FALCONER AUTO REPAIR

Local TV ads for used car sellers usually have a couple of things in common: they are low budget and they star a salesman who is selling cars so cheaply that he must be out of his mind. It's been this way for years, but why? Who came up with the idea to feign insanity for the sake of car sales? Earl Muntz Capitalized on Wartime Shortages The answer is Earl "Madman" Muntz. Muntz began selling used cars in 1941 in southern California. Because of World War II, no new cars were manufactured, so the used car business was coming into its own. Muntz bought cars in the midwest and then paid servicemen to drive them to California on their way to report to military service. California prices were significantly higher than midwest prices. In addition to a brilliant business model, he worked with advertiser Mike Shore to ... read more

You probably only consider your car's lights when a bulb needs to be replaced or when your headlights get covered in thick snow (or mud, for you adventure seekers). But the lights on your car are worth another look. Headlights Did you know that your headlights are specifically aligned for the country you are driving in? It's true! For those of us who drive on the right-hand side, the light that comes out is aimed down and a little to the right. This allows for visibility to see road signs and helps you avoid blinding oncoming drivers. High Beams It's important to only turn on your high beam or full beam headlights on vacant stretches of road. If any other car appears, turn them off. Fog Lights Like high beams, you should only use fog lights in certain conditions. Can you guess ... read more

At I-86 Truck & Auto Repair, occasionally we carry out a used car inspection on a car with a salvage title. When talking to people who are considering whether to buy a vehicle with a salvage title, we have discovered that there is some confusion regarding the issue. In today's article, we review the subject of salvage titles. What Is A Salvage Title? Salvage titles can be confusing because state laws vary on many issues concerning motor vehicle titles. Adding to the confusion, auto insurers have different policies regarding salvage titles. A title that has been marked as "salvage," "rebuilt," "totaled," "junked," or a similar term, could designate one of the ... read more

Remember when the dashboard of your auto only had an AM/FM radio and a heater? (If you are younger than 40, you probably don't.) Can you harken back when you could only see a speedometer and odometer through the steering wheel? Those days seem to be long gone as car manufacturers continue to add smart features to our cars. To avoid a mess of knobs and buttons all over the place, consoles are usually designed around a central touchscreen. There is a screen to control the stereo, navigation system, paired devices such as cell phones, the air conditioning, and more! This configuration lets you access everything in one location. But is there a disadvantage to these touchscreens? Many safety experts say yes. Your Fingers Can't Feel What Screen You Are On The main issue with these onboard computer screens is that they are ... read more