Fun Winter Escapes in Michigan That are Worth the Drive

Michigan winters are magical, and there are plenty of fun things to do to enjoy the snow and cold weather. Here are few festivals that are worth the drive:

1.     World of Winter in Grand Rapids – This three-week winter festival takes place in January and February. The festival features a variety of ice sculptures, art installations, and activities including ice skating, live music, and food vendors. Learn more here.

2.     Niles Ice Festival – This long-standing tradition in Niles, Michigan, takes place in February and features ice sculptures, ice skating, live music, and food vendors. This is a great festival for a weekend trip, as the whole downtown gets involved in the festivities. Learn more here.

3.    Chase waterfalls in Tahquamenon Falls – Experience waterfall magic that turns into a wall of ice in the winter.

4.    Fire up a snowmobile up north – Michigan is home to more than 6,500 snowmobiling trails in Commerce, Pontiac, Waterford, and Chelsea to name a few!

5.    Go glow tubing at Bowers Farm- By night, the sledding hill at Bowers Farm in Bloomfield Hills transforms into a rainbow of lights and lasers, while people in giant inner tubes shoot through lit-up arches. Learn more here.

These are some of the many fun winter activities that take place in Michigan each winter. Bundle up and head out to enjoy all that winter in Michigan has to offer!

Keep Your Ride Rolling: Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop! Bring your vehicle to us and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time for your winter drives! No question is too big or small. Call us for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!

Don't Derail Your Next Road Trip – Proper Maintenance is Essential!

As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, many of us are eager to chase the sunshine and warmth. Whether you're
planning a long road trip or a quick weekend getaway, it's important to make sure your vehicle is ready for the journey.

A few simple maintenance tasks can prevent major problems down the line:

• Oil Change: Regular oil changes are crucial to maintain your engine health. Old, dirty oil can cause excessive wear and tear, leading to costly repairs.
• Fluid Check: Ensure that all essential fluids, like coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid are at the proper levels. Low fluid levels can compromise your vehicle's performance and safety.
• Brake Inspection: Worn brake pads and rotors can significantly reduce your braking performance. A thorough brake inspection can help identify and address any issues before they become serious.

Don't let a small issue ruin your trip: Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

Schedule a pre-trip inspection with a trusted mechanic to ensure your vehicle is ready for the road. Bring your vehicle to us and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time for your winter drives! No question is too big or small. Call us for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!

Did You Know We Love Your Asian Imports as much as European Imports?

There's a reason so many of us are rocking Subarus, Toyotas, and Hondas – these Asian imports are like the reliable, best friend of the car world. These brands are built to conquer your commute or weekend adventure without turning you into a damsel (or dude) in distress.

Asian Imports Won’t Leave You Stranded

 

Asian imports are renowned for their dependability, consistently ranked among the most reliable cars on the road today. Get from point A to point B without any worry, especially when you take your car for service at ArborMotion.

 

We Specialize in Asian & European Auto Repair in Ann Arbor

 

We have the specialist to prove it! When you bring your vehicle to us, we provide manufacturer-level service where your technician is trained and knowledgeable about your vehicle make and model. From oil changes, air conditioning and brakes, to timing belts and more, you’ll get the best service possible at competitive rates.

 

Why see a specialist for your car? Read our latest article “Don’t Settle for a Gearhead Generalist: Why Car Specialists Reign Supreme” here.

Schedule Service on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop. Bring your vehicle to us and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! No question is too big or small. Call us for Asian and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today! 

Proper Winter Car Care You Don’t Think About

Want to get the most out of your car this winter? 

Have you been putting off routine maintenance?

 

Are you afraid your car won’t start in frigid temps?

 

ArborMotion offers these tips to ensure a smooth ride all winter long, including:

 

1.     Car wash – Believe it or not, a car wash is one of the best things you can do for your car during the winter. Salt from the road can build up over time and eat away at the metal making up the undercarriage of your car.

