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Summer is Coming! And it's time to talk about the importance of cleaning and servicing your car's AC and ventilation system before the heat wave hits. We're here to break down some of the important terminology and terms with our next installment of Classic's Automotive Terminology Decoder! Here are some of the terms you may hear when speaking with your mechanic or service professional about your AC and Climate Control system: A/C compressor An engine-driven pump in the air conditioning system that increases the pressure of the refrigerant. A/C drain hose A hose used to drain condensation from the air conditioner evaporator. Air conditioner refrigerant The liquid used in air conditioning systems, which has the property of boiling at ambient air temperatures. Air conditioning The cooling and dehumidification of a vehicle's cabin air. Air conditioning filter A device that removes contaminants from external air entering the ventilation system. Air filter A device that filters incoming air fed to the engine. Climate control The computer-controlled regulation of heating and air conditioning systems to accommodate a user-specified temperature setting. HVAC Heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Radiator core & AC condenser The part of a vehicle's radiator and air conditioning systems made up of small-diameter tubes with a series of thin, heat-conducting fins in between. Rear HVAC The climate-control system used to regulate heating and air conditioning for the area of a vehicle behind the front row seating. How does it all work? Your car’s climate control system is a complex combination of components that include the compressor, condenser, receiver/dryer or an accumulator, a thermal expansion valve or orifice tube, and an evaporator. The compressor helps pressurize refrigerant to cool the air, and can sense the temperatures both inside and outside the vehicle, moves air to the condenser, etc.  The condenser helps reduce the temperature and the pressure of any hot gasses emitted from the refrigeration system, and moves cold liquid refrigerant to your receiver/dryer or the accumulator.  The most common parts to need service are the compressor and the condenser Additionally, low refrigerant (can be caused by leaks), a worn or broken v-belt or serpentine belt (helps the compressor function), or a busted compressor switch may also be the culprit. How do you diagnose an issue with your vehicle’s AC/Heating system? If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s an indication that your car’s AC system is in need of help from a pro: The air from the vents is not actually cold.  This may be due to debris clogging the AC unit, low or no refrigerant, damaged cooling fans, or more. You hear strange noises coming from the vent such as banging, rattling, squealing.  This might be a simple fix such as removing debris, or it may be a broken component inside. Your nose twinges due to foul smelling, musty, stale, or strange smells coming from the AC vents.  This may indicate that you need a new air filter or clear debris, but it may also indicate that you have mold growth inside the unit.  If you notice a chemical smell, that may indicate a leak in the AC or the radiator. There are water stains inside your vehicle instead of underneath it.  Your AC system drains water out from underneath your vehicle, and it’s a perfectly normal, healthy sign.  However, if you run the unit and notice any puddling or dampness inside on your floormats or under the dash, it may indicate that there’s a clog. There may be a leak in the AC system, which a professional will diagnose with special dyes to help identify and indicate the location and source of the leak. If you spot any of the above issues, it’s time to schedule a call with our service department for an AC system check.  Our professional technicians will thoroughly inspect your climate control system and its components to diagnose if the problem is mechanical or electrical. What can I do to help maintain my car’s ventilation and air conditioning system? Check under the hood and remove any leaves, trash, or other debris from inside the engine bay (when the car is cooled!) Check the cabin air filter and clean it or replace it. Clean your vehicle’s air vent system with a microfiber cloth, small brush, and air sanitizer.

