Sessions on boosting the bottom line, ramping up revenue, increasing customer leads and learning best practices all kept Honest-1 Auto Care franchisees captivated during the company’s recent convention at the widely acclaimed Carefree Resort and Conference Center in Carefree, Ariz.

For three days, company leaders from the home office, national vendors and some top performing franchisees led informative seminars, case-based exercises and panel discussions that educated franchise owners and area representatives on successful business strategies to attract more customers and pump up profits at their shops.

In addition, Honest-1 Auto Care honored several franchise owners for business excellence, including:

“Developer of the Year”: Jim Henkel of Minneapolis, Minn.
“Franchisee of the Year”: Steve Grimes of Portland, Ore.
“2010 Highest Annual Sales”: Jim Henkel
“Highest One Week Car Count”: Bob and Kris Silvester of Provo, Utah
“Excellence in Customer Service Award”: Bob and Kris Silvester of Provo, Utah and Robert Campbell of St. George, Utah
“2010 Highest Single Week Sales”: Jim Henkel
“Image Award”: Steve Grimes
“Most Improved Performance”: Dan Morris of South Daytona, Fla.
“Rookie of the Year”: Matt Sederstrom of Eagan, Minn.
“Highest One Week ARO”: Rich Margo of North Las Vegas, Nev.
“2010 BOA Members”: Robert Campbell, Jim Henkel, Barry Cade (Kent, Wash.) and Jeremy Williams (Albuquerque, NM):
“2010 Ad Fund Committee”: Jim Henkel, Dan Morris, Mark Porcelli (Middlesex, NJ) and Steve Grimes

“We were thorough in our evaluation and although it was close for many of them, nobody was more deserving than these award winners. I am so pleased to give these recipients awards for their continued success as part of the Honest-1 Auto Care family,” said Jack Keilt, president and CEO of Honest-1 Auto Care. “It’s truly an honor to see such diligent business leaders at the annual convention who are making a difference in the communities they serve. They all put in so much effort to make the brand what it is today.”This year’s convention sponsor, Carquest, earned the “2010 Vendor of the Year” award. Honest-1 partners with Carquest and other leading vendors in the industry to further enhance its quality and service offerings to consumers.

Honest-1 Auto Care® is the only national full-service auto care company that is 100% ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly. Honest-1® leads the industry in numerous eco-friendly initiatives including strict recycling of automotive materials, pollution prevention, resource conservation and offering Eco-Friendly Auto Care® services such as the ECO TuneUp® and ECO Oil Change. In addition to its high environmental standards, Honest-1® has a very unique customer centric approach to the auto care industry providing centers which are family-friendly, characterized by clean and upscale waiting areas, Internet cafes, children’s play areas, comfortable leather chairs and couches, big screen TVs and complimentary beverage stations. With 22 locations operating, Honest-1® plans to open 10 more locations nationwide in the next year. Honest-1® was ranked 338 in Entrepreneur magazine’s 2011 “Franchise 500.

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Affordable pre-packaged safety kits can be purchased at practically any tire store and most discount department stores. The best include an air compressor powered by a cigarette lighter or power port, a flashlight, jumper cables, reflectors, a spare lug wrench, first aid kit, and even a collapsible shovel.

With a quick trip to any dollar discount store you can also add other inexpensive items that can really make a difference during a winter driving emergency. Get creative and prepare a second “personalized safety kit” that includes gloves, a rain poncho, energy bars, a bottle of anti-icing windshield washer fluid and maybe even a blanket that features your friend or family member’s favorite college or professional sport team’s name and logo. You might also add a cell phone car cord or charger, one that fits into a cigarette lighter or power port, just in case a friend or family member’s cell phone runs out of power during a wintertime emergency.

A friendly reminder to visit a local tire shop to help ensure their vehicle is ready for winter can also help eliminate an emergency phone call to you on a late, bone-chilling winter night.

Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certified technicians at most tire shops will conduct a free multi-point safety inspection to help ensure the vehicle is prepared for winter driving. They’ll inspect the engine, major mechanical and electrical components, check filters, fluids and the coolant level, and also inspect the headlamps, signal lights, windshield/rear window wipers and windshield washer system. Those are wintertime safety items most drivers often forget to inspect. They’re also the ones that are the most troublesome to repair or correct on a sub-zero winter morning.

ASE Certified technicians will also check tires for snow traction. To have adequate traction in snow, tread depth should be at least 6/32-inch deep. Most new all-season passenger car tires usually have 10/32-inch of tread. So, if a vehicle is equipped with all-season tires, snow or winter tires may be recommended. They’re clearly marked with a “snowflake on the mountain symbol” on the sidewall to signify they meet a tire-industry standard for snow traction.

No discussion of wintertime driving would be complete without mentioning a few driving tips. If you’re a winter driving veteran or facing your first winter in Michigan or Ohio, remember: Be prepared: Winter weather can be unpredictable. Visit your local tire store and have your vehicle inspected by ASE Certified Technicians to ensure it’s ready to safely handle wintertime driving conditions. Slow down: Slippery roads make even the smallest mistake happen more quickly and more dramatically. Don’t think anti-lock brakes, stability control systems or other vehicle systems will keep it from happening. Driving too fast is the most common cause of winter driving errors. Maintain a safe distance: Maintaining a safe distance between you and the car ahead may give you added stopping distance needed to avoid a rear-end collision on icy or snow-covered streets. Watch for black ice: Black ice, also called glare ice, is one of winter’s worst driving hazards. It’s nearly transparent and often looks like a harmless puddle. Remember, if the road ahead looks slick, it probably is. Remember rough spots: Ice often remains on bridges and intersections long after the rest of the road is clear. Snow also sticks longer in shaded areas. Look ahead, remember rough spots and be prepared to handle possible slippery corners and intersections before you arrive at them.

So, forget the traditional holiday tie, turtleneck sweater or fruit cake. An auto safety kit and a friendly reminder to visit a local tire store to help ensure their vehicle is ready for winter driving might be the most thoughtful gifts you can give anyone on your holiday shopping list. And, by remembering a few important wintertime driving tips, you’ll also be around to share many more holiday seasons with them.

People have trusted Belle Tire for the best value since 1922. Now we’re working even harder to bring you the best tire price, period! And get you Out-The-Door with More… more value, services and protection the other stores can’t offer at any price!  Find out more at: http://www.belletire.com

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is an established auto insurance service provider where you can find a number of insurance coverage for your various needs. If you are in need of or any other kind of insurance policy, you can approach the Las Vegas insurance company. Truck insurance is also provided by the insurance company as one of the insurance coverage. They offer attractive to help the clients take advantage of the insurance policies. They give you a detailed description of what type of truck insurance coverage will be ideal for you.

The agents are well informed about the various insurance policies. While providing truck insurance, the insurance company first checks all the safety measures of the vehicle before granting a policy. Only when the truck pass the safety test, is it deemed suitable for an insurance policy. They check that all the various parts of the vehicle such as lighting and reflectors, front fog lamps, electronics and brakes are in good working condition. Only after a complete analysis they put forward a to the customers.

company believes in providing insurance policies according to the personal needs of the customers. They consult the clients about their requirements and needs and depending on that, they chart out such plans which would be beneficial for the customers. Trucks are used for both commercial and personal purposes and it is always advisable to have your trucks insured. The Las Vegas insurance company takes care that the clients can get good at lower premium which would be helpful for them. Just as is so much a necessity for everyone truck insurance is also important in the same manner.is located in the city making it more convenient for the local people to avail of the insurance money as fast as possible in case any calamity strike. Other than truck insurance and they also offer otherinsurancecoverage such as automobile insurance, motorcycle insurance and recreational vehicle insurance. They also offer other coverage such as medical coverage, collision coverage, deductible options, comprehensive coverage, rental car reimbursement and liability coverage. The insurance company welcomes the people to reap the benefits of their insurance policies and also enjoy the attractive .

