Why are catalytic converters being stolen?

Is your car susceptible to theft?

Did you know that catalytic converters are prized by thieves?

How can you protect your catalytic converter from being stolen?

Catalytic converters are expensive and highly sought after among thieves. Virtually every gas-powered vehicle has one. It’s located under your vehicle, on the exhaust system, after the engine and before the muffler. This essential part of your vehicle helps lower emissions from your engine’s exhaust. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strengthened emissions regulations in the mid-1970s, and the catalytic converter has been a required component on all cars since 1975. So, you can’t go without it, but you can prevent yours from being stolen. Here’s how:

1. Park your vehicle in an enclosed garage for safe keeping.
2. If street parking is your only option, park in a well-lit area.
3. Install a vehicle alarm that’s sensitive to vibration. It will go off if your vehicle is being shaken too much – i.e., when someone is trying to remove a part.
4. Come to ArborMotion and have us install a steel catalytic converter plate/lock.

Avoid the headache of a costly repair by ensuring your vehicle is protected in the long run. You’ll thank yourself later for the added protection!

Schedule Service on Your Domestic, Asian or European Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop for your domestic, Asian, and European vehicle 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 at 734-761-1088 to schedule your appointment today!  

3 New Year’s Resolutions for Every Car Owner

Happy New Year from the ArborMotion team! We hope you had a great holiday in your household and are feeling healthy and refreshed for a brand new year!

As we all know, the new year is a great time to set New Year’s resolutions or goals to help better yourself throughout the year. What are your New Year’s resolutions? Some of us at ArborMotion have resolutions focused on improving our exercise habits and some of us have resolutions to read more books.

Whatever your New Year’s resolution may be, did you take your car into consideration? While making resolutions to improve your health and overall lifestyle are great, adding a few for your car is a great idea. Make yourself a better car owner and keep your car in the best condition with these three New Year’s resolutions.

1. Don’t Neglect Car Maintenance

The most important car maintenance you’ll need to keep up with this year are oil changes, batteries, brakes, and your car's air filters.

2.  Stay Focused on the Road

 

Did you know that on average nine people are killed by distracted driving in the US every day?  There are many things that are considered distracted driving that we might all be guilty of: texting, changing the music, using an app, taking a photo, or even eating and drinking while cruising down the road. 

3.  Be Courteous to Other Drivers

Driving can be frustrating, especially in these unusual times. Let’s all share the road with understanding, patience and good vibes sent out to those around us. Even if you are not reciprocated in kind, you did your part to keep us all together. Can’t hurt, right??!!

Have a Happy and Safe New Year’s from all of us at ArborMotion!

Tips for Navigating The Secretary of State in Michigan at this time:

The Secretary of State offices have reopened. To protect their staff and public health, offices will only provide services by appointment, and only offer critical services that can’t be completed online, by mail or at a self-service station. Advance appointments become available six months ahead of time.

Same-day appointments become available 24 hours before an appointment time. Many transactions can be completed from home by mail or using online services. Vehicle registration tabs can be printed immediately at any of the Secretary of State’s convenient self-service stations.

The following five transactions can be scheduled and completed in person:

• Driver's license
• State identification cards
• Title Transfers
• Testing
• Seasonal commercial vehicle renewals

Customers also have the option to schedule an appointment to complete two or more transactions at one time. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation that temporarily extends the expiration dates of all Michigan driver’s licenses, state ID’s and vehicle registrations through September 30, 2020. Learn more here.

Schedule Service on Your Domestic, Asian or European Vehicle Today.

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe on the road. 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!

Things to Consider While Your Vehicle Sits

Your vehicles probably aren’t getting a lot of use right now. Even if you don't depend on your vehicle, you should still get out and drive it. You may be asking yourself why? Isn’t that a waste of gas? No. Vehicles need exercise just like living things or their systems atrophy. 

These are the top four things you should be worried about when your car sits for a long period of time:

1. Battery
2. Brakes
3. Engine oil
4. Tires

Learn more here!

Schedule Service on Your Domestic, Asian or European Vehicle Today!

Regular maintenance and service on your Domestic, Asian or European vehicle allows us to diagnose issues before they become severe and possibly more expensive to repair. Make an appointment at ArborMotion to schedule service today!

Stay Safe on the Road During Construction Season.

Auto repair is considered an essential business and during the Stay at Home orders you are allowed to bring your car in for maintenance and repairs!

