Thursday, December 3, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"The big rewards come to those who travel the second, undemanded mile."

Bruce Barton

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Everyone should have a sense of urgency - it is getting a lot done in a short period of time in a calm confident manner."

Bob Proctor

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Most people never get their year going until mid-March. All the heavy hitters that I know start off with a BIG January and build on it."

Bob Proctor

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Saturn Customers

It doesn't surprise us that Saturn is going out of business. With Opel being sold off by GM to the Germans, who will make their vehicles? GM already quit manufacturing them in the US. It became an outlet for poorly made foreign vehicles. Now they (Opel) gave us the finger and no one will make them.
We here at Pre-Owned Motor Cars, will continue to service these vehicles along with obtaining parts for them as well.
If you own one, don't worry we will be here for you. We also service Saab and all other former an current GM cars. Just give us a call at 808-334-1111 for an appointment.
We will wash and vacuum your vehicle with any service!

Friday, October 2, 2009

To be as happy driving your car every day as the day you drove it home for the very first time… routine maintenance and service is vital. In addition to keeping your warranty valid, regular service keeps your vehicle operating at peak performance. We’ve made quality service easier to get than ever with our Assured Service Guarantees.
RIGHT NOW SERVICE
Have you ever waited at home for an installer who promised to be there between Noon and Four and then didn’t show up at all or showed up an hour early? It’s irritating and a waste of your time. After all, you’re the one paying the bill, shouldn’t your time be the most valuable?
With ASSURED, we work on your schedule not ours. If you’d like to make an appointment to drop your vehicle off for service, that’s fine, but you don’t have to. You can drop your car with us whenever it’s convenient for you and we’ll get the repair process started right away.
FIXED RIGHT GUARANTEE
If you’ve ever driven an older car you know that there are some things that seem to go wrong over and over…it becomes part of the personality of the car.

With ASSURED, you won’t pay for the same repair twice. We stand behind every repair we make for a full year or 10,000 miles. If the repair fails we’ll fix it for free and that includes parts and labor.

UP FRONT PRICING
Surprise bills are never welcome. There’s nothing worse than being presented with a bill that’s more than you expected to pay. It’s especially troublesome when there’s a bunch of add on fees that were never discussed before the work started.
With ASSURED, we’ll give you a complete and detailed quote for the work that needs to be performed on your car before any work begins. You’ll always know the exact price for the repair and we guarantee we won’t charge any more than the price promised.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Quote of the Day

"You must go after your wish. As soon as you start to pursue a dream, your life wakes up and everything has meaning."

Barbara Sher

Monday, September 7, 2009

Quote of the Day

"If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the time, not tomorrow or next year. Today should always be our most wonderful day."

Thomas Dreier
Author

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too. Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it."

Diane Sawyer
TV Personality

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored."

Earl Nightingale
1921-1989, Author and Radio Announcer

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Cash For Junkers

There's been a lot of press about the federal government's new "Cash for Clunkers" program. That's great--we love the idea of doing things to help reduce carbon emisssions. But what you don't hear about is that not every car qualifies! To get cash for your clunker, you have to buy a new car and prove that it's more gas-efficient than the one you've got. Then there's a limit on how much you get back: $4,500.

At Pre-Owned Motor Cars, we've got our own "Cash for Clunkers" program and we think we've got one or two up on the government. First of all, we'll take any car you've got. Then, we'll go ahead and save you up to $5,000!

How does it work? Easy! You trade in the car you've got and we'll give you a good price for something else. Assuming your trade-in is in good shape, we'll clean it up, put it on our lot, then sell it to someone else who can get some more mileage out of it.

But isn't this more or less what you always do? Yes! Except for our new offer of up to $5,000 in savings, Pre-Owned Motor Cars has been helping Big Island residents get the most out of cars already in the state for more than 15 years. But I bet you never really thought of it as recycling, did you?

Buying a new car just doesn't always make sense. It's expensive and it uses up a lot of natural resources in manufacturing and shipping. What's the point when there are plenty of good, reliable, and efficient pre-owned vehicles already here in Hawaii?