Earth Day is only two days away, but here at Classic Toyota we’re celebrating a little bit early!  You see, we’re very proud to be a part of a brand of automotive manufacturing that has made a huge commitment to be mindful of their environmental impact.  Toyota has committed to have all facilities carbon neutral by 2035, and eliminate CO2 emissions from energy usage by 2050! On April 12th, Toyota announced something really exciting! Toyota North America is already on the path to achieve 100% renewable energy sources for 7 of its Michigan facilities, including the Research and Development headquarters in Ann Arbor, all thanks to the DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower Program. MIGreenPower is one of the largest voluntary renewable energy programs in the US. It allows home and business customers to receive a large percentage of their electricity through Michigan-made wind and solar projects! Check it out: Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and DTE Energy (DTE) today announced Toyota’s enrollment in MIGreenPower, DTE’s voluntary renewable energy program. Toyota’s participation puts all of TMNA’s Research and Development operations in Michigan on a path to attribute 100% of their electricity use to renewable energy projects starting in 2026.¹ This includes the company’s R&D Headquarters in Ann Arbor along with six other facilities across Washtenaw County. TMNA’s clean energy commitment covers a 20-year period and will have the environmental benefit equal to avoiding 29,000 metric tons of CO2 or the greenhouse gas emissions from more than 6,200 gasoline-powered passenger cars driven for a year.² “Renewable energy programs like DTE’s MIGreenPower program are crucial to helping companies seeking a reduced carbon footprint to achieve their goals,” said Kevin Butt, director of Environmental Sustainability for TMNA. “From our R&D facilities in Michigan to our production and corporate facilities across the nation, Toyota aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout our operations by 2035.” MIGreenPower is among the largest voluntary renewable energy programs in the United States. The program enables DTE Electric’s residential and business customers to attribute an even greater percentage of their electricity use to Michigan-made wind and solar projects beyond the 15% DTE already provides. To date, the company has more than 800 businesses enrolled in the program along with more than 85,000 residential customers. On an annual basis, MIGreenPower customers have enrolled four million megawatt hours of clean energy in the program, which has the environmental benefit equivalent to avoiding more than three million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually or the greenhouse gas emissions from more than 630,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars.³ Program participation is accelerating the development of new wind and solar projects in Michigan. By 2026, DTE will add more than 2,000 MW of new clean energy projects to meet program demand. “We are excited to welcome Toyota to the MIGreenPower program,” said Brian Calka, vice president, Renewable Sales and Project Development for DTEEnergy. “Toyota joins a growing list of Michigan-based automotive manufacturers and suppliers who are enrolling in MIGreenPower to meet their sustainability goals. Currently, more than 70% of MIGreenPower business customers are involved in the automotive sector.” DTE is Michigan’s largest producer of and investor in renewable energy and is committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. In its CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan filed in November 2022 with the Michigan Public Service Commission, DTE proposed increasing investment in solar and wind energy, accelerating the retirement of coal plants, and investing in the development of new energy storage – all reinforcing DTE’s commitment to cleaner energy. If the new plan is approved, the company will add more than 15,000 megawatts of new renewable energy projects over the next two decades. RELATED MEDIA RELATED IMAGES TMNA R&D For more than 50 years, Toyota Motor North America Research & Development (TMNA R&D) has led engineering for several of the best-selling Toyota vehicles on U.S. roads. Teams are now creating both next-generation vehicles and new and advanced mobility concepts that can better move people, goods and information. Toyota’s innovation has produced more patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office than any other automaker for the past 9 years (3,056 in 20221). Centered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, TMNA R&D is pursuing Toyota’s mission to “Produce Happiness for All” by making life safer, easier and more enjoyable. Globally, Toyota spends approximately $1 million per hour on R&D to ensure that Toyota rapidly and continuously develops cutting-edge, high-quality, and appealing vehicles. About DTE Energy DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE portfolio includes energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects, renewable natural gas, and energy marketing and trading. Through our commitment to cleaner energy, DTE Electric plans to reduce CO2 emissions by 90% and DTE Gas will plan to reduce methane emissions by more than 80% by 2040 to produce cleaner energy while keeping it safe, reliable and affordable. DTE Electric and Gas aspire to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. DTE is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com. 1 Includes 15% renewable energy already provided by DTE Energy through the State of Michigan’s Renewable Portfolio Standard. 2, 3 Avoided emissions and equivalencies are based on the Environmental Protection Agency equivalencies calculator at epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator

It’s time for another fun Youtuber Roundup where we gather all of the latest and greatest videos from our subscriptions on the streaming platform.  Whether you’re looking for fun shorts or lengthier DIYs and tutorials, we’ve got you covered. First up is the latest published today from Donut Media, covering the fastest American cars of all time.  Watch the crew test out the vehicles on camera, and give you a little history and tech specs on each! Get your car summer ready by super-cleaning its interior before your next lengthy road trip!  From the dashboards to the doors to the backseat and floor, ChrisFix has got you all set with a step-by-step detailed tutorial. Always struggling with packing too much or too little when you travel? Here’s some great advice on packing your road trip essentials to get you started.  Gemini Discover on YouTube has even included a handy downloadable list, and includes a link to part 2 with essential clothes and toiletries!  Definitely a must-watch before you plan your next vacation. Get ready for a summer of travel with this classic video from CNET Cars and their helpful checklist of preparations from tire treads to fluid levels and then some, with honest and upfront advice. Driving a manual transmission car isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and if you’ve ever been a passenger along for a bumpy, jerky ride, you’ll know that there’s definitely a right and wrong way to do it.  The Conquer Driving Channel video has some great tips and tricks to demonstrate how to drive a manual car smoothly!  Bear in mind that this video is UK based, so please don’t drive on the wrong side of the road here. Looking for even more manual driving tips?  This video from US based Casey the Car Guy is another great watch! Changing your car’s fluids and taking it in for a service appointment are a must-do on your pre vacation checklist.  However, if you prefer to take matters into your own hands, or perhaps you’re stranded while traveling and need to DIY it, ChrisFix has yet another wonderful video!  This step by step comprehensive guide will take you through the process of changing your own oil including what tools and supplies you will need to do it safely. Headlights looking a little dull and murky, but feeling overwhelmed with the amount of options that are available for headlight restoration kits? We feel you! Thank godoness for this helpful video from WatchJRGo where he runs through every single kit at O’Reilleys and tells you which one works best for his needs.  You’ll find a great jumping off point along with links to help you along.