During the holiday seasons or any season in particular, there is no way that parties and family gatherings would be avoided. This is the only season and time of the year wherein one person could see and be in touch with their families and loved ones. Along with those gatherings are mouth-watering dishes and of course some liquor – that, is something that could never be avoided.

This to remind everyone that drunk driving is something that should always be avoided. Here’s a tip. For people who are aware that they gathering that he/she will be attending involve drinking brandy, wine, or any type of liquor, it is important that there is someone that will drive going back, and someone that will not drink at the same time. Even though auto insurance is available, it doesn’t necessarily mean that people have to be reckless and take advantage of it.

Auto insurance policies are there just in case of accidents. Their part is to insure and pay for the damages that the accident has caused, and people’s responsibilities in return are to pay for the monthly premiums and at the same time, stay safe and be responsible enough to know the do’s and don’ts of driving.

For sure, auto insurance companies would cover the costs of the damage that has been done, but there is no reason to drive while drunk. Like mentioned earlier, if an anticipated gathering would involve drinking, there are few tips that most auto insurance companies prefer:

Do not drink too much. Be able to control self. For people whose tolerance for alcohol is low, they are already matured enough to know their limitations.
Friends do not leave and let their drunken friends drive. As much as possible, if there is a friend intoxicated with alcohol obviously cannot drive, it is better to call a cab or simply get the car keys and be kind enough to drive him/her home.
If the venue of the party is quite far from your residence, it would be better to stay in a nearby hotel or motel and let the night pass by. It is better to stay safe and spend money for renting a small room rather than driving drunk, and be more prone with accidents.
Auto insurance company are aware that most of these accidents would likely occur during the holiday season. Because of the incidents reported, they made sure that no one will abuse and take advantage of the auto insurance policies that most drivers have, thus, increasing the amount of monthly premiums.

Auto insurance companies are there to help everyone out and make sure that their vehicles would stay insured (as long as the policy covers the damage). However, it is the driver’s own responsibility and top priority to stay safe at all times. Auto insurance policies cover unwanted accidents – and not accidents because of someone’s carelessness. Remember, it is better to be safe rather than to be sorry.

During the holiday seasons or any season in particular, there is no way that parties and family gatherings would be avoided. This is the only season and time of the year wherein one person could see and be in touch with their families and loved ones. Along with those gatherings are mouth-watering dishes and of course some liquor – that, is something that could never be avoided.

This to remind everyone that drunk driving is something that should always be avoided. Here’s a tip. For people who are aware that they gathering that he/she will be attending involve drinking brandy, wine, or any type of liquor, it is important that there is someone that will drive going back, and someone that will not drink at the same time. Even though auto insurance is available, it doesn’t necessarily mean that people have to be reckless and take advantage of it.

Auto insurance policies are there just in case of accidents. Their part is to insure and pay for the damages that the accident has caused, and people’s responsibilities in return are to pay for the monthly premiums and at the same time, stay safe and be responsible enough to know the do’s and don’ts of driving.

For sure, auto insurance companies would cover the costs of the damage that has been done, but there is no reason to drive while drunk. Like mentioned earlier, if an anticipated gathering would involve drinking, there are few tips that most auto insurance companies prefer:

Do not drink too much. Be able to control self. For people whose tolerance for alcohol is low, they are already matured enough to know their limitations.
Friends do not leave and let their drunken friends drive. As much as possible, if there is a friend intoxicated with alcohol obviously cannot drive, it is better to call a cab or simply get the car keys and be kind enough to drive him/her home.
If the venue of the party is quite far from your residence, it would be better to stay in a nearby hotel or motel and let the night pass by. It is better to stay safe and spend money for renting a small room rather than driving drunk, and be more prone with accidents.
Auto insurance company are aware that most of these accidents would likely occur during the holiday season. Because of the incidents reported, they made sure that no one will abuse and take advantage of the auto insurance policies that most drivers have, thus, increasing the amount of monthly premiums.

