Cary Car Care

Traveling Valves

Tue, 04 Jul 2023 12:16:00 GMT

Poor Vehicle Hygiene

If the timing belt breaks while driving in an interference engine , a type of four-stroke internal combustion piston engine, the valves travel to an area where an open piston may travel. The damage is less severe in a non-interference engine , where the pistons do not travel into an area where the valves open. In both cases, the engine will stall leaving you stranded. If you don’t know the type of engine in your vehicle, call Cary Car Care in Cary, NC at 919-380-0040 or visit their shop at 234 E. Johnson Street, Cary, NC 27513 .

The camshaft stops turning, leaving the valves in the open position. The crankshaft continues to turn, and the internal forces will cause the pistons to move up and down hitting the open pistons. Broken or bent valves, damaged pitons, and maybe a damaged cylinder head. The vehicle becomes non-operational.

The timing belt is a toothed belt connecting the crankshaft to the camshaft. A synchronization takes place between the camshaft and crankshaft position to help the valves open and close at the proper time in relation to the pistons. In some engines, the timing belt can drive a water pump, balance shaft, intermediate shaft, injection pump, and oil pump. Did you know the balance shaft, intermediate shaft, and the injection pump must be synchronized with the crankshaft?

The professionals at Cary Car Care will set you up for vehicle success and put your mind at ease. Depending on the year of the vehicle will determine the approach to the timing belt or timing chain. Many older vehicles have timing belts which require a high level of skill to replace. The belt needs to be precisely timed to keep the firing in order and the vehicle functioning at optimal levels.

A key component of the timing belt is the timing belt tensioner. A timing belt needs to be under specific condition to function properly and the tensioner is the component that oversees the correct amount of tension being placed on the timing belt. When repairing or replacing a timing belt, the technician must set the correct timing. If the timing is not set properly the crankshaft, camshaft, and other components will not align and the vehicle will lose power, misfire, vibrate, and see the check engine light illuminating.

What’s the difference between a timing belt and timing chain? A timing belt will wear out over time and needs to be replaced at a certain mile milestone. A timing chain can last the life of the engine and doesn’t need to be replaced unless a problem occurs with the timing chain. Most newer vehicles have timing chains.

Cary Car Care in Cary, NC knows these timing belt facts and can perform a vital inspection of your timing belt to avoid this toothed belt from failing when you’re driving. If you suspect a timing belt is at risk of failure contact Cary Car Care at 919-380-0040 or visit their shop at 234 E. Johnson Street, Cary, NC 27513 .

Let us reintroduce ourselves!

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 11:36:00 GMT

We are Cary Car Care and we would like to reintroduce ourselves! We have had quite a few changes over the last few years but there are some things that have stayed the same including Paul, Kelsey, and BJ! We’re still here and we’re still serving the Cary area for all your automotive needs!

We know that Covid and other economic changes have affected all of us. One thing that affected us the most here at Cary Car Care was staffing. We had quite a bit of turnover with our service team and apologize for it having potentially affected our customer service. However, we believe that now we’ve got a solid team in place led by our returning service manager, Sam Martin. When you call, you’ll most likely speak with him or Tawana. Tawana has been with us since November of 2021 and manages the chaos that is our front desk space with the utmost professionalism and friendliness. Mary Jane assists her part-time as our front desk receptionist. They all are able to help you with your needs and/or get you to the right place – including speaking to our other service advisors, Monnette and Dylan. All of these people are more than equipped with the knowledge and resources to help you and help with your vehicle situations!

Behind the scenes, our technicians are working diligently and efficiently to get your vehicle back on the road! We are lucky enough to have kept these gentlemen through the pandemic and hope to continue moving forward with each of them. Our technicians include our team lead, Kurt, our newest member, Travis, our most veteran (of 32 years), Mark, and everyone in between, Phil (almost 20-year veteran), Landon, and Bryan.

Not to mention the family: Paul, Kelsey, and BJ are working closely with the team to ensure each client is served with the best possible customer service experience. You may not see us as often, but we’re still around and would always love to pop out of the office and say “hi!” Please just ask for us if you don’t see us!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! With our outstanding customer service, comes another outstanding marker: increasing our warranty to 3 years/36K miles!

Get to know more about the individuals that make Cary Car Care great and learn more about our services at www.carycarcare.com !

We appreciate your loyalty and hope to see you again soon for whatever needs your vehicles may have. From our family to yours: our sincerest thank you!

Our Warranty has Expanded!

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 10:54:00 GMT

At Cary Car Care, we are always striving to give the best possible value and service to our customers. We are excited to announce that we are increasing our warranty from 24 months/24,000 miles to 36 months/36,000 miles! Service and value have always been at the heart of everything we do, and increasing peace of mind with every repair is one more way we are doing that!

I Smell Rotten Eggs

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 12:16:00 GMT

What are P0420 and P0430 Codes?

You’re driving to see an old friend and you notice your car is running a little sluggish, is chewing up fuel, and has lost some power. The check engine light illuminates. You continue down the road and you notice a sulfur odor emitting from the vehicle. Do you have any idea what this could indicate? When in doubt, call Cary Car Care in Cary, NC at 919-380-0040 . The experts will provide you with the answers to keep you safe on the road.

The most common cause of P0420 and P0430 codes that trigger a check engine light is a bad catalytic converter. The engine light notification includes additional possibilities including a faulty oxygen sensor to misfires. A catalytic converter breaks down harmful pollutants that are created by your vehicle during the combustion cycle and converts them to less harmful gasses.

P0420 indicates the catalytic converter is not functioning properly, increasing the output of harmful pollutants by the vehicle. Catalytic converters are exhaust emission control systems utilizing an oxidation reduction, a chemical reaction that involves a transfer of electrons with a gain or loss of electrons in the process.

P0430 is a system deficiency below a threshold. This is recognized as a moderate alert for the driver and can cause internal engine damage. The check engine light can be triggered by a faulty catalytic converter or oxygen sensor, which can be caused by an engine misfire or rich/lean air-fuel mixture.

When the check engine light illuminates for a faulty catalytic converter code P0420 and P0430 the driver may experience a check engine light illuminating, lack of power, decreased fuel economy, and rotten eggs or a sulfur smell emitting from the exhaust.

A catalytic converter contains a washcoat, a catalyst, and catalyst support. To fix a P0420 code requires advanced mechanical knowledge and to fix a P0430 code requires expert level skills to replace. Don’t take any chances. Take your vehicle to Cary Car Care in Cary, NC. The automotive experts at Cary Car Care will look at the code reading and fix the catalytic converter as quickly as possible. Please contact Cary Car Care at 919-380-0040 or stop by at 234 E. Johnson Street, Cary, NC 27513 to have your catalytic converter repaired or replaced.

Is resurfacing my brakes an option?

Thu, 21 Jul 2022 19:01:00 GMT

When should you replace your brakes, and when is it okay to resurface?

Brake failure is a scary prospect that we hope doesn’t keep you up at night! You always trust that when you put your brake pedal to the floor, your vehicle will slow to a stop. Over time, your brakes wear down, and you may begin to notice that it takes longer to come to a complete stop. Sometimes your brakes will start making a loud or high-pitched squealing noise that tells you they are not working correctly. Some drivers even experience shaking and vibrations, which is your brakes skipping past the rotor when they cannot make contact. In the end, that’s the main issue when your brakes start to wear, and they can’t make contact with the rotor.

The go-to fix is to replace your brake pads to increase the friction. Still, your technician should also tell you about another, more cost-effective solution you can use in between replacing your brakes. Our technicians at Cary Car Care can perform a resurfacing on your rotors to help them hold up their end of the braking system. While your brake pads are wearing down, all that rubber and debris has to go somewhere, and unfortunately, some of it can build up within the rotor. The surface of your rotor will become uneven with the grit, and your brake pads will not be able to make uninterrupted contact with the rotor.

Resurfacing your rotor involves slowly removing the built-up debris that is preventing the brake pad from making contact. This process will increase your braking ability and give you a bit of time before you need to consider changing your brakes. When you come across an auto repair problem, like your brakes becoming less effective, be sure to ask your technician about all possible services. You may be able to save yourself some money and buy some time before a more expensive repair or replacement! Call us at Cary Car Care at 919-380-0040 to schedule an appointment.

Prep Your Vehicle for Vacations!

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 00:01:00 GMT

It is once again that time of year when school winds down, the temperature goes up, and you may be thinking it’s time for a vacation. With travelling, you have to keep your transportation in mind and if you’re anything like us, you might like to take a roadtrip. At Cary Car Care, we have a service that is conveniently titled “trip inspection” to prep you and yor vehicle for whatever adventure lies ahead. During a trip inspection, we will check your fluid levels, belts and hoses, tires, lights, wipers, brakes, and battery. Schedule today to prep for your next adventure.

It’s HOT!

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 15:09:00 GMT

The heat is back in North Carolina, so it most likely won’t take you long to notice if there is an issue with your vehicle’s cooling and heating system. The most obvious signs are the lack of heating or cooling of the air, no air circulation at all, or even a strange knocking noise. What you may not know is that while the temperature of your vehicle may seem to only affect your comfort, it actually plays a big part in making sure that your engine does not overheat, which can cause engine damage. With the complexity of the system, it is important to bring your vehicle to a specialist who knows how to safely repair the cooling and heating system. At Cary Car Care, our team of ASE Certified technicians has the expertise to service all car, truck, and SUV makes and models.

Do you know what your leaf springs do?

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 19:01:00 GMT

What these essential parts contribute to your suspension system!

Automobile technology has sped up in the last century. We have seen some of the more innovative and valuable developments in cars. Every manufacturer is looking for a way to improve the driving experience for their owners. They’re always looking for a way to improve vehicle performance, economy, and driving experience. However, some vehicle features have centuries of history. If you’re not familiar with lesser-known auto parts, you may not have heard of leaf springs. For being relatively unknown, leaf springs make a big difference in your truck or van and offer extra support with added benefits.

Leaf Springs have been around since Medieval times, showing that a good design can last the ages almost unchanged. They were also known as carriage springs or laminated springs because these were especially useful on carriages and transport equipment. The unique design enables it to bear a heavy load and leave minimal stress for your vehicle. The main concern with putting too much weight in your car is the strain on the axle. A leaf spring is many pieces bolted together to form one large spring. Pieces of steel in the shape of a bow are stacked in decreasing size and bolted together. They are then attached to the rear axle and chassis. The springs bear the burden of any excess weight in your vehicle.

Especially in transport vehicles like trucks or vans, as an owner, you expect that the wear and tear will be more significant if you haul heavier loads over time that causes damage to your suspension, your chassis, your whole vehicle. Leaf Springs absorb this excess burden and prevent the axle from buckling and snapping under the weight. Your regular technician at Cary Car Care will be able to tell you if and when your Leaf Springs will need repair. Call us at 919-380-0040 to schedule an appointment.

Meet our Technicians

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 18:46:00 GMT

Technician Spotlight

Kurt Wolf

Bryan Johnson

Bryan Johnson would be voted “most likely to succeed,” as he continues to surpass our expectations! In the short time that he has been with us, Bryan has been certified and promoted to an ASE technician. His intelligence and laser focus make him one of the best up-and-coming technicians we’ve seen! Bryan is close with his family, enjoys dabbling with race cars, and loves almost anything to do with sports.

We look forward to the pleasure of working with Kurt and Bryan for many more years to come. Please visit our “About” page to learn more about them and our other employees.

Our highly-trained technicians are at the ready to assist you with all of your vehicle's needs. Please give us a call at 919-249-5475 or come see us at 234 E. Johnson Street, Cary, NC 27513. We look forward to seeing you soon!

In our thirty years of business, Cary Car Care has employed a number of technicians. In the last few years, we’ve been lucky to find two new technicians that have grown to be part of the family! Kurt Wolf and Bryan Johnson are both ASE-certified members of our team. Kurt has been with us since August 2016 and Bryan since December 2019.

If this were high school, Kurt Wolf would be our class clown! He is always making people laugh and finding the pretty side of the penny. He wears his heart on his sleeve and has a passion for life that goes unmatched which shines through in his diagnostic and repair work. Kurt boasts about his family often; that includes his wife, son, daughter, and young twins. Kurt enjoys woodworking, boating and fishing, and above all, spending time with his family at the beach.