We’re celebrating National Mushroom Day the only way we know how – by bringing cars into it!  Whether you’re a fan of these little fungi due to nostalgia from your Nintendo days, you’re a fledgling mycologist, or you’re just into the cottagecore or goblincore aesthetic, we’re here to bring you the best, and most charming of car accessories  There’s all sorts of fun, unique ways to add character to your ride, and we love the idea of gussying it up with things that reflect your interests and personality. Best of all, many of these items are also barriers to protect your vehicle from mess, muck, mud, and even stinky aromas. Summer is almost upon us, and that means plenty of iced coffees, slushies, milkshakes, and ice cream sodas!  Keep your vehicle’s cupholders clean and tidy with a set of car coasters!  Here are some magical little mushroom themed ones to fit the theme: These Sparkling Resin Cottagecore Frog and Mushroom coasters from WonderlandArtShopUS on Etsy These neoprene cottagecore mushroom car coasters from WHFlies on Etsy. These cork cottagecore coasters with mushrooms and frogs (plenty of options for personalization) from WalnutCreekGiftsCo on Etsy. Want to keep your car smelling fresh as the woodland air, as sweetly scented as the fresh wildflowers of the forest?  We’ve got just the thing for you!  Here’s our picks for best mushroom themed car fresheners! These sustainable option s from ShopVroomBlooms on Etsy are made of wood and come with their own fragrance oil bottle to get you started! These Mushroom Car Freshies from LisaReneeDesignsCo on Etsy are great options for longlasting scent with a bit of pizazz! Choose your scent and color option to personalize your car freshener. Add some vintage flair with these retro inspired mushroom air fresheners in Black Ice Scent from 13Tumbleweeds on Etsy. We love this Super Mario Movie and Game inspired Mushroom air freshener that has a fresh strawberry scent sold on Amazon. Always misplacing your keys and wondering where you put them? Well, why not make them easy to find with a unique and colorful keychain!  Whether you misplace them at work, at home, or at the store, having a unique identifier like a mushroom keychain will help you get back on the road in no time. These personalized Super Mario Mushroom Nintendo Inspired keychains from CCWorks3D on Etsy are just the thing to help you find your keys in a flash. These holographic hotel style mushroom keychains from BagsFromBeyond on Etsy are truly an eyecatching design! They’ll glimmer and glint their way back into your hands, if you can even take your eyes off their mesmerizing holo to begin with. If you prefer something very light in weight but heavy on personality, this happy toadstool keychain from LydiaJeanArt on Etsy is going to really excite you! They say home is where the heart is, but nothing much matters if you lose your keys and can’t get into the car to drive home, or into the front door of the house itself!  Why not get this charming little frog and toadstool keychain from WildflowerandCompany on Etsy! If you’d like to keep in theme with the more rustic of accessories styles, this handmade 3 inch burned wood mushroom keychain from AASBCreations on Etsy is going to be just the perfect option! It’s almost earth day, so why not celebrate by preserving this incredible piece of mother nature as a keepsake right in your pocket? This natural, real chanterelle mushroom is preserved in eco-resin with natural forest moss in an acorn keychain shape from IrisArtTextile on Etsy. Long summer road trips and vacation travel means you need to keep your hands and body parts cool during the drive!  We’ve got some great picks for seatbelt covers, backseat fabric covers, seat covers, and steering wheel protectors all with our fun little theme. This Mushroom Car Accessory Wheel Cover is made of fabric and neoprene to keep your hands off the burning hot steering wheel and driving safely, and it’s available on Amazon! If you’d like to coordinate your entire vehicle with the same pattern, we’ve got this fantastic set of front and rear seat covers, seatbelt covers, car coasters, and more, sold on Amazon. For a less psychedelic effect, this woodland themed mushroom car seat and accessories collection on Amazon is going to be a more subtle option. If you’re looking to take your pups on the road with you, we’ve got a great set of backseat car covers that are pet friendly! Rainasvibes.com has a wonderful selection of different mushroom and retro themed pet seat covers that will keep them free of muck, sand, and grime as you and your best pal become globetrotters.

