Category Archives: Articles

Cleaning Your Car In 9 Steps

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Breathe in. Breathe out. Ahhhhh!!! You smell that? YES, you’re right. It’s springtime!

A season of renewal, sunshine, fun and, dare I say it—CLEANLINESS! As much fun as it’s not, this is the time of the year to get your clean on and take care of some much needed spring cleaning! So set aside an afternoon to transform your stuff from messy to tidy—and please don’t forget to include your car.

Dirty cars, trucks, vans and SUV’s need love too!

Ask yourself these questions:

1) Are you a little embarrassed when a friend jumps into the passenger seat of your car? 

2) Moms, do you hang your head low in car line?

3) What about on Friday night? Does your date step back in horror as he or she sits down in the passengers side?

4) Do you know what that strange odor is coming from underneath the seats? You know the one that’s an odd mixture of month old chicken nuggets and sweaty gym socks.

If you answered yes to any of the questions above, now is the perfect time to do something about the state of your car.

So I’m here to help! Follow my guidelines to get your car back in shape for spring . . . for the sake of your friendships . . . for your sanity in car line . . . and especially for that “hot” date you’d like to go on next weekend (even if its with your spouse). 

Think about how much better you’ll feel behind the wheel of your clean ride. Say goodbye to dirt and hello to a fun springtime in your clean and shiny car!

SPRING CAR CLEANING GUIDE:

1. Wash—Wash your vehicle using a mild soap and water. Then dry with a soft, clean chamois (or lint free towel). Don’t allow bird poop, bugs, and tree sap to damage your paint. Remove them as soon as you can because the eating away of your paint happens fast, especially with the stronger sun of spring baking down on your paint. Use a soft brush to clean wheels and NEVER use chemicals with an acid base. If your wheels are dirty, clean those first.

2. Polish & Wax—Your vehicle deserves and needs a fresh coat of wax on your car for spring. The wax serves as a protective barrier against the insects, bird droppings and tree sap that’s plentiful this time of year. And that you just spent hours cleaning off. In addition to that, wax keeps your car looking nice and shiny.

3. Replace Filters—Have your auto service center of choice (like Frank Myers Auto Maxx…HINT! HINT!) inspect your cabin air filters and engine air filters. Replace all filters if necessary. During spring these filters can become heavy with pollen, which negatively effects how your car runs.

4. Clean Screen—Clear the screen where the hood and windshield meet, directly under the wipers. Also clear out crevices in this area. You have to make sure and keep these areas free of leaves and miscellaneous debris so that they won’t absorb water, which causes rust, and which can cause sediment that will clog the evaporator drain. If you don’t, you could be facing very expensive auto repairs and no one wants those.

5. Pressure Check—Make sure your tires are set to the proper pressure because as temperatures get higher, air expands, so you may have to let air out of your tires. If you need assistance with this, Frank Myers Auto Maxx can check your tire pressure for free.

6. Interior Detail—Pull out your car mats. Vacuum carpet. Wipe down interior. Throw away garbage. Organize your trunk. If your carpet is stained, they can be cleaned at most professional auto detail centers.

7. Window Clean—Clean all the windows and mirrors (inside and out). Use a solution of ¼ cup household ammonia to 1-quart water. Apply solution with a sponge and dry with newspaper, paper towels or a soft cloth…but newspaper works best.

8. Clean Your Blades—Gently lift the blades, and wipe both sides with a soft cloth or paper towel soaked in a solution of ¼ cup household ammonia to 1-quart cold water. Dry the blades with a cloth and lower them back into place.

9. Shine Your Lights—Apply window cleaner to your headlights. Rub vigorously. If your headlights have become milky, they may need some additional TLC by a professional.

If you’ve followed steps 1 to 9 to get your car clean then you deserve a break! So take that shiny ride out to dinner. Bring a friend along. You wouldn’t want all that work to go unnoticed!!!

Happy clean trails to you! Until we meet again.

 

History Of Uncle Frank/Part 2 – Uncle Frank The Frontiersman

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 Uncle Frank The Frontiersman

This photo captures famed horse trader Uncle Frank Myers in 1887, somewhere on the trail in West Texas. As you can see, he’s showing off one of the prime vehicles from his lot – an early Ford Bronco, gently used, in excellent condition, and, as with all of Frank’s quality vehicles, complete with a lifetime warranty (“lifetime” meaning the life of the horse).

Uncle Frank became a fixture on the local horse trading scene, believing that every cowboy (and cowgirl) deserved a nicer, newer steed. He was known throughout the Wild West for his unforgettable catchphrase, “Everybody saddles up!”

About Uncle Frank

Uncle Frank has lived many lives and has many stories to share. He currently resides in Winston Salem, NC where he spends his days as the Frank Myers Auto Maxx Mascot.

Be sure to read History of Uncle Frank/Part 1 – Uncle Frank The Pioneer and check back for future editions later.

* Uncle Frank Sez: “All content in The History Of Uncle Frank is a mixture of parody, poor satire, and/or (very) lame humor. It is for entertainment purposes only.”