CARY CAR CARE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF BUSINESS

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 16:12:00 GMT

The New Cary Car Care Check In and Check Out Process

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 17:36:00 GMT

Cary Car Care has switched to a new point of sales system: SHOPWARE!

We’re very excited to make this announcement as it has been a year in the making. Plus, it seems to have come at the right time due to COVID19 and allowing our clients to follow their entire repair process online. However, don’t worry – if you prefer and most enjoy speaking with us over the phone or face to face that is always an option.

Overall, it’s pretty simple. You get a text or email confirmation that your appointment has been made which includes a link to access your account.

This access shows you the potential charges for your requested services as well as recommendations that we may have previously discussed with you .

You can approve and decline services from there and/or make comments in the “notes” section to communicate directly with your service advisor.

Once we’ve looked at the vehicle, we’ll send you an update with any new recommendations we may have.

This will be a link sent via text or email but we will call to discuss too if needed or requested. This information can be accessed by the same link you were originally sent as well. Again, you can approve or decline items at this point and let us know what your expectations are for next steps by commenting in the “notes” section or calling. We get notifications every time the page is viewed or an update is made by you so we’ll be sure to respond ASAP

Once you’ve approved and declined what you want, you can view the grand total for services. Lastly, once the work is completed, we’ll send you a final link via text or email.

This link is unique to the final repair order and allows you to make a payment online by credit card.

Then, you can post how you would like us to get your keys back to you (you can call on arrival, we can lock them in the car or leave them in the car unlocked).

No matter how you choose to communicate, we have options!

Five Biggest Reasons Why The “Check Engine” Comes On

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 19:08:00 GMT

Common Check Engine Light Culprits

It’s one of the worst feelings to have while driving ; the dreaded “Check Engine” light comes on. For a lot of motorists, they feel the doom and gloom of the situation. “Will the engine die?” “Is there smoke coming from the vents?” “Why is the car sputtering?” We’ve all been there and asked those questions to ourselves. While it may spell doom and gloom, it actually provides an early warning system for your car before it suffers internal damage. At Cary Car Care, our mission is to diagnose the problem with our state-of-the-art equipment that will pinpoint the root cause of the issue. Here are the five biggest reasons why the check engine light comes on.

An O2 Sensor Has Started to Fail

A car’s oxygen sensor monitors the unburned oxygen in the exhaust system. Monitoring the oxygen is a way of managing the fuel mixture. This is to ensure the car doesn’t run too rich or too lean. When it begins to fail, it may idle at a higher RPM in addition to running rough. Because the sensor can no longer regulate the fuel mixture, a car’s emissions will go up. While O2 Sensors are robust, they are exposed to the elements, and will deteriorate. Once this happens, the sensor will throw a fault, and thus the Check Engine light comes on.

Spark Plugs Have Burned Out

Spark Plugs are basically the conductor of the engine. They provided the necessary spark that ignites the fuel and air mixture that creates engine power. The gap between the ends of the plug is close enough that the electricity will cross the gap between them, giving the ignition the proper voltage. As the spark plug wears, the gap becomes less and less. This causes the engine to misfire, lose power, create excess wear, and lower gas mileage. Over time, a plug’s wear will cause damage to their adjoining plug wires and ignition coils.

Catalytic Converter Has Failed

To help reduce emissions, Catalytic Converters create an oxidizing reaction to lessen the effect of pollutants on the atmosphere. Over the years, they’ve become more integrated with an engine’s management system. This allows it to work more efficiently and reduce wear. On average, a Catalytic Converter lasts around 10 years, so it won’t be a high priority of repair if you buy the new. That said, several factors can lead to it wearing down. If raw fuel or antifreeze find their way into the exhaust system, it could cause the Catalyst to overheat and melt down. Other problems include faulty oxygen sensors, worn spark plugs, and structural damage.

Vacuum Hoses May Be Leaking

Acting as a release valve, vacuum hoses take pressure buildup from engine components to allow for smooth combustion. Like other parts of the engine, the hoses are susceptible to the elements like heat, dirt, and debris. When a hose breaks, the car may start to misfire and perform sluggishly. In most modern cars, there is a sensor that monitors the hoses’ function. If it detects a drop in pressure from a faulty hose, it will signal a fault code immediately. In most circumstances, the hose is just worn out.

Your Gas Cap Is Loose

As strange as it may sound, a loose gas cap can cause your check engine light to come on. Because the cap has a perfect seal on the fuel tank, any that escapes from the tank can be hazardous. A fuel level sensor monitoring it can detect the escaping vapor and send an alarm to your cars’ brain, thus causing the check engine light to come on.

If you experience any of the issues listed above, please don’t hesitate to call us at 919-380-0040 to schedule an appointment. Our ASE-certified technicians will take great care in diagnosing your vehicle. Our shop is located on 234 E Johnson Street near Kingswood Elementary School in Downtown Cary. We look forward to providing good car care for you!

Four Signs Your Car Needs Suspension Repair

Sat, 12 Sep 2020 19:05:00 GMT

Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs!

As you drive along, there stands to reason you’ll run across speed bumps, potholes, rocks and so on. A car’s suspension can absorb these obstacles with relative ease. Over time though, your suspension will begin to wear down, and your ride will get rougher. Depending on the vehicle, certain parts wear quicker than others. We at Cary Car Care we’ll help you understand the perfect time to bring it in for suspension repair.

Hearing Squeaks Over Bumps

A common problem that occurs is hearing the sound of squeaks coming from under the car. These squeaks can be attributed to rubber suspension bushings wearing out. A bushing functions to soften the vibrations on the vehicle, while making sure the suspension parts stay in position. As the rubber wears down, the more stress is put on respective parts. If the bushing wears out completely, then a suspension part may fail prematurely.

Feeling All the Bumps on the Road

If you begin to feel ALL the bumps on the road, there stands a good chance the shocks or struts on your vehicle are failing. Shocks and struts act as the main stabilizer when traveling down the road. Higher-end cars like Mercedes, BMW, and Lexus offer hydraulic struts, which control the ride over all surfaces. Shocks perform mostly the same way, preventing body roll and offsetting vibrations to the cars springs. One way to check if a shock/strut is failing is putting weight on one end of the car. If it bounces more than a couple of times, the struts(s) will need replacing.

One Side of The Car is Sitting Too Low

When a car sits on level ground, all four ends should be even. If one end sags, more than likely a shock or strut has failed. One tell-tale way to confirm this by looking at the shock underneath the car. If the shock looks greasy or has fluid dripping out of the bottom. The faulty strut will make a clunking noise as the car rolls over bumps. In addition, the car will begin to handle worse in bad road conditions.

Steering Becomes Dangerously Difficult

If you find steering difficult while driving along, then the fault may lie in the suspension. Components including the power steering rack, control arms and bushings can endure excessive wear. This causes the steering to become numb when turning hard. This creates a dangerous situation that may result in a accident. Its imperative to maintain good car care staying on top of the situation.

If you think your car has one of the issues listed above, please feel free to contact our award-winning staff at (919) 636-6984 to set up an appointment. One of our experienced technicians will check your vehicle with our state-of-the-art equipment. Our shop is located on 234 E Johnson Street, in downtown Cary, North Carolina. We look forward to servicing you and wishing you safe travels.

Employee Spotlight, Phil and Mark

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 15:53:00 GMT

Employee Spotlight, Phil and Mark

Cary Car Care

Cary Car Care Business Update – Covid-19

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 16:49:00 GMT

We will remain open at this time but with necessary precautions.

As so many small businesses are doing, we are estimating the impact of COVID-19 and making tough decisions for the health of our team, our greater community, and our financial well-being. I realize we are not alone and you may be personally sharing the same or similar anxieties about the current and future state of your own. However, we all will continue to move forward; it is in the “how” that will make a difference.

As your trusted auto care provider, we are taking measures to keep you and our employees safe. We feel it is imperative to be completely transparent in acknowledging our responsibilities to you, so thank you for reading:

1. For the clients who work in healthcare or who continue needing our service, we want to and will continue to work. Our team has been instructed to follow careful sanitation guidelines and notify us of their own exposure so we can remain transparent to our clients. We appreciate that for some, life and work can’t stop and for them, we hope to be there.

2. We understand and fully support social distancing to keep our communities safer. We are implementing precautions to limit interactions including CLOSING OUR WAITING ROOM. We will only accept the vehicle key (please keep your house keys and other keys with you) through the night dropbox. We will communicate with you over the phone, through text or through Shopware. When your vehicle is ready for pick up, we will lock/unlock your key in the car for access and take payment over the phone. If you have dropped a vehicle off overnight with us before, these actions will be, for the most part, the same.

3. Additional precautions we are taking include but are not limited to: using gloves inside vehicles, sanitizing keys, cleaning the office/shop multiple times throughout the day, offering an EPA certified disinfectant service at no charge after vehicle use by staff, etc. Please ask if you have any questions and/or concerns.

a. Also, if you need to cancel or just feel better doing so, we understand. We will continue to approach all schedule changes with the utmost flexibility as we always have. We ask our clients to err on the side of caution if they are sick or have been exposed and communicate such to us immediately.

4. We’re attempting to reduce expenses and expect it will take months to recover. While currently, we are looking at the dramatic impact of a schedule wiped clear of over a hundred visits a week, we’re estimating the long-term impact to carry throughout the Spring and into the Summer. This puts our business at serious risk. At this time, we have been able to retain our entire staff and we will continue to support them as much as we can for as long as we can as all depend on us for their livelihood.

5. If you need our service, please use us! We plan to be here and remain open. We will update our clients as often as possible with any changes that are made.

Thank you for your understanding and support in this trying time.-

Employee Series: Featuring Debby and Brian.

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 19:04:00 GMT

If you’ve been to us recently you most likely have had the pleasure of seeing Debby at the front desk or having Brian come out to chat from the back – both great faces representing Cary Car Care!

Debby

Debby has been our Client Care Coordinator since January 2019 and is an advocate for YOU! She’s almost always the first to pick up the phone – getting you the help you need, fast! She’s also often the last person to look over your service paperwork – ensuring everything is ready and correct when you come to pick up your vehicle.

Brian

Brian has been with us since February 2018 and was recently promoted to Service Manager. You might not always get to see him but he’s working diligently in the back overseeing your services. He manages all our technicians and paperwork all while being friendly and timely.

Between their hard work, we find a few times to play:

Here’s Debby with our most flighty client:

Here’s Brian enjoying a good laugh over coffee:

We consider ourselves very lucky to have them and are thankful for all they do for Cary Car Care.

See them next month featured in our ad with Cary Magazine!

Learn more about them on our website at www.carycarcare.com/about

Love, Laughter and Strong Coffee

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 13:24:00 GMT

The new big thing at the office:

The coffee maker!!

You might think it’s trivial.

You might say it is silly – but we just love our coffee around here a Cary Car Care.

It all started about two years ago when we brought on one of our service advisors, Brian. Yes, we’ve loved coffee all a long but Brian took it to another level. You can see from his cabinets at home that he loves his coffee!

Check out his home stash:

So, Brian brought in coffee for us to share such as Starbucks S’mores, savory blends and honey caramel.

Then, a year later, when we brought on our client care coordinator, Debby, she began to bring in coffee too! Even dabbled in tea.

That’s when it started trending around the office. Paul got involved by bringing in a grinder (for the freshest possible coffee!) Kelsey and Jake started partaking by enjoying the others’ efforts and drinking whatever was on hand.

Finally, last month we bought a coffee maker for the advisor office. That way we could all experiment and enjoy it on demand!

At this point, it has become a habit for us to convene over at our new “water cooler” and make coffee about 2-3x a day!

We really enjoy sharing the experience and the camaraderie the coffee has initiated. Brian has even had to start limiting himself to two cups a day:

Are you a coffee lover too? Have any flavors/options we should try? Recommend below!

What are the happenings at Cary Car Care?

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 14:49:00 GMT

Where has the blog been? Where has Kelsey been?

What’s with all the changes at Cary Car Care? What’s been happenin’?

How can anyone keep track of all this?

Well, we’re back and with good news!

We’re so excited to welcome Kelsey back from maternity leave. She had a beautiful baby boy on January 31, 2019. He came 6 weeks and 1 day early, stayed in the hospital for 17 days but now everyone is home, healthy and happy.

Kelsey is a very proud mama.

Additionally, a lot has been happening at the Cary Car Care office front.

First, a big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to George for retiring in April of this year!

