Northside Is Almost Here!

It's almost here! U.S. Automotive's brand new Northside store opens next week. Watch Facebook or this blog for fun "We Know Cars" trivia and tell all your friends to check us out. During our opening weeks, U.S. Automotive will make a donation to the Northside Betterment Association's Elementary School Attendance Program for each new Facebook "Like". See you after New Years!

Northside Sneak Peek Offer

Our Northside store opens Monday on Kearney and U.S. Automotive wants our Facebook friends to get our introductory savings first. Just print this coupon and redeem it at our West Sunshine or Nixa stores this week or save it for next week's Northiside opening. See you there!

Winterization Special

Frost on the windshield this morning?  It's time to protect your vehicle from the coming winter and you can trust U.S. Automotive to perform a thorough winterization inspection, including inspecting all belts and hoses, heater operation and brakes, and testing coolant strength and ph levels.  We'll even shuttle you free to your home or office while we ensure your vehicle is ready for holiday travel and winter's freeze.  Call or contact us online here for your appointment.  We'll even save you money with this special U.S. Automotive Winterization offer:

U.S. Automotive Scoots A Boot

What a blast we had at the Springfield Summit's Optimist Club Boot Kickin Fundraiser last night! Thanks to all those who came out to help support The Victim Center and to our own Angela, who worked hard to help make the night happen. And if you think U.S. Automotive is all work and no play--check out James in the photo. He beat out Ray, Terry and the rest of the players to take top ranking in the Boot Kickin Pool Tournament. Way to go, James!

Ask Patty--Female Friendly Auto Repair

If men are from mars and women are from venus, where do they get their spaceship serviced?  Everyone wants their ride fixed right, but there are differences between men and women (and viva le difference!).  Women are all too familiar with the condescending attitude of some shops, not to mention the dirty bathrooms and the lack of comfortable waiting areas.  So how can a woman find a female-friendly shop?  Ask Patty. 

Accessible online at askpatty.com, Ask Patty places certified female-friendly automotive service at your fingertips.   All dealerships and automotive service centers approved by Ask Patty have been rated for customer service, friendliness, product knowledge, quality of repair work and overall experience, with only the highest rated locations being awarded certification. 

In the Springfield area, only two automotive service locations have earned the designation as Ask Patty female-friendly.  And both locations are U.S. Automotive—one location in Springfield and one in Nixa.  No wonder they earned official sanction—U.S. Automotive has created clean and comfortable waiting areas at both locations, maintain well-scrubbed bathrooms, and offer free shuttle rides for busy moms.  Plus you’ll probably see a female face when you visit, as the service desks are usually “manned” by Heather in Nixa and Angela in Springfield. 

Wondering what real women have to say about U.S. Automotive’s female-friendly ranking?  Here’s a Yahoo review comment left by one customer:  “They were so good to me.  My car broke down, they had it towed in and then gave me a ride to work. When my car was ready they came and picked me up from work and brought me back to the shop. If you have never been to the shop you have to see it.  The place is the cleanest I have ever been to. Thank you U S Automotive for making what was a tough morning easier than I thought it could be!”

Girls Just Wanna Run

When they said Cox Women’s Health’s “Girls Just Wanna Run” race would happen rain or shine, nobody mentioned 100 degree temperatures.  But hundreds showed up Saturday, June 16th for Missouri’s largest women-only run/walk, and U.S. Automotive was proud to be there with them.

The Fun Before The Run started Friday afternoon at the Meyer Center, with registrants receiving gifts bags and goodies from the participating sponsors, and nobody had better giveaways than our team.  U.S. Automotive gave away four preventative maintenance packages valued at $550 each, including BG 4-part fuel injection/induction service, BG cooling system flush, BG power steering flush, oil service, tire rotation, $25 fuel card and complimentary 80 point vitals inspection.  Check out a few of the winners —

Winner Kim accepting her award from Fleet Sales Manager Ray Askren.

Cathy accepting her award the morning of the run from Ray and Nixa Store Mgr. Alan Quackenbush.