Auto insurance companies are there to help everyone out and make sure that their vehicles would stay insured (as long as the policy covers the damage). However, it is the driver’s own responsibility and top priority to stay safe at all times. Auto insurance policies cover unwanted accidents – and not accidents because of someone’s carelessness. Remember, it is better to be safe rather than to be sorry.

How a person acts in the society is basically the attitude that he has been taught at home.

This has been one of the major theories and beliefs that people have. This is mainly because it has been said that the home is the breeding ground for attitudes and beliefs. If your child grows up to be an extrovert, then it is because being an extrovert is a characteristic that has been taught to the child at home. Whatever a child sees in an adult especially sees in his parents, he copies and imitates it for that is what he thinks is right.

The same goes true for auto safety. And this is according to the new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) chief, Nicole Nason. Nason is a mother to two young girls. And she firmly asserts that if you want your child to know auto safety, it is important that he or she sees it in you as the parent. She even states, “This is a family issue and vehicle safety needs to be the priority.”

Nason is up to promoting such a campaign towards widening information on auto safety. This new NHTSA chief has been serving the organization for years as an aide to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. Now, she is still serving the NHTSA as its administrator which she started back last May.Auto safety is indeed a very important aspect that parents should not forget to teach their children. After all, the statistics simply are bothering. Annually in the United States, there are around 43,000 people killed in crashes, accidents, and collisions, and along with that some 2.7 million people also receive injuries. Nason also believes that if auto safety is practiced by parents, children are much more likely to learn the trait. And if parents do get to follow rules and prioritize safety, there would be much lesser children dying or getting injured because of crashes.

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When it comes to buying California auto insurance, there are many different ways that you can go about it. Of course, the easiest thing to do is to ensure that you get insurance coverage that protects you in any situation. The average cost of insurance will be different for everyone simply because of the factors that go into determining insurance premiums, but you can guarantee that you will find affordable options if you take the time to look. Here are some tips to help you find affordable California auto insurance rates:

Start by finding reputable companies. It doesn’t matter how cheap your insurance is if you get it from a company that won’t be there when you need them. Always look at reputation and customer service first because those are the things that matter.

Get different levels of insurance coverage in your quotes to compare how much coverage you can get for the money. While you think you can only afford so much coverage, you might be surprised to see how affordable it is to get double or even triple the state minimum requirements to protect yourself better.

Have a clean driving record and a safe car. While these factors can’t be changed now, they are things that you should do from the beginning so that you can keep your auto insurance rates as low as possible. With a safe car and a good history, you will find more affordable insurance than if you have violations, accidents, or a high risk vehicle.

Ask for discounts. Some insurance companies offer discounts to their insured customers for things like safe driving, safety features on cars, good grades for students, multiple vehicles or multiple policies, and other events or situations. Ask an insurer about these discounts so that you can get everything that you deserve from your auto insurance.

Finding affordable California auto insurance is about taking the time to look at your options and see what’s available. Everyone has different needs and it will be up to you to figure out exactly what works best. However, when you take the time to learn about California auto insurance and how you can maximize your savings, it will be much easier for you to get the insurance protection that you deserve. If you are having trouble or need a little assistance, feel free to talk to insurance agents or providers so that they can explain things and help you find the best insurance policy.

Taking risks, for many people, is a part of life. Of course, what may seem quite risky to some is hardly worth mentioning to someone else, and may even be what makes that activity appealing. However, when it comes to driving, most would agree that there is an element of risk any time you sit behind the wheel. So, with that in mind, auto designers and safety experts have joined forces with the latest in technology.

