in case of an emergency on mountain roads.  Here is another list of ideas for you to consider while you are packing for your trip.

1.) Chains.  No matter if you have an all wheel drive vehicle, it is always a safe bet to keep a pair in your vehicle. No matter what.  It is imperative that you know how to put them on.  Practice makes perfect.
2.) A flashlight or better yet, a headlamp for hands off lighting.
3.) Road flares.
4.) A few extra pair of gloves and socks.
5.) Change of warm clothes.
6.) A bag of kitty litter or sand to help with tire traction.
7.) A travel shovel / ice scraper.
8.) High energy food and water.
9.) Extra Blankets / warm sleeping bags.
10.) Fire starter / portable camping stove.
11.) Multi-tool
12.) Rope
13.) First Aid Kit

This is just a basic list.  But, I'm sure you could always think of a few more key items to stash away in the supply box.  We recommend an Action Packer like the one below for all you awesome gear needs!

STEP 3:  GET OUT THERE AND HAVE SOME FUN!!

Stash this in your car with most or all of the listed items above and you will be good to go for all and any winter adventures.  So, after you've taken care of your basic car maintenance at Shige's Premier Car Service and packed some safety gear, you're almost to easy street.  All there is left to do is get your skis or snowboards out of the closet, grab the sled, and all your warmest cozy clothing.  Get your friends or family and get outta dodge!!  But, one more thing... Don't forget to check the weather forecast before you leave..and check out road conditions on CalTrans too....just saying :)

If there is anything you want to suggest to add to our list, comment below or comment on our facebook page.  All of us at Shige's Premier Car Service would love to hear from you anytime!! ****REMEMBER: WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU OUT!!****

MAZDA RE-CALLS THEIR RX-8 SPORTS CAR MODEL YEARS 2004-2008

DO YOU HAVE A MAZDA RX-8?

Mazda announced today that they will need to be re-calling 70,000 plus RX-8's here in the United States.  Mazda has found that there are issues with the fuel pump sealing rings.  They claim that there is a possibility that the fuel pump sealing rings could possibly leak and then catch fire.  

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made a statement on their website saying, "The affected vehicles have fuel pump sealing rings that may deteriorate due to exposure of heat from the engine or exhaust pipe."  In addition to this they added, "The deteriorated seals may leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of fire."

Mazda has not disclosed or made any mention of any reported injuries or incidents that may have occurred.  They did say they will begin to notify owners as soon as possible so that they can replace the sealing rings to avoid any accidents or injuries.  All replacements will be made free of charge of course, as well.

AUTOMOBILITY AND THE LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW 2016

Automobile enthusiasts are heading towards the LA Convention center this week for Automobility 2016!

What is Automobility? 

The Los Angeles Auto Show has been happening every year since 1907. It has been one of the most influential auto shows by uniting everyone who is anyone in the automobile industry.  This auto show is truly an unveiling of the future of cars by major innovators and decision making leaders in the industry from over 50 different countries.  In 2012, due to the huge success of this event for so many years, the show added the Advanced Tech Showcase.  By 2013, it evolved into the Connected Car Expo and it's purpose was to begin addressing changes in the industry. The CCE grew significantly throughout the years. Those attending the CCE wanted to attend both the expo, as well as the LA Auto Show. So it just seemed like the next best step to merge the two shows into one big show.  And, now we have Automobility!

The Automobility kick-off party was on November 14th at 5pm in the Los Angeles Convention center.  This party unleashes an epic week for the automobile industry of new technology exhibits, conferences by Hyundai, BMW, Nissan, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes Benz, Acura, Porsche, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru, Honda and many many more!! Check out the schedule!

Los Angeles Auto Show

LA Auto Show kicks off on November 18th through November 27th.  Thankfully this show is open to the public.  It's looking pretty exciting for all types of car and truck lovers.  It's gonna be an event for the whole family.  Car shopping and test drives will be possible at the show. The "Garage" exhibit will be back with customized rides beyond your wildest dreams. There will be a Tesla exhibit.  They will be showing off their Model X and their Model S.  Galpin's Hall of Customs is going to be back with custom rides, live DJ's and all kinds of crazy cool merchandise.  The Go Exhibit is new going to be very exciting to see! The way humans move around is the main focus of the exhibit and so it focuses on the latest technology that move us around besides cars.  Honda's UNI-CUB will be there, along with Just Ride LA, Juicer Bikes, Sprira4You, the Toyota i-road and quite a few other movement innovators, as well.  Check it out!

So, get your things, the fam and some friends and make a day of it. 

You will not want to miss this event!  If you want to get there early,

Friday the 18th and the 25th is the day to do it. The Show will be 

opening at 7am and will offer you complementary coffee so

you can enjoy a cup of jo and an extra two hours of car time before 

everyone else gets there. The Show will even be open on Thanksgiving day from 9am to 6pm. So, no excuses not to make

it out!!  Tickets are ranging anywhere from $5 to $85 for a VIP tour!