Here at Classic we have all sorts of interests and hobbies, but somehow we always find our way back to cars!  Today is National Anime Day, and we’re sharing our picks for some of the most amazing animated cars from Anime shows and movies.  From real life designs to the most fantastical cat bus, you’ll find all sorts of cool cartoon cars on today’s blog. The iconic Catbus from My Neighbor Totoro Thanks to the whimsical imagination of Hayao Miyazaki, we have one of the most incredibly imaginative vehicles in anime.  This wacky set of “wheels” transports its passengers by flying! The Toyota AE86 from Initial D This iconic car is inspired by the real deal street racing favorite in Japan!  This pinnacle anime has inspired live action adaptations, as well as movies like Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. This anime is absolutely chock full of incredible vehicles, though, and our pals over at Donut Media took the time to rank every car in the series for your viewing pleasure. Speed Racer’s incredible Mach 5 Racer This anime was inspired by real life racing cars, and has become an indelible memory across multiple generations.  Adapted from the Mach GoGoGo anime into a cartoon anime series in 1967 and subsequent live action film decades later. The historic 1928 Mercedes Benz SSK in Lupin III Although Lupin also drove a Fiat 500, the Mercedes car was a familiar transport in the first, second, and third series! Becoming as much a character of the show as their human counterparts, these two vehicles have permeated pop culture references since the show premiered. 1,500 × 840 The Spinners in Blade Runner: Black Lotus These stunning futuristic transports are snatched right from the live action film and given a glossy, technicolor anime update for the spectacular anime spinoff. Looking for some recommendations for anime to watch if you’re into racing and cars?  We’ve scoured the internet to find you some great recap videos and top lists to peruse and find your new favorite show. KingMart on YouTube has a “Carguy’s Watch Series” with their top 5 Street Racing Anime if you can’t get enough of franchises like Initial D or Fast and furious. An oldie but still a goodie, the gang at Donut Media (we love ‘em!) compiled a list of their personal Top 10 Auto Racing Animes.  It may be from 2017, but the recommendations are still top tier.

While we all certainly love all things automotive, our staff have each got lots of other hobbies and pastimes, one of which includes gardening!  And we thought it only fitting that we celebrate National Gardening Day by highlighting local greenhouses and garden centers, and some tips on how to transport your new plants home, or move your favorite plants from your old dwelling to your new one safe and sound! Gardening has some truly wonderful benefits for your mind, body, and soul! You can boost your mood with just 30 minutes of gardening thanks to its ability to lower the stress hormone cortisol. It’s fantastic physical exercise and aerobic activity to help you raise your heart rate and break a sweat. It can improve your mental health by boosting confidence, increasing a feeling of happiness and satisfaction, and a dose of healthy self-esteem from a successful venture. Gives your body a boost of Vitamin D from working outdoors in sun! How to Transport Plants safely in your car: Cardboard boxes, foldable storage bins, laundry baskets Sheet cake pans Small towels Small plastic bags or trash bags Recycled newspapers Optional: nonskid mats for your trunk, floor, hatchback First things first, line your car with the nonskid mats.  Next, line up your cardboard boxes or bins side by side. If you’re transporting smaller plants, sheet pans are a great option!  Wrap the bottom of the pots in plastic bags or newspaper to prevent dirt and moisture from getting into your vehicle.  Then, place your plants gently into the boxes or bins, grouping small plants together closely as possible, and medium or large plants in their own boxes.  Place rolled up newspaper or small towels between the plants to ensure they don’t slide around while driving. If you’re driving a long distance, or making a few stops for more errands, make sure to place low-light plants in the shadier areas of the car, and the ones who like direct sunlight in where they’ll get the most sun to avoid wilting. If you’re taking plants with you while moving house or apartments, you’ll want to make sure the plants are in a temperature-controlled environment so avoid too-hot or too-cold temps blasting from the vents; likewise, if they’re making a big move with you, be sure to give them adequately wet soil before the drive!  