George worked with Cary Car Care for just over 20 years and has been a staple in contributing to our clients’ great experiences. He will be missed!

George pictured here (center) with BJ Lambdin (left) and Paul Lambdin (right).

In the meantime, we’ve welcomed some new faces to the shop and are very excited to have these two on board!

Jake is our newest service advisor. He came to us looking for a more family oriented company as he recently became a dad! You can learn more about him by clicking on his picture below.

Debby is our client care coordinator – or the “ccc” of CCC. She is eager to put her great customer service skills to use and get to know our amazing client base! Click her picture below to learn more.

Other happenings at Cary Car Care? Check out the awesome new chairs for the office! The other chairs held up strong for 29 years but it was time for a change (and an upgrade).

Now that you’ve been updated with the ongoings and happenings at Cary Car Care, tell us what’s new with you!

Team building and bonding at Cary Car Care

Thu, 20 Dec 2018 21:59:00 GMT

The close-knit team here at Cary Car Care:

How do we do it? Why is it important?

Here are Cary Care Care we have worked hard over the years to create and fun and friendly work environment. After all, we spend more time here during the week then with our own families! It is so important to us to make sure we all get along and can all collaborate with the client’s best interest at heart.

It takes a lot to build such a team: (1) it takes the want to be apart of a close-knit team from each individual, (2) it takes hard work to continue our educations in order to ensure we’re at the top of our industry, (3) it takes initiative from all parties to show up and be their best everyday, (4) and so much more!

While Cary Car Care has certainly been lucky to find great people to join us on our journey, it is no accident that we make things work day in and day out. We have team monthly meetings where we all have breakfast biscuits once a month. During this time we review any shop needs and discuss ongoings of the business.

Additionally, four times a year we stretch that meeting to two hours and do one of my personal favorite things – team building activities! In the past, we’ve shared some of our experiences but we’ve take part in all kinds! Most notably: scavenger hunts around the shop, Improv games, Reindeer games, building and racing pool noodle cars and “trust” games.

This December we mixed it up with Family Feud ! I played Steve Harvey with the help of BJ as the scorekeeper. While everyone else divided into teams of two for play – and yes, we played the fast money rounds!

Why Family Feud ? Why scavenger hunts and Reindeer games?

These activities help build our team to be better by breaking down barriers, eliminating distractions and allowing us to completely be ourselves. Ultimately, this leads to improving teamwork, productivity and motivation. When you can better understand your coworkers strengths, weaknesses and interests, there is better opportunity to really build a cohesive team. Plus, it’s so much fun!

And we even bring those a long who aren’t there in person …

We do enjoy spending the time with one another and I definitely enjoy putting together the team meetings! That’s why we also have monthly team lunches just to get to hang out with one another. Christmas is one of our favorite times to do that as Cary Car Care splurges for the biggest lunch of the year. This year … we’re thinking ribs!

Have a shout out about any of our team members or any ideas for the next team activity? Send us a message!

Happy holidays to all!

Halloween and holidays at Cary Car Care!

Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:32:00 GMT

Halloween and the holidays!

We love holidays around here at Cary Car Care so we take any opportunity we get to celebrate!

This Halloween we all participated with our communities by handing out candy and enjoying the costumes! Check out Supergirl (Kelsey) with Clark Kent below as well as My Little Pony costume created by none other than BJ Lambdin!

Plus, here’s a few fun Halloween throwbacks:

Share some photos with us on how you celebrated this Halloween! Plus, tell us what you have going on for the upcoming holidays! Cary Car Care always does a feast to celebrate the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays so it is a fun time for us to enjoy one another’s company. Check out last year’s dinner!

We’re looking forward to our annual meals again this year! Any recipe suggestions? What are your favorite dishes for the holidays? Kelsey’s is green bean casserole, BJ’s is homemade cranberry relish, and Paul’s is his mom’s macaroni and cheese! Can’t wait for another year of some good food!

Cary Car Care hit our New Year’s goal! Our Google reviews are over 100!

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 20:34:00 GMT

Ladies and gentleman, we’ve done it!

Hopefully, you’ve been following us through the year and know one of our New Year’s resolutions was to reach 100 Google reviews. Well, last month we did just that! We completed July with 108 reviews and a rating of 4.9 on Google!

We can’t thank our clients enough for taking the time to share their experiences and spread the word through reviews about Cary Car Care.

As for our other resolutions, we have certainly continued to be involved in the community. In fact, last week Paul participated in the Meg’s Smile annual golf fundraiser as Cary Car Care was a Silver sponsor. This year, we are excited to announce, we did not come in last place!

Additionally, our plan to complete renovations is still in the works with no current time frame except getting it done as soon as possible. We know the renovations we plan on completing will improve our workflow and client experiences. We’re excited to get it underway and will update everyone as that happens.

Have you completed any of your New Year’s resolutions? What are some goals you’ve set for yourself? We’d love to hear more about you and what you’re doing to improve yourself. Any suggestions for us? Don’t hesitate to write us any reviews!

Barbecue is on the menu for summer!

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 15:52:00 GMT

We love to cook outside year round but this is barbecue season!

It seems like everyone has something delicious on the grill this time of year and we love to talk about food. Barbecue, or any food really, seems to bring us together. It’s an opportunity to slow down and share.

Once a month we have lunch as a group and on more than one occasion we have rolled out the grill. We talk about our families, our hobbies and we eat good food. Co-workers become more like extended family over barbecue. We talk and share about the things that make us more similar than different.

These are pictures of the best food on our barbecue at Cary Car Care: pulled pork shoulder, crispy roast pork(recipe below), beer can chicken, surf & turf, grilled chicken and sausages. As you can see, chicken and pork are the favorites here!

Well, what do you like to grill this time of year? Share your favorite recipe with us!

Here is one of ours:

Crispy Roast Pork with Cranberry Ginger Sauce.

Roast pork ingredients: 8-10 lb picnic shoulder with skin on, salt, pepper.

Cranberry ginger sauce ingredients: 1 cup cranberry juice, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon grated ginger.

In a medium sauce pan whisk together cranberry juice, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch and ginger. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens. Set aside to serve with the roast.

Preheat your cooking device (barbecue, grill, smoker, oven) to 250f. Rinse and dry your roast. Generously salt and pepper your roast, tent with foil and cook for 8-10 hours or until meat yields easily to fork. Remove from your cooking device and let rest 15-30 minutes while you crank the heat up to 500f. Put the roast back in the heat and turn it every 10 minutes until it is crispy on all sides (10-30 minutes). Let rest another 15 minutes before serving.

Serve on rolls for something easy but this would be just as good over rice with roasted veggies on the side. Enjoy!

Cary Car Care Featured Review: The Katti Family

Wed, 23 May 2018 15:36:00 GMT

Cary Car Care made a goal at the new year to reach 100 reviews by the end of the year! How are we doing?

We’re well on our way thanks to our great and loyal clients! We wanted to stop and take a moment to highlight a special review that came in from the Katti family!

"Since moving to Cary four years ago, this has been my go-to place for all car needs. I feel very welcome when I walk in. Their staff office and shop have

been extremely professional. I find them to be very trustworthy and feel that they have my best interests in mind. So lucky to have found them in Cary."

The Katti family has been clients of ours now for that four year time frame and we’ve since learned a lot about them! It is these types of relationships that we strive to foster with all our clients. We love getting to know them and being able to provide the help they need. Here are a few “thank you” cards (or “old-fashioned” reviews) we have received over the years!

We are so thankful to have such wonderful clients! Thank you to all our special clients and the new clients who we look forward to serving! Thank you to all for your help in chipping away towards that 100 review mark!

Spring is in the air at Cary Car Care or is that pollen?

Wed, 18 Apr 2018 15:21:00 GMT

This time of year everything is yellow and when you can see the pollen on your car it’s a good time to think about the cabin filter in your car. Gesundheit!

The cabin filter’s job is to improve the air quality inside your car by reducing dust, pollen & mold.

Most manufacturers recommend a 15,000 mile service interval. Some recommend as much as 20,000 or 30,000 miles! Living in areas with heavy airborne contaminants, such as pollen, may require that your cabin filter get more frequent attention. We have changed a lot of cabin filters and believe that most would benefit from service once a year.

When should your cabin filter be replaced?

Some signs that it is time to replace your cabin filter are increased noise from your interior fan or reduced air flow from your vents. Mildew or musty odors are another sign that your cabin filter may need attention.

We can’t eliminate the pollen but we can help keep it out of your car!

During your regular service visits at Cary Car Care, we will review your maintenance history. We will make the appropriate recommendation based on your driving habits and your cabin filter’s current condition.

The Honda cabin filter on the left had 14,915 miles on it and was just over 2 years old next to the same part when new. All of the air coming out of your car vents goes through that filter!

To learn more about what you can do to keep your vehicle in tip top shape, be aware of your car care needs in the Spring or contact Cary Car Care to schedule a visit and we’ll check the car out for you.

Breathe happy and pollen-free! Keep those filters clean!

March Madness at Cary Car Care: UNC, Duke or NC State?

Tue, 13 Mar 2018 19:47:00 GMT

It’s that time of year again: Cary Care Care has been taken over by March Madness basketball!

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s 2018 tournament brackets were just announced and we’re all on edge to see who is going to win! Will it be a local team? Will the ACC dominate? Will the madness ever end?

A little bit of research shows it will be a close test! For the men’s NCAA tournament: NC State, UNC and Duke all have real potential so it could be anybody’s championship! Check out some thoughts on how NC State could be a “bracket buster”, who picked UNC to make it to the Final Four and who has Duke losing early!

As for Cary Car Care, the madness here will never end! We have 2.5 people pulling for UNC, 2 pulling for Duke, 4.5 pulling for NC State and 2 who are impartial. (The 1/2 person is Paul who is split because one daughter went to UNC and Kelsey (another daughter) went to NC State).

Plus, in the NCAA Women’s bracket NC State seeded as a #4, Duke as a #5 and UNC didn’t make the cut this year.

What a competition! So what raises the stakes? Cary Car Care March Madness brackets!

We’ve all filled out brackets here to continue the show and enjoy a little friendly competition! What we all can agree on however, is that the ACC has and will dominate the tournament with 9 teams and certainly come out on top – even if it is Virginia.

Who do you have winning in your bracket? Let us know how you do in your own tournaments and who your favorite ACC team is!

Cary Car Care declares: “No mo’ snow!”

Fri, 16 Feb 2018 19:35:00 GMT

Ladies and gentleman, you heard it here first! Cary Car Care is declaring that the winter weather will finish without anymore potential for snow!

Unfortunately, our predictions hold no value to Greg Fishel and according to him, “there’s still plenty of winter left.” Whether that means snow or no snow and no matter what team you’re on – it’s best to be prepared! So how do you get your car prepared for this kind of winter weather?

Cary Car Care’s New Year Resolutions: Our goals for 2018

Tue, 09 Jan 2018 16:34:00 GMT

Welcome to fun, exciting and plentiful year 2018! Cary Car Care has set goals and made resolutions to celebrate the new year!

We are looking forward and preparing for 2018. What are Cary Car Care’s goals? What are we trying to change? As always, we’re looking to better ourselves and our community!

Where do we start?

1. Our first of three main goals is to better the client experience! Specifically, we plan on increasing space in our waiting area this year with renovations. At the same time, we’ll give our service managers an office that will help keep distractions and noises to a minimum as well as build an inventory space that will decrease parts bottlenecks. The waiting room we’ve had for 28 years has offered nothing but warmth and friendliness to our clients. The tires were taken down 2.5 years ago to create more space and now it is time for the next step!

2. Our second of three main goals is to reach over 100 reviews on Google. We currently have 71 reviews with a 4.5 star rating! We’re extremely proud of that achievement and want to continue to grow our rating. We simply provide outstanding client services with excellent experiences to ensure our clients are happy and satisfied. We hope you’ll help by going to Google and leaving us a 5-star review!

3. Our third of three main goals is to continue to give back to the community. We service at least one vehicle a month for Wheels for Hope, we participate and are a sponsor of the Meg’s Smile annual golf tournament, we volunteer with Boy Scouts, the Taylor YMCA, and other local organizations. We want our team to continue to be involved as will Cary Car Care as a business. The community we serve everyday is so important and we want to support it as it supports us.

We appreciate your loyalty and goodwill throughout the new year!

Let’s hit our goals together! What are your new year resolutions?