2.     Replace old wiper blades – Newer windshield wipers will do a better job at clearing ice and snow from your windows.

3.     Top off your fluids – To ensure your engine turns over, check your owner’s manual for manufacturer recommendations about how often you need to check and top off your fluids in cold weather.

4.     Take your car for a quick drive – Don’t let your car sit for too long during really cold days. This helps warm up your engine, brakes, and transmission.

 

Learn more about the basics of proper winter maintenance here.

 

Prepare Your Car for Winter at ArborMotion

 

Our Asian and European auto repair technicians at ArborMotion are here for you! Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Pack Your Summer Emergency Kit

We often think of emergency kits for winter, but it’s just as important to have one during the summer! Summertime is made for road trips and evening sunset drives, but can occasionally feature popped tire or overheating engine. It’s best to be prepared!

Some year-round necessities include:

• Jumper cables - if your vehicle won’t start, a jump can often get you back on the road, at least long enough to get to ArborMotion and have your vehicle checked out.
• Spare tire and jack - being miles from home and having a tire blow out can be a scary situation; it’s best to be prepared and then (hopefully) not need it!
• Phone charger - having your vehicle go out on you is bad enough, but don’t let your phone go out too! If you’re in a place that doesn’t have good reception, record the current time, your location, and any emergency steps you’ve taken as your outgoing voicemail message. Anyone that calls will receive your message, even if they can’t get through to you.
• Water and non-perishable snacks - these should be changed out with the changing of the seasons, to be sure they’re fresh and not expired.

Summertime emergency kit:

• Sunblock and bug spray - if you get stuck in a situation where you need to be outside the car, protecting yourself from the elements and bugs is a great idea.
• Umbrella/rain suit – It may not be safe to stay in the car after an accident or breakdown, even if it happens during poor weather. Keep a raincoat or umbrella in the car to help stay dry.
• Coolant - be sure you buy the correct coolant for your car. Having this on hand just in case your vehicle starts overheating or you discover you have a leak can be the difference between making it to your destination, or having to call a tow truck.

Summer drives can be an enjoyable time spent with friends and family, heading off to some fun adventure. By having an emergency kit prepared and well-stocked, you can set off knowing that even if your day goes sideways, you’ll be able to handle it easily! 

It's road-trip season! Make sure you're prepared, read this!

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! We care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call us for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

What is Mileage-Based Maintenance?

You may hear something referred to as a “maintenance recommendation”, or have a signal that shows up as “scheduled service due” on your dashboard. These can both seem vague, but what do they mean?

Some general industry guidelines for milage-based maintenance include:

• Oil changes - every 5,000 miles or 6 months
• Tire rotations - every 5,000 miles
• Brake fluid and power steering fluid - every 24,000 miles or two years
• Fuel filter change, fuel induction service, and coolant flush - every 36,000 miles or three years
• Transmission flush service, brake pads and rotors, spark plugs - every 60,000 miles

If you’re beyond 60,000, congratulations on keeping your vehicle in good shape! Talk with your ArborMotion service advisor to see when your shocks and struts, water pump and timing belt will be due. These are bigger jobs, but well worth the time and money to keep your vehicle running for a long time. 

You may also want to consider a wheel alignment before your next road trip!

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Must-do Maintenance for Infrequent Drivers

Do manufacturer’s recommendations still apply to me, even if I don’t drive very much? What do I have to do to keep my vehicle healthy?

For all infrequent drivers, short commuters, and those of you who have no commute, here are the things your vehicle still needs from you to stay in tip-top shape:

• Oil changes - these are an absolute must every 6 months even if you haven’t driven that much. If your car Isn’t driven much the oil in your engine can collects moisture that may never properly burn off, potentially causing issues for systems that need to be water-free!
• Get up to speed - even if it’s just an occasional drive, get your vehicle up to highway speeds once in a while. That higher speed and bit of distance will work the oil through the engine in a way that city commutes won’t and keeps all rotating parts “exercised” so they don’t atrophy.
• Check your tires because not just tread depth matters. Over time, tires break down, so even if your tread depth looks good, the age of the materials can still cause problems. If you need help with this, give us a call!
• Have all the belts and hoses inspected – we will do this for you at every oil service. Letting a vehicle sit can cause degeneration of anything rubber or plastic. Those parts still go through the weather extremes we get in Michigan, so they to be regularly inspected for wear and cracking. 

