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“School days, school days. Dear old golden rule days.” Parents, teachers, and students… we know you’re excited for the start of a brand new school year! Along with buying school supplies and new clothes, car maintenance should be high on your ”back to school” to-do list. Whether you are a student driver, a teacher, or a parent dropping your kids off at school every day, a reliable car is important. We’ve gathered a few important items to jot down on your back to school checklist.    Chec...

It’s finally summer and this year it looks like it’s going to be a hot one. If you’re like me, I bet you have already planned your vacation or at least scheduled a weekend getaway. At this point, I have packed my bags and planned a few fun activities for the family. I’m a little worried about one thing… my rental car. You never know if routine maintenance has been performed. I’m driving over 1,000 miles and can only hope the engine doesn’t overheat.   I can’t control what kind of mainte...

It’s time to gear up for road trip season! Whether you are headed to the coast, on a cross-country road trip, or you’re off to the grocery store to prepare for a “staycation” at home, it’s always a good idea to have your car prepped with an emergency kit. When it comes to your car, the unexpected is bound to happen. Good drivers know this, embrace it and are prepared for anything that’s thrown their way! While you may not be able to prepare for all scenarios, there are a few good measures...

Your child’s safety in the car heavily relies on them having the appropriate car seat or booster seat properly installed. Even if you are an expert driver with a clear driving history, you can’t stop other drivers from making poor decisions on the road. Correctly used child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by 71%, but half of all booster and car seats are not properly installed. To avert a tragic incident, make sure your kids are properly positioned in the appropriate seating. Follow...

Flowers are beginning to bloom, and temperatures are beginning to rise. Spring is in the air! With the spring and summer seasons come family vacations and road trips. Is your car ready to tackle this year’s adventures? Here’s a quick list of must-check items before you pack up and hit the road:   Fluids: You’ll want to make sure that your motor oil, coolant, transmission fluid, and windshield washer fluid is topped off before heading out. You’ll also want to be sure they are all clean and f...

Are you in the market for a new truck and trying to decide between a diesel or a gasoline engine? When it comes down to it, it is truly a driver preference. There is no clear “winner” between the two types of engines, but there certainly are some pros and cons to each. The type of truck best suited for you will depend heavily on your budget and what you will be using your truck for. Is your truck going to be your daily driver on your 40-mile commute, or will you regularly be using it to haul ...

Vehicle maintenance can be a hassle and sometimes it can be a little intimidating. It seems like the list of auto maintenances that your vehicle requires grows more day by day. Wouldn’t you like to know that the job is getting done right? Here at Don Owen Tire in Bloomington, IL we want you to feel assured that your auto repairs being done right, the first time. Of course, you would, that’s why we have ASE Certified Technicians on staff. I know, I know, what does that even mean? Well, it mean...

Most of us love our vehicles and try our best to take care of them. Regular maintenance, new tires, and trips through the car wash may be something that you do all the time. Here at Don Owen Tire, we came across a few tricks that might help you get your vehicle looking even better for this spring! Check Out These Unconventional Ways of Getting your Vehicle Clean. Q-Tips- These little babies shouldn’t be sidelined for just your ears, they have several great uses including cleaning your vehicle...

Have you ever gotten a little too excited using your parking brake? At some point, most of us pull up just a little too hard and get our brake lever jammed.  There are several situations that require a little extra braking power. Knowing when and how to use your brake will help you avoid sticky situations.    When should I use my parking brake?   If you drive a manual transmission you might use your emergency brake every time you park your vehicle. You might even be using it when you are drivin...

Don’t you hate it when you try to find ways to save on gas and the first response you get is “drive less”?  If that was an option, I wouldn’t be looking up solutions. Unfortunately, we all depend on our vehicles and we all have to drive. Which means we all have to buy gas. But how can we do all this and still save money?    You can’t make it far in search results without coming across dozens of tips on how to make your gas go further. In case you’ve missed out, here are some of the best t...