ENTER TO WIN Disney On Ice Tickets!

Disney On Ice: Dare To Dream is coming to the Energy Solution Arena March 6 - 10, 2013, and we have your chance to win a family four-pack of tickets!
What you need to know:

• Go to the Enjoy Utah and/or Gines Auto Service Facebook page to enter to win. (Entering on both pages increases your chances of winning!)
• Remember, you always get extra entries for referring friends, so make sure you share the link after submitting your entry!
• Deadline to enter is Monday February 18th 2013 at 11:59pm. Winner will be notified on Tuesday February 19th 2013.
• Family four-pack of tickets are good for the following Disney On Ice performances at the Energy Solutions Arena: Wed. March 6th at 7pm, Thrs. March 7th at 7pm, or Friday March 8th at 3:30pm.
• Winner will be given 4 vouchers that can be redeemed at the box office for tickets on any of the dates listed above.
• Only one entry per person every 24 hour period. 
• The winner will have 24 hours to respond to email notification and claim their prize. If they do not respond within the 24 hour time period, a new winner will be chosen.
• We will not be held responsible for missed email notifications due to junk/spam email settings, loss of internet service, limited access to email, or any other reason why winner may have missed the email notification.

Ticket Information:

• Prices range from $17, $23, $40 (VIP) and $52 (Front Row).*
• Opening Night discount tickets available for only $12 each. (not valid for premium seating)
• All seats are reserved and available from the EnergySolutions Box Office and all SmithTix locations, charge by phone at 801-355-SEAT or 800-888-TIXX and online at www.smithstix.com or www.energysolutionsarena.com.  
• *Tickets may be subject to service charges, facility and handling fees.  
• By using this code, MOM, at checkout readers can receive discounted tickets for the Thursday at 7PM, Friday at 3:30 PM, Saturday at 11:30 AM, Sunday at 1:30PM and 5:30 PM performances, for ticket levels of $23 and $16. 

read more "ENTER TO WIN Disney On Ice Tickets!"

Know Your Dashboard Series

Today starts our new blog series on "Know Your Dashboard". Think of your dashboard as your command center.The gauges, lights and devices on your vehicle dashboard are there to monitor how your vehicle is performing, and alert you of a possible problem.

By knowing what all of the readings on your dashboard mean, you can watch for problems and better prevent potentially expensive repairs.

Stay tuned to our blog over the next few weeks as we breakdown each and every part of your dashboard, what the alerts and levels mean, and how to watch for potential problems.

read more "Know Your Dashboard Series"

ENTER TO WIN Monster Jam Tickets!

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS MONSTER JAM®  RETURNS TO SALT LAKE CITY FOR MORE  ENGINE-ROARING THRILLS AND CAR-CRUSHING MONSTER TRUCK ACTION **Featuring More Trucks Than Last Year  Plus Three Trucks Making Salt Lake Debut Appearances**
Tickets Now on Sale for Three Shows at the EnergySolutions Arena on February 15 & 16, 2013
ENTER TO WIN a family four-pack of tickets to the Saturday February 16th 2013 event at 2pm. 

• Go to our Facebook page and click on ENTER TO WIN.
• Fill out the form, and make sure to check your email on February 1st to see if you have won!
• Share with all of your friends! The more people that enter off of your link, the more extra entries you get! (You will also receive extra entries by entering on the Enjoy Utah Facebook page.)

What you need to know:

• Family four-pack of tickets are good for the Saturday February 16, 2013 2pm Monster Jam event at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City, UT.
• Tickets will be held at will-call the day of the event. Winner is responsible for picking up their own tickets before the show.
• Only one entry per person every 24 hour period.
• The winner will have 24 hours to respond to email notification and claim their prize. If they do not respond within the 24 hour time period, a new winner will be chosen.
• We will not be held responsible for missed email notifications due to junk/spam email settings, loss of internet service, limited access to email, or any other reason why winner may have missed the email notification.

read more "ENTER TO WIN Monster Jam Tickets!"

A Few Reminders About Winter Driving

It's always best to be prepared ahead of time
for Winter traffic jams like these ones!

Another big Utah snowstorm hit us last night, and many people out there were unprepared. SR-201 and I-80 were like parking lots, and many people got stuck in traffic for 3+ hours trying to get home!