Behind the scenes at Cary Car Care: a little more insight into who we are!

Wed, 06 Dec 2017 21:35:00 GMT

Want to know a little bit more about Cary Car Care? Take a look behind the scenes!

Ever wonder what goes on at your local automotive repair shop, Cary Car Care? Of course, we’re working our hardest on your vehicles throughout the day but we also try to have a little fun. Here’s a few pictures documenting what’s behind the scenes.

It turns out no one likes pictures! What is with these people?

That’s ok – we’ve got work to do! What kinds of repairs are we completing? Check out this repair on an evaporative case where the dashboard had to be removed. Behind the scenes of Cary Car Care and behind the scenes of your car!

How about this repair where we are replacing a hybrid battery:

No matter what we’re repairing, we’re working hard on making sure you receive the best quality service available!

And in between that we may have a little fun with funny faces and a #selfie celebrating goodies that we received for the good work we do behind the scenes!

We’re always doing our best to provide you with an awesome experience and we couldn’t do that without having an awesome hard-working team! We continue to do our very best each and every day and providing for the families in the Cary community is what makes this job worth while. We hope you continue to help put smiles on our faces by choosing us and we hope this behind the scenes blog gave you a little more insight into who we are. Thank you!

FAQ: Answers to some of Cary Car Care’s most frequently asked questions!

Wed, 01 Nov 2017 15:15:00 GMT

5 FAQ that are at the top of everyone’s mind when it comes to car care this time of year!

The winter months are coming! What do you need to be concerned with or what can wait until after the colder weather? Here are Cary Car Care’s top FAQ to help you make those determinations:

1. Does my car need a winter check up?

Although the days are gone of having your vehicle “winterized,” it’s certainly a good idea to have your vehicle checked before the cold months hit. Those winter months bring snow, ice and freezing temperatures so we want to pay extra attention to your tires, battery, and coolant. We recommend assessing the tires to be sure they are in good condition to handle any adverse weather as well as test the battery and coolant to ensure they can handle the colder temperatures.

2. Are all brake noises the same?

The quick answer is “no”. Different types of vehicles are equipped with brake squeal indicators that make noise when the brake pads are low and in need of service. This noise is usually a high-pitched squeal that means brake service is necessary immediately. The brakes can also make noises that may be inherent to the pads without indicating any safety concerns. If you hear a noise when braking, we recommend having the brake inspected to find out how immediate the needs are.

3. What does that light mean?

Here’s a few funny light interpretations!

Here is the real thing! A few of the most common:

SES/picture of an engine = Service Engine Soon / Check Engine Light **If this light is on steady with no driveability symptoms, it is safe to drive and handle at your earliest convenience. If light is blinking, you could be causing further damage to your vehicle by driving and we recommend immediate assistance.**
VSC = Vehicle Stability Control
Picture of a wrench = regular maintenance due
Exclamation point surrounded by a “U” = Tire Pressure Monitor System/Tire pressures need to be checked
Oil percentage = oil life remaining **This does not correlate to the oil level**

**The color of the light is important as well. Green or white lights can be taken care of on your own schedule or as needed. Yellow indicates some urgency and that you should call your mechanic to schedule when you are able. Red indicates immediate attention and it should be handled as soon as it is safe to do so.**

4. When do my tires need to be replaced?

When it comes to tires, all are not created equal. The length of time a tire will last and how it performs are dependent on lots of factors including the type of tire (brand and model), the type of driving, if the alignment is within specification etc. However, all tires have the same measurement scale. Most tires start at about 10-12/32 of an inch. When the tire reaches 4/32″, it becomes more slippery in wet weather and when it reaches 2/32″ it becomes a safety issue (the tires will also fail the annual NC state inspection if they are below that tread depth). To help, here is a visual of the tread depths:

Cary Car Care recommends having the tread depth checked at every regular service to anticipate when tires are necessary and to give you peace of mind when they are not.

5. Should I replace or restore my headlights?

With winter months come shorter days and longer nights. You want to be prepared to handle the darkness with bright lights! As cars age, the headlight lenses deteriorate from the time spent in the sun on the inside and the outside. This leaves a film that reduces the light that permeates the lens. Cary Car Care can assess if the headlights are in good enough condition to restore or if they are beyond that point and in need of replacement. If they can be restored, the process includes sanding down the headlights with a lot of elbow grease and waxing them to create a clean, protective coat to help prolong their life.

Do you have a burning question about car care that you want featured in our FAQ segment? Let us know! We look forward to helping and as always, call if we can be of service!

It’s our birthday! Cary Car Care turns 27 on October 1st, 2017.

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:58:00 GMT

Cary Car Care celebrates another birthday!

Cary Car Care has been extremely fortunate to be able to celebrate another birthday. With our opening in 1990, we are turning 27 this year! Here’s a look at a few fun events from over the years:

Cary Car Care’s grand opening in 1990!

Check out these throwback coupons and Paul’s picture! As he says, “I had hair back then!” Mr. Doug Wilson (former co-owner) retired in the year 2000 and Mark Cline pictured is still with us today as a Master Technician.

An advertisement in the newspaper from 1998.

The same is just as true today as it was then to our local, family owned and operated business: “People have always made the difference!” We whole-heartedly believe in that!

A few notes of thanks from over the years:

Even when it’s not our birthday we enjoy hearing how much our service has made a difference to you and your family! Thanks to all those who have shared, gifted and been a part of our success!

The big 2-5 birthday!

Lastly, some pictures from our infamous 25th anniversary celebration/car blessing and giveaway! The best way to celebrate your birthday is spending it with those who mean the most – we invited all our clients in for free food and fun to show our appreciation!

What should we do for number 27?

Any ideas? Let us know! We hope these next years continue to make us better as people and as a business!

Cary Car Care’s pepper plants! What do you grow in your garden?

Wed, 09 Aug 2017 14:08:00 GMT

What does Cary Car Care grow in the garden? Pepper plants!

What does Cary Car Care do with the peppers?

We eat them, of course! We’ve made stuffed peppers with the large peppers and jalapeno poppers as well. Plus, the container looks really nice while they’re growing :).

We’re all gardeners here at Cary Car Care!

What do you grow in your garden?

From pepper plants to weeds and everything in between, we know how to grow! What do you like to grow in your garden?

Cary Car Care’s alignment machine assembled in thirty seconds or less!

Thu, 22 Jun 2017 20:30:00 GMT

New Hunter alignment equipment installed!

You’ll want to have your alignment checked now.

We recently added new equipment to the Cary Car Care building to keep us current in this ever-changing industry. This Hunter Hawkeye Elite alignment machine can do the fastest alignment reading out there! We strongly encourage clients to have their alignment checked. Vehicles with alignments that are out of specifications will be subject to negative tire wear effects and even more serious driveability concerns. On these Cary roads, it’s not easy to avoid all the potholes! If it has been a while, we recommend asking us about what is best for you and your vehicle!

See our new alignment machine assembled in less than thirty seconds .

View our assembly by clicking on the link above! Don’t forget to follow us on YouTube for more videos of ongoings and updates from Cary Car Care.

And the finished product! Looks good in red!

Cary Car Care joins Wheels 4 Hope at their annual charity Golf Tourny!

Thu, 18 May 2017 14:55:00 GMT

Cary Car Care sponsors Wheels 4 Hope in their 5th annual charity golf tournament!

Cary Car Care sponsors Wheels 4 Hope’s 5th annual charity golf tournament and always shows up to support the cause! On a cold, rainy, April Monday Paul and teammates enjoyed watching families celebrate their new cars and a round a golf.

The day began with 5 “Car Blessings”!

Wheels 4 Hope is a “faith-based, volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping economically vulnerable families and individuals by providing them reliable, affordable vehicles.” Cary Car Care has been working with Wheels 4 Hope since before they became an official organization. We have donated our labor to helping fix over 200 vehicles!

Also, “Car Blessing’s” are a ceremony where Wheels 4 Hope presents the vehicle’s keys to a family after completion of the program. The golf tournament started with 5 cars going to 5 families! Congratulations to all recipients!

And ended with awards!

Interested in playing with us next time?

Reach out to us! We’d love to put your name in the hat for our next charity fundraiser golf tourny which falls on Monday, July 24, 2017 with the Meg’s Smile Foundation .

Kenyon and Kurt: Cary Car Care’s new team members!

Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:32:00 GMT

Cary Car Care is excited to have two new members added to the team! We want our clients to see and know who is behind the scenes getting their cars back on the road. We are pleased to have Kenyon Oliver as a general service technician and Kurt Wolf as an ASE certified technician on board to do just that! Kenyon joined our team in April of 2016 and Kurt joined in October of 2016. Although this may be a late introduction to the two, we cannot welcome them enough!

Meet Team Member Kenyon Oliver:

Kenyon has lived in the Raleigh area since 1995 and bring to us 5 years of automotive experience. Family is important to Kenyon and so he most enjoys getting to have weekends off to spend with them. He also enjoys grilling out and tinkering with car audio.

Meet Team Member Kurt Wolf:

Kurt is from Long Island, NY and came to North Carolina for another job opportunity. He since found Cary Car Care and came on board because he appreciates the family atmosphere and the challenging environment. Kurt feels his integrity is his strongest contribution to our team; plus, he is an ASE certified technician. Kurt enjoys spending time with his family (wife and four kids), as well as boating/fishing and metal detecting.

Next time you come in to see us, ask to meet one of them! We’re happy to introduce you to any of our team members. As always, you can learn more about each of us if you visit our “ about us ” page. You may see the same familiar faces when you walk in the door but we all play a vital role in taking the best care of all our clients. “We” are Cary Car Care and we’re excited to have Kenyon and Kurt on board!

Michelin and BF Goodrich Tire Promotion Spring 2017

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 13:26:00 GMT

It’s that time of year again! The Michelin and BF Goodrich tire promotion of Spring 2017. Buy any set of 4 Michelin tires from Cary Car Care and qualify for a $70 mail-in rebate starting March 22nd through April 16th. Buy any set of 4 BF Goodrich tires from Cary Car Care and qualify for a $50 mail-in rebate starting March 27th through April 16th. Details below or call us at 919-249-5475!

Michelin Tire Promotion

Buy a set of 4 Michelin tires from Cary Car Care between Mar 22nd and Apr 16th
Complete your online redemption form here or submit by mail.
Receive the rebate Mastercard by mail! (you can check status here !)

See redemption form for complete offer details. Redemption forms will be provided with qualifying purchase. Purchase must be completed between 03/22/2017 and 04/16/2017. Limit of 1 redemption request per purchase of 4 new Michelin passenger or light truck tires. Limit of three redemptions per household. Must be at least 18 years of age or older at the time of purchase to be eligible. All requests must be postmarked or received on or before 05/16/2017. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery of the $70 Mastercard Reward card via mail. Please visit https://tirerewardcenter.com/michelin for additional eligibility requirements and reward card conditions.

BF Goodrich Tire Promotion

Buy a set of 4 BF Goodrich tires from Cary Car Care between Mar 27th and Apr 16th
Complete your online redemption form here or submit by mail.
Receive the Mastercard Reward card by mail! (Check your rebate status here !)

See redemption form for complete offer details. Redemption forms will be provided with qualifying purchase. Purchase must be completed between 03/27/2017 and 04/16/2017. Limit of 1 redemption request per purchase of 4 new BF Goodrich passenger or light truck tires. Limit of three redemptions per household. Must be at least 18 years of age or older at the time of purchase to be eligible. All requests must be postmarked or received on or before 05/16/2017. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery of the $50 Mastercard Reward card via mail. Please visit https://tirerewardcenter.com/bfgoodrich for additional eligibility requirements and reward card conditions.

Getting back into the blog: What’s new at Cary Car Care?

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 16:15:00 GMT

Cary Car Care has been out of the blog game for some time – 2 years! What have we been doing? Check out some of the things below to find out what we’ve been up to!

1. We turned 25 in 2015 and had a big party to celebrate!

We partnered with Wheels 4 Hope hosting a car blessing, raised over $1000 for their organization all while playing games, tie dying t-shirts, and eating more chicken than you can bear!

2. BJ Lambdin was named a “Mover and Shaker” by the Cary Magazine!

BJ was one of 30 other professionals in the area to receive this recognition! There was a featured article in the June 2015 edition of the magazine.