Come on into Pre-Owned Motor Cars and we will show how to get the best value for your money. At the same time, you'll be doing your part to "recycle!"

Call us at 808-334-1111 or visit our website at http://hawaiicar.com

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Quote of the Day

"I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition."

Martha Washington
1732-1802, First American First Lady

Monday, July 27, 2009

Quote of the Day

"You will find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy."

Lydia M. Child
1802-1880, Abolitionist and Writer

Quote of the Day

"You will find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make earnest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy."

Lydia M. Child
1802-1880, Abolitionist and Writer

Monday, July 20, 2009

Quote of the Day

"The forces you are struggling with, that you feel are holding you back - are illusions. They are not real - they never have been. See only the good that you desire in your mind."

Bob Proctor

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Quote of the Day

"To do anything truly worth doing, I must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in with gusto and scramble through as well as I can."

Og Mandino
1923-1996, Author and Speaker

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Quote of the Day

"As long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you otherwise might."

Marian Anderson
1902-1993, Concert and Opera Singer

Friday, June 12, 2009

Service Suggestions from John, Our ASE Certified Master Technician

Aloha to all of my readers,

It is a beautiful Saturday morning in Kona. I relish the early morning hours before the family springs alive, to do my writing. I have been putting off my blog posts, thus I will begin posting them as of today.
I will tell a story today of a customer (actually two) that came to our dealership yesterday.
We had a Hummer customer that had a problem with his 2008 H2. It was a check engine light indicating a fault for his traction control unit. Since we no longer have a GM dealer here in town, we called Hummer directly, or GM rather. They haven't completed the sale to the Chinese consortium just yet. The woman we spoke to on the phone assured us that all is well at Hummer and they would get back to us early next week with a designated service solution. We hope this pans out for our customer. We have heard rumors that GM is shipping vehicles to Oahu for warranty work at their expense, however we can't confirm that at this time.
Our other customer had an aftermarket CD player installed in his '03 Nissan Sentra by a local installer. The power socket wasn't working for his cell phone. I checked his fuse; it wasn't blown. That led me to the lighter socket itself.
I popped off the cover and behold, the socket plug wasn't connected. I reconnected it, then, tested his phone charger for power. It was a fix. I put the cover back on, snapped the fuse cover back in place and the customer was on his way .
The moral to this story is, when you have anything installed, or electrical work done on your car, check to see that all of your accessories are operable.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Quote of the Day

"The best job goes to the person who can get it done without passing the buck or coming back with excuses."

Napoleon Hill
1883-1970, Author of Think and Grow Rich

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Quote of the Day

"We've all heard that we have to learn from our mistakes, but I think it's more important to learn from successes. If you learn only from your mistakes, you are inclined to learn only errors."

Norman Vincent Peale
1898-1993, Pastor and Author

Quote of the Day

"Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day."

Sally Koch
Author

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Quote of the Day

"You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down."

Mary Pickford
1893-1979, Actress and Producer

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."

Albert Einstein
1879-1955, Physicist

Friday, May 22, 2009

Quote of the Day

"The possibility of stepping into a higher plane is quite real for everyone. It requires no force or effort or sacrifice. It involves little more than changing our ideas about what is normal."

Deepak Chopra
Author and Speaker

Monday, May 18, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver."

Barbara De Angelis
Author and Expert on Relationship and Love

Friday, May 15, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Commitment with accountability closes the gap between intention and results."

Sandra Gallagher
Co-Author of Thinking Into Results

Quote Of The Day

"False friendship, like the ivy, decays and ruins the walls it embraces; but true friendship gives new life and animation to the object it supports."

Sir Richard Burton
1821-1890, Explorer

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

6 Reasons you might decide to buy a car from a Licensed Dealer ONLY!

1. You are far less likely to get ripped off because we aren't going anywhere and we are Bonded as well. If you buy from an individual you might not ever see them again

2. Dealers sell cars because because that's what they do......not because they are concerned it will break down and its time to get rid of it. We repair existing problems...we do NOT want the heat after the sale. By fixing potential problems we protect you and us!