Here are a few things to keep in mind when driving in Utah:

• Keep your gas tank 1/2 full at all times
  Not only is this important for your fuel pump, but for those that got stuck in traffic last night, they just couldn't pull off and fill up their gas tank. You may think you have enough gas to get from A to B, but if a snowstorm hits, you could get stuck in your vehicle for hours at a time. 
• Keep snacks in your vehicle
  This is especially important if you are diabetic or have blood sugar issues. Even for those that don't, getting stuck in a traffic jam during dinner time makes it harder to stay patient when your stomach is growling. Items like peanut butter crackers are inexpensive, and are high in protein to keep your stomach full until you reach your destination and can get a full meal.
• Carry a blanket
  If by chance you do get stuck in a snow drift, or you have to turn your vehicle off while in a traffic jam,  being cold can get very uncomfortable, very fast! Always have a warm blanket in your vehicle for times like these. It also comes in handy if you witness an accident, and need to keep somebody warm to prevent them from going into shock.
• Do not turn on your wipers until all snow has been cleared from your window.
  Turning your wipers on while there is still snow accumulated can wear on your wiper transmission. This is one of the top auto repairs we see in our shop that is easily prevented. Also, make sure your wipers are always in good working condition. Don't wait until you are in that snowstorm to decide your wipers are worn out. Change them before they get to that point so that they are there when you need them. 
• Have kitty litter or ice melt on hand
  Kitty litter is very inexpensive, and works great for creating traction if you get stuck.
• Do not drive on worn tires!
  This is something we cannot stress enough! Good tires are the key to staying safe while driving in wet and slippery conditions. Read our article on tire tips. Did you know that we sell tires? If you are in need of new tires, come in and we can get you as many as you need. We always do free tire checks if you are unsure if you need new tires. Stop by any time during regular business hours. 
• Slow down!
  Please adjust your speed according to the weather and the condition of the roads. Just because the speed limit says 55 doesn't mean that it's safe to drive that fast if roads are slick or wet. 
• Winter Vehicle Kit
  Read our list of items to keep in a vehicle at all times. A cell phone charger is especially important, because you never know when you are going to get stuck in a winter snowstorm traffic jam. 

read more "A Few Reminders About Winter Driving"

Congratulations To Our Winners!

Every year we purchase a tree from the Festival of Trees. This year, we held a drawing to give away the items that came with the tree, and the tree. Congratulations to all of our winners!

read more "Congratulations To Our Winners!"

Top Six Vehicle Repairs And How To Prevent Them

Below are the top repairs that we see in our shop day after day. By doing a few simple things, you can help prevent these common repairs, and save you a trip to the repair shop:

1. Wiper Transmission or Linkage
   Especially in the Winter time, wiper transmission or linkage is one of the most common vehicle repairs. If you turn on your wipers while heavy snow is on them, it wears on your transmission. To prevent this, turn off your wipers every time you turn off your vehicle. Don't turn them back on until the snow is manually cleared off of your windshield.
2. Charging system
   If the battery is ever ran low, have it charged with a charger. Do not rely on the alternator to do the work. Have your battery tested with the change of seasons, and keep corrosion cleaned off of cables. Know your car and listen to the way it cranks. If there is anything abnormal, have it checked.
3. Fuel pump
   Keep the fuel filter changed at recommended intervals, and always keep your tank above ¼ full.
4. Cooling System
   Cooling system problems can be prevented by checking hoses and testing antifreeze every 3,000 miles. Keep your cooling system flushed at recommended intervals or when the ph changes, or if any signs of contamination is present. Antifreeze needs to be tested for freeze point, PH levels, and on some vehicles the level of nitrites.  Anti-freeze should also be changed at the proper mileage interval.  There are many different types of anti-freeze used according to your specific vehicle, so each vehicle has different mileage intervals.
5. Brakes
   We have many vehicles come in with brake issues.  Brakes are a normal item to wear out, but using them more often or harder than needed will cause them to wear out before they should.  Brake fluid needs to be monitored to make sure it is not wearing down and should be changed at the proper mileage interval.  Brake fluid collects moisture over time and can carry that moisture to the inside of brake parts, allowing them to rust and rupture seals.  When buying brake parts many people do not take into consideration the amount of heat these parts need to withstand.  The engineers of today’s vehicles spend many hours testing and designing every little part they put on cars.  Buying cheap parts that have the correct dimensions, but are built with different materials, is not a very good choice when it comes to brakes.
6. Steering and Suspension
   Steering and Suspension components are another area of vehicles that we commonly repair.  This is also an area that parts, over time, will wear out as a vehicle is driven.  One of the easiest ways to prolong the life of these parts is proper maintenance.  Many vehicle have grease points that need to be lubed every 3,000 miles; some vehicle do not.  All joints that are lubed on a vehicle's steering system do have boots over them to keep dirt and moisture out.  A properly maintained vehicle will have these inspected at every oil change; not many people realize this needs to be done.  Suspension components are designed to handle the weight of a vehicle and everything inside of it.  If a vehicle is carrying more weight than it was designed for, or continually has excess weight inside of it, the suspension will not last as long.  Driving over or through large bumps on a road faster than needed will also cause the suspension to break prematurely.  