3. Kelsey broke her leg!

Ok, ok! That may be a cat but Kelsey really did break her leg! While on a skiing trip with her volunteer group in January 2016 (the Leader’s Club through the YMCA) she fell on the slopes. Kelsey was out of the shop for a while and is still recovering almost a year later. What a journey!

This is in August with our Town of Cary baseball team! Go “Triple C”!

4. George celebrated 20 years of loyal service to Cary Car Care!

In celebration of George’s dedication, Cary Car Care rewarded him with season tickets to the NC State men’s basketball 2016-2017 season! He is enjoying the games among a few other goodies as well. Congratulations, George!

5. Byron retired!

After 15 years of being a dependable service manager with the Cary Car Care family, Byron retired to a life of fishing, guitar playing and gardening! Congratulations, Byron!

Is that all?

Of course not! Those are just a few highlights of the past two years! We’ve also added new members to the team (check out our “about us” page to learn more!), we hosted a maintenance class with the Girl Scouts, our Frosty inflatable snowman had to be replaced after 10+ years, we’ve continued to serve our clients and community through reliable and trustworthy service and so much more! Continue to check back with us for more updates and look forward to more current blogging!

Michelin Tires and BFGoodrich Tires Promotion

Wed, 19 Nov 2014 17:22:00 GMT

Buy any 4 Michelin or BFGoodrich tires from Cary Care Car between now and the first week of December and get a $50 or $70 Mastercard Reward Card! Details for both promotions can be found below. For additional details call Cary Car Care at 919.380.0040.

Michelin Promotion

Purchase any set of 4 new MICHELIN ^® brand passenger or light truck tires at Cary Car Care between 11/10/14 and 12/8/14.
Complete your online redemption form here .
Check the status of your Reward Card here or call 866-212-9619.

NOTES: See redemption form for complete offer details. Offer expires 12/8/14. Void where prohibited. The Reward Card cannot be reloaded with additional funds, nor can it be used at an ATM. Reward Card expires 6 months after issuance. For complete terms, conditions and fees, see the Cardholder Agreement in your card package. The Reward Card is issued by U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated.

BF Goodrich Promotion

Purchase 4 BFGoodrich Tires at Cary Car Care
Click here
Check on the status of your reward here

Helpful Car Care Tips | Filters and Fluids, Lighting and Wipers and Batteries

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 07:01:00 GMT

The Cary Car Care team prides itself on making sure you are as informed as possible when it comes to your car. With that in mind, we have put together a series of Helpful Car Care Tips. In this edition we will cover Filters and Fluids, Lighting and Wipers and Batteries.

You can also read up on previous posts covering Vehicle Systems using the following links:

Filters and Fluids

Your car’s filters are important to the longevity of your car as well as interior comfort and should be replaced regularly based on manufacturers recommendations. Here is a quick filter rundown:

Oil Filter – Traps contaminants in an effort to allow oil to flow through the engine unrestricted.
Fuel Filter – Separates harmful contaminants that may cause problems with carburetors or intricate fuel injectors.
Air Filter – Traps dust particles, which can cause damage to engine cylinders, walls, pistons and piston rings. Also plays a role in keeping contaminants off the airflow sensor (in fuel-injected cars).
Cabin Filter – Traps pollen, bacteria and dust that may find its way into your car’s ventilation system.

Lighting and Wipers

Lights and wipers play a major role in safe driving and your car’s ability to see or be seen. The wiper system keeps excessive water, snow or dirt from building up on the windshield and removes them to maintain optimal visibility while the lighting system provides nighttime visibility, safety signals and supplies light for viewing instruments inside the car. Lights and wipers are normal wear items that require periodic replacement and frequency can be based on operating conditions, frequency of use, materials and more. If you begin to notice dimming lights or a chattering and/or streaking wiper, contact the Cary Car Care team .

Batteries

You car’s battery helps ensure dependable vehicle operation whenever you drive it. The battery stores electrical energy that the starter converts into mechanical force to turn the engine on. Without a working battery – your car simply isn’t going to start. If you notice your headlights or interior lights dim or accessories fail to operate you could be dealing with a dying battery and should have it checked prior to it failing. The old adage states that a battery can last approximately four years prior to dying, but many factors can change that dramatically so have it checked along with everything else each time you have your car in the shop.

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Thanks for reading another installment of Helpful Car Care Tips from the Cary Car Care team. Stay tuned for more helpful tips for you and your car in the future!

Helpful Car Care Tips | Belts and Hoses, Brakes and Exhaust

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:59:00 GMT

At Cary Car Care we do everything in our power to make sure you are as informed as possible when it comes to your car. This is important not only for day-to-day maintenance but so you can better understand what we do and why we do it.

In this edition of Helpful Car Care Tips we will be covering Belts and Hoses, Brakes and Exhaust.

You can read up on our previous post covering Vehicle Systems and Parts that specifically covered the Engine, Fuel System, Transmission and Emission System HERE .

Belts and Hoses

Your car’s belts and hoses are essential to the cooling, air conditioning and charging systems, and the engine. The timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshaft mechanically synchronized to maintain engine timing. The belts on the outside of the engine (serpentine, V-belt, fan belt) transmit power from the front of the engine to accessories that need to be driven, such as the A/C, charging system and fans. Radiators and hoses carry coolant to and from the engine, radiator and heater core. If you hear a squeaking noise from under the hood, notice a coolant leak, find your engine overheating and/or smell burnt rubber – there could be an issue.

Brake System

The brake system in your car is its most critical safety system and ensures safe vehicle control and operation. Brakes are a normal wear item in any car and will eventually need replacement – just make sure you avoid letting your brakes get to the “metal-to-metal” point that usually leads to expensive rotor or drum replacement. If your brake pedal begins to feel “mushy” or you are hearing any unusual noises when you step on it – contact us for the best brake service in Cary, NC!.

Exhaust System

The exhaust system routes dangerous exhaust gas from the engine out and away from the car to keep from affecting you and your family. Exhaust systems have come a long way from the old days of pipes and mufflers. Today, the exhaust system is safety and emissions control rolled into one. Maintain a safe car with regular exhaust system checks and be especially concerned if you hear rattling noises when starting, accelerating or braking or begin to notice a rotten eggs smell.

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Thanks so much for reading! In our next edition of Helpful Car Care Tips we’ll finish our series on Vehicle Systems and Parts and will specifically cover Filters and Fluids, Lighting and Wipers and Batteries.

Helpful Car Care Tips | Vehicle Systems and Parts

Thu, 18 Sep 2014 16:10:00 GMT

Helpful Car Care Tips | Vehicle Systems and Parts

Here at Cary Car Care we try our best to make sure you are as informed as possible when it comes to your vehicle. This is important not only for day-to-day maintenance but so you can better understand what we do when you trust us to keep your car in tip top shape.

In this edition of Helpful Car Care Tips we are introducing the first of a three part series specifically covering Vehicle Systems and Parts. In this edition we’ll help you understand the Engine, Fuel System, Transmission and Emission System.

Engine

When a vehicle suffers major engine damage, oftentimes the first reaction is to purchase a new vehicle. In some cases this makes sense, but it may be more economical for you to have your engine rebuilt rather than purchase a new car. A rebuilt engine is one that is remanufactured to prescribed standards and specifications. Rebuilt engines are dependable, reliable and backed with Cary Car Care warranties .

Fuel System

You car’s fuel system works with the rest of the engine control system to deliver the best performance with lowest emissions. The fuel system transfers fuel from the fuel tank and passes it through a fuel filter for cleaning before it arrives at the injectors. A pressure regulator controls fuel pressure to ensure good engine performance under a variety of speed and load conditions. Fuel injectors, when activated, spray a metered amount of fuel into the engine. Some vehicles use a return line system to return unused fuel back in the tank. Your car’s fuel filter should be checked and replaced based on its individual specifications.

Emission System

Your car’s emission system keeps the engine running cleanly and efficiently in all operating conditions by controlling the emissions, exhaust and pollutants. It does this by using an array of sensors, computerized engine controls and the exhaust components. If your car’s engine isn’t performing as it should, or the Check Engine Light goes on – have it inspected immediately. Failure to do so can reduce your mileage per gallon or fuel or cause your vehicle to pollute the air.

Transmission

The transmission works with the engine to power your car’s wheels. Whether automatic or manual, the transmission plays a major role in the overall dependability of your car. Slipping, hesitation, bucking, grinding gears or difficulty shifting can be the first signs of a problem that needs addressing.

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Thanks so much for reading! In our next edition of Helpful Car Care Tips we’ll again tackle Vehicle Systems and Parts and will specifically cover Belts and Hoses, the Brake System and the Exhaust System.

Helpful Car Care Tips | Typical Maintenance and Repair

Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:53:00 GMT

Helpful Car Care Tips | Typical Maintenance and Repair

In today’s post we’ll cover typical maintenance and repair. You can think of these items as some of the most common maintenance procedures and repairs necessary to keep your car operating safely and optimally.

Oil Filters and Fluids

Periodic oil and filter changes keep your engine clean on the inside. Additives, which break down over time, are also subject to contamination. Other car fluids may require periodic replacement. For example, the majority of automatic transmission failures are heat-related, and automatic transmission fluid breaks down rapidly when subjected to high temperatures. Your car owner’s manual may specify periodic flushing and filling of the brake hydraulic system because contaminated brake fluid may lead to corrosion and other problems in the hydraulic system, especially on cars with antilock brakes (ABS).

Belts and Hoses

At Cary Car Care we urge replacing belts, radiator and heater hoses at specific recommended intervals to prevent your car from breaking down. Losing a belt today means big trouble for the engine because serpentine belts are used on most engines to turn the water pump, alternator, power steering and air conditioning compressor. Older cars use individual V-belts for these various accessories. A blown hose results in an overheated engine and can lead cause additional damage. It’s not easy to know the true condition of a belt or hose by outward appearance because most fail from the inside out. Rubber hoses can become hard and brittle, deteriorating with age and heat exposure causing them to split, blister or leak while belts can also break down with heat, mileage and age.

Brake Service

The brake system is your car ‘s most important safety system, so make sure you never put off routine brake inspections!

Brakes are a normal wear item for any car. Eventually they will need to be replaced for both performance and safety reasons. Planning for this can help save you money as you can prevent your brakes from reaching the “metal-to-metal” point, which typically means accelerating the need for rotor or drum replacement.

Have your brake linings, drums and rotors and brake fluid inspected at each tune up or oil change. Your car owner’s manual may also specify periodic flushing and filling or the brake hydraulic system.

Wheel Alignment

We’ve covered this in detail on the blog in our previous blog post, Do I Need a Wheel Alignment? , but it’s important to remember that maintaining your car’s wheel alignment reduces tire wear, improves fuel economy and handling and increases drive safety. Normal wear and road conditions take their toll on your car’s steering and suspension system and throwing the alignment settings out of specifications can damage steering and suspension parts long term.

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Thanks so much for reading! In our next Helpful Car Care Tips post we’ll cover Vehicle Systems and Parts including the Engine, Fuel System, Transmission and Emission System.

Summer Car Care Tips

Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:51:00 GMT

Summer Car Care Tips

Summer has arrived and so has the heat. While the heat is great for trips to the beach or lake, it can wreak havoc on your vehicle. We here at Cary Car Care want to make sure your car is ready for the summer months . Here are a couple tips all drivers should know.

Regular Service

Cars that are well maintained should not overheat even on100-degree days but having your car serviced at regular intervals provides opportunity for service professionals to identify other needs, that if ignored, could lead to overheating.

Cary Car Care recommends a regular service interval of 3000-5000 miles for optimal performance.

AC (Air Conditioning)

Air conditioning is the ‘must have’ for Carolina drivers and it’s wise to keep yours operating at peak performance. Make sure you have your system checked annually, preferably before the heat rears its ugly head in May. If you notice your system isn’t cooling down effectively, take it into Cary Car Care for a check-up, our ASE certified team will troubleshoot the issue and get your car back to feeling like an icebox.

Temperature

Heat is always guaranteed with a Carolina summer. Trying to protect your car from the heat isn’t too hard if you can focus on a couple ‘beat the heat’ measures. Always try and park your vehicle in the shade or in a covered spot, even if it means a couple extra steps to get where you are going. Invest in a sunshade for the windshield to reflect sunlight, it resists heat being transferred into the car but also protects your dash from the ill effects of direct sunlight. Also consider waxing your car at least once a month with a UV protection wax. It helps prevent your paint from fading.

