Posted on 12/1/2022
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash Keeping Christmas Alive All Year ‘Round The holiday season is a time for gift-giving and celebrating with family, but it also feels like an opportunity to refocus our lives on what matters. Sometimes that can be hard when we get caught up in all the busyness of December and January. Luckily, we have ideas on how you can make the Christmas spirit last all year long! Remain Generous One of the most significant pieces of the holiday season is giving. We spend hours upon hours looking for the perfect gift for someone and wrap things up in beautiful little boxes even after. Giving is a way to express gratitude, show love, spread good cheer, and make the world a better place. Giving is also something that can be done year-round. Remain generous! Have A Gratitude Practice A great way to ensure that Christmas doesn't disappear is b ... read more
Posted on 8/31/2022
Photo by Angiola Harry on Unsplash What We Love About Brakes for Breasts Throughout October, Service Plus is giving away FREE quality brake pads or shoes as part of our annual fundraising effort to find a cure for Breast Cancer. We do this each year in partnership with the Brakes for Breasts non-profit, an incredible organization we are honored to work with. In the past, it’s been a successful and moving event, as we are always so happy to see the community come together for a good cause! There’s so many things to love about Brakes for Breasts, and though this campaign doesn’t start until next month, we wanted to prep all of our customers for what’s sure to be an exciting 30 days. If you have brake maintenance on your list coming up, consider joining us for this special event! This campaign goes nationally, and we are proud to participate ... read more
Posted on 7/31/2022
Photo by CDC on Unsplash School’s starting soon, and you’re probably already knee-deep in school supply lists. But have you thought about your back-to-school supply list? Yes, it includes sandwich bags and new lunch boxes and possibly an extra strong brew of coffee to get through those first few drop-offs–but what about your car’s list? Below, we discuss a few things you should consider gifting your vehicle to prep for the back-to-school season. New Windshield Wipers Rain is coming soon, and winter snow after that… may be the best time to get some new windshield wipers! When choosing new windshield wipers, replace them with ones that fit your vehicle. If you do not know what type of wiper blades will fit on your car or truck, many auto parts stores will be able to assist you in selecting the correct blades for your vehicle. While checking the co ... read more
Posted on 6/30/2022
This July, we are excited to celebrate 30 years in business. From 1992 - to 2022, our family-owned auto repair business has proudly served our community, and we are honored to continue top-notched service for many more years! When Don and Sharon Peck & a partner, started our business in July 1992, they leased a two-bay old gas station and added a 3rd bay. They quickly realized that the building and lot were not big enough for their business and started the planning process for the existing location today. Ground broke for our current facility in the spring of 2001, and we opened for business on July 1, 2001. It was then when Don’s daughter, Jennifer, joined the company after graduating from college with a BS in Business Management and working as an HR Manager at a large New Car Dealer about 50 miles away. At that time, Service Plus Auto offered used car sales and auto repair. After the recession and cash for clunkers in 2006-2007, the used car business became ch ... read more
Posted on 6/1/2022
Photo by Philipp Katzenberger on Unsplash Staying Cool (check that AC) Summer is finally here, and most of us are gearing up for fun summer activities. When we think of summer activities, we think of road trips, beach trips, and fun vacations. However, one thing we tend to forget about is the status of our cars' air conditioning. We all love the safety of going in our cars during the summer to cool off from the heat. Luckily, our AC systems are pretty easy to maintain and receive service. We have compiled a list of signs that your car's AC system should be serviced to help you have the best summer! The Signs Your Car AC Needs Service Unusual Noises If your car's AC is making any unusual noise that it wasn't making before, that is a warning sign that it needs service. The most common AC noises are humming, banging, or rattling. These noises ... read more
Posted on 5/1/2022
Photo by Tim Missholder on Unsplash How Fluid Exchanges can save your car’s life! When we think of protecting our assets, one asset that often slips our mind is our cars. Our cars are meant to last years and years as long as we properly maintain them with preventative measures. The best way to keep your car running in good shape is to have your car's fluids in check at all times. If you are the type of person that needs some tips on the best ways to do some preventative measures to extend the life of your car, we are here to help! Which Fluids Are Important? Engine Oil: The first oil we think is important for you to know about is your engine oil. In general, this oil should be replaced every 3,000 miles. There are some exceptions such as synthetics and blends that extend the mile range for this rule. Know which you are getting so you don't end up spend ... read more
Posted on 4/1/2022
Photo by Matthew Dockery on Unsplash National Vehicle Maintenance Month and Your Car Spring is here, and with the warmer weather comes new opportunities to explore more in your vehicle. It can sometimes be easy to forget that it needs preparation for the warm months ahead when it comes to your car. April is known as National Vehicle Maintenance Month, and we want to help you figure out what that means for you and your vehicle. Your car is a valuable asset that should be maintained to the best of your abilities. If your car is well maintained, it will reward you with less expensive maintenance visits and longer life. We want to recommend the best ways to maintain your car this National Vehicle Maintenance Month! Our Best Tips ... read more
Posted on 3/1/2022
Photo by Neal E. Johnson on Unsplash Planning your first major road trip in years Spring is a season that brings in new life and new adventures. When it comes to planning a trip with friends and family, most people love the idea of going on a road trip. People love road trips because they are fun and you get to explore different parts of the world on your terms. But, what some people fail to realize is that planning a road trip takes some preparation. We all love the idea of taking our cars and hitting the road. Hitting the road without preparation is not a good idea because it can lead you stranded if your vehicle is not maintained correctly or if you don't have what you need inside your car. Tips For a Successful Road Trip Check your car: If your vehicle isn't in its optimal state, it can be dangerous to make a road trip. However, there are easy wa ... read more
Posted on 2/1/2022
Photo by Christopher Beloch on Unsplash When Valentine's Day is around the corner, we sometimes begin to panic. Having a great and romantic Valentine's Day is about planning and creating new memories with your partner. Calcium, New York, is our home at Service Plus Automotive. We believe living here is great, and we want to share with you a couple of places that we think would be romantic getaways for Valentine's Day. Black River Drive-in Theater: This drive-in theater is a retro throwback to how people go on dates and is a great place to stir up romance! We recommend going here as it is affordable and fun. The Escape Works: If you seek adventure this Valentine's Day, we recommend The Escape Works located in Watertown. So what is an escape room? Escape rooms are a fun date idea because it is a physical adventure game in which you a ... read more
Posted on 1/1/2022
Photo by Jonas Leupe on Unsplash You might have heard of electric self-driving vehicles. In the past several year's many shows, movies, public figures, and especially tech giants have said that they would become the norm in society. Many car companies, such as Tesla, have placed a massive bet that self-driving cars would become essential in a technologically progressing society. So what can self-driving cars do for us? One benefit of self-driving cars is that they are equipped with technology commonly referred to as Artificial Intelligence. The vehicles use this Artificial Intelligence to make split-second decisions on the driver's behalf to decide the best outcome intelligently. They do this with assistance with a mixture of sensors, radar, GPS, laser beams, and cameras. In the ideal state of self-driving cars, there would be no need for any human ... read more