If you ever have questions on what your regular intervals of maintenance are, we are happy to look it up for you. Stop by any time during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 6:00pm), or call us at (801) 966-6021.

Do you have an auto repair question for us? We would love to answer it in our blog! Leave a comment on our Facebook page, or email us at contact@ginesautoservice.com. In the subject line, write "question for blog". 

read more "Top Six Vehicle Repairs And How To Prevent Them"

REGISTER NOW! Free Women's Auto Care Workshop

Gines Auto Service
4261 W 5415 S
Kearns, UT 84118
(801) 966-6021

Wednesday January 16th 2013
Thursday January 17th 2013 - FULL
6:30pm to 7:00pm - dinner
7:00pm to 9:00pm - workshop, including hands-on activities

(If you are not able to attend these dates, fill out your contact information and we will let you know when the next workshops are scheduled.)

The workshop is free, but you will need to register and reserve your spot in order to attend.

There are many ways to register:
(You only need to do one of these)

• Register online: Click on the date you would like to attend 
• Wednesday January 16th
• Thursday January 17th 
• Print out a flyer HERE, and fax it to (801) 679-4744, or bring it in to our office. We are located at 4261 W 5415 S in Kearns, UT. You can also scan and email it to michelle@ginesautoservice.com. 
• Pick up a flyer in our office and turn it into the service writers at the front desk.
• Call Michelle at (801) 968-1890 to register, or email michelle@ginesautoservice.com. 

To keep the workshops as relaxed and friendly as possible, each workshop will be limited to 35 participants. Our last workshop filled up fast, so register as soon as possible.

If you’re a woman who makes decisions about repairs on your vehicle, you know that knowledge is power. That’s why Gines Auto Service in Kearns, UT  is happy to announce the dates for their semi-annual FREE Women’s Auto Care Workshops, sponsored by ACDelco.

Learn about:

• The importance of regular maintenance
• How to recognize problems with your vehicle
• How to talk to your mechanic
• A question and answer session (so bring all the questions you may have!)
• On-hands vehicle instruction
• Why is maintenance important?
• Why do some people charge $12 for an oil change when others charge $25, and is there a difference?
• How do I know what type of tires I need for my specific vehicle? How do I tell the year tire was made so that I know I am not buying an old tire? How do I know the different quality types for tires?
• How to change a tire
• How to put air in a tire
• What is the most important thing I can do to keep my vehicle running a long time
• Any other subjects you would like to learn about, and much more, all in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere

Get ready for a different kind of “ladies’ night” — the Women’s Auto Care Workshop. Because knowledge really is power. Sponsored by ACDelco automotive parts.

SPECIAL NOTE:
Just to clarify, this is an auto CARE workshop, not an auto REPAIR workshop. For those that want to learn how to do their own repairs, we refer them to community classes such as Granite Peaks, or the Salt Lake Community College. The workshop we are holding is specifically for educating you on taking care of your vehicle, with topics such as those listed above.

DOOR PRIZES will also be given out!

Gines Auto Service is providing a night out and some excellent advice on vehicle maintenance for busy women. As part of the ACDelco "Knowledge Is Power" women's initiative, Gines Auto Service is offering free workshops. The workshop is designed to better acquaint women with vehicle maintenance needs and instill confidence in their ability to manage vehicle service needs.

read more "REGISTER NOW! Free Women's Auto Care Workshop"

The Story Behind This Year's Christmas Tree

Every year we purchase a tree from the Festival Of Trees to display in our office. This year we are going to give YOU a chance to win the tree and the items that came with it!

The Festival of Trees was inspired 42 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front.  These women were challenged by Lewis M. Jones, Chairman of the hospital's Men's Endowment Board, to identify a way to raise funds for Primary Childrens' Hospital. Thousands of people join efforts by contributing countless hours and means to give “A Gift of Love" to children.  In 2011, the Festival raised $1,655,931.40 for children at Primary Children's Medical Center.

Most of the trees donated have a story behind the meaning of the tree. Here is the story that came with this year's tree:

By, The Hansen Familiy

This year I lost two great uncles. They both ran ranches, raised beautiful large families, and were true cowboys. Both ranches we would gather peacock feathers, ride horses, and see dragonflies often.

Homer Jones would be 103 years old this December. He was the brother to Lewis Jones (a past Primary Childrens' Hospital board member that originally started the Festival Of The Trees). Homer ran a ranch in southern Utah, and when he was ready to retire, he was kind enough to sell his shares of the ranch to my dad so we could keep the ranch in our family. On his 100th birthday, he told me that "he only golfs 9 holes instead of 18; other than that, it's not hard being 100 years old."

