Black is the tried and true color for tires. Have you ever wondered if it’s a design choice or if there’s something more to it? The experts at Milex Complete Auto Care have the answer.   Car Color Trends Prince’s song, “Little Red Corvette,” launched his pop music career, and the black Dodge Charger in “The Fast and the Furious,” is iconic. The color of a car plays a major role in purchasing decisions. Whether car buyers are influenced by popular culture or personal preference, a car’s paint job can make or break a sale. The decision on the color of a vehicle depends on personal taste, maintenance, heat absorption, and cost. People often choose neutral colors such as white, gray, or black, to maintain the vehicle’s resale value.   Color is not the only deciding factor. People focus on price, gas mileage, safety features, and reputation when they are shopping for a car. In fact, Generation Z ranks gas ... read more

Among the many things that require routine maintenance on our vehicles are spark plugs.   If your mechanic says you need new spark plugs and you don’t understand why, the explanation of their importance may sound like a second language. Maybe you’d like to speak the language of your mechanic and have a sense of what spark plugs are and why they need to be in good working order.  So, if you’re of the mindset that it can’t never hurt to learn a little about car maintenance, here’s your spark plug tutorial. Why spark plugs are important.
Your car won’t start without them. Why your car won’t start without spark plugs.
Here’s how the process works. A spark plug sends an electrical signal from the ignition coil. Spark plugs were well named because a spark is created, and that spark ignites the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber – and the engine begins

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It’s always fun to drive a new car off the lot.
It’s not always fun to pay for it.
In fact, paying for a car is unfortunately getting less enjoyable, for a variety of reasons. Cars are getting more expensive. According to the Kelley Blue Book, the average price of a new passenger vehicle jumped 3 percent in the last year, to $33,845. And, again, that’s just the average. Many people spend far more on a new car. It’s taking us longer to pay off our cars. Last year, an analysis from Edmunds.com revealed that drivers are now spending more than ever in history to pay off their loans. The average length of time to pay off a car

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Catching a problem early is the best way to help prevent long-term damage. This is true of many things. For example, if you roll your ankle, you should ice it, elevate it and take some time to rest as soon as possible. Failure to do so could lead to a more serious, long-lasting injury.  When it comes to your car, the same holds true. By addressing problems early, you’ll likely increase the life of your car and save yourself some money in the process.  You just need to keep an eye out for warning signs that your car may not be running properly. Battery Trouble
One of the most common car problems is an aging or defective battery. Typically, a car battery should be replaced every three years or so. After four or five years, the majority of car batteries will become unreliable. If you find your car will crank, but not start, that’s a good indicator that it
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As frigid temperatures around most of the country whisked out last year and welcomed in 2018, we are reminded of the importance of taking care of our cars in these freezing conditions.  Just as you might have made the resolution to lead a healthier lifestyle, pledge your loyalty to your vehicle this new year with routine maintenance and these need-to-know winter car care tips from Milex Complete Auto Care. Coolant
Coolant, which is a mixture of antifreeze and water, is extremely important as it keeps your vehicle’s engine from freezing in cold temperatures and reduces corrosion. It is recommended that coolant be flushed and refilled every two years, but this may vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Be sure to check coolant levels and examine your engine for potential leaks early in the season. Remember, a 50/50 blend of antifreeze
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With the new year, many business owners begin comparing year-to-year sales figures, and some independent auto repair shops don’t necessarily like what they’re seeing. Are your sales stagnant? Or worse yet, did your sales drop? Maybe you’re having trouble keeping reliable help. If you already own an auto shop and performance hasn’t been meeting your expectations, we urge you to consider the Moran Family of Brands. The Moran Family of Brands is more than just an auto repair franchise; it’s a one-stop shop that can provide you with opportunities to expand and grow your business while offering trusted “one-stop” service for your community’s car care needs. In fact, we are one of the leading franchisors in the automotive aftermarket industry. So, if sales have been stagnant or if you’re looking for a way to expand your business, cons ... read more

As the weather gets colder, you'll likely see your car run less efficiently, so make the most of your mileage and hit the road. From weather conditions to driving habits, these factors can add up to a big drop in mileage. Winter Is Tough on Your Vehicle Cold weather means cold engines. As the temperature outside lowers, it will affect your car and the temperature of your engine as it sits in the driveway or garage. That means when you start your car it will take longer for the engine to heat up to the optimal performance temperature. When running below optimal temperature, the engine uses fuel less efficiently. Your battery performance may also struggle in colder weather. As a result, you may find your alternator has to work harder to keep the battery charged. This means your car is not running as efficiently as it may have in warmer months. During the fall, your tire pressure light m ... read more

The spirit of the holiday season is about more than presents, food and family. The holidays are also a time when we help those who are less fortunate than us. This time of year can be an especially difficult time for families with low incomes or those reeling from a sudden turn in their fortunes. When the holiday spirit moves you to help, it can pay to listen. Mr. Transmission/Milex franchisee Ronnie Weiss has been doing exactly that for more than 25 years. Ronnie has become a fixture in the Houston community not just for his automotive expertise, but for his generous spirit toward his neighbors. He recently assisted a local horse trainer with transmission repairs on her car after health and financial difficulties left her unable to work and pay for the service. We caught up with him ... read more

With each new light on the dash, we hold our breath as the thought of expensive bills flashes through our minds. As a car owner, preventative engine maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to keep your vehicle healthy and your wallet happy. Although it’s not always black and white when it comes to our finely tuned machines, technicians at Milex Complete Auto Care share some of the more obvious signs that your vehicle may be experiencing engine damage. Check Engine Light You may be patiently waiting in the carpool line when an immediate anxious moment hits every vehicle owner; your check engine light illuminates. We all know that dreadful feeling when our stomach sinks and we can only hope the light is informing us of a loose gas cap. As unnerving as it may be, an illuminated check engine light is a useful tool to inform you of pot ... read more

In honor of Veterans Day, Moran Family of Brands would like to salute the 15 franchise owners in our system who served in the military. We are also proud to announce Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Mr. Transmission/Milex Complete Auto Care as one of the top franchises for veterans. The magazine based its ranking on each company’s veteran incentive, support by the company in the franchise-buying process, and the company’s ranking in the 2017 Franchise 500, the magazine’s yearly assessment on the health and growth potential of the country’s best franchises (Mr. Transmission/Milex Complete Auto Care ranked #474). George Kok is an example of a Moran franchise owner who has successfully transitioned from military service to civilian life. Kok purchased a Mr. Transmission/Milex auto repair store in Louisville ... read more