You’ll also want to consider pruning your plants before the big move to get rid of dead leaves and the like. Check out our picks for local area garden centers, urban agriculture facilities with resources and classes, and even a Living Farm you can visit!  Then pack up your new Classic Auto Group home with some trunk storage supplies, and get started on your own container garden and urban agriculture project. Garden Centers in the Area: Gurnee Garden Center in Gurnee Buena Vibra Plant Shop in Waukegan Larsen Florists & Greenhouses Mary’s Greenhouse in Gurnee Larsen Florists and Greenhouses in Waukegan Plant House in Waukegan Lurvey Landscape Supply in Park Cit y Country Gardens Garden Center in Lake Villa Pasquesi Home & Gardens in Lake Bluff Country Bumpkin Garden Center in Mundelein Roses & Roses & Roses in Wadsworth Windy City Garden Center in Evanston Reds Garden Center & Fireplace Logs in Northbrook Rolling Hills Nursery in Lincolnshire J&E Nursery in Libertyville Perricone Garden Center & Nursery Community gardens are an incredible way to connect with your local neighbours and fellow citizens, especially if your current home doesn’t have much room or your landlord doesn’t permit it.  But that’s not all community gardens can do! Planting wildflowers can restore local pollinator populations.  Container gardens, replacing sidewalk grass strips with planters, and even small scale orchards in public parks can beautify the area, reduce urban poverty, increase environmental management efforts, and promote an inclusive space for all to enjoy. Community Gardens in the Area: Madeleine Fuqua Garden in Waukegan GreenTown Waukegan Waukegan Garden Club Mundelein Community Garden in Mundelein Century Park North Garden in Vernon Hills Grayslake Community Garden in Grayslake Plymouth Farms Community Garden in Vernon Hills Century Park Boat Dock Garden in Vernon Hills

We’re so excited that Record Store Day is back for another year!  Founded in 2007 by a group of very enthusiastic indie record store owners, this holiday was intended to share a love of record collecting, vinyl record culture, and music history with others.  Since then, the holiday has blossomed into an industry wide favorite, with record companies and artists producing a wide array of super special singles, limited pressing Record Store Day collectible vinyl, and other goodies just for fans. If you’re on the hunt for a specific pressing, we recommend showing up bright and early. It’s not uncommon for record shops to have lines around the block before opening time!  The thrill of the hunt is half the fun, and scoring some prized picks to share with friends and appreciate for the lifetime is all the rest!  Plus, it’s a great way to support local commerce and your friendly neighborhood small business owners.  Indie record stores are a treasure to behold, and provide such a fun, creative place to visit.  That’s why we’re sharing a list of our picks for great Wisconsin and Illinois record shops that are worthy of a little road trip with your pals to make memories with some seriously magical music.  Check it out! Each year a new Record Store Day Ambassador is crowned for the season. This year’s 2023 ambassadors are husband-and-wife duo Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell.  And as an extra special treat, they’re releasing “The Sound Emporium EP” as a Record Store Day Release with brand new songs. Check out these awesome local record shops you can patronize all year round: Play by Play Record Shop in Waukegan Reef Records in Antioch Reef Records in Lakemoor Vinyl Frontier Records in McHenry Scratched Vinyl in Barrington Blue Myrtle Records in Gurnee Offbeat Music Store in Lake Zurich Siren Records McHenry in McHenry Hip Cat Records & Music Videos in Wilmette Algonquin Records in Des Plaines Record Wonderland in Roselle MetalEdge Records and Tapes in Chicago Vintage Vinyl in Evanston Squeezebox Books & Music Inc in Evanston Rediscover Records in Elgin Cheap Kiss Records in Villa Park Tone Deaf Records in Chicago The Old School Records in Forest Park Blue Village Vinyl in Westmont Kiss the Sky in Batavia Rattleback Records in Chicago Mile Long Records in Wheaton Rolling Stones in Norridge Val’s Halla Records in Oak Park Reckless Records in Chicago Interstellar Space Records in Chicago Electric Jungle in Chicago Hyde Park Records in Chicago Shuga Records in Chicago Green Tangerine Records in DeKalb Bob’s Blues & Jazz Mart Record Breakers in Chicago Black Circle Records in Lake Geneva WI Did we accidentally leave your fave local indie music store off the list? Please let us know in a comment so our readers can find and support your faves.