3. Consumers and wannabe dealer like curb sellers on list's and the newspaper may not offer much assistance,(if any) after the sale.

4. Watch out for titles that are already signed off. It may not be the real signature of the owner especially if the real owner has left the Island. A friend or relative may be selling the car for them without their knowledge because they may owe them money. The person selling the car might fake their signature. Then you will be out the money and the car for possibly a long time.

5. The vehicle might be being sold by a disgruntled soon-to-be ex-spouse that may have signed the title fraudulently on behalf of their estranged loved one. You could end up getting involved in their divorce to get your money back.

6. It can be difficult to obtain financing without a dealer's assistance...we really want to sell you a car and we will do everything legally possible to gain approval from the banks and credit unions which we work with every day on a first name basis.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Quote of the Day

"I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness."

Abraham Maslow
1908-1970, Psychologist

Car Buying Advice

When applying for credit, don't forget to bring in your two most recent pay stubs. Also be sure you drivers license is current. If you think you need a cosigner,its a good idea to bring them along. If you do these three things and you have a job, chances are you'll be driving home in your new purchase.
Follow our blog for more car buying tips.

Friday, May 8, 2009

"Fantasies are more than substitutes for unpleasant reality; they are also dress rehearsals, plans. All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination."

Barbara Grizzuti Harrison
Author and Publicist

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Quote of the Day

"If you want to achieve excellence, you can get there today. As of this second, quit doing less-than-excellent work."

Thomas J. Watson
1874-1956, Founder of IBM

Monday, May 4, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"It is a lesson which all history teaches the wise, to put trust in ideas, and not in circumstances"

Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882, Essayist, Philosopher and Poet

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"There ain't no free lunches in this country. And don't go spending your whole life commiserating that you got the raw deals. You've got to say, 'I think that if I keep working at this and want it bad enough I can have it.' It's called perseverance."

Lee Iacocca
Businessman and Former CEO of Chrysler

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Don't be afraid to give up the good to go for the great."

Kenny Rogers
Singer and Actor

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Imagination grows by exercise, and contrary to common belief, is more powerful in the mature than in the young."

Paul McCartney
Singer/Songwriter

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Credit Problems?

Credit Problems Are Easy To Create
But Hard To Solve

Hello, my name is John Caudell and I’m the owner of Pre-Owned Motor Cars in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. I am sure you have seen our ads or know someone who bought a car from us, so you already know we call ourselves the Credit Experts. And this free report will give you the top 10 ways to improve your credit situation.

Yeah, credit problems are easy to create and hard to solve, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible. You can do it, if you follow these easy ways to boost your credit score and get back on track.

#1 – GET INFORMED

Look, we talk to a lot of people with credit issues they never knew they had. Maybe you didn’t get that bill the hospital sent or maybe you just forgot. So the first thing you need to do is find out what the car dealers and banks already know – what is on your credit report?

And the government has finally made something easy for you – they REQUIRE all three credit reporting agencies to provide a free copy once per year.

If you have access to the internet, go to www.annualcreditreport.com. Make sure you don’t go to “other credit report.com” ( we can't call them by name because of legalities – that is a scam to get you to sign up for a monitoring service.

Around here, most lenders use Equifax. The other two credit reporting agencies are Experian and TransUnion. But start with Equifax. You can get a free copy, right online and look at it and print it.

#2 - DISPUTE INCORRECT INFORMATION
 
A story by CBS news in 2004 claimed that almost 80% of all credit reports have mistakes.  That is 4 out of 5 folks!  And if those mistakes are bad enough, they can keep your score down, make your credit card and loan rates higher or even get you turned down!
 
So what do you do?  If you got your credit report online at www.annualcreditreport.com, you can dispute incorrect information there.  If not, submit your dispute in writing to the credit reporting agency that sent you your report.
 
By law, they must verify the information they are reporting as correct.  If the "lender" does not respond within 30 days, the credit reporting agency must remove the item and cannot put it back.
 
#3 - PAY IT DOWN
 
If you carry balances that are close to your limit on credit cards or loans, your score suffers.  Having a small credit card with a $500 limit and $500 owing on it WILL HURT YOUR SCORE.  This is another reason new credit often temporarily hurts your score -  you have NEW credit and it is at your limit.
 