And Don’t Neglect…

The cooling system not to be confused with the AC should not be overlooked. Its health is as important to how the car functions in the summer to everything else mentioned. This includes the health of the antifreeze, the condition of the radiator, water pump, belts & hoses.

And lastly, the battery and charging system work hard during the summer and are mostly to fail during extreme temps, hot or cold

Enter the Cary Car Care Contest

Tue, 01 Jul 2014 00:04:00 GMT

Cary Car Care wants to know ‘How Your Car Sounds’. We are on the hunt for funny, short videos demonstrating any one of the many ways your car makes noise. It could be your horsepower, or your horn, or even the Disney movie playing in the back for the kids. We want to see it all! Cary Car Care will also give $5 off your next service for those who submit a video. The best part is every video submitted will be entered in for the $100 Grand Prize.

See how Cary Car Care owner, Paul Lambdin does it!

Step 1
Film a funny 15-second video of yourself showing how your car sounds.

Step 2
Share your video on Facebook or Twitter. Make sure you use #howmycarsounds and tag us@carycarcare

Step 3
Try and get as many likes, shares, comments and retweets! The more interaction you receive on your video, the better chance you have of winning the grand prize!

The contests begins July 1, 2014 and will accept submissions until September 1, 2014 @ midnight. A winner will be announced on September 12, 2014.

Car Oil Breakdown

Tue, 13 May 2014 13:04:00 GMT

Car Oil Breakdown

Oil is the lifeblood of the engine. It protects and lubricates the moving parts of the engine. There are additives to protect against corrosion, reduce friction and help reduce and/or clean harmful deposits. These additives break down over time.

The oil filter can also become clogged over time cleaning deposits from normal engine wear.

Keep in mind that all engines consume some oil, so if you are overdue on your oil change and the level is low, additional engine damage and wear can occur.

Here are some specifics on what happens to your vehicle should an oil change be avoided for too long:

Sludge Buildup — When your oil gets dirty, stays dirty, and continues to run through your engine dirty, it begins to accumulate a nasty buildup of sludge, which is a mixture of dirt and oil that has begun breaking down due to heat. Accumulation of sludge can clog up your oil delivery system, which leads to restriction of vital fluids destined for the engine parts they support.

Contamination — As hundreds of gallons of gasoline burn through your motor over time, byproducts and dirt begin to accumulate and circulate into the oil system. As this occurs it is necessary to change the fluids in the same way that you would never cook in the same oil over and over without changing it. Providing the engine with fresh oil and a fresh filter helps tremendously to remove the contamination that builds up over time in a running motor. Contamination can create problems, especially when bits of gunk start blocking the pipes.

Break Down — Once you have a gunky, sludgy, contaminated engine with old oil, don’t be surprised if you experience a break down. If the oil isn’t reaching everywhere it needs to within the system, breakdown is inevitable. Even worse, if any part of the engine runs dry, you’re heading for catastrophic failure. As oil breaks down and settles to the bottom of the oil pan, you lose oil leading to loss of oil pressure. When you hear a loud ticking from the engine, you’ll know your engine is in desperate need of an oil change. This is a definite emergency situation that can lead to a destroyed and unsalvageable motor if not handled as soon as possible. This may also be true if you notice oil pressure dropping to the bottom 25% of the gauge.

Do I Need an Oil Change?

Here at Cary Car Care we recommend a regular service interval of 3000-5000 miles for conventional oil depending on oil consumption and manufacturer recommendations. Synthetic oils can go longer but we always recommend monitoring the oil level and topping off as needed, especially for cars with longer service intervals.

The team at CCC will be happy to change your oil to prevent sludge build-up, contamination, and break down — keeping your vehicle operating smoothly, reliably, and efficiently.

If you are ready to make an appointment with our ASE Certified Team contact us today. You’ll be glad you did!

Do I Need a Wheel Alignment?

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 14:44:00 GMT

Do I Need a Wheel Alignment?

With the increasing amount of expansion, and thus construction, from Cary Morrisville, Apex and Holly Springs area it seems there is a rising number of customers needing wheel alignments and rotations more often due to the irregular road surfaces. The amazing thing about your alignment is that it can be out of whack and you may not even notice.

Our team often ends up notifying clients during a basic maintenance, like a tire rotation (every 5-7K miles) for example, that there are potential alignment issues.

Cary Car Care’s ASE Certified Technicians tend to see issues with wheel alignment based on a variety of factors including:

Recent Tire Replacement or Rotation
Recent Replacement of Any Steering Components
Regular Travel Over New Road Construction
Contact With a Curb or Pothole, even at low speed

**NOTE: We also very regularly hear our clients complain about vibration and believing it is an alignment issue. Oftentimes this is more of an issue with tire balance. Our technicians will be able to diagnose this for you.**

After any of these factors listed above you may begin to feel your vehicle pulling to one side of the road or the other, or even see your vehicle slightly veering to one direction with the wheel held straight. Not only can this be very frustrating, it can also very dangerous.

Here at Cary Car Care we implement the latest methods to restore your vehicle’s alignment. This may mean setting it back to factory specifications or it could be setting it to fit your unique driving style. Our ultimate goal is to make sure you get the longest tire life possible.

A few added benefits of a perfectly aligned steering system reach far beyond not having to wrestle your steering wheel while driving. Some of the fringe benefits of a perfectly aligned steering system will actually put money back in your pocket over the long run!

Here is a short list of how a proper alignment will save you money ‘down the road’:

Increase in gas mileage and fuel efficiency.
Significant longevity in tires that would otherwise wear unevenly, leading to needing new tires much sooner than normal.

Cary Car Care Wins Demandforce Contest

Thu, 03 Apr 2014 13:43:00 GMT

Cary Car Care’s very own Kelsey Lambdin, was recently one of six winners in the Demandforce “Bridging the Gap” giveaway !

Kelsey’s song parody submission was selected and she won a trip to San Francisco to visit the Demandforce headquarters, share ideas with other and sightsee the city!

Kelsey’s Winning Entry

*Sung to Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing

Just a small town shop,
A local family mom and pop,
We had a PR plan, going no-o where

Just a city biz,
A communication wiz,
They had a PR plan going every where

We’d seen them on the internet,
Gave them a try and they’re a great asset,
From now on we will never stray,
It goes on and on and on and on …

Surveys, Coupons,
To new and long time customers,
Their infor accessible,
All the time

Maintenance, reminders
To help keep everyone on track,
Their vehicles, running
All the time

Don’t stop believing,
Demandforce helps achieving
Surveys, coupons
Don’t stop believing
Today starts your succeeding
Surveys, coupons galore!
DON’T STOP!

About the Giveaway

Demandforce wanted to hear companies’ Before/After story with Demandforce. What was the business like before you joined Demandforce, and what is it like now?
Only rules were that the more creative you are, the better! You could make a video, write a poem, perform a song and dance…it was all up to you!

Prizes

6 lucky winners (and a guest of their choice)received a three day trip to San Francisco, which includes, Airfare, Hotel stay in Union Square, A day at Demandforce–tour the office and meet our executives!, Dinner in downtown San Francisco, Opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful cities in the US!

Who Can Service My Car Warranty

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:06:00 GMT

Your New Vehicles Warranty, and Who Can Service It Legally

Warranties are often a confusing and frustrating territory as a car owner. They are most often constructed from legalese in fine print, making it a hassle to get a full understanding of what is covered, what is not, and what voids the warranty.

I Need To Take It To The Dealer

Consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which prohibits a manufacturer from voiding the vehicle warranty because a service was performed by a non-dealer. According to the FTC, “It is illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else. Routine maintenance often includes oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, fluid checks and flushes, new brake pads and inspections.”

“Many motorists wonder if they will void their factory warranty if someone other than the dealer services their vehicle,” said Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. “The truth is that consumers can have routine repairs performed by their local independent repair shop or do the work themselves without affecting the warranty. It is also important to note that using aftermarket parts does not void the warranty.”

Be Smart About Saving Money

A few good tips to protect yourself against any disputes with your vehicles manufacturer are as follows: First, make sure you choose an ASE Certified Auto Shop ( Cary Car Care is ASE Certified ) when you need to have routine maintenance done. This ensures they have the proper training and techniques to service your vehicle correctly. Second, keep detailed records of any maintenance performed on your vehicle, the mileage it was performed at, and who conducted the maintenance. This will help prove that maintenance was performed in line with the manufacturer’s proper maintenance schedule. Here at Cary Car Care we adhere strictly to manufacturers suggested maintenance schedule’s whether the vehicle is under warranty or not, and can help you build a proper maintenance schedule to adhere to your warranty should the vehicle still be covered.

It is important for your protection and your wallet that you stay informed as a vehicle owner, and Cary Car Care is happy to answer any questions you may have about how to avoid issues with your vehicles warranty.

Protect Your Vehicle From Winter Weather

Thu, 20 Feb 2014 14:37:00 GMT

It’s another North Carolina winter filled with unpredictable weather, and we finally got our first good icing of the year. As a kid it is all fun and games, but as adults we have some business to tend to every time we hear the tundra is coming to visit. Freezing temps and ice can wreak havoc on exposed automobiles, but as our valued customer you can rely on Cary Care Care to handle your vehicle’s winter preparation based on manufacturers recommendations and your vehicle’s detailed maintenance history kept here at our shop. Let’s take a minute to discuss one of the more vulnerable issues with cold weather, your cooling system.

Your Cooling System, and How Freezing Temps Affect It

The first and most important precaution you can take is to make sure your cooling system is filled with anti-freeze and not diluted with too much water. This is the whole premise of anti-freeze(hence the name).

Here is a general overview of how your cooling system works: Your motor has an intricate tunnel system weaving throughout, which acts as the channels for your anti-freeze/coolant to do it’s job. While your motor is running, a belt-driven pump drives the water through this tunnel system (where it absorbs the heat generated by your motor), and into your radiator. Your radiator is comprised of an intricate thin tubing system covered in tiny air fins, all designed to increase surface area to exchange the heat carried from the motor into the cool air your vehicle travels through (which is why the radiator is most often in the very front of the vehicle). Now here is why keeping anti-freeze levels during a cold snap can save a lot of money: Water expands when frozen, and if water is trapped in any part of this intricate system it can have a debilitating effect on your cooling system. These issues vary in severity; Water frozen in a radiator can mean a cracked radiator with a slight leak, while water allowed to deep freeze within the tunnels of your engine can mean a cracked engine block (read: new engine). This is why it is VERY important to make sure you have sufficient anti-freeze in place when the cold snaps decide to show up.

Keep in mind that your cooling system needs vary throughout the year, and winter preparation is only one aspect of a well maintained cooling system. Here at Cary Car Care we make sure first that your anti-freeze has not become acidic, and that the fluid is being changed on the proper schedule for your vehicle (normally every 30k-60k miles). Cary Car Care also checks your cooling system with every oil change. If you are unsure about the state of your cooling system we’re happy to help establish a proper maintenance schedule for all of your vehicles major systems, including the cooling.

Additional Tips To Battle the Winter Elements

When starting your car, avoid excessive cranking. If the car doesn’t start after 20 seconds, wait a couple of minutes to let the battery recover.
Never start a vehicle in a closed garage or idle the engine for long periods with the windows closed because carbon monoxide can build up in a confined area.
A full tank of gas is a good idea to prevent water condensation from forming in your gas tank.
Have your battery checked. If your car needed a jump already, the battery and/or alternator may need to be replaced.
Use de-icer spray to prevent frozen door locks.
Lay towels or t-shirts over windows to avoid having to scrape

Common Causes of a Check Engine Light

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 21:20:00 GMT

Diagnosing Your Check Engine Light

Nothing causes more unnecessary stress to a car owner than seeing the little orange check engine light illuminate. For those not fluent in vehicle maintenance, it seems as though this can be due to a million issues in today’s complex vehicles. Luckily every car is made up of the same moving parts, even if there are a lot), and it helps to know that they all function in roughly the same manner.

A typical check engine light diagnosis includes a conversation to learn as much about the concern from the customer as possible, a test drive to observe data from the car’s computer and to attempt to duplicate the fault. Once we have codes and have duplicated the concern, each manufacturer provides a procedure to troubleshoot each problem. At Cary Car Care , we research your information, follow the procedure and then talk with you about the diagnosis and the estimate to repair.