Despite the forecast, a cool breeze was blowing when the race started at 7:30 Saturday morning and the crowd gathering at the starting line looked ready for the 5K race.  U.S. Automotive’s Ray and Alan had the chase van idling.  Angie, a consultant with the Springfield store, was stretched and ready to run.  But where was Heather?

The starting whistle blew and they were off.

Check out Alan in the dark blue shirt behind the van.  He’s playing drill sergeant, calling to the ladies to MOVE IT!  And then he moved it, taking chase with the U.S. Automotive van at the rear of the race to pick up any walkers or runners who might have needed assistance.



Or maybe it wasn’t the rear of the race.  That’s Angie and Heather below.  Sometimes Girls Just Wanna Run.  And sometimes Girls Just Wanna Stroll.

The Road Warrior’s Authorized Service

If your job description includes a whole lot of windshield time, chances are your car is not only a company car but it’s also your primary office.  Pharmaceutical reps and other outside sales professionals depend on their vehicle for everything from transportation to file storage, and downtime for their vehicle can mean potential loss of income.

The U.S. Automotive fleet service program is dedicated to fleets of all sizes, including the road warrior’s single vehicle.  Their dedicated service is the same no matter how many vehicles you own or lease:

• Accessible hours—Monday-Friday, 7:30am-5:30pm.
• Convenient Locations—two locations in Springfield and Nixa.
• Shuttle service and pick-up and delivery available.
• Credit accounts available.
• Customized service plans.
• Two year, 24,000 mile warranty on parts on labor.
• Vehicle history maintenance report for each vehicle
• Complete 80 point vehicle inspection at each service
• Rental cars available at $14.95 per day (terms and conditions apply)
• Overnight indoor secure storage
• 24 hour towing

However, the most important benefit offered by U.S. Automotive is reliability.  All U.S. Automotive technicians receive 90-100 hours of continuing classroom education each year and are provided with state-of-the art equipment.  They can identify potential issues at each service and make repairs before a breakdown cancels your big presentation, and if your vehicle does become inoperable, U.S. Automotive has the expertise to quickly diagnose the problem and get you back on the road.

According to U.S. Automotive fleet service manager Ray Askren, many road warriors and fleet managers aren’t aware that they have a local option for automotive service and repair.  The national lease corporations which provide the lease vehicles often contract with national service brands with limited repair capabilities, but U.S. Automotive has developed the relationships necessary to become a full service and local authorized service location.  Currently we are authorized by the following plans:

• ARI Automotive Resources International
• Enterprise Fleet Maintenance
• LeasePlan
• Voyager Fleet Systems
• Donlen Corporation
• Wright Express
• PHH Arzal
• Wheels/Map
• GE Capital Fleet Services

To become a member of the U.S. Automotive Fleet Services program, call Ray Askren at 429-7455, our Nixa location at 725-3586 or our Springfield location at 865-9511

25 Years And Growing

You might say U.S. Automotive started with a rock.  Not just a single rock, but a 30 foot trailer full of them picked up one back-breaking rock at a time.  That’s how Terry Hyden learned the value of a job well done:  clearing fields with a friend as a teenager.  “The place I remember so well is Grant at WW and 13,” says Terry. “There were 30 acres and we picked all the rocks that would fit on the trailer—two trailers.  It took all day.  And we got ten dollars a day and we really thought that was something.”

There’s a lot to be said for working hard, but even more for working smart.  Terry had a good training ground for both attributes.  His father operated a salvage business for over 35 years, so when he wasn’t slinging rocks, Terry was helping his father in the business and learning everything he could about how an engine works.  When he opened U.S. Automotive in 1985, Terry made training and technology a cornerstone of his business, providing his certified technicians with state of the art equipment, information services and software.  Even as an owner, Terry continues to increase his knowledge and has become 1 of only 1480 Automotive Management Institute (AMI) graduates.  The training commitment is a major reason U.S. Automotive was awarded “Facility of the Year” by Automotive Service Association (ASA) for Missouri and Kansas in 2008.