In short, even if you don’t use your car often, it still needs some basic care and maintenance so that it works without issues when you’re ready to roll! To ensure you're ready for springtime driving, read more here.

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

How Do You Deal with Black Ice?

Have you ever hit black ice while driving in the winter? Are you aware of how to keep your vehicle under control when dealing with black ice?

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that forms on bridges, overpasses, and along shady spots of the road. Black ice is clear, making it difficult to see, which makes it very dangerous. 

As you travel on snowy and icy roadways, here are a few ways you can handle black ice:

• Keep your steering wheel as straight as possible. It’s much easier to coast over an icy patch if you’re going straight and not turning your wheel. 
• Contrary to your first inclination, don’t brake! Braking can cause your car to slip and slide out of control, especially if you hit your brakes hard. 
• Let your foot come off the accelerator pedal to slow your speed. Black ice is one of the biggest reasons to leave extra space between you and cars in front of you - you need room to safely slow down.

Black ice is often a just patch on the roadway, typically less than 20 feet (approximately the length of a standard SUV). By maintaining focus and controlling your steering and deceleration, you should be able to slowly glide over patches of potentially dangerous black ice and arrive at your destination without incident. 

To ensure you get where you're going safely this winter, read more here!

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Keeping Your Car for the Long Haul

Will your car go the distance?

Are you starting to think about getting a new car?

Thanks to new technology and more durable parts, any vehicle built in the last 10 to 15 years is designed to last for 200,000 miles or more. Some even say that 200,000 miles is the new 100,000 miles. But to accomplish that you must keep up with proper maintenance and repairs along the way!

Keep Up with Maintenance!

To ensure your vehicle enjoys its full lifespan, stay current on routine maintenance. Consult your car’s manual for recommended service. Getting routine oil changes, tire rotations and filter replacements helps keep your car healthy for many years. Failing to keep up on regular maintenance can cause premature wear to your engine and other parts over time.

Always Use Quality Made Parts

Don’t fall for cheaper prices! A lower-quality part may be cheaper up front, but in the long run it can cost more when it fails or causes excessive wear and tear.

Talk to Your Repair Shop

Explain to your shop that you want to keep your car running for as long as possible. Better shops will help you formulate a plan of action to keep your car running in tip-top shape. ArborMotion can be your secret weapon to keeping your daily driver for a long, long time!

Schedule Service on Your Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, we care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!  

Fun Facts About Acura

The Acura logo has an interesting story behind it! The Acura logo was introduced in 1990 for the 1991 model year. According to Honda, a caliper design tool – used for measuring – can also be interpreted as a skewed “H” (for Honda) or a stylized “A” (for Acura), very clever indeed.

Did you know that Acura was actually the first Japanese automotive luxury brand to be sold worldwide? They launched in 1986 and pre-dated the appearance of fellow Japanese automakers Toyota and Nissan’s luxury brands Lexus and Infiniti by 3 years.

Acura has always produced luxury cars with a sporty feel, starting with the Venerable Acura Legend. Over the years they have built some high performance cars that would go head to head with anything else on the road at the time, namely the high performance NSX. 

Diagnose Issues Today with Scheduled Service on Your Acura!

Regular maintenance and service allows us to diagnose issues before they become severe and possibly more expensive to repair. If you have an Acura bring it to ArborMotion, Ann Arbor’s leading Japanese and European repair shop. Make an appointment today by scheduling or calling us at 734-761-1088.