Thanks to our wonderful sponsors 1st Advantage Credit Union and Colony Insurance Group we were able to provide two tires for a family whose minivan tires were about to fall apart.  During our 31 point check of the vehicle we noticed the tread on the tires was separating badly and could have blown out at any time. We explained to the client the seriousness of the situation and were able to acquire and install two lightly used tires. The gratitude expressed was more than worth the investment.

Our next Family Service Day will be in July at our Yorktown location in cooperation with Lackey Free Medical Clinic. If you or someone you know that could benefit from these services would like to request an appointment please feel free to contact our Marketing Manager Sharon Oakley at sharon@americanprideautomotive.com.

The Ford Flex takes all the best aspects of a minivan and SUV and gives it a sleek comfortable design. Tons of cabin space, comfortable seating for 7, and chock full of easy to use features make this the perfect modern family vehicle. We’ve had our professional technicians maintain this vehicle at our state of the art repair shop so you can get the very best out of this sleek ride.

Call for a test drive today.  See our whole line of quality used vehicles here. We proudly service what we sell and we look forward to earning your respect and allowing us to maintain all of your family’s vehicles.

BH,PH shops have had an ever increasing popularity in recent years due to poor economic growth and, frankly, desperation. Families going through financial difficulties have been turning to these companies as a life line to help them but at what cost? A very common scenario for someone that buys a used vehicle from a BH,PH lot is a 60-72 month pay period with interest rates up to 30%, that’s more than four times the national average for a used-car loan. It’s not uncommon for the buyer to become overwhelmed by payments and have their car repossessed and resold by the same dealer they thought was helping them.

At American Pride Automotive we put the customer first. When you buy from us you’re guaranteed to receive a quality used car inspected and maintained at a Certified Full Service Center. We also offer experienced financial assistance with over 30 years in the field. We have financing options from six different institutions (like Langley FCU and 1st Advantage FCU) so even if you have bad or no credit we can still work with you. Unlike a BH,PH shop, all of our banks report back to the Credit Bureau so we can assist you in getting your credit back to where it belongs. Most importantly we promise not to take advantage of you, the customer, by offering ridiculous interest rates you can’t afford.

We’re here to help you. So when you decide to purchase your next vehicle you can trust that we’ll be there to walk you through each step of the process.

The carpeting is in!

Give it some love and TLC this Valentines Day by getting it detailed and topping off it’s fluids.

The Washington Post did a great story about the affection people develop for their cars.

My wife and I own a ’93 850, purchased new 18+ years ago when our first child was born.  It replaced a red Porsche, at which time a nephew fumed, “If that’s what happens when you get married and have kids, I’m never getting married!” The Volvo is about to cross 160,000 miles.  It was a lifesaver when our older son was 3 years old.  The car was broad-sided by another one going 35 through an intersection.  There was $7,000 worth of damage (in 1996), including a destroyed rear door that still opened and closed.  But, no injuries. We’ll keep the Volvo until the wheels turn square or there’s a repair I can’t fix or that costs more than the car’s worth, a lower number with every passing year.  The leather seats have tears that beg for repair.  I want to fix the seats but my younger son, 14, just says, “Dad, it’s 18 years old.  And, it’s part of the car’s character.”  And, whenever something breaks and I threaten, “This is it,” my two sons just say, “You can fix it.  You can’t sell the car.” Three years ago, we replaced my wife’s 20-year old red Honda Prelude.  She loved that car and it ran perfectly.  Rust was getting the best of it and the spare tire was about to fall through the trunk.  Safety prevailed and we concluded that it was time to upgrade to newer car with airbags and anti-lock brakes.  Since the Volvo already has those safety features, the prognosis for it remaining in our driveway for who-knows-how-long remains good.

05 Acura TSX

This 05 TSX has 72,443 miles on it and has all you’d expect from an Acura, like heated leather seats, a premium sound system, and great handling.

07 Acura TSX

Our 07 Tsx has 98,000 miles and comes with factory navigation, heated leather seats, sunroof, premium sound, and more.

If you’re interested in either car, call Gerald at 757-595-4100 or Josh at 757-903-2473.

The water pump is one place coolant can leak, be sure to have the timing belt and water pump changed on time.

Although a great car may be aesthetically pleasing on the outside and have tons of high-tech features on the inside, it means nothing if the car is plagued with mechanical issues. While overheating may seem like a simple issue, it really isn’t, and pinpointing the exact reason for overheating can be quite difficult, especially if you aren’t a car expert. Even though the causes for car overheating are numerous, there are about three that stand out as the most frequently-occurring.

Radiator Fan Malfunction

Most cars have electric cooling fan motors in place behind the radiator to assist with temperature regulation. If your car doesn’t have electric cooling fans, it’ll definitely have a belt-driven fan. If either of these fans aren’t working as intended, you’ll experience some overheating. A good way to determine if fan malfunction is the cause of your overheating is observing when the overheating takes place. If your car starts to heat up while at rest, it’s most likely a fan-related issue. Try checking the airflow of your fans, or take your car to a repair specialist if you’re not comfortable with doing that.

Coolant Problems

Apart from airflow, coolant is the main way a car stays cool. Without proper antifreeze circulation, your car will overheat rather easily. Again, pay attention to when your car overheats; if it overheats during 30-60mph drives, then it’s most likely a coolant issue. Unfortunately, the coolant circulation system in most cars is complex, which means there’s a number of things that could go wrong. Generally you’ll want to check if your thermostat is fully functional, but it’s usually better to take it to a repair shop and have an expert look at it.

Leaks

If your coolant level is low, then there’s a high chance that you have a leak somewhere in your car. Since most cars have closed cooling systems, your coolant levels should never really go down. Determining whether you have a leak in your system is rather easily. First, make sure your radiator is filled with the right amount of coolant. Then, while your engine is running, observe your car; if you see any obvious leaks, then it’s time to head to the shop. There are some less obvious signs of leaks to watch out far as well, such as bubbles in your expansion tank. Coolant leaks can lead to damage, so it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible.

The lovely ladies from the York Assembly of God served everyone lunch.

Our first Family Service Day of the new year was a huge success!  22 families had their cars serviced by our technicians.  Lackey Free Clinic coordinated the clients, York Assembly of God served lunch for everyone, and thanks to financial support from Colony Insurance Group and 1st Advantage Credit Union we were able to replace badly worn tires and brakes for those with truly dangerous vehicles.

Our next family service day will be March 21st at our Williamsburg location in partnership with Grove Christian Outreach.