It’s a cliche to say that we Americans love our cars. But just because something is a cliche doesn’t mean it isn’t 100 percent true. We do love our cars! Why, though? Well, cars mean freedom for a lot of us. What’s better than grabbing your keys and jumping behind the wheel to take off on the spur of the moment--on a road trip to a famous location, to visit an old friend, or just to pick up some late-night munchies? To a lot of Americans, our cars reflect our personalities. And why not? Most of us spend an awful lot of time behind the wheel. Why not take the time to figure out exactly what kind of vehicle both meets our needs and tells the world, “Hey, world, here I am!” What do different types of cars say about their owners? Pickup truck drivers tend to be hardworking and no-nonsense. People drive hybrids both to save money on gas and because they care about the environment. Drivers of sports cars like to feel powerful and attractive. Do you kno ... read more

Chicago, IL Of course, there’s always something to see and do in Chicago. That goes without saying. But if you want to play tourist, drive the short distance to Chicago and treat yourself to a weekend getaway. Here are a few places to consider visiting in Chicago: The Chicago Mural in Logan Square The National Hellenic Museum in Greektown Some of the ethnic restaurants Paseo Boricua in the Humboldt Park neighborhood or Little Vietnam near Broadway in Uptown Watch comedy improvisation from The Second City at Chicago Mainstage   Geneva, IL With its boutique shops, fabulous cuisine, lovely weather, and plenty of activities, Geneva is a terrific place to drive. You can meet with friends, visit the Fabyan Windmill, or take a long bike ride along the Fox River Trail.   Milwaukee, WI If you like beer, you need to go here. The people are friendly and there are plenty of family-friendly activities. Top picks are the Harley-Davidson Museum, Discovery World, and the Milw ... read more

Myths have been a part of automotive service forever. Time to bust another one; All the talk about "corroding buss bars" in Hybrid Battery Packs misses the more major point; the internal corrosion. As the battery creates electricity, electron flow is created. Plate particles float in the electron flow from the negative pole to the positive pole. Because of the magnetic property of electricity, these particles "stick" to the positive, creating resistance, in the same way as "corrosion" does on the buss bars. Eventually this internal corrosion will cause the Hybrid light to come on. Most shops and all dealers just replace the battery. There is a better choice. Do you know what it is? $50 CARS of America gift card to the first person that sends the correct answer to [email protected]. Winner will be determined by time stamp. P.S. It's ok if you don ... read more

Being the owner of a hybrid vehicle, you may or may not know that the most important element “under the hood” - or in this case, in the trunk- is the hybrid battery. Up until a few years ago, your only option when that battery failed was to replace it with a brand new battery pack that could cost up to $3,500. Yes, we know your jaw just dropped when you read that price tag, ours did too! If you find yourself with a failed hybrid battery, do not panic. Here at CARS of America, we can rebuild or recondition your hybrid battery for less than half the price of a new one and we guarantee it for 3 years. Check out our "stress test" machine we use to see if your hybrid battery is in good health (right).  Now how’s that for some serious cost savings? But, how will you know if your hybrid battery needs to be reconditioned or rebalanced? Here are four tell-tale signs: 1. The gasoline engine kicks on more often than it used to. When the ... read more