This joining of safety and technology, in order to be beneficial to all, must be affordable, innovative and dependable in actual driving situations. Systems meeting these parameters are already being explored. One of the biggest proponents of this research and its implementation is the Transportation Active Safety Institute (TASI) which is a non-profit organization dedicated to testing these safety systems. However, even more exciting, is that some vehicles are already being designed to have features combining technology and auto safety in place! So what types of features are being included in today’s vehicles? Here are just a few of them:

An early warning system that will alert the driver if they begin to drift into the other lane without using their turn signal; this is done by either beeping to get the driver’s attention or by a system which triggers the brakes bringing the car back into the correct lane.

Blind spot cameras are also being installed. These cameras alert the driver to objects that they may be unaware of. These cameras are designed to prevent accidents when backing up as well as when changing lanes when driving; the cameras range in size and depth of field based on the size of the vehicle.

Perhaps one of the most significant contributions in the marriage of technology and auto safety is that of the anti-collision devices. However, these are primarily being road-tested on high-end vehicles such as the Mercedes Benz. This safety feature works by using sensors to detect if a crash is inevitable. The system verbally alerts the driver allowing a brief period for them to avoid the accident-if possible. In cases where a collision is completely unavoidable, the system increases the tension in the seat belts, primes the airbags and applies the braking ability so that the severity of the crash is as minimal as possible.

Other safety-based technology includes smart cruise control and active night vision. Of course, these safety features are not all that the consumer is interested in. Studies have also shown that in addition to being safe, buyers are looking for vehicles that look good, are environmentally friendly and get good gas mileage.

As the TASI and the automobile technology work together, the consumer is the sure to be the winner. And, when auto technology combines safety, style, eco-friendliness and fuel costs, they have designed a product that is truly a perfect match. So, the next time you are in the market for a new ride, don’t be surprised if the dealer mentions some of these safety features-or perhaps even a few others!

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Every machine requires utmost maintenance to facilitate the long service period expected from it. Automotives are no exception. These mean machines present sizeable investments and thus, require utmost maintenance and attention to give way to adequate . As the car ages with grace giving n number of serviceable years, we still want to cherish and possess our favorite car standing in our backyard.

To keep the vehicles in good shape, it is necessary to keep a regular check on battery, oils, electrical system and most importantly, changing the oils are some of the inescapable things that just can’t be avoided at any cost. In fact, you should also keep a log book to save details regarding repair, maintenance, routine check-ups and things alike. This will give the user an accurate idea about what is to be done in the auto care and at what time. Keeping a log book in which you keep all the details regarding repair, maintenance, routine check-ups etc. will not only give you an accurate idea of what needs to be done when.

The auto care regimen should be done most often since it will help to retain the appreciation value of the vehicle in case; you decide to sell it in the market. Make sure that your auto care kit or itinerary is full of necessary tools and equipment to facilitate regular cleaning, detailing and maintenance of the vehicle. Here are listed four most important tools necessary for fine auto care:The jack and jack stands are a must on every auto care itinerary since many a times, car needs to be elevated. Additionally, they also help the car owners to fix minor problems at home. The jack should be present at the booty of the car each time it hits the road for who knows when flat-tire instances can occur.

Secondly, oil changing is the most important activity that has to be done to maintain the health of the car engine. For efficient auto care, the engine oil should be changed every 3000 miles. Oil wrench, rags, bucket and funnel will allow the expedient oil change process especially in unwanted circumstances.

The 3/8 inch socket set will make the job easier allowing the auto owners to obtain best angles to stretch to far-reaching spots like under the hood.

Last but not the least, the pair of solid vice grips will give a complete touch to the auto care itinerary.

So, handle you car with cost-effective auto care techniques and it will serve you forever.

Considering the present economic scenario, it is evident that not many of us are buying new vehicles. In order to maintain the shine in our vehicles, we have to get them serviced and repaired frequently. Thus, auto repair is a process which is a requisite for the long life of your vehicle.

Considering the present economic scenario, it is evident that not many of us are buying new vehicles. In order to maintain the shine in our vehicles, we have to get them serviced and repaired frequently. Thus, auto repair is a process which is a requisite for the long life of your vehicle.