Do everything you can to pay down balances, especially on credit cards.  You will save money and improve your score!
 
#4 -  PAY IT OFF
 
Sometimes it sneaks up on you.  You go to Lowe's and get 10% off for opening a new account.  Oh, and then you can get a great deal on gas at Exxon, so you add another.  Before you realize it you have 8-10 credit cards.  Now maybe you use them and maybe you don't, but it doesn't matter to the credit gods.  They will ding you score for too many open accounts.
 
Let's face it; you really don't need 8-10 credit cards.  Two cards and maybe one more department store card and close the rest.  Get those other accounts paid or transfer the balances to one or two cards.  You might get a credit limit increase if you call one of your lower rate cards and tell them you are transferring a big balance.
 
That doesn’t mean you need to close accounts you don’t use – just limit the number of cards you are actively charging on. If you have cards you don’t use with annual fees – you should close them right away though.
 
#5 - LIMIT CREDIT CHECKS
 
Too many inquiries can hurt your score as well.  Remember that kiosk at the mall where they were giving away free t-shirts if you signed up for a credit card?  Skip it.  Don't fill out those offers in the mail.  Don't shop 3 or 4 car dealerships (some of those guys will send your application to 10-12 lenders!! -- Can you imagine 40 inquiries on your credit??!).  Only apply for credit when you NEED it.
 
# 6 - PAY ON TIME
 
Well, this one is a no-brainer. Obviously your credit score will be better if you pay your bills on time.  You need to make sure any credit card, sales contract, or loan is paid by its due date.  You are usually offered a grace period before any late fees apply.  And as long as the lender has their money before 30 days after your due date, it should not show up on your credit report.  You should watch out for the following late payment traps your lender might be setting for you –

Late Fees - These can be as much as $50.00 added to your balance if you are just a few days late.  While this does not directly impact your credit report, some lenders will then apply your late payment to the fees first (they are not supposed to do that, but some do).  This makes it look like you did not make a full payment and your account will show late.

Shifting Due Dates - While car loans and mortgages have stable due dates, some credit cards are based on a 28 or 30 day cycle.  So that payment you paid on the 9th last month is due on the 7th this month.

The Check Is In The Mail - Once you mail a check, you can't know for sure when it will get to your lender.  And the postmark does not count.  If the bank says your check did not get there until after it was due - what are you going to do about it?  I strongly recommend paying online when possible or paying in person (for local lenders). 

#7 GET RID OF COLLECTION ACCOUNTS

Oh, the dreaded collection accounts! These are those pesky notices you ignored and thought would not impact your score, but THEY DO! Hospital bills, unpaid utilities, cell phone and more. Now, you could do as you have already done, and leave them unpaid, but the will stay on your report for seven years (or more!) if you don’t pay them.

If the collector is willing to delete the account if paid in full, this will have a good impact on your credit. You do have to take a little effort and make some calls to the collection agencies, but you can get them cleared up. Not all agencies will delete reporting but it is worth the time to ask.

Call your collection agencies and make arrangements to pay off your debt.

Request in writing the agreement to delete the account upon receipt of payment in full.

If the company doesn’t delete accounts, paying them off can actually decrease your score due to date of last activity and current date of payment.

#8 DON’T CLOSE PAID ACCOUNTS

A report by MSN Money says that closing accounts can never help your score; it will often hurt it. Shutting down credit accounts will actually lower the total credit available to you. If you choose to close accounts follow these steps which will aid in improving your credit.

Close only new accounts that have been opened within the last 12-24 months.

Do not close older accounts. Doing so may shorten the length of your credit history, making you seem less worthy.

If you plan on applying for NEW credit in the near future, leave all accounts standing.

Keep balances between 30 and 70% to maintain a healthy score.
#9 LIMIT NEW CREDIT

Although you may think that opening up a new card or store account may help you, it doesn’t; it can actually hurt you. Only open up credit that you need and can use wisely. Limiting new credit is a good way to stay ahead of the game.