Blane Hickman was 98 when he died this summer. He ran a ranch on the border of Utah and Idaho. He grew up riding horses to school. Once, he hooked up a team of horses for his mom to go to Relief Society. The ladies were all dressed up to go to a church dinner. The horses got spooked and all the ladies ended up in the snow. When my grandma was faced with having to have assisted living, she begged for her brother Blaine because "He would get her out of this place!" He was a great brother too.

God bless the American Cowboy. My great uncles really were great!

Thank you to the Hansen Family for sharing these memories, and donating to the Festival Of Trees. We are honored to continue the memories of these two great men, and remember them this holiday season.  

read more "The Story Behind This Year's Christmas Tree"

ENTER TO WIN Our Christmas Tree and Other Items!

Every year we purchase a tree from the Festival Of Trees to display in our office. This year we are going to give YOU a chance to win the tree and the items that came with it!


The Festival of Trees was inspired 42 years ago by a group of 15 women from along the Wasatch Front.  These women were challenged by Lewis M. Jones, Chairman of the hospital's Men's Endowment Board, to identify a way to raise funds for Primary Childrens' Hospital. Thousands of people join efforts by contributing countless hours and means to give “A Gift of Love" to children.  In 2011, the Festival raised $1,655,931.40 for children at Primary Children's Medical Center.


Stop by our office during regular business hours and enter your name into the drawing. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, December 19th, and winners will have the 20th and 21st to pick up their items.

We are located at 4261 W 5415 S in Kearns.

Here are the different prize packs that we will be drawing winners for:

"Country Christmas" Tree

Tree skirt included

Cowboy pack:

Cowboy coffee

Horses calendar

George Strait CD

Elvis Presley country CD

Johnny Cash CD

Kitchen Pack:

Decorative bowl

2 bottles of sparkling cider

Horse picture frame

Candle holder

Jar of Hershey's Kisses

Decorative planter

Kitchen towel

Snuggly Pack

Decorative pillow

Soft throw blanket

Happy Holidays plaque

Microwavable cow hot pad pack

Country Christmas Pack:

Large horse plush animal

Country Christmas decorative stacked boxes

Horse shoe bookends

Toy pack:

My Little Pony toy

Cowboy magnets

Pig plush toy

Ornaments

Toy sleigh

Jar filled with snowflake ornaments and more cowboy magnets

Wreath Pack:

Large decorative wreath

Uncle Sam Santa decorative glass figurine

Red horse decorative glass figurine

American flag

Recipe box

3 packs of Christmas cards

2 white cowboy decorative glass figurines

Small decorative wreath

read more "ENTER TO WIN Our Christmas Tree and Other Items!"

Small Business Saturday

Today is Small Business Saturday. Make sure you support small, local businesses.
We are not open today, but will be open on Monday. Come and celebrate Small Business Saturday with us on Monday! 

New Economic Study Shows Local Businesses return 382% more to the SLC Economy than Chain Retailers. Spending just 10% more at local businesses would keep $487 million in the Utah economy each year.

10 Reasons To Shop Local, from Local First Utah:

1. You keep your money in our economy.  Three times more of your money, in fact. Studies show that for every dollar spent in a locally owned business, three times more of that dollar stays in our economy than would be the case with a national retailer.
2. You embrace the character of our community. We wouldn’t want our houses to look like everyone else’s. So why would we want our community to look that way?
3. You create local jobs. 
Local businesses are better than chains at creating more jobs per consumer dollars spent.
4. You help the environment. 
You conserved energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.
5. You benefit from our passion and expertise. You are our friends and neighbors and we have a vested interest in knowing how to serve you. We’re passionate and knowledgeable, why not take advantage of it?
6. You keep your tax dollars here. Shopping locally means less corporate infrastructure, and more tax money left available to enhance our community. Also, your spending locally instead of online ensures that your tax dollars are reinvested where they belong- right here in our community!
7. You encourage innovation and product diversity. Whether brick and mortar retail or local online, service providers or manufacturing, local business innovators ensure marketplace diversity. A wider array of choices keeps prices lower over the long term
8. You love your neighbors. 
We know you and you know us. Studies show that local businesses donate to community causes at twice the rate of chains.
9. You keep the American Dream alive. You nurtured entrepreneurship, which is the foundation of our American economy.
10. You make us a destination. 
The more interesting and unique we are as a community, the more we will attract new neighbors and visitors. This benefits everyone!

read more "Small Business Saturday"