Isn’t spring just fantastic? The days are getting longer. The sun is shining brighter. The weather is getting warmer. The roads are finally clear for us to embark on our next big adventure.  If you’re looking for something to spark your imagination when planning a truly unique road trip, let this guide light your way. Today, we’re taking a moment to appreciate National Library Day by highlighting incredible libraries across the USA!  Any of these amazing, impressive libraries would make a great jumping off point to plan a grand trip and make memories of a lifetime with your friends and loved ones. Gorgeous and Inspiring Libraries Across America to Add to Your Future Road Trip Itinerary Milwaukee’s Central Library Stony Island Arts Bank The Poetry Foundation Library Chicago Public Library Chinatown Branch The Central Library in Indiana The Central Library in Missouri The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale The Boston Public Library George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University Hearst Castle Library The Library of Congress Los Angeles Central Library New York Public Library The Morgan Library and Museum The Seattle Public Library The Geisel Library Looking for an inspired list of libraries to explore state by state? Photographer Robert Dawson and his son Walker spent a summer photographing libraries across the country for a special book about American Public Libraries. Check out their recommendations here. Visit your Local Library Before Your Next Trip Bulk up on your summer reading with these wonderful road trip memoirs to check out at the local library or county library: America Day By Day by Simone De Beauvoir is a wonderful memoir of the French author’s travels across America in 1947.  Going coast to coast from New York to Los Angeles via car, train, and Greyhound bus, she chronicles her adventures and chance encounters with unique individuals. Flaming Iguanas by Erika Lopez puts a unique spin on the road trip memoir as an illustrated novel!  This is not your mama’s average travel story, though, featuring a colorful cast of characters and chronicled in the author’s quirky, offbeat perspectives on each new adventure! Catfish and Mandala by Andrew X. Pham is sure to inspire travelers to take a chance and see the world from a new perspective!  Vietnamese born but California-raised, the author sells his worldly possessions and returns to Saigon in the wake of his sister’s passing.  Follow along on his incredibly personal journey as he bicycles across the globe from his home country of Vietnam to the Mexican dessert and even Japan! A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the World i s a collection of stories from solo women travelers as they navigate their way through terrifying, heartbreaking, heartwarming, and hilarious adventures in new countries and cities. Whatever You Do. Don’t Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide by Peter Allison is a hilarious collection of essays from his personal life in the African Bush as a safari travel guide.  From goofy tourists to wild animals, there’s plenty of tales to entertain and delight you. We hope that these unique travel stories inspire you to log your own adventures and travel tales so that you can enjoy the memories for generations to come!

Welcome to National “Read a Road Map Day” – we’re sharing some fantastic travel essentials and local destinations worthy of vacation plans this spring and summer! Learning to read an atlas and physical map can open up so many opportunities for off road exploring and unique destination vacations. While we’ve all come to rely quite heavily on GPS and smartphone navigation options, there’s plenty of times where we may take the road less traveled and lose reception.   In those instances, the best travel companion you can reach for is your trusted paper map or road atlas!  Not only that, but if you’ve chosen to go on a very long hike, perhaps camping “in the rough”, or even just exploring a national park on foot, having the handy skills to read a physical map will keep you safe and sound in the event you don’t have a digital device to help you. Let’s take a look at some of the fantastic Road Atlas options for National Parks, Scenic Drives, and other grand adventures. Get ready for the vacation of a lifetime as you travel across the country exploring the more than 60 gorgeous national parks across the United States thanks to this guide from Rand McNally. ​​ If you’re looking for a handy backup for low reception areas during travel in the Midwest/Central US, this glovebox friendly folded Map will surely do the trick! Covering Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and more. This Great Lakes adventure guide would be wonderful to take with you and explore the region this summer for vacation! Covering states such as Minnesota, Illinois,  Wisconsin, Michigan and more, there’s plenty of travel map routes to see the big cities and explore the acres of gorgeous wilderness and nature preserves. Looking for tools to help you plan the road trip of your dreams so you can head off into the sunset on adventure this summer? We love this custom road trip map tool from Road Trippers. With their helpful website and mobile app, you’ll be able to plot out a custom route from start to finish.  