Smartmoney.com notes when you have new inquiries and a number of new credit requests, your score will be lowered.

Once that new credit line is secured, the average age of your accounts will shorten, which lowers your score.

Only open accounts that you really need.

#10 FINANCE A VEHICLE

You might think this one is just a setup for the dealership to sell you a car, but you are wrong. Although you should limit new credit when you can, a big ticket item like a mortgage or car loan is absolutely the fastest way to improve your credit score. It shows future lenders that you have the ability to handle a big chunk of credit on a regular basis. There is absolutely NOTHING you can do to improve your credit score faster than financing a vehicle!

WRAPPING IT ALL UP

Well, that is it. No, it is not rocket science and most of this stuff is plain common sense, but with some hard work on your part, a little bit of time and perseverance, you will improve your credit, boost your score and enrich your life.

ABOUT US

Here in Kona there are over 12,000 residents – your friends and neighbors – who have been enthusiastically happy with the car buying experience they received at Pre-Owned Motor Cars (www.hawaiicar.com.)

That’s no coincidence. My team has worked hard to create a car buying experience that is unlike any other. And we are known far and wide as the Credit Experts. Even if you are in the midst of credit issues, if you can answer YES to the following questions, you could be approved today:

Have you been turned down for credit before?
Do you earn $250 per week before taxes?
Are you serious about improving your credit?

That is it – we offer guaranteed financing here through REAL lenders who will help re-establish good credit and restore your good name to creditors everywhere.



75-5721 Kuakini Highway
Right Accross From McDonalds
808-334-1111
www.hawaiicar.com
Email us at allan@hawaiicar.com

Friday, April 17, 2009

Quote of the Day

"The money I have is in direct proportion to the value I've given to others. The more I give of myself, incredibly, the more economic power comes my way."

Tod Barnhart
Author

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Check Engine Light?

How do I Turn Off the Check Engine Light?

This is a common question. The easy answer is to bring your vehicle to us so we can determine what caused it to light up. But, you want and deserve more information than that, so here is a brief explanation of what that annoying little light means.

It all has to do with vehicle emissions and the monitoring of any system that might affect the stuff coming out of your tailpipe or some other part of your car. The check engine light (CEL) is also referred to as the malfunction indicator light (MIL). It is the most obvious part of your car’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), a system required on all vehicles since the mid-1990s. Whatever that little light is called, it often causes some anxious moments.

When the light comes on, it means one of your car’s many sensors has detected a problem, causing the car’s computer to store a diagnostic trouble code (DTC). These codes point to specific systems or components that may have triggered the light. The key word here is “may.” For example, if a DTC points to the oxygen sensor, your first reaction might be to replace it. In fact, the root cause may be something else that is only affecting the oxygen sensor, but is also having a negative effect on your fuel economy.

DTCs can be compared to the names of streets on a map. Once you are on the street, you still have to knock on doors to find the specific house you are looking for.

Automotive technicians use scan tools to start them down the path to finding the source of the DTC. The scanner plugs into a port under the dashboard and displays any DTCs stored in your car’s computer. Now at least the technician is “on the street.” More diagnostic testing will help him or her find the right address and fix the problem. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as a loose gas cap.

If your check engine light comes on, but your car is running fine, we urge you to get it checked anyway. You may not detect any damage being done, but ignoring the light could be expensive. For instance, by continuing to drive you may be damaging your catalytic converter – a very costly repair. Even without other obvious symptoms, your car could be using substantially more fuel. Driving with just a 15% reduction in fuel economy could cost you up to $22.00 per month.*

The original question was, “How do I turn off the check engine light?” The answer remains, “Bring your vehicle to us to determine the cause.” At least now you have a better idea why. Once the vehicle is repaired, your technician will “clear” the DTC(s) from the computer and you can be on your way.

Happy driving!

*Based on an average 12,000 miles per year with a calculated fuel cost of $2.50 per gallon and average fuel economy of 20 mpg.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind."

Eric Hoffer
1902-1983, Author and Philosopher

Quote Of The Day

"Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind."

Eric Hoffer
1902-1983, Author and Philosopher

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true."

