Jims Automotive

Jim Gibson

Jim Gibson, my mentor, my boss, and most of all my friend, passed away this morning

What traditions are you looking forward to this year?

If you plan on traveling this month it's always good to be prepared for cold weather conditions. Call Jim's Automotive to schedule your next preventative maintenance service.

Share your favorite cookie recipe below and check out the comments. Maybe you'll find a new favorite!

Not exactly. Tire rotation should be performed every 5,000 to 8,000 miles, which also coincides with the typical oil change recommendation, so the easiest way to ensure this happens is to get both done at the same time.

Mice are attracted to the warmth and seclusion that a car offers. Add to this food particles and paper for nesting, and your car turns into a desirable residence for rodents. The key to ousting them is twofold - removing their access and cutting off their food supply. In case of a severe infestation, you might need professional pest control service but here are few things you can do yourself:
1. Clean your vehicle thoroughly
2. Seal up any entry points
3. Use traps
4. Use repellants
5. Avoid leaving your vehicles unattended for long periods of time.

Comment below with something you're thankful for today!

Jim's Automotive hopes you have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving Holiday.

Keeping your vehicle in top condition is both a good way to avoid being forced to dive into the car market and a good way to increase its value if you do decide to trade up. Bonus Tip: Call Jim's Automotive today to schedule a tune up!

If you've got a big crowd to feed next Thursday, today might be the day to make space in your fridge! According to the USDA, you should allocate 24 hours of thaw time in the refrigerator for every 4-5 pounds of turkey.

Driving as little as possible after dark is safety tip number one. But sometimes, especially when the days grow shorter, that simply isn't an option. To maximize your vision:
1. Use your brights at night in almost all cases, except when there are oncoming cars.
2. Don't economize. When buying a new or used car, look for models with top-rated headlights.
3. When given a choice, opt for the best headlights available.
4. If your car is several years old, consider getting your headlights and casings replaced.
5. Keep your windshield and headlights cleaned, for obvious reasons.
6. Reset the illumination levels of your dashboard lights and any in-car screens to low. Bright light inside makes it harder to see outside.

Maintaining your vehicle's battery can help prolong its life and prevent future dead battery issues. Here are some tips to keep your battery in top shape.

On behalf of everyone at Jim's Automotive, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of the men and women who have faithfully served in the US Military. Happy Veterans Day.

As cooler weather approaches, weak or dead batteries are a common cause of starting problems. While dead batteries are a relatively easy fix that don't usually require a visit to our shop, there are some other issues that can keep your vehicle from starting up as normal and may require professional assistance.

If the head gasket fails, it can result in coolant leaks, oil leaks, or cylinder leaks. Depending on the severity, the results may simply be an annoyance or may prevent the engine from running efficiently, if at all. If you start to notice any of these signs call Jim's Automotive at 703-931-9431 today and let us take a look!

There's nothing worse than getting into your vehicle and being confronted with a terrible smell. Opening your windows on your drive or covering the scent with an air freshener may help temporarily, but actually eliminating the odor will require a deep cleaning. Here are some potential ways to deodorize your vehicle and make it smell great again.

Do you see or experience any of these indicators of shock or strut problems? Not sure? Bring your vehicle to us and we'll take care of it for you.

November is National Gratitude Month. We're thankful at Jim's Automotive for our incredible customers. How about you?

The scary reality is that according to a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, Halloween has historically been one of the deadliest days of the year for pedestrians, especially children. Here are few ways drivers can help keep the everyone safer this year.

We love helping our customers with their vehicles, but we also look forward to a relaxing, fun, or productive weekend. What are your plans for the weekend?

Vehicle maintenance does more than just save you money. Call Jim's Automotive at 703-931-9431 today to make an appointment.

Deciding on a vehicle is a big decision for new parents. It is important to have something that is safe, something that will last, and can meet your current and future needs.

Severe weather, rainfall and flooding can definitely take their toll on car owners. After a big storm event, even if your vehicle hasn't been flooded or completely covered in water, we recommend checking for damage due to water intrusion or contamination. These tips are also useful tips for ensuring that you don't unknowingly purchase a previously flooded vehicle.

Don't underestimate the importance of your belts. Bring your ride into Jim's Automotive today and we'll inspect them for you.

National Teen Driver Safety Week seeks to raise awareness and find ways to prevent teen injuries and deaths on the road. Here are a few tips for keeping your teen driver safe on the road:
- Periodically reiterate the rules of the road and your family's specific rules.
- Talk about the dangers of distracted driving and driving under the influence.
- Take a ride with them every now and then to ensure they follow the traffic rules.
- Consider enrolling them in a defensive driving course.
- Keep in mind that vehicles with advanced safety features such as airbags, electronic stability control, and crash avoidance technology (blind-spot detection, lane departure warnings, etc.) will help to keep teen drivers safer.

It's Friday the 13th. What are your driving superstitions?

Normally, you're going to see some sparks and may even feel a surge of electrical current. This is because the reverse polarity causes the current to flow in the opposite direction, which can lead to damage or even personal injury.

Connecting the cables backwards can also damage the vehicle?s electrical system and the battery itself. As a result, you might experience malfunctions in different components or a dead battery that won?t take a charge.

While all this information might sound scary, modern vehicles often have built-in safeguards to prevent significant damage. Nevertheless, you?ll always want to double-check the connections before jumping your car to avoid any potential mishaps.

Been there...

Now used whenever you want to get things moving (literally or figuratively), the phrase developed in the early 1900s as a reference to traveling circuses or other entertainment acts.