If you have ever been driving around town and noticed the sensation of your car shaking, there are some steps you can take before making a pit stop at a repair shop.   Your car requires a lot of parts to run efficiently. A single car has more than 30,000 parts, and it’s normal for some parts to wear down over time. Regular maintenance is key to ensuring your car runs smoothly and gets you from Point A to Point B. Many experts recommend getting your vehicle serviced every six months but use the owner’s manual in your car as a guide, according to the American Automobile Association.   Shaking is often one of the first clues that your car requires attention. However, there are a wide variety of reasons your car could be shakin ... read more

As the temperature drops and meteorologists start to predict snow, Milex Complete Auto Care encourages customers to winterize your electric vehicle to keep it running at peak performance and stay safe on the roads.   Americans have purchased 1.6 million electric vehicles since they hit the market in 2010, according to the U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The new line of electric vehicles are sporty, environmentally friendly, and run quietly. Many new electric vehicles can drive longer before requiring recharging, versus earlier models, according to ... read more

Seattle transplants Matt and Debra Boily are settling into life in the Midwest as they open their first Mr. Transmission/Milex Complete Auto Care store in Columbus, Ohio.   In addition to their new location, the pair signed a franchise agreement with Moran Family of Brands to add two additional units in the area in 2022 and 2024.   Matt Boily spent the first 10 years of his career as an auto mechanic before joining Cessna Aircraft Company. During his more than 18-year tenure at Cessna, Boily held numerous roles in executive management. He also served for nearly five years as director of operations at Aerospace AMT, where he ran a $165 million revenue company. The couple, who made the move to the Midwest to be closer to their family, is committed to establishing a successful business in the Columbus, Ohio, area while creating a family-friendly atmosphere at their locations.   “Columbus is a market we have ta ... read more

Before you potentially hit the open road to visit family for Thanksgiving, Mr. Transmission and Milex Complete Auto Care have some tips to keep your family safe this holiday season.   As COVID-19 numbers spike throughout the United States, Americans are changing their typical Thanksgiving travel plans and creating new traditions. Many states are limiting the number of people allowed to gather in one place to help flatten the curve, and the Centers for Disease Control recommends families enjoy virtual Thanksgiving celebrations. If people do choose to celebrate with family, the CDC recommends eating outdoors, wearing masks, and frequent handwashing. The American Automobile Association estimates a decr ... read more

Setting teens up for success by teaching them some common car repairs and safety precautions will help ensure young and inexperienced drivers stay safe on the roadways.   Parenting teenagers comes with its own unique set of challenges as young adults struggle to establish their identity and gain some independence. Teens are doing their best to manage expectations during the pandemic. They are coping with remote school, isolation and canceled sporting events. Despite this unique year, one of the biggest milestones for any teen is still getting their driver’s license.   The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hosted National Teen Driver Safety Week the week of October 18 this year. Parents can be the biggest influencers on teens’ choices behind the wheel, NHTSA reports. As a result, th ... read more

Combining stellar customer service skills with operating experience gleaned over a 25-year tenure as a Moran Family of Brands franchisee, enabled Al Martin to win the coveted Milex Franchisee of the Year Award for a second time.   Diagnosing problems correctly, making sure not to overcharge, and employing skilled technicians helped Martin become a star in the Moran Family of Brands franchise system. As part of his effort to provide customers with high-quality service, he has a policy of acknowledging repair mistakes. Honesty and working with integrity are central components of his business philosophy.   Martin operated a Multistate Transmission store in Naperville, Illinois, for 20 years before adding Milex Complete Auto Care to become a co-branded operation in 2015. His business was so successful that he was named franchisee of the year one year later. In addition to operating his co-branded shop, Martin serves on Moran’s Franchise Advisory Alliance, which serves a ... read more

Ever wonder how you’re able to have clean, fresh air inside your vehicle for an entire trip, with all the windows up? Most motorists and passengers never think about how they are able to breathe clean air while inside a vehicle. The cabin air filter is something many take for granted or are not aware of at all. However, it is something that should be checked and replaced when necessary. Otherwise, the health of those inside the car may be at risk, the HVAC system will struggle to operate properly (which can cause damage to your engine as well), and unpleasant odors may fill the inside, among other problems. What is the Cabin Air Filter? Helping protect people inside the car from contaminants, the cabin air filter is a key component of a vehicle’s heating and cooling system. As air conditioning and heating systems draw air from the outside, the cabin air filter helps extract harmf ... read more

How to Maintain an Electric Vehicle What we know as electric cars today are a relatively recent phenomenon, though the roots of electric cars goes all the way back to the 1820s, with the first “electric vehicle” debuting in the United States around the late 1880s. Electric cars looked to be the hot new mode of transport until Henry Ford’s Model T took the nation by storm. The 1970s saw a rebirth of the concept, and today the technology has made traveling in an electric vehicle fully feasible. However, many motorists familiar only with combustion-engine cars and trucks, who are considering their first purchase of an electric car, have questions.   Pros and Cons of Electrics Electric vehicles (EVs) have become an attractive alternative to gas-powered vehicles, for a number of reasons. They are b ... read more

What People Should Know About Brake Systems   Brakes are the unsung hero of the car. Stepping on the accelerator and moving down the road is the fun part and gets all the glory, but even more important is the ability to stop or slow down. Effective braking is something we take for granted—until it’s too late. Thankfully, brakes are good about giving warning signs when they are wearing, indicating that it’s time for a refresh. Understanding how different types of braking systems work is a good foundation for knowing when it’s time. Each braking system comprises different parts that work together to brake safely.   How Do Braking Systems Work? When you press the brake pedal, you activate a cylinder, which sends brake fluid to your brake calipers, to engage your brake pads. The brake pads apply pressure to your rotors. The resulting friction is what slows ... read more

Summer of Gridlock: More Driving Around Town Means More Wear and Tear Many aspects of American society are re-opening. Droves of workers are returning from working remotely to working in offices or at job sites. People are taking vacations and visiting family and friends. But many of those people who are out and about again to commute to work are avoiding mass transportation, and the impact of that is substantial in many ways. Traffic expert and former New York City Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz—who coined the term “gridlock”—predicts an unprecedented level of traffic. Significant numbers of commuters in metro areas will choose to drive instead of take buses and trains where they could be too close for comfort with other passengers. Gas prices are low right now, adding addi ... read more