We all know that in the state of Michigan each year we have major construction in spring and summer. When we are able to get back on the road the orange cones will already be out and we can anticipate long delays and general inconvenience. We also need to think about the construction workers and their safety. At ArborMotion, we can help with that! We can make sure your brakes are up to date, that you have good tread on your tires, check your fluids and also make sure all of your lights are working properly.

When you approach a construction zone, use extra caution, and slow down where people are working near the road. Obey all directions by flag people. Treat all construction workers with respect and remain calm if traffic is delayed. Be patient with posted construction speed limits. They’re frustrating, but the lower limits are for everyone's safety.

As always, remember that we hand wash every vehicle with your service, who doesn't love a bright shiny vehicle on a beautiful sunny day?

Schedule Service on Your Domestic, Asian or European Vehicle Today!

Regular maintenance and service on your Domestic, Asian or European vehicle allows us to diagnose issues before they become severe and possibly more expensive to repair. Make an appointment at ArborMotion to schedule service today!

Up Your Game & Prepare for Winter Roads!

Winter is officially upon us and with that being said, you need to make sure all your vehicles are in tip-top shape. 

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you stay ahead of the game. 

First and foremost, make sure your battery is in great working condition. No one wants to come out to their car not starting during a snowstorm. ArborMotion can do a battery test to make sure that your battery can “weather the storm” (see what I did there?)!

Make sure your gas tank is always at least half full. With Michigan snowstorms, traffic is bound to get crazy. Whether you’re on the highway or taking the backroads home, running out of gas while stuck in traffic or during a storm is never a good thing. 

Good items to have in your trunk or backseat are a small shovel and (surprisingly) kitty litter. During the winter, you may experience your tires getting stuck in snow or spinning on ice. Kitty litter provides great traction and gives your tires something to grip (also, an extra pair of boots and a blanket!).

Finally, make sure to get your vehicle checked for winter. Brakes need to be checked, tires need to be inspected, and fluids need to be topped off. Having your vehicle in tip-top shape for the winter is a must. The weather in Michigan is so unpredictable, one day it could be sunny and 50 and the next day we have one foot of snow with sleet coming down! 

ArborMotion is ready to make sure that all of our customer’s vehicles are prepared for whatever winter has to throw at them. Remember to keep things slow this time of year. Prepare to add additional travel time and make sure to keep safe distances between you and other vehicles.

Schedule Service on Your Domestic, Asian or European Vehicle Today!

Regular maintenance and service on your Domestic, Asian or European vehicle allows us to diagnose issues before they become severe and possibly more expensive to repair. Contact Us to schedule an appointment today!

The Faces Behind ArborMotion!

We’re going to take a step back from “talking shop” to talk about the faces behind ArborMotion! 

A lot of our customers know the employees at ArborMotion really well! They know our organized chaos and witty banter, but here are some things that truly make ArborMotion employees the best! 

There are two seasons here: University of Michigan Football and University of Michigan Basketball, everything else in between is a count-down to the next season! We do have a couple Michigan State fans, so football season can become pretty tense!

Every week, everyone gathers around the service desk to enjoy a “hot treat.” This is where one or more people bring in either hot salsa or a hot dip and we see who can handle the heat! Everyone usually gets in on the action! We’ve seen the hiccups, red faces and even tears. 

Chuck Hartmeyer, Senior Service Advisor in some tears after trying hot sauce.

Nick Pott, Shop Manager, after testing the legendary hot sauce! 

Tom Neil, Parts Specialist, see's if he can take the heat!

A lot of our customers have seen Nick Pott’s awesome mini toy car collection! Our Internal Marketing Specialist Emily Martin’s favorite thing to do is hide the cars around the shop to see if Nick can find them. Sometimes Nick finds them within the hour and sometimes it goes on for days. Either way, Emily plays a joke on him whenever she can! (She even gets Chuck our Senior Service Advisor, in on the action too!) 

As you can see, ArborMotion is made up of many different types of people. We cheer each other on and comfort each other. No matter the time of day, you’ll always hear laughing, and see some smiling faces!  

Schedule Service on Your Ford Today!

Regular maintenance and service allows us to diagnose issues before they become severe and possibly more expensive to repair. Contact Us to schedule an appointment for your Ford! Our team at ArborMotion is eager to meet you!