There’s plenty of options to add custom travel points, and you’ll even be able to plot out gas stations, rest stops, and restaurants.  The trip planner can even set up a custom itinerary for you with mileage totals daily or for the trip in its entirety. It’s the ultimate modern-day road map tool. Looking for some handy tools for offroading and hiking? We’ve got some great suggestions for a non-digital compass that will get you reoriented in just about any situation! For less than $25, this portable bracket mount compass can be mounted to your vehicle’s dashboard with ease, and comes in one of two sizes and price points.  It’s great for offroading, camping, and for easy navigation when you’ve not got much phone reception. If you’re a hardcore outdoorsy type, you might want to opt for a lightweight but extremely durable option that clips onto your keys or pack! This titanium/brass compass fits nicely into the palm of your hand, and is virtually indestructible.  Prices range from $23 through $70 depending on your material choice, but it’s a great tool to have available in case of emergencies or if you’re heading out on the trails. If you prefer learning with visual aids, we recommend these wonderful YouTube videos as a great starting off point: Let’s hit the Road and Explore Minocqua! Now that you have some tools and tricks up your sleeve for navigating, reading maps, and using a compass to find direction, why not check out these incredible destinations on a road trip from Lake County area or Chicago on up to Minoqua, WI!  Minoqua is a gorgeous destination with plenty of opportunities to use you newfound knowledge, with plenty of other local area attractions for the less adventurous in your party. Go offroading in ATVs and UTVs in Minocqua, Woodruff, and Arbor Vitae. Hike the railbed trails of Bearskin State Trail, and then connect up to the Hiawatha Trail for 25 miles of gorgeous scenery and nature to explore. Enjoy the Big Arb Ruins geocaching trails along Big Arbor Vitae Lake! Explore the 25 waterfalls in the Minocqua area formed by the Wisconsin Glacier; these include Rainbow Falls, Gorge Falls, Potawatomi Falls, Potato Falls, and more! Use your compass skills to travel the many lakes and rivers by canoe or kayak. Hone your nature photography skills or go birding to explore the incredible rare and endangered birds of the Minocqua area

Welcome back to another fun edition of Classic’s Automotive Terminology Decoder!  Today we’re going to get down to the nuts and bolts of automotive repair and engineering. We mean that literally!  Today’s terms are bearing, bushing, and valves, and we’ll be giving some examples of when you should service some of the more commonly related parts. Bearings – These rings are anti-friction devices placed between two moving parts of your vehicle.  Their job is to help minimize wear and friction while running and driving.  In general, bearing refers to at least two or more moving parts which allow one part to slide against another one.  Other bearings such as roller bearings, ball bearings, and needle bearings use a round roller part intermediary to roll the parts against themselves. Wheel bearings should be replaced every 85,000 to 100,000 miles.  Signs of a bad wheel bearing include humming noises, squealing, growling, ABS failures, vehicle pulling to one side, etc.  If you notice any of these things, it’s very important that you bring your vehicle in for a service, as it is very dangerous to drive it in that condition. Bushing – These are thin tubes used to improve efficiency, reduce vibration and noise, and work as a guide for valve rods, steering joints, and vehicle suspension. These are generally made of rubber or polyurethane or other materials, and they control movement in the joints and aid in rotating and sliding shafts. Bushings need to be replaced between 40,000 to 80,000 miles.  If you need to replace your bushings, you may notice excess vibration or road noise inside the cabin while driving, creaks or banging sounds coming from the wheels, the frame may rattle if you drive over bumpy terrain or rough road or speed humps, the steering may feel loose.  It is not recommended to drive your vehicle if you notice signs of bad bushings; these are critical components of the steering and front end of your vehicle, and may cause serious damage to the vehicle and pose a safety hazard for you and passengers. Valves – Your vehicle has a variety of valves, such as intake valves and exhaust valves.  Intake valves control the amount of fluid entering the engine’s cylinder;  in an internal-combustion engine, these open at precise moments to allow the fuel-air mixture to be drawn into the cylinder.  Exhaust valves release the burnt fuel-air mixture into the exhaust system.  They are both responsible for controlling the flow of gasses in and out of the combustion chamber. Here are some helpful videos from YouTube about various engine valves:

It’s National Car Care Month, and we’re here with a few helpful tips and reminders to get your car ready for Springtime.  It’s the prime month to get your vehicle in tip-top shape and repair any issues you may have encountered over the winter months, or maintenance you ignored during the chilly weather.  Here’s our recommended service points and cleaning schedule: Clean off the grime, muck, and salt from winter months at a professional car wash service. Washing your car at home or on your own is great, but nothing beats a professional car wash.  Having your vehicle washed, polished, waxed and details ensures that it’s well protected for all of your summer road trips and you’re ahead of the game in preventing rust and paint chipping. Plus, they’ll get all the nooks and crannies and tiny spaces that we tend to overlook on our own.  Consider having any scratches filled in as well so you don’t have to worry about rust or chipping on your travels!  This can take anywhere from a half an hour to 2 hours depending on wait times and your type of vehicle, unless you opt for a full detailing service which may be 2+ hours for the concierge service! Schedule a brake service appointment. With all the driving you’re about to do over spring break and summer vacation months, it’s important to have your brakes fully serviced.  This will include flushing out the brake lines of old fluid and replacing it with new fluid, replacing any worn or damaged brake pads, resurfacing the rotors, cleaning and adjusting the brakes system, and lubricating any parts as necessary.  If you noticed any squeaking or squealing, you should make that appointment sooner rather than later!  This will take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours on average, depending on the vehicle and how much needs to be replaced or cleaned. Perform windshield maintenance. Ensure that your wiper blades have been replaced in time for snowstorms to change over to rain and fog.  Consider applying a hydrophobic coating to your windshield to aid in visibility and reduce scratches. Get any stars or minor cracks repaired or schedule a windshield replacement service.  Refill your windshield wiper fluid or top it off. Do a tire checkup and rotation. Ensure that your car has had a proper alignment and rotate those tires to help them wear evenly. Check your tire tread depth.  Ensure the tires are properly inflated as the weather starts to warm up; check them on a regular basis as every 10 degrees in temperature change can cause the pressure to change. Swap out any winter tires with all-season or summer tires when the weather is appropriate. Got a question about car maintenance and repairs? Give our body shop a call and they’ll point you in the right direction to solve the problem!

Today is April 1st, canonically accepted as April Fool’s Day, but thanks to organizations like Greenpeace who are committed to sustainability, environmentally conscious living, and reducing our carbon footprint as a society, it’s now known as Fossil Fool’s day! Efforts are being made around the world to transform the automotive industry into something more sustainable and energy efficient.  Companies are pledging to reach carbon neutrality, commit to natural and sustainable production methods, and reach new heights in clean energy technologies.  At Classic, we’re proud to be a part of brands that are striving to create a greener world and protecting the planet for future generations.  Let’s take a look at how our manufacturers are moving forward with these efforts! Fast Facts About Fossil Fuels Consumption and Clean Energy Options Fossil fuels are a finite resource and not a renewable energy Nearly 80% of energy in the US comes from coal, natural gas, and oil. 63% of electricity in the US comes from fossil fuel burning (2019) The US has the 2nd highest economic cost of Fossil fuel air pollution, for an average toll of $600 billion annually. During April 2020, daily global fossil CO2 emissions dropped by 17% in comparison to statistics from 2019 due to Covid-19 related lockdowns and isolation. When fossil fuels are burned they release CO2 greenhouse gasses, which trap heat in our atmosphere; as a result the average global temperature has increased by 1 degree celsius. Natural gas is generally cleaner than coal or oil, but still accounts for 1/5th of the world’s total carbon emissions. Solar energy is nearly 200 years old, and in the 1950s NASA was the first organization to adopt solar technology use! Iceland is at the forefront of clean, renewable energy with near 100% of the country’s energy produced from renewable resources such as geothermal and hydro energy Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy across the world. Toyota Toyota is aiming to make all of the company’s facilities carbon neutral by the year 2035, and to fully eliminate their CO2 emissions at their facilities by the year 2050.  As a result, they’ve invested heavily in renewable energy projects!  In 2021, Toyota added more than 10 acres of solar arrays in the company’s manufacturing plants in the US (AL, MO, WV).  The new distribution center in Ontario uses geothermal energy to heat the building and reduce reliance on natural gas heating; in late 2022, they also started using a solar array.  Toyota is in the top 20 corporate users of on-site solar energy according to the Solar Energy Industries Association.  They’ve also entered a long-term partnership with Clearway Energy Group, purchasing enough electricity from wind farms in the US to power about 8% of the company’s energy usage.  Learn more about the company’s efforts and how much they’ve already invested and energy saved on their environmental ideas and actions plan site.