Frank Myers Auto Presents: Do You Have Lucky Charms?

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by Tracy E. Myers/Owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston Salem, NC

Last week I was sitting at my kitchen table eating a bowl of Lucky Charms. If you’ve never enjoyed a bowl, they ARE magically delicious and not so nutritious. Regardless, the sugar gets me charged up before a super busy day of helping people at Frank Myers Auto Maxx.

As I stared down at those little marshmallow shapes, I started thinking about St. Patty’s Day, the “Luck of the Irish” and the green fun that would be taking place in a few days.

It also got me thinking about how some of my friends live and die by their personal lucky charms. In fact, I know one grown man who won’t go bowling without his lucky socks, EVER, but he’ll remain nameless of course. You know who you are, friend.

What about you? Do you have a lucky charm? Perhaps a rabbit foot or a four leaf clover?

Whatever the answer, most of us want more good luck to come our way so I say, let’s tip the scales in our favor!

Here are two things you can do right now to attract good luck into your life, without a charm or a bowl of cereal at your side . . .

HOW TO ATTRACT GOOD LUCK:

Know What You Want

Being focused on a goal is the first step to achieving it. So if you want good things to happen to you, you have to clearly know what those things are. Our mind is a powerful tool. People underestimate the power of the mind to make things happen. You can attract what you believe you will get. So go ahead and take some time to determine what you want; before long, you will be surprised at how lucky you are!

Fill Your Mind & Body With Positive Input

Successful people (aka lucky people) continually seek out knowledge and ways to improve themselves. Be very purposeful with how you spend your time. Read. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Cut down on negative influences and watch how fast this positive input transforms your everyday life.

Lucky people are also healthy people. So take charge of your health and mental state now. Sleep more, eat less, smile, expect to have a good day, and believe that good things are on their way to you.

As a side note, I would probably have better luck with my health later in life if I ate an apple a day instead of Lucky Charms cereal.

Interesting Factoid:

“The percentage of Lucky Charms consumers who are adults has risen to 45%, said Greg Pearson, the brand’s marketing manager. As a result, the brand posted its best volume year ever in fiscal 2012, according to General Mills. Overall, Lucky Charms is now the seventh-largest cold cereal brand, with sales up 5.64% to $252.6 million in the 52 weeks ending Oct. 7, outpacing category-wide growth of 0.83%.”

 

 

 

 

Frank Myers Auto Warns Consumers Of Flood Cars In North Carolina

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httpsv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK47URPnNOo

Around 230,000 vehicles were damaged by Hurricane Sandy’s rain and flood waters in late October. Now the National Dealers Association has warned car dealerships that some of those vehicles have been re-conditioned in order to be sold in other states, including North Carolina.

Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston Salem, said he won’t be buying any water-damaged Sandy cars.

“If we get that car we’re not going to sell it. We advise any consumer to never buy a flood car,” Myers said.

If you’re in the market, Myers said there are some things you need to check out on a car to make sure it’s not water-damaged.

For the car’s interior, water lines are often hard to get rid of, and may still be visible even with repeated washing.

In the trunk, detailers often miss the spare tire well, which can become rusted if a heavy amount of water is in the trunk.

Under the hood, untreated bolts and screws will also show rust, despite a dealer’s best efforts. All of these examples should be red flags, Myers said.

Then there are the things you can’t see.

Robert Thomas, Director of Service at Frank Myers Auto Maxx, said water can damage the car’s on-board computer, which can cause the diagnostic system to malfunction.

“It’s impossible to completely dry a car’s electrical components if it’s been submerged,” Thomas said.

Myers advised all buyers to get a complete vehicle history report, which would disclose if a car had ever been flooded. “All reputable car dealerships will give consumers a complete vehicle history report, such as Auto Check from Experian, for free.”

Failing to disclose damage to a vehicle is a misdemeanor in North Carolina, and it can also leave someone convicted of the offense open to civil action.

History Of Uncle Frank/Part 1 – Uncle Frank The Pioneer

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Uncle Frank The Pioneer

Here we see Uncle Frank Myers in 1854, shortly after he led the William Stolley family across the Great Plains to settle in the Nebraska Territory.  It was Frank who suggested the group set up their homestead at Grand Island and name it “Fort Independence,” after his first idea, “Independence Auto Maxx” was rejected.

Not only that, but his original plan to use the piece of land as the home of “Fort Independence Used Covered Wagons — Where Everybody Rides!” was also outvoted by the majority of the settlers.  Sadly, Uncle Frank went on his way, leaving Fort Independence and the Nebraska Territory without a reliable source of quality vehicles for many decades to come.

About Uncle Frank

Uncle Frank has lived many lives and has many stories to share. He currently resides in Winston Salem, NC where he spends his days as the Frank Myers Auto Maxx Mascot.

 

* Uncle Frank Sez: “All content in The History Of Uncle Frank is a mixture of parody, poor satire, and/or (very) lame humor. It is for entertainment purposes only.”