Today U.S. Automotive has grown to serve customers with a combined 28 bays at their Springfield and Nixa stores.  In 2010 U.S. Automotive celebrated its 25th Anniversary and they did it Terry’s way—working hard to add more trained technicians, more diagnostic equipment, and a department dedicated to fleet sales and employee discount programs.  Apparently working hard is a pretty smart way to run a business.

U. S. Automotive Advances MPG Training

Even the best know they can be better.  This month U.S. Automotive Quackenbush showed their commitment to on-going training by attending a two-day Automotive Service Association (ASA) seminar on advanced diagnostic techniques.  The seminar, which was held May 18-19, focused on a vehicle’s drivability and MPG performance and included On-Board Diagnostics, Mode 6 and Advanced Lab Scope.

ASA has been a leading organization for owners and managers of automotive service businesses since 1951.  The organization provides education and resources with the mission of advancing professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry.  Hyden is the current ASA Springfield Vice President and serves on the executive committee of the Missouri/Kansas chapter, and Quackenbush serves as the ASA Mechanical Division Director.

All U. S. Automotive technicians are ASA trained and ASE Certified and receive additional training on the advanced equipment available to them at both U.S. Automotive’s Springfield and Nixa locations.  The U.S. Automotive team logged in a combined 260 educational hours in 2010 and have access to a world-wide brain trust of automotive knowledge through the International Automotive Technician’s Network (ATN).

Good Habits for Better M.P.G.

Does anyone really believe a magnet on the fuel tank can cut your gasoline bill by 20 percent? Forget the claims in those goofy product commercials—real mpg savings are as easy as good vehicle maintenance and a few sensible driving tips.

Drive Responsibly—

Everyone knows aggressive driving wastes gas. That lead foot on the accelerator and those jackrabbit starts can cost you in traffic tickets, vehicle wear-and-tear and increased gas consumption. Sensible driving can shave approximately 5 percent off your gas costs in high traffic in-town situations. Need more incentive to drive the way your mother always wanted you to drive? Obeying speed limits on the highway can lower your gas mileage by as much as 33 percent. Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph, with each 5 mph you drive above 60 mph costing you approximately 25 cents per gallon of gas. 

Get Rid of the Baggage

Is it really worth the extra gas cost to have your golf clubs ready at a moment’s notice? For every extra 100 pounds in your vehicle you can estimate an additional 2 percent added to your gas bill. Obviously the effect is less for heavier vehicles and greater for smaller vehicles, but removing recreational equipment, tools, and other excess weight from your cargo space can be a painless way to save.

Cruise Control & Gears

Modern cars have been engineered to save gas. Cruise control ensures your speed is maintained efficiently and overdrive gears reduce your rpms, but neither of these features can do their job unless you use them. 

Pay Attention to Your Vehicle

A dashboard light is frequently your first sign that something is wrong with your vehicle. Don’t ignore it, as neglected issues can cost you in excessive gas use and potential engine failure. At U.S. Automotive our expert technicians have the diagnostic equipment and training to restore your vehicle to its peak operating condition, and all repairs are 

guaranteed for three years or 36,000 miles.

Nixpo: The Nixa Team Gives Away The Store!

Bob Barker has nothing on Nixa’s own Alan Quackenbush. If you missed Nixpo at the Nixa High School, then you missed a chance at some big prizes from the U.S. Automotive booth. Hourly drawings included preventive maintenance packages, a driveline preventive maintenance package, and the grand prize of a weekend cabin getaway. Add it all up and our aspiring game show hosts gave away more than $2,000 in prizes! Plus the U.S. Automotive expert technicians were on hand to answer all of your automotive questions.

But it wasn’t all work and no play for our hometown team. Check out Alan, automotive consultant Heather Mlekush and fleet sales manager Ray Askren relaxing during a brief lull in the crowds. And if you ever imagined Alan as the shy, retiring type, just take a look at the paint job the Nixpo face painter did on his forehead. Guess he just wanted everyone to know it’s true—at U.S. Automotive we really do know cars.

See you next year at the Nixpo!