When people think of auto repair, they generally tend to think about thousands of dollars that they would have to spend on the repairs. However, in actuality, this kind of situation does not usually arise unless in case of a major accident. What most people don’t seem to realize is that most of the automobiles require frequent minor repairs regardless of how well you take care of them.

Even properly maintained vehicles degrade and their auto body parts (like shockers, mufflers etc) have to be repaired or replaced. These auto parts do not involve a major repair process and are easy to take care of.

Although these minor repairs cost some amount of money, they are worth the expenditure as they help restore the shine to your vehicle. For this reason, you can consider going to an auto body shop where automobiles are maintained and repaired by trained mechanics and auto body specialists. The following are some kinds of services offered by various auto body shops:

•Auto Body Part Alignment: This procedure involves maintaining consistency among all the body parts of the vehicle. The quote – ‘first impression is the last impression’ is affirmed by this procedure as the first thing about the vehicle that hits the eye is the appearance of the auto body. Nothing appeals more than perfectly fitted panels of the body, be it the doors or the fenders or any other auto body part. Thus, the most important service is ensuring proper alignment of the auto body.

•Color Matching and Painting: One of the most common task undertaken by an auto body shop is painting automobiles. These services are not only provided during accident repairs, but also when the owner wants to customize the vehicle with new color or other decorations. These auto body shops can match the desired color with the help of computerized paint mixing systems.

•Auto glass mending: An informal check is conducted on the glasses of the vehicle to ensure that there is no other damage except what is complained of. According to the extent of damage, liquid resin is used to clear and fix the damage. If there is a crack in the windshield, it will be repaired without any delay. However, replacing the windshield is preferred over windshield repair incase the damage is huge and cannot be fixed. Most auto body shops also provide the service where their servicemen come to your destination and make the necessary windshield repair.

•Brake Repair: It can also happen that the brake line of the vehicle is damaged or worn out. The security of the car is of vital importance which especially lies in the brake system of the vehicle. Brake repair becomes essential at the earliest stage of experiencing even a minor brake problem.

These sculptures were all fabricated by James Corbett from salvaged junk car parts from the 1950′s and 1960′s. His sculptures are made of gears, spark plugs, exhaust, radiators, ect. James meticulously cleans every part and then welds them together.

As the overall cost of living goes up for everyone, incomes are becoming less and less able to meet the necessities of the individuals and families that count on that money to get by every month.  There are often cases where people cancel their car insurance and keep the car parked in the driveway, opting instead for public transportation to get around.  However, if a pleasant turn of events results in a higher paycheck for you and the ability to begin driving your car again, you are left with a canceled California auto insurance policy.  What are the steps to have your canceled insurance reinstated?

There are a few methods you can take, but usually the easiest route is simply to buy a new policy altogether.  There are many California auto insurance companies that will give you free quotes so you can decide the best priced plan for you.  In fact, since canceling your old policy, you may be able to find a better deal than you were paying before as long as you conduct your research properly.  The best way to compare rates in order to find the best deal is to get online and utilize a helpful insurance rate comparison site.

The next option is to reinstate your old policy.  In most cases, this is only an option for up to 30 days after canceling your policy.  If your policy was canceled less than 30 days ago, you will be asked to sign a statement of no loss.  This means you cannot file a claim to the insurance company for the period of time your insurance lapsed.  Be aware that some companies will charge a reinstatement fee.  For this reason, it may be in your best interest to investigate the rates that other California auto insurance companies are offering to see if you can find an even better rate without a reinstatement fee.

The chances that motorists living from paycheck to paycheck will face a time when they cannot pay their California auto insurance premiums are not unlikely in this economic time.  Be sure that you understand that allowing your car insurance to lapse while still driving your car is illegal, and even if you keep your car off the streets, you can face trouble reinstating your policy if you allow it to lapse for more than 30 days.  A new policy may be your best option, so begin comparing rates today.