A typical diagnosis costs $53-$110 (roughly one half to a full hour of time). Some problems require more test time or are intermittent (and difficult to duplicate). The charge to diagnose is directly related to the time it takes to find the problem. We try to stay in constant contact with you to make sure your expectations align with reality, and as always remain as transparent as possible to the consumer. And just as a reminder, our technicians do NOT work on commission, so you can always expect an honest diagnosis here at Cary Car Care!

Common Causes of a Check Engine Light

Failed Oxygen Sensor
Oxygen sensors are the most common sensors to fail in vehicles. This little guys’ job is to tell the vehicles computer how much air and fuel to mix for the engine to run smoothly. All obd2 cars have multiple o2 sensors (at roughly $300 each). Mass air flow sensor codes and o2 sensor codes can be the result of vacuum leaks (intake gaskets, pcv systems, vacuum lines or mass air flow tubes leaking air into the engine bypassing the MAF/ mass air flow sensor).

Signs- Rough Idle, terrible fuel efficiency, stuttering during acceleration
Diagnosis – Have Diagnostics Checked at CCC
Cost to repair – Typically around $300 each

Failed Catalytic Converter
Your Catalytic Converter is responsible for turning toxic combustion gases from the motor into mostly harmless exhaust. Most modern cars have at least 2 catalytic converters, sometimes costing upwards of $2,000 each.

Signs – Rotten Egg Smell (sign that CC is not converting Hydrogen Sulfide into sulfur dioxide properly)
Diagnosis – Have Diagnostics Checked at CCC
Cost to repair – $600 – $1200

Bad Ignition, Spark Plugs
Normally the cause of a failed Catalytic Converter, the ignition system provides the spark necessary to ignite the fuel in your engines cylinders. When the fuel is not sufficiently ignited it passes through the exhaust system into the Catalytic Converter.

Signs – Car will start and then die, or not start at all. Hesitation under acceleration
Diagnosis – Visual inspection of coil and wires, Have diagnostics checked at CCC
Cost to repair – $200-$400

Mass Air Flow Sensor Failure
The Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) measures the amount of air passing through the intake, then helps the computer determine the optimum mix of fuel and air for the engine to run smoothly.

Symptoms – Erratic Idle, Bumpy Acceleration, Poor Throttle Response
Diagnosis – Have Diagnostics Checked at CCC
Cost to repair – $400 – $600

Worn Gas Cap
Your issue may be as replacing a worn gas cap! The air allowed into your vehicles fuel system from a loose gas cap can interrupt the fuel supply enough to trigger a response from the monitor. Usually the seal around the cap weakens over time; This requires the cap to be replaced. While there are many aftermarket options, we prefer original equipment caps since the evap system is so sensitive (the evap system is responsible for keeping raw fuel from evaporating into the atmosphere).

Signs – Fuel Smell near gas door
Diagnosis – See if cap is loose or will tighten properly
Cost to repair –$25-35 if you must replace

As always, here at Cary Car Care we are happy to help you diagnose your car’s Check Engine Light issues. Remember that a responsible and dedicated maintenance schedule can play a major role in never seeing your car’s check engine light at all, and we are happy to help with all of your maintenance needs!

Remember – It must be right, or we’ll make it right!

Understand Your Brake System

Tue, 21 Jan 2014 19:24:00 GMT

What is It?

Your car’s brake system is one of its most critical safety systems and as such, it is imperative to keep it maintained and functioning properly. Doing so helps ensure safe vehicle control and operation under a wide variety of conditions. If you suspect any problems or have any concerns, you should have it inspected as soon as possible.

What Does it Do?

As the brakes are a very complicated system, the average car owner may not be familiar with how they work. You may have heard terms thrown around, “caliper”, “drum brakes”, “hydraulic system”, but not understood how they work together from pushing the brake pedal to stopping the car. A very basic explanation is as follows to help you gain a little insight about the brakes in your vehicle:

It all starts when you push the brake pedal. That force generates hydraulic pressure in the master cylinder. The master cylinder uses brake fluid to transfer pressure through the hydraulic lines and hoses to the calipers and/or wheel cylinders (one at each wheel).

The calipers and wheel cylinders use that pressure to squeeze the brake pads and/or shoes against rotors and/or drums to stop your car.

Disc Brakes or Drum Brakes?

Now, there are different types of brakes: drum and disc. Disc brakes are made up of rotors, pads and calipers, among other, smaller parts. The rotor is a metal disc that rotates with the wheels. The stationary mounted caliper holds a pad on each side of the rotor and slides to force the pads against the rotor when pressure is applied.

Drum brakes are made up of shoes (which function as the pads in a disc brake system) and are enclosed in a drum (which functions as the rotor in a disc brake system). The shoes push against the drum when pressure is applied. The resulting friction, from the pads against the rotor or the shoes against the drum, slows the vehicle and is relative to the amount of force applied to the brake pedal.

Typical Wear and Tear

Brakes are a normal wear item for any car and are eventually going to need replacement. Some vehicles have indicators to help alert you when new pads are needed; however, it is recommended that as a car owner you are proactive about knowing the condition of your brakes. Cary Car Care checks the brake pad wear each time we take the wheels off your car (most commonly, during the tire rotation). We also can perform a “basic brake inspection” upon request if you have particular concerns or want to know the life remaining on your brakes. Avoid letting your brakes get too worn (i.e. metal to metal), as that can mean a more expensive rotor or drum replacement and a potential safety issue.

Several factors that affect brake wear include:

Driving Habits
Operating conditions (such as towing often, living by the coast which has the potential for a lot of rust, mostly in-town driving, etc.)
Vehicle type
The quality of brake lining material

Symptoms

If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms or have any other particular concerns in regards to your brakes, please contact Cary Car Care and we will be happy to help:

Car pulls to one side during braking
Brake pedal pulsates when you apply the brakes
Brake pedal feels “mushy”
Noise when you step on the brake pedal
Repeatedly need to add brake fluid to the master cylinder
Brake and/or ABS warning light

In the event of an emergency, we will do our best to work in your vehicle around our scheduled appointments. Our goal is to guide you through the diagnostics and repair all while getting you safely back on the road as soon as possible. Just as our motto states, “it must be right, or we’ll make it right!”

TerrorBytes Robotics and Cary Car Care

Fri, 13 Dec 2013 14:20:00 GMT

TerrorBytes Robotics and Cary Car Care

Cary Car Care is contributing to TerrorBytes Robotics in an effort to help support local high school students. We’re hoping our awesome network of people will also consider contributing.

First and foremost, the goal of TerrorBytes Robotics is to provide STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) education to high school students from across 10 counties in NC. They are based out of Research Triangle High School but membership is open to any student regardless of school or location. TerrorBytes DOES NOT turn students away for any reason (even with over 30 students on the team, they are still trying to grow).

The team participates in FIRST Robotics, (For the Inspiration of Recognition and Technology) of a multinational competition where high school students design, construct, and drive a fully functioning robot in competitions against other teams.

These bright local students are offered the following benefits:

Qualify for $16 million in scholarships
Learn directly from professional engineers
Learn to use sophisticated software and hardware
Gain business and teamwork skills

With a mission to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership – we hope you choose to support them as well.

You can Download The Sponsor Form Flier Here to find out more about TerrorBytes Robotics and the FIRST Mission.

ASE Blue Seal of Excellence – Why It’s Important

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 13:52:00 GMT

ASE Blue Seal of Excellence – Why It’s Important

When your car needs service, how do you choose an auto repair shop?

One way to determine if a local shop is qualified to repair your car is the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence .

What is the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence?

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (or ASE) is an independent, non-profit organization that tests and certifies auto repair & service professionals. ASE provides certification for many facets of automotive service. Certification in a given category requires passing an exam and two years relevant work experience. For example, an ASE Maser Technician shall have passed exams in each of eight categories (Engine repair, Automatic Transmission, Manual Transmission and drive trains, Suspension & Steering, Brakes, Electrical Systems, Heating & Air Conditioning, and Engine Performance.) and have two years experience servicing each of those systems. Shops participating in the ASE Blue Seal program must have a technician certified in each area of service offered and at least 75% of the shops employees must be ASE certified.

ASE Blue Seal of Excellence and Cary Car Care

Cary Car Care knows how important your vehicles are to you, and our technicians take that very seriously. We are one of only a handful of auto repair shops in the Triangle area that participate in the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence program. Cary Car Care encourages continuing education and annual certification is required for all of its employees. In addition to our ASE Master Technicians & ASE Service Consultants, Cary Car Care has technicians certified in Advanced Engine Performance, Light Diesel & Exhaust.

We are proud to be able to provide our customers with ASE technicians who excel in auto repair and professional, friendly service. Our qualifications have prepared us to be a top choice when you seek a professional and experienced technician to service your vehicle.

Car Care Winter Checklist

Thu, 21 Nov 2013 15:30:00 GMT

Cooler weather is upon us and winter is right around the corner! Is your car ready for the season? As important as it is to keep up maintenance throughout the year, there are specific items that should get special attention before the cold sets in for good. Take a look at this list to ensure all precautions have been taken to prevent an icy situation:

Tire Wear! After many summer road trips or just your daily work commute through the previous season, your tires may be worn down. Cary Car Care inspects the tire wear of every vehicle we service and may have spoken with you in regards to your tire tread. If you are due for new tires, don’t wait until the middle of winter; have them replaced before any adverse weather conditions catch you unprepared.

Lights! Make sure all your exterior lights are working properly to ensure good visibility. Also, if your headlights are cloudy, Cary Car Care can restore them to like-new condition! Headlight restoration makes a huge improvement while driving at night or in inclement weather.

Windshield Wipers & Wiper Fluid! Both are very important during the winter. If your blades are more than one year old, odds are it’s time for new ones. Be sure to mention if the wipers are streaking at your next service and we’ll replace them. Also, as a part of our oil change service, we’ll top off your freeze resistant washer fluid as needed.

Battery! Your battery may seem to work fine in warmer temperatures. However, a quick cold front could mean you’re not going anywhere! Have your battery tested to be sure it will perform properly in colder temperatures. Also, Cary Car Care will check those battery cables for corrosion, which could just as easily leave you stranded. Have them cleaned if needed!

Antifreeze! We want to know how well it tests and what kind of weather it will stand up to. In this area temperatures rarely get below –10 degrees Fahrenheit, but ideally most coolants (antifreeze) are freeze resistant up to –35 degrees Fahrenheit. Antifreeze also contains corrosion inhibitors to protect vital engine components. Cary Car Care will check your coolant and top off as needed or recommend service if additional action is required.

Brakes! Of course, brakes are important year-round but just like tires, it’s essential that they are ready for rough weather. Have your brakes inspected to ensure all components are in proper working condition. Cary Car Care visually inspects brakes on most cars during your regular tire rotation service. However, if you notice unusual noises, vibrations or other brake related symptoms a closer look is advised.

To ensure all items on the “Car Care Winter Checklist” are completed, ask Cary Car Care about our Trip Inspection (normally $42.38). This service includes a multi-point inspection of your cars tires, lights, wipers, fluids, battery & brakes. Mention this blog and receive it for just $30.00!

Meg’s Smile

Fri, 01 Nov 2013 12:09:00 GMT

Cary Car Care is a proud supporter of the Meg’s Smile foundation. This charitable organization provides gifts to children with serious illnesses under treatment in North Carolina hospitals. Their mission is to bring a smile to the faces of children and families during the long emotional journey that illness brings.

Meg’s Story

In the winter of 2010, Meg was just like any other seven-year-old girl until her parents noticed some troubling symptoms. She was falling down, complained of her hearing, and did not seem to be herself when playing sports.

Meg’s parents took her to get a MRI after her pediatrician noticed neurological effects. Meg’s parents would learn that she had a brain tumor and was diagnosed with a Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Giloma (DIPG).

DIPG is a tumor that grows among the nerves within the brain stem. It could not be surgically removed, as the brain stem is responsible for vital functions such as breathing, swallowing and movement. The prognosis for Meg was devastating. She was only given another nine months to a year to live.

Meg and her family set out to have as many smiles as they could with adventures to the beach, a Disney cruise, a trip to New York, a Taylor Swift concert, a trip to Los Angeles where she starred on Kimora – Life in the Fab Lane and more.

Meg passed away January 2011 in the hospital with her mom and dad holding her.

Read Meg’s full Story HERE.

Moving On

Meg’s journey was one no child should have to endure, but she managed to keep her grace, humor and smile.

