Hidden Gems for Your Summer Road Trips in Michigan

Summer road trip season is upon us! Are you craving unique experiences beyond the usual tourist spots? Michigan offers a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be explored.  

These are some places you should discover this summer:

 

1.     Prehistoric Forest Amusement Park- The remains of an abandoned dinosaur theme park litter the woods just off the highway.

2.     Kitch-iti-kipi- This is a freshwater spring fills with 10,000 gallons of water every minute in Manistique.

3.     Hell, Michigan- Hell on earth is actually a small town in Michigan where anyone can be mayor for the day.

4.     Turnip Rock- This is an island just off the Michigan shore in Lake Huron. The unique shape is the result of thousands of years of erosion.

5.     St. Ignace Mystery Spot – Experience a place where “gravity does strange things” or a place where your brain does strange things as it tries to make sense of the situation.

6.     Motown Museum- Berry Gordy Jr.’s old home was the original headquarters of Motown Records Corporation. See where the Jackson Five, the Temptations, Smokey Robinson and many others recorded unforgettable hits.

7.     Petoskey State Park- This state park is on the shore of Lake Michigan that holds some of the only reminders that Michigan was once an ocean. When the earth’s tectonic plates shifted and created North America out of the watery ecosystem, some of the coral life residing there came for the ride. Pick up some coral fossils offering a connection to the past!

8.     Leland’s Historic Fishtown – Wooden shanties line a narrow canal in which charter boats and fish tugs float, undulating on Lake Michigan’s gentle swells.

 

These are just a taste of the unique adventures Michigan offers. Fuel up your car and embark on an unforgettable summer escape!

Schedule a Pre-Trip Inspection on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

If you’re planning a road trip, schedule a pre-trip inspection 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 summer adventures! Call us for Asian 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!  

Winter Daily Driving Dos and Don’ts

We’ve all thought it before as we drive during Michigan winters: “Has that person ever driven in the snow?!” 

There are a few important things to remember as you set out on the road so you aren’t one of the people others are questioning. 

Slow down

We all know it’s important to slow down when the roads are slick, but that’s not just your rolling speed. Increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can gently brake when you need to. This will help you avoid an accident. Being gentle with your acceleration can also help increase your traction and control. 

Clear those windows

It’s hard to see without clearing your windows properly. Clearing your windows all the way around your vehicle is so important! Even on frigid cold mornings when you’re tempted to skip it, removing ice and snow gives you the best ability to see what’s happening around you, so you can respond quickly. For those vehicles that come with an automatic start, setting your controls to defrost can help start the clearing process before you have to scrape. 

Fill your fluids

Check your fluid levels before the weather starts getting cold and pay close attention to your anti-freeze and your oil since those two are heavy-duty workers in the winter. Other good ideas include using windshield wiper fluid that’s rated for cold weather – you don’t want that to freeze – and keeping your gas tank at least half-full to prevent that from freezing in the lines.

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!  

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!  

What do you need in the winter?

We all know we need a winter vehicle kit, but what do you need to have inside? What are the important must-haves? 

ArborMotion has got your back! Here’s our list of must haves to keep in your vehicle all winter long:

Must have:

• Blankets
• Hats
• Gloves
• Road flares
• Jumper cables
• A flashlight with fresh batteries
• First aid kit
• Snacks and bottled water
• A properly inflated spare tire and jack

It may also be a good idea to have these things:

• Cell phone charger (if you don’t already have one)
• Basic tool kit
• Adjustable wrench
• Duct tape
• Screwdriver
• Pliers
• Foldable shovel
• Kitty litter (to help give your tires grip if you get stuck in snow or ice)
• Hazard triangles or emergency lights
• Individually packaged hand warmers

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!  

Are your tires safe?

Are you and your vehicle ready for cold and icy weather? 

Have you recently inspected the treads on your tires, or had a mechanic inspect them?

Your tires are literally where the rubber meets the road. As the weather turns colder, their role in your safety increases significantly! The quality and wear of your tires determine your control over handling and stopping abilities. 

Common tire requests we fix at ArborMotion:

1. Check air pressure and tread wear
2. Tire rotation
3. Wheel alignment
4. Seasonal tire swap (and storage!)
5. Puncture repair or tire replacement

When it comes to your tire safety, visual inspection and checking tire pressure monthly is your first line of defense. If you notice anything concerning, or have any questions at all, we’re here to help!

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!  

Why Are Your Tires Wearing Unevenly?

Is it time for new tires?

Are you experiencing a bumpy ride?

Your tires play a vital role in the safety of your vehicle. They allow you to stop and steer safely. Irregular tire wear, either across the tire tread or around the circumference of the tire, is an indication that there may be a problem that needs to be fixed.

Common causes on uneven wear and tear on your tires, include:

1. Bad wheel alignment
2. Worn or broken suspension pieces
3. Improper tire inflation
4. Unbalanced wheels
5. Bent or broken wheels

The best way to prevent uneven tire wear is to check the pressure in your tires monthly, periodically have your wheels aligned, and visually inspect your tires regularly.

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!  

What's the Best Way to Keep Your Car Clean?

Wondering about the best way to clean your car?

How can you keep your car clean? It won’t stay clean forever, but we can help you stay on the right track! 

The best thing you can do is stick to a regular schedule. If you want to save money on car washes, give your car a coat of wax to protect the paint! It won’t stop dirt, but will help rain bead on your car and keep it from looking dirtier than it is.

If you live on a dirt road, you should rinse your car off after every drive. Not only will this keep your car looking cleaner but you'll be removing harmful dirt and grime.

If you want an impressive detail done on your car, call Total Detail located at ArborMotion today at  (734) 929-9688 or schedule your appointment online here!

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

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop for your domestic, Asian, or European car 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!  

History of Lexus

Did you know that Lexus is owned by Toyota, and was founded in 1989? The Lexus brand is marketed in more than 70 countries worldwide and is Japan’s largest selling maker of premium cars. Lexus is headquartered in in Nagoya, Japan. Operational centers are located in Brussels, Belgium and Plano, Texas.

Lexus was first launched at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 1989 and sales began the following September at a network of 81 new Lexus dealerships in the United States.

Lexus vehicles are very reliable. They constantly top the “most dependable” lists published by AutoExpress and J.D Power. Consumer Reports ranked them at the top for dependability, with each one of their models achieving an above average rating for reliability.

In the United States, Lexus is one of the leading luxury brands, with sedans, SUVs, coupes, performance vehicles and even limousines to choose from.

Lexus recommends maintenance on your vehicle every six months or 5,000 miles, whichever comes first. With proper maintenance and care, your vehicle will last longer and deliver a more dependable performance.

Schedule Service on Your Lexus 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 Lexus 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! Our professional team would love to take care of you and your Lexus.