Richard Bach
Writer

Friday, April 3, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"A closed mind stumbles over the blessings of life without recognizing them."
-Napoleon Hill

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing, that we see too late the one that is open."

Alexander Graham Bell
1847-1922, Inventor

Monday, March 30, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequence of action without thought."

Bernard M. Baruch
1870-1965, American Financier

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"The people who receive the most are the ones who give the most. This is true of individuals, but also for businesses. If the focus is on how can we give the absolute best service, then the profits will follow. If a company is only focused on profits, they miss the big picture and will always be scurrying for business instead of having clients chasing them."

Susan Bagyura
Author of the just released book, The Visionary Leader: How To Inspire Success From The Top Down

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Remember, success is not measured by heights attained but by obstacles overcome. We're going to pass through many obstacles in our lives: good days, bad days. But the successful person will overcome those obstacles and constantly move forward."

Bruce Jenner
Olympian, Speaker and Entrepreneur

Friday, March 20, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Doesth thou love life? Then do not squander time.” – Benjamin Franklin

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Quote of the Day

"The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!"

Henry Ward Beecher
1813-1887, Author

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

What does my "Check Engine Light" indicate?

How do I Turn Off the Check Engine Light?

This is a common question. The easy answer is to bring your vehicle to us so we can determine what caused it to light up. But, you want and deserve more information than that, so here is a brief explanation of what that annoying little light means.

It all has to do with vehicle emissions and the monitoring of any system that might affect the stuff coming out of your tailpipe or some other part of your car. The check engine light (CEL) is also referred to as the malfunction indicator light (MIL). It is the most obvious part of your car’s On-Board Diagnostics (OBD), a system required on all vehicles since the mid-1990s. Whatever that little light is called, it often causes some anxious moments.

When the light comes on, it means one of your car’s many sensors has detected a problem, causing the car’s computer to store a diagnostic trouble code (DTC). These codes point to specific systems or components that may have triggered the light. The key word here is “may.” For example, if a DTC points to the oxygen sensor, your first reaction might be to replace it. In fact, the root cause may be something else that is only affecting the oxygen sensor, but is also having a negative effect on your fuel economy.

DTCs can be compared to the names of streets on a map. Once you are on the street, you still have to knock on doors to find the specific house you are looking for.

Automotive technicians use scan tools to start them down the path to finding the source of the DTC. The scanner plugs into a port under the dashboard and displays any DTCs stored in your car’s computer. Now at least the technician is “on the street.” More diagnostic testing will help him or her find the right address and fix the problem. Sometimes, the solution is as simple as a loose gas cap.

If your check engine light comes on, but your car is running fine, we urge you to get it checked anyway. You may not detect any damage being done, but ignoring the light could be expensive. For instance, by continuing to drive you may be damaging your catalytic converter – a very costly repair. Even without other obvious symptoms, your car could be using substantially more fuel. Driving with just a 15% reduction in fuel economy could cost you up to $22.00 per month.*

The original question was, “How do I turn off the check engine light?” The answer remains, “Bring your vehicle to us to determine the cause.” At least now you have a better idea why. Once the vehicle is repaired, your technician will “clear” the DTC(s) from the computer and you can be on your way.

Happy driving!

*Based on an average 12,000 miles per year with a calculated fuel cost of $2.50 per gallon and average fuel economy of 20 mpg.

Quote Of The Day

"Really big people are, above everything else, courteous, considerate and generous - not just to some people in some circumstances - but to everyone all the time."

Thomas J. Watson
1874-1956, Founder of IBM

Friday, March 13, 2009

Quote of the Day

"My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match. However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into victories."

Monday, March 9, 2009

Classified ad word decoder

Needs Minor Work - Needs significant work.

Needs Nothing - Except a tow truck.

Easy Project Car - Completely disassembled, bring many boxes.

Minor Rust - Don't sit down!

Minor Rust - Major rust you can’t see.

Low Mileage - Only 170,000.

Convertible - After driving under truck.

Runs Great - Too bad it doesn’t roll.

Alarm - Wires are cut to sell stolen.