In honor of Meg’s memory, her parents started the Meg’s Smile foundation to put as many smiles on as many children’s faces as possible.

Each year in July, Meg’s Smile hosts a golf tournament and auction event to support the foundation. Meg’s Smile also accepts donations throughout the year, online or via mail.

To support the Meg’s Smile Foundation, please visit http://www.megsmile.org/3/donate.htm.

Join The Cary Car Care Family

Wed, 14 Aug 2013 16:29:00 GMT

Join The Cary Car Care Family

At Cary Car Care we consider our customers part of our family. We’ve been servicing many of the same people since we opened back in 1990 and are proud to be their Cary auto mechanic. We watch our customers families grow and we grow with them. Here’s a little insight into our family approach by some of the Cary Car Care team. We’d love for you to become our next family member!

Our New Waiting Room Addition

Thu, 18 Jul 2013 12:39:00 GMT

Our New Waiting Room Addition

Considering this is a 19-inch upgrade from our old 13-inch TV – we thought it would be welcome news for our customers who like to sit and wait while their car is getting an oil change, inspection or some other type of maintenance.

This is our thank you for sticking it out in our waiting room! Now come see us!

Tips for Summer Car Maintenance

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 16:06:00 GMT

90-degree heat can put a great deal of extra stress on your car – even more so if it has surpassed the 100,000-mile marker.

That being said, there are some simple preventative summer car maintenance tips that can help you avoid having to deal with an unwanted breakdown.

Clean Your Car Battery

Wintertime is notorious for dead batteries and pre-work jumpstarts. But the real truth is that hot weather is even tougher on your battery.

Summer heat can speed up the chemical reaction inside a battery, causing the battery to be overcharged and shortening the lifespan of your battery.

Regularly detach the battery cables and wipe off the terminals and make sure the battery is strapped down tightly and that all connections are secure.

Take Care of Your Tires

Heat pushes the materials your tires are made of to their limit, causing blowouts and flat tires. Make sure you keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s specification, which is found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. This will not only prolong tire life but help reduce fuel consumption.

Check Your Oil

As car owner’s we all know that most mechanics and owner’s manuals suggest that you change your oil and oil filter every 3,000, 5,000 or 7,500 miles (depending on oil type, make/model).

It’s not only beneficial to adhere to those instructions but to check your oil before each big family road trip. To check your oil, let your car run for a few minutes, then park it on a level surface and shut off the engine. Open the hood and locate the oil dipstick. You’re looking for two things here: the level of oil and how the oil looks. If you’re low on oil, you can either add another quart or take it to Cary Car Care and get it changed :). The oil should look brownish yellow and clean on the stick. If the oil is a dark color or there’s a lot of dirt and grime in it, then you definitely need an oil change and oil filter replacement.

Keep Your Car Cool

Here we are referring to two things, literally keeping your car cool (the engine) and keeping you cool in your car (air conditioning).

Your engine coolant lasts thousands of miles, and many manufactures call their coolant “100,000 mile” fluid, but it should not be neglected. Make sure you are taking a peek at it regularly and ask your mechanic to check it when you car is in for other repairs.

When it comes to A/C (air conditioning) you typically need to get it looked at every 3 years or so to maintain optimal levels of output. Don’t get left stuck in a 90 degree inside a car with no A/C!

Can I Change My Own Oil?

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 14:08:00 GMT

Is it Easy to Change the Oil in your Car?

In the second video of our Cary Car Care video series, we offer up a few pointers on changing your car oil. People often wonder if this is a task they can attempt on their own and we’re hear to answer that question!

The first video in our series is titled Can I Change My Own Oil? .

In this video, Cary Car Care owner Paul Lambdin answers the following questions:

Can I Change My Own Oil?

Where Can I find detailed information on how to change my car oil?

Can Cary Car Care Change My Oil?

How Long does an Oil Change Take?

How to Change a Flat Tire

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 14:22:00 GMT

How to Change a Flat Tire

The first video in our series is titled How to Change a Tire .

In this video, Cary Car Care owner Paul Lambdin answers the following questions:

How Do I Know When My Tire is Flat?

What Tools Do I Need to Change My Tire?

Top 5 Auto Mechanics in Cary, North Carolina

Fri, 10 May 2013 17:04:00 GMT

Top 5 Auto Mechanics in Cary, North Carolina

Your car is a big investment. Surely you took a lot of time and effort into picking it out, and taking care of it is important. Finding some one locally you can trust to work on your car is a lot like finding a doctor, dentist or accountant!

When choosing an auto mechanic in Cary here are a few quick tips:

Word-of-mouth recommendations and complaints can tell you a lot
Go in with questions: Does the shop have a warranty on work performed? Does the shop carry fire and theft insurance? How long has the shop been open? Do they keep their customers updated online?
Follow your gut. It’s important to trust your judgment. Is the shop unorganized? Did the shop manger or mechanic answer your questions to your liking? You own intuition can tell you a lot.

At the end of the day, you’ll be a lot happier you did some research on your auto mechanic knowing the service is good, the communication is straightforward and your big investment is being taken care of.

At Cary Car Care we believe our shop is the Number 1 auto mechanic in Cary – and 99.6& of our customers would agree . We’ve been in business for more than 30 years and care about our customers and their cars above everything else. We’re also one of the only shops in the state recognized with the ASE National Blue Seal Of Excellence .

If you live in Cary however, and our shop location isn’t convenient to you, these other options should work out great as well based on online reviews!

2. Import Motor Works

A: 111 Woodwinds Industrial Court Cary, NC 27511 P:(919) 439-3321 Web Site

IMW has been around since 2007. Staffed with ASE Certified technicians, and knowledgeable individuals who will provide honest evaluations when you need them.

3. Cottman Transmission and Total Auto

A: 270 James Jackson Avenue Cary, NC 27513 P: (919) 462-0703 Web Site

Specializing in transmission repair, Cottman’s philosophy is to repair it properly the first time. Customers of Cottman’s have be returning for years because of satisfied work and great customer service.

4. Haddock Collision Center Maynard

A: 1661 NW Maynard Rd, Cary 27513 P: (919) 468-3031 & 1710 Piney Plains Rd Cary, NC 27518 P: (919) 388-9783 Web Site

Known for their excellent customer service and quality of work. You can expect to receive honest and friendly help from their I-Car old Class Certified employees.

5. Colony Tire & Auto Service

A: 1811 N Harrison Ave Cary, NC 27513 P: (919) 469-5423 Web Site

With multiple locations in North Carolina and Virginia, Colony Tire has customers who drive the extra mile to have their car serviced at one of their location and they have the testimonials to prove it!

Changes at Cary Car Care

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:33:00 GMT

Changes at Cary Car Care

If you haven’t noticed already – Cary Car Care has been making a lot of changes when it comes to how we interact with our customers online.

In an effort to make it easier on each and every one of you we have put a lot of time and energy into creating an online presence that makes it easier on you to interact with us on a day-to-day basis. Here’s a little information on what we’ve been up to.

Cary Car Care Social Media Profiles

It may have taken us longer than some, but we now are online and active in Facebook, Twitter and (very soon) YouTube. Our objective is to make it easier for you to find out information about your car, your Cary Car Car mechanics and to ask us questions you may have. We’ve even added our online review system and appointment request form to our Facebook page so you don’t even have to visit the website to schedule your next visit to the Cary Car Care shop! Click the buttons to the right to visit our social media profiles.

Mobile Friendly Website

We also realized that while we love our website, it wasn’t easy enough for some of you to get in touch with us while you were on the road. Now when you visit our site on your mobile phone you’ll see our nifty mobile website that has all the same great information plus an click-to-call button and directions button right on the home page. The call button will automatically key in our number for you and the directions button will pull up you phone’s navigation!

Car Care Blog and Videos

In the coming weeks and months we will be posting regularly to our new blog with information and tips for you and your car. We’ll even be launching a video series with tips from our top mechanics. Keep coming back to see what we’ve come up with and feel free to leave us a message about a topic you would like us to discuss.

Until next time!

Cary Car Care

Traveling Valves

Poor Vehicle Hygiene

Let us reintroduce ourselves!

Our Warranty has Expanded!

I Smell Rotten Eggs

What are P0420 and P0430 Codes?

Is resurfacing my brakes an option?

When should you replace your brakes, and when is it okay to resurface?

Prep Your Vehicle for Vacations!

It’s HOT!

Do you know what your leaf springs do?

What these essential parts contribute to your suspension system!

Meet our Technicians

Technician Spotlight

Kurt Wolf

Bryan Johnson ﻿

CARY CAR CARE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF BUSINESS

The New Cary Car Care Check In and Check Out Process

Cary Car Care has switched to a new point of sales system: SHOPWARE!

Overall, it’s pretty simple. You get a text or email confirmation that your appointment has been made which includes a link to access your account.

This access shows you the potential charges for your requested services as well as recommendations that we may have previously discussed with you .

You can approve and decline services from there and/or make comments in the “notes” section to communicate directly with your service advisor.

Once we’ve looked at the vehicle, we’ll send you an update with any new recommendations we may have.

Once you’ve approved and declined what you want, you can view the grand total for services. Lastly, once the work is completed, we’ll send you a final link via text or email.

This link is unique to the final repair order and allows you to make a payment online by credit card.

Then, you can post how you would like us to get your keys back to you (you can call on arrival, we can lock them in the car or leave them in the car unlocked).

Five Biggest Reasons Why The “Check Engine” Comes On

Common Check Engine Light Culprits

An O2 Sensor Has Started to Fail

Spark Plugs Have Burned Out

Catalytic Converter Has Failed

Vacuum Hoses May Be Leaking

Your Gas Cap Is Loose

Four Signs Your Car Needs Suspension Repair

Don’t Ignore These Warning Signs!

Hearing Squeaks Over Bumps

Feeling All the Bumps on the Road

One Side of The Car is Sitting Too Low

Steering Becomes Dangerously Difficult

Employee Spotlight, Phil and Mark

Cary Car Care Business Update – Covid-19

We will remain open at this time but with necessary precautions.

Employee Series: Featuring Debby and Brian.

Debby

Brian

Love, Laughter and Strong Coffee

The new big thing at the office:

The coffee maker!!

Check out his home stash:

Are you a coffee lover too? Have any flavors/options we should try? Recommend below!

What are the happenings at Cary Car Care?

Where has the blog been? Where has Kelsey been?

What’s with all the changes at Cary Car Care? What’s been happenin’?

How can anyone keep track of all this?

Well, we’re back and with good news!

Additionally, a lot has been happening at the Cary Car Care office front.

First, a big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to George for retiring in April of this year!

In the meantime, we’ve welcomed some new faces to the shop and are very excited to have these two on board!

Team building and bonding at Cary Car Care

The close-knit team here at Cary Car Care:

How do we do it? Why is it important?

Why Family Feud ? Why scavenger hunts and Reindeer games?

And we even bring those a long who aren’t there in person …

Have a shout out about any of our team members or any ideas for the next team activity? Send us a message!

Happy holidays to all!

Halloween and holidays at Cary Car Care!

Halloween and the holidays!

We love holidays around here at Cary Car Care so we take any opportunity we get to celebrate!

Cary Car Care hit our New Year’s goal! Our Google reviews are over 100!

Ladies and gentleman, we’ve done it!

Hopefully, you’ve been following us through the year and know one of our New Year’s resolutions was to reach 100 Google reviews. Well, last month we did just that! We completed July with 108 reviews and a rating of 4.9 on Google!

As for our other resolutions, we have certainly continued to be involved in the community. In fact, last week Paul participated in the Meg’s Smile annual golf fundraiser as Cary Car Care was a Silver sponsor. This year, we are excited to announce, we did not come in last place!

Barbecue is on the menu for summer!

We love to cook outside year round but this is barbecue season!

It seems like everyone has something delicious on the grill this time of year and we love to talk about food. Barbecue, or any food really, seems to bring us together. It’s an opportunity to slow down and share.

These are pictures of the best food on our barbecue at Cary Car Care: pulled pork shoulder, crispy roast pork(recipe below), beer can chicken, surf & turf, grilled chicken and sausages. As you can see, chicken and pork are the favorites here!

Well, what do you like to grill this time of year? Share your favorite recipe with us!

Here is one of ours:

Crispy Roast Pork with Cranberry Ginger Sauce.

Bryan Johnson