Today is Small Business Saturday. As fellow Lake County residents and business owners, we wanted to take a moment to shout out our appreciation for all of the small business owners that make our community such a vibrant, bustling, and beautiful place to live! We encourage everyone to shop small and shop local if you’re able to do so this holiday season. Today we’re sharing that love and paying it forward with a great list of some great local businesses in the surrounding area to support.
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Gorgeous Scenic Highways and Byways of Illinois
After a whole day spent with family, friends, and enough food to last a lifetime, why not take a day off to kick back, relax, and go for a ride to clear your mind! Take in the gorgeous scenery all around Illinois as you “take the long way” back home. Prolong those vacation day vibes with a slow stroll down charming little villages. Explore the unique people and places in the historic towns that dot the highways and byways, or immerse yourself in the beauty of nature along trails and shorelines.
Read the rest of this entry »Holiday Travel Checklist: Check These Service Points On Your Vehicle Before You Travel This Thanksgiving Weekend
Thursday marks the official kickoff to the holidays, which means lots of traveling to and from friends and relatives for the next month and change. No matter if you’re traveling one mile or one hundred miles, we’ve put together a handy checklist of things to check before you hit the road. These basic service tips are vital safety checks on your vehicle to prevent accidents from early frosts, wet leaves, and blustery conditions. If you need any of these items replaced or serviced, please do so before embarking on your holiday journeys. We want to know our customers and clients will arrive safely at their destination to enjoy their turkey dinners!
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With a nod to the past and an eye toward the future, Toyota announced today the North American debut of the first-ever Toyota Crown Signia. As the second entry in the U.S. Toyota Crown lineup, the 2025 Crown Signia also marks the nameplate’s entry into the SUV category. For almost 70-years of Toyota history, the Toyota Crown name has become synonymous with quality and sophistication among Toyota vehicles. In 2024, the Crown Signia will add a new dimension to the ongoing legend, bringing North American customers an elevated ride and premium quality in a stylish crossover package.
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Earlier this week in Los Angeles, California, the Toyota Camry rang in celebrations of it’s Ninth Generation with an all-new look and facelift, impressive performance enhancements, and an outstanding Hybrid Powertrain that’s a cut above the rest. Designed and assembled right here in the United States, the reimagined Camry has artfully intensified the most beloved qualities drivers find in a Camry, and added more power, updated aesthetics, enhanced features and modern conveniences, and exquisite handling! Plus, in conjunction with Toyota’s goal to provide a cleaner, greener future and electrification for all, this 2025 Toyota Camry will be available exclusively as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) model, providing drivers with all the power they love and fuel efficiency they need for economical, environmentally friendly daily driving.
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The holidays are here! If you’re wondering what to get the car enthusiast on your list this year, let us help guide you through. We’ve got some great budget friendly options for gifting or stocking stuffers that are sure to please any gearhead.
Read the rest of this entry »Winter Prep Service Tips for Safe Winter Driving
Before the winter weather arrives, we’ve got a checklist of items that will keep you safe on the road during inclement weather and icy conditions. If you need support or to schedule a maintenance appointment, feel free to call our service center and we’ll help you get your car winter ready!
And be sure to check out our service specials for new deals and offers each month.
- Survey the windshield and wiper blades for any signs of damage. Bring your car in for a windshield ding/crack repair before it gets chilly and cracks further. Replace any damaged wiper blades with new ones. Apply a thin coat of hydrophobic coating such as Rain-X. And refill your wiper fluid with one designed for colder temps and is also hydrophobic.
- Schedule an appointment to have your brakes inspected and tires rotated so that you can drive confidently knowing you can stop short on a dime and be safe in treacherous weather conditions. If they need service or replacing, prioritize this repair before the snow and icy weather rolls in.
- Test your heating and ventilation and defrosting systems to ensure they’re properly functioning. There’s nothing worse than getting into a freezing cold car and having to commute! And it’s no good to have a window fog up or freeze over while driving due to lack of properly working defrosters. Call for a service appointment to have your mechanic get it working in tip-top shape before the temps drop too low.
- Check the underside of your car for rust, loose pipes, loose wires, or anything that might be wiggling and flopping about and causing an issue. Schedule a maintenance appointment for anything that looks rusted, torn, flapping, or otherwise out of place. This will prevent winter weather, ice, or cold temps from cracking items further and leading to costly repairs.
- Get your car professionally washed and polished. When you get home, give the vehicle a once over to check the paint on your vehicle for ships, scratches, cracks, and other physical damage that has occurred over the last few seasons. If you find any, clean the spots with rubbing alcohol or acetone and fill in the spaces with a pot of touch-up paint or paint pen from your car’s manufacturer or the local automotive supply shop. This will help prevent rust and further damage from bad weather and road salts.
- Check your fluid levels and make sure everything is in tip-top shape. Check hoses for any signs of wear and replace anything that is cracked, worn, or shows any sign of damage. Schedule a regular oil and filter change. Have the coolant/antifreeze flushed and filled if need be as well to prepare for the drop in temperatures.
- Check your tires for adequate tread depth, replace cracked valve caps, and ensure there are no signs of wear and tear that could lead to flat tires or cause you to lose control if stopping short in icy conditions. Be sure to properly inflate your tires as well, as the decrease in temperatures can cause them to lose air pressure. You may even want to consider a pair of winter weather tires if you live in an area prone to lots of snow.
- Gather supplies to create a winter-weather safety kit. Your kit should include: an ice scraper and brush, a rechargeable battery jump start kit, a small or foldable snow shovel, a crank operated or battery powered flashlight with LED, a small container of road salt or kitty litter, a clean set of warm clothing, spare gloves and hat and scarf, a thick warm blanket and a towel or two. In case you get stranded, all of these things can come in handy to keep you safe, dry, and warm until help arrives. For an added bonus, you can get a pair of Tire Traction mats to place under the tires and afford you some extra grip on the road
Did you know that every minute, around 26 vehicles are recycled in the US per minute? Conversations around ecological conservation, global warming, and renewable energy are becoming more and more frequent as politicians, citizens, and businesses work together to create a greener future. In light of that, we thought it would be a great idea to celebrate America Recycles Day by highlighting efforts the automotive industry is doing in order to recycle and reuse metal and other materials in efforts to be more eco-conscious!
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In honor of National Seatbelt Day, we’re sharing these important facts and hoping that it inspires you to prioritize safety. We’ve covered tips and tricks for roadside safety, proper car maintenance, and plenty of road trip ideas, but today we’re taking it back to the basics and fundamentals of driver safety: seatbelts. We love our customers, and want you to reach all of your exciting destinations safely and soundly. Happy driving!
Read the rest of this entry »Get Into the Giving Spirit: Ways to Give Back to Our Community for National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week
It’s the season of giving and giving back, and since this week is National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, we’d like to celebrate by illustrating some amazing ideas for you to give back and help out other people. One of the most important values to us here at Classic is to support our community. This can include fundraising efforts, donations to local pantries, collecting toy drives or clothing drives to those in need, and more. The world could always do with a little more kindness, so why not use today’s blog list as a springboard!
Here are some great ways to inspire others around you, and get you started with thinking in a community service oriented mindset:
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- Top 5 Features of the 2026 Toyota 4Runner That Conquer Illinois Winters
- Celebrate the Holidays by Gifting a Road Trip to the Michigan Ice Fest 2026!
- Extending the Spirit of The Giving Season: Great Ways to Give Back to the Community For the Holidays (Lake County, Waukegan Area)
- Your 2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Car Lovers
- Great Holiday Gift Experiences in the local Lake County Illinois Area for Holiday 2025 Season