Nice Stereo - To overcome exhaust noise.

Needs Paint - To cover rust.

New Paint - Beautifully covers rust.

Fully Loaded - Seller is too.

All Options - 8-track player.

Only 59,000 Miles - Actually 359,000 miles.

Rare Model - One of 500,000 made.

Must Sell - Before the law finds seller.

Must Sell - Need bail money.

Summer Fun - Roof leaks in winter.

Summer Fun - Won't make it to fall.

Reliable - Don't leave the neighborhood.

Daily Driver - 400 miles a day.

Only Driven Sundays - Sunday is race day.

Engine Rebuilt - Engine degreased to look it.

Doesn’t Smoke - No oil to burn, or 90wt oil.

Trans. Rebuilt - Fine sawdust used to make it quiet.

4 Speed Gearbox - 5th gear is dead.

Hurry, Won't Last - Neither will car.

New Tires - Retreads years ago.

Well Maintained - Oil changed every other leap year.

Drives Like a Dream - Nightmare.

Car Cover - To help keep out rats.

Always Garaged - Embarrassed to leave it outside.

Family Owned - Driven by 6 teenagers.

Fully Restored - Nothing original.

Smog Exempt - DMV doesn't think so.

Tags Till Next Year - Stolen year sticker.

Moving, Must Sell - Off to jail, need bail money.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"The prizes go to those who meet emergencies successfully. And the way to meet emergencies is to do each daily task the best we can."

William Feather
1889-1981, Publisher and Author

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Real obstacles don't take you in circles. They can be overcome. Invented ones are like a maze."

Barbara Sher
Author

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"When you're 'happy for no reason,' you bring happiness to your everyday experiences rather than try to extract happiness from them. It's not that your life always looks perfect - it's that however it looks, you'll still be happy!"

Marci Shimoff

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

For All Of Our Past Customers

If you purchased a vehicle from Pre-Owned Motor Cars (AKA: Hawaiicar.com) in the past 14 years. Bring it in this month and receive a car wash free of charge.

Quote Of The Day

"Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them."

W. Clement Stone
1902-2002, Author and Businessman

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Action makes more fortune than caution."

Luc DeClapiers
1715-1747, Essayist

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"People think I'm disciplined. It is not discipline. It is devotion. There is a great difference."

Luciano Pavarotti
1935-2007, Opera Singer

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"People who consider themselves victims of their circumstances will always remain victims unless they develop a greater vision for their lives."

Stedman Graham
Speaker, Author and Educator

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Quote of the Day

"Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something about it that makes a difference."

Nolan Bushnell
Founder of Atari

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible."

Orison Swett Marden
1850-1924, Author

Monday, February 9, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not."

Thomas Huxley
1825-1895, Biologist and Educator

Friday, February 6, 2009

Free Car Wash

Stop in today for a free car wash.... there's only one small catch...you have to say "Hawaiicar Times." Friday February 6th only.

Quote Of The Day

If you have the courage to step outside of your comfort zone, you will not only be amazed by the marvel and sights of the world, but also with the wonders that lay deep within yourself."

Rosanna Ienco
From her new book Awakening the Divine Soul - Finding Your Life Purpose

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul."

Rabbi Harold Kushner
Author of When Bad Things Happen To Good People

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Today's Quote

"Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blue prints of your ultimate achievements."

Napoleon Hill
1883-1970, Author of Think and Grow Rich

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Big Highline auction tomorrow

Call if you need a BMW or Mercedes as bargain prices. All are lease returns. Call John TODAY @ 808-334-1111 or 808-895-6224. Many to choose from. Many are half price. Most have factory warranty. There is even a C32 AMG (very hard to find).

Quote Of The Day

"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein."

-H. Jackson Brown

Monday, February 2, 2009

Today's Quote

"Defeat is a state of mind. No one is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as reality. To me, defeat in anything is merely temporary, and its punishment is but an urge for me to greater effort to achieve my goal. Defeat simply tells me that something is wrong in my doing; it is a path leading to success and truth."

Bruce Lee
1940-1973, Martial Artist, Actor and Author

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

We Will Wash Your Car For Free!