You can get your tickets here!

If you go, let us know!  Connect with us on our Facebook page and show us the pics you take at the show!!

GETTING A JUMP START ON BATTERY CARE

SO WHAT THIS BLUE STUFF ANYWAY?

Corrosion on your battery cables is a nuisance and can cause problems for your vehicle. It can damage quite a bit more than just your battery cables.  Unfortunately, it can affect your electrical wiring, air conditioner lines and more.  But, where does this stuff come from and why is it blue? 

The white substance you see on the picture on the left is lead sulfate or anhydrous copper sulfate. The blue coloring comes about when the anhydrous copper is exposed to moisture.  It is typically experienced with copper connectors. The corrosion is generated by hydrogen gas that is released from the sulfuric acid inside the battery.  A corrosive environment is then created as the gasses react to the atmosphere. Moisture and salts accelerate this process, which means those of us living in the South Bay need to be more mindful of our car battery connectors. Typically you will find the corrosion on the negative battery terminal, which is evident of undercharging the vehicles battery. If you notice corrosion on the positive battery terminal, this means that there is an overcharging issue.   

                                                                                                                                                   

Corrosion on your battery limits electrical conductivity and will increase resistance within the circuit. With this increased resistance there will be what they call "transient current flow." Transient current flow is electricity taking a path that it was not designed to take to return back to the battery.  This can lead to you not being able to start your vehicle and can possibly cause damage to other components of the engine.

                                                    

  SHIGE'S PREMIER CAR SERVICE TO THE RESCUE!!

There are many instructional videos you could watch or directions for quick fixes online to take care of the corrosion on your car battery.  But, really, who has the time for that? We at Shige's Premier Car Service will easily help you take of your car battery.  We will clean it for you and make sure we help prevent massive corrosion build up, no problem!!  It's a quick fix and it will keep your car going without any worries that your car might not start on account of corrosion build up.  If you do come in for your regular 3,000 mile service or maintenance, you will be ahead of the game because we do full inspections on your vehicles to ensure that it is always in tip top condition.  But, if you haven't visited us in a while, don't be shy!  We would love to see you and take care of all your vehicles needs!  Give us a call at (310)323-1824, make an appointment on our website SHIGESFOREIGNCAR.MECHANICNET.COM or check us out and like us on Facebook by clicking here: SHIGESPREMIERCARSERVICE.               

LET'S TALK ABOUT CAR BATTERIES

LONG LIVE THE CAR BATTERY!!

We all love our cars when they start, right?  It fills us with such joy to hear the engine turn over, so we can pull out of our driveways and be on our merry way.  We do not often think about our car battery and the electrical load demand that our vehicle will put the battery through.  Battery life is highly dependent on where you live and how well you take care of it.  In a perfect world, there would be no high temperatures or excessive humidity to disturb your battery life. If you lived in that part of the world, your battery would probably last six years, maybe.  But, let's be realistic!  Living in Southern California near the beach, we experience a good amount of heat and humidity.  So, we are lucky if our batteries last about two to five years. Now if you are lucky enough to own a hybrid or electric car, you will see a long as fifteen to eight long years out of your battery!  And, some hybrid batteries have been know to last even longer.  

HOW CAN I MAKE MY CAR BATTERY LAST LONGER?

Battery care is a huge part in getting the most out of your battery life.  To get your battery to last a long time is to always keep it fully charged. Which means, if you can make sure you are not leaving random lights on in the car or leave unnecessary accessories plugged in. And, of course, always turn your headlights off!  Sounds like a no brainer, right?  But, it does happen to the best of us. We at Shige's Premier Car Service, will load test your battery every time you come in for service to ensure you that your car will start when you need it to.  

STAY TUNED IN BECAUSE TOMORROW WE WILL TALK ABOUT CORROSION ON BATTERY CABLES.  WHAT IS IT AND HOW DOES IT GETS THERE AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. THANKS FOR CHECKING IN HERE ON SHIGE'S PREMIER CAR SERVICE LIVE THE LEGACY BLOG!!!

SEMA 2016

WHAT IS THIS SEMA YOU SPEAK OF?

SEMA, known as Specialty Equipment Market Association, all began in 1963 by a man named Roy Richter and his associates Bob Hedman, Willie Garner, Robert E. Wyman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand Jr, Al Segal, Dean Moon, and Vic Edlebrock, Jr.  The association has grown significantly and involves 6,383 companies throughout the world.  It unites after market manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEM), the media, car dealers, retailers and many more. SEMA provides education, professional development and much much more for the employees of its' member companies.  SEMA is the largest event that occurs in November in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Las Vegas Convention Center.  

The event is split into 12 different sections that include first time featured products, collision and repair / car care accessories, racing and performance, Truck and off road power sports and a lot more crazy fun stuff!!