That's right, with any service, even just an oil change--- Your Car Will Be Washed.
Call to make an appointment today @ 334-1111

Quote Of The Day

"Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose."

Helen Keller
1880-1968, Blind/Deaf Author and Lecturer

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Our website http://www.hawaiicar.com

Our website is improving day by day with Twitter Posts, Flickr, My Space and Blog Links to our content. We have also added a service department page complete with car tips and videos on owning and maintaining your car. (Although not fully operational yet you can:) Make an appointment for service, keep track of your vehicles service on your own free portal. Set up reminders to automatically email you when your car's service and maintenance is due. Look up service bulletins and more.
We hope you will enjoy our site as much as we have getting it built for you!

Today's Quote

"Your living is determined not so much by what life brings you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens."

Lewis L. Dunnington
Author

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"Nothing of great value in life comes easily. The things of highest value sometimes come hard. The gold that has the greatest value lies deepest in the earth, as do the diamonds."

Norman Vincent Peale
1898-1993, Pastor, Speaker and Author

Monday, January 19, 2009

Today's Quote

"I don't believe in pessimism. If something doesn't come up the way you want, forge ahead. If you think it's going to rain, it will."

Clint Eastwood
Actor and Director

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Today's Quote

"Not the maker of plans and promises, but rather the one who offers faithful service in small matters. This is the person who is most likely to achieve what is good and lasting."

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
1749-1832, Poet, Dramatist and Novelist

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Today's Quote

"Nurture your mind with great thoughts, for you will never go any higher than you think."

Benjamin Disraeli
1804-1881, British Prime Minister

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Quote Of The Day

"As you're on your journey to success, do remember to enjoy the trip. Stick your head out of the car window, just like a dog does, and let the wind blow through your hair."

Peggy McColl
New York Times Best-Selling Author.

Monday, January 12, 2009

COMPLIMENTERY CAR WASH

Get any service, even an oil change and receive a FREE car wash. We will wash, vacuum, and clean the wheels (you won't believe how good) on your vehicle.
expires 1/31 you must mention that you read about it in the blog to get wheel cleaning offer portion!

Today's Quote

"Act well at the moment, and you have performed a good action for all eternity."

Johann Kaspar Lavater
1741-1801, Swiss Theologian

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Today's Quote

"Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work it until it's done and done right."

- Walt Disney

We UseTwitter Posts For Quick Updates

We are using Twitter more and more to quickly update all of our new vehicles as they are aquired. This is done before we receive, detail, service and photograph them for the web site.
This enables you to find out first hand that we have your dream vehicle on its way so you can obtain financing from us online and be ready to drive and own it the moment it becomes ready.
You can beat everyone to the punch to your future car, truck, van, 4x4 or SUV
Start watching our Twitter Posts and you'll be the early bird!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Look For More Improvements!

We are constantly improving our web site:
http://www.hawaiicar.com .
We are adding a new feature where you can make your own service appointment. Choose your own date and time.
Keep a permanent record of YOUR vehicles services.
Check for recommended service intervals for YOUR vehicle.
See service bullitans and recalls for YOUR vehicle.
All of this will be possible on YOUR VEHICLE's password protected page.
More exciting features to come!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

BIG EUROPEAN AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY

This week over 52 Mercedes Benz will be sold at special Auction at bargain prices
AMG, C, CLK, E, S, SL, CL, M,and R series.
There will also be BMW special sales: 325i,328i, 330i,330Ci 545i, 645Ci 750i, X3, X5
All year 2005 and up. Most are lease returns.
Most of these cars have full factory warranty in force. Extremely low miles!!!
Priced way, way under new.
We have great financing, just apply online at http://www.hawaiicar.com or come in person to our location in Downtown Kailua-Kona right next to McDonalds.
Call by Tuesday at noon to reserve yours!! 808-334-1111

Today's Quote

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt
1859-1919, 26th President of the United States

Thursday, January 1, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR! to all of our great customers past, present and future

We all can manifest the best year we have ever had simply by deciding our goals, believing they are possible, planning them and working that plan to achieve them.