THE HIGHLIGHTS 

Unfortunately, this convention is not open to the public.  But, that doesn't mean that the consumer won't get a peek at what happens on the inside.  There are tons of reviews and pics circulating around the web showcasing the mad frenzy of car buffs on the inside. 

Everyone wants to see the what they call the "Wild Rides."  This is where everyone does their best to show off their skills to do their best to bring the idea of "custom" to a whole new level of uh-mazing!!

To check out the pics, just click here: Wild Rides.  

Following that ride, the next best thing is to check out the jaw dropping high performance cars that make you want to re-watch every single Fast and Furious movie ever made!

The highlights are here: High Performance!

There were a lot of cars that really stood out. The Mazda MX-5 Speedster Evolution, Acura's NSX GT3 and the Chevrolet Camaro 50th Anniversary Special Edition all looked like a dream to get out and tear up the open road!  Click on the link above and check them out for yourself.

The Truck / SUV display was another awesome sight!  So much potential for off-road adventures just gets the blood boiling for some crazy back country antics!  From the Chevrolet Colorado ZH2 to the Kia Sorrento Ski Gondola-Check out Hottest Trucks and SUV's.  And, in addition to this, for all you 4x4 enthusiasts, check out the the knobby treads on all the New All Terrain Tires here.  

And, with all the excitement comes more excitement!  For the U.S. Marshalls, that is.  It is always good to know what you are buying and unfortunately some bad apples can slip through the cracks. But, it is always short lived.  Omix-Ada is the world's largest Jeep accessory manufacturer  who was targeted this time, but they were fully aware of companies trying to counterfeit their products because U.S. Marshalls had raided another event known as APPEX. Due to this, they wanted to be covert about how they were going address this issue at SEMA so to not disturb the guests at the convention. On the second day of the event, two booths representing two Chinese owned companies were served with subpoenas for disregarding copyright and trademark policies by selling fake grilles, bumpers and electronics.  All products were seized immediately to protect convention goers, as well as future customers and retailers.  SEMA was noted as saying that if these companies are found guilty that they will ensure that they will not be returning to the convention. 

So, if you ever aren't sure what you're buying, always ask a professional.  Remember, Shige's Premier Auto Service is here for you to answer any questions you may have and if you need anything, let us handle it for you!!  We will protect you from the knock offs!!      

THERE IS ALWAYS NEXT YEAR

SEMA draws the best of the best in the automotive industry from around the world.  It is always a success with forward thinkers pushing the industry to all new high levels of innovation and creativity. There are so many seminars, demonstrations, special events and networking opportunities that it seems impossible to absorb everything in just a few days.  It is an exciting time and it re-invigorates the minds of the people who strive to make a difference in the automotive world everyday.  So much so, that SEMA shows for 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 are all ready scheduled.  

We hoped you enjoyed checking out the links above.  If this sparked your interest and you would like to see more, you can go to their official Facebook page to check out more exciting pics and videos.

THANK YOU LETTERS ARE AWESOME!!

On behalf of everyone here at Shige's Premier Auto Service,

We would like to thank Sean Benhabib for sending us an 

awesome hand written letter!!!

We appreciate all the feedback that our customer's provide for us because we strive everyday to be the best we can be, so that we can better serve you, our customer's!  After all, if it wasn't for each and every one of you out there, Shige's Premier Auto Service would not be where we are today!!!

So, Thank you, Sean Benhabib for taking the time to reach out to us!! We greatly appreciate it and can't wait to see you on your next visit!!

If  you have any concerns or questions, please, let us know!! Leave a comment below, write us an email, or just call us!! We would love to hear from you!! 

HUNTER ELITE ALIGNMENT SERVICE IS NOW AVAILABLE AT SHIGE'S PREMIER AUTO SERVICE

AN ELITE ALIGNMENT FOR YOUR VEHICLE  BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE ONE AND ONLY 

SHIGE'S PREMIER CAR SERVICE!!

Today Marks 50 Years Of The Beloved Toyota Corolla!!

Celebrating 50 Years Of One Of The Best Selling And Most Reliable Cars!  

Toyota is really excited to announce that they are celebrating 50 years of the Corolla. On a special website they created especially for this momentous occasion they give great praise to their reliable little car. 

                            "Since its birth in 1966, the Corolla has been progressing 

                              with the times to respond to the needs of the eras in which 

                              it was produced.  Today, Corolla celebrates its 50th 

                              anniversary thanks to our customers." 

There are now 11 different generations of the Corolla that exist.  Over the last 50 years, Toyota has sold around 44 million Corolla's all over the world.  Fans of the car are excited to see how the car has evolved and how it will continue to evolve.  And, as always looking forward to driving the new 2017 model below. 

The website appears as if it is being updated with more and more information.  There is a great gallery exhibiting all the generations and histories of the car, as well as a few stories behind the design of the cars by the chief engineers like Tatsuo Hasegawa, Shiro Sasaki and Akihiko Sait. If you want to learn and see all the different Corolla generations in all their glory, just click here: Toyota's Global Newsroom.