Friday, July 8, 2011

National Collector Car Appreciation Day

Happy National Collector Car Appreciation Day! 
Here's one of our dream collector cars - a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Street Rod. What's yours? Post a picture of your car or truck you are proud to own on our facebook page. 


Here's our current dream collector truck we are working on - 
aka The General. Stay tuned to our facebook page for updates and pictures of the restoration of our 5 Ton Tonka truck!


The United States Senate passed Senate Resolution 154 (S. Res. 154) at the request of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) and its Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) Councils designating July 8, 2011 as “Collector Car Appreciation Day.” The date marks the second commemoration in what will become an annual event to celebrate and raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society. 

S. Res. 154 was sponsored by Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus members Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). Senators Tester and Burr have been strong advocates for the automotive hobby in Washington, and S. Res. 154 reaffirms their understanding of the cultural importance of collector cars. The Caucus is an informal, non-partisan group that pays tribute to America’s ever growing love affair with the car and motorsports. The Caucus recognizes the integral role collector cars have played in fostering our nation’s appreciation for motorsports.


“Last year, the United States Senate helped launch the first national Collector Car Appreciation Day at our request,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “As a result, thousands of Americans gathered at car cruises, parades and other events to celebrate our nation’s automotive heritage. SEMA’s commitment to preserving and promoting the automotive restoration industry through its projects and programs is evident in this special day. We look forward to even more celebrations this July 8 and in the years to come.” 

In recognition of the day, collectors and enthusiasts will be hosting events across the country. ARMO Chairman Laura Bergan said, “On July 8, 2011, collectors and enthusiasts will host hundreds of events across the country. We will proudly partner with individuals, car clubs and businesses as they organize car cruises, club gatherings and other educational events to celebrate the day.” 

Rick Love, HRIA chairman-elect said, “The industry endeavors to preserve our nation’s automotive heritage while providing well-paying, high-skilled jobs nationwide. Collector Car Appreciation Day is a singular tribute to this industry and the millions of hobbyists it supports.” Source: Hot Rod Blog

Happy Friday! :) 

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Summer Car Care Tips

It's summer and your car is booked for family vacations and road trips. Road trips are a great time for bonding with family and friends. We thought you would like some basic car care tips to keep your car running its best for lots of family fun this summer. With proper car care, the only thing you have to worry about is how to get there!




Cracked hoses and belts, leaky radiators and water pump, under inflated tires and dirty filters can considerably lower your fuel mileage or worse, cause a complete breakdown of your car. When you arrive at your destination, the last thing you want to have to do is look for a mechanic because something has gone wrong with your car. Before you leave for your trip, you can take a few precautionary steps to make sure your car is running its best, save money at the pump and keep your family safe on the road.


Check your tires. Tire pressure changes with the rising temperatures - approximately 1 to 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10-degree increase in outside temperature. Consult your owner's manual or the sidewall of your tire to see what the ideal tire pressure should be. Check the tire pressure with a hand pressure gauge or just let the guys at Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center do it for you. Besides being a safety concern, improperly inflated tires and misaligned tires can lower your car's fuel economy. If your tires are a total of 8 pounds under-inflated - not uncommon at all - you will waste up to a gallon of gas per month!

Change your oil and oil filter. Oil is the lifeblood of your car. It keeps your hardworking engine parts running clean, smooth and cool. Most owner's manuals suggest you change your oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles (12,070 km). We suggest you change your oil every 3,000 miles (4,828 km). We offer an oil change at our auto repair shop that extends the life of your engine oil up to 5,000 miles (8,046 km). An engine is more likely to overheat during the summer, so be sure to check your oil before you head out on that road trip with the family. 

Change your air filter. During the winter, your car's air filter gets plugged with salt, dirt and other debris. A blocked air filter really lowers your fuel economy. Replacing a dirty or plugged air filter can raiser your gas mileage up to 10%. We recommend replacing your air filter every 12,000 miles (19,312 km) or 12 months. If you drive in severe conditions, replacement is recommended more often. Driving on dirt or gravel roads will plug your air filter much faster than highway driving. The only way to know if your air filter needs changing is to inspect it. 


Replace your windshield wipers. Summertime is famous for unexpected, strong thunderstorms. When gallons of water are hitting your windshield, you need your wipers to work properly. This is most important at night because rain can decrease your visibility by 15-20 feet in front of your car. 

Check your brakes. Your brakes are the single most important safety component of your car. Brakes need to be replaced when the lining on your brake pads or shoes is worn past the minimum thickness set by the manufacturer or state law. Make sure your family is safe by replacing worn or faulty brakes before you set out on your road trip. You can have your brake linings checked at Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center

Check hoses and belts. The key to successful summer road trips is keeping the engine cool. Check the hoses connected to the radiator which help pump coolant to and from your car's engine block. The belts run the fan(s) that help to cool the engine further. If the hoses crack or belts break, the radiator will soon overheat, leaving you stranded on the side of the road. 

Check the coolant (anti-freeze) and radiator. Cars are designed to run in hot weather, but there is a maximum to how how they should run. A combustion engine runs its best at approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius). If your engine is allowed to get too hot, moving metal parts will start to melt and join together causing a variety of internal engine problems and a large repair bill, too. 

Clean your battery. Did you know hot weather is even tougher on your battery than colder weather? Chemical reactions inside the battery can be accelerated by summer heat causing an overcharged battery. This can dramatically shorten your battery life. Battery damage is also caused from evaporating internal battery fluid in the summer heat. For optimum battery performance, the most important thing to do is to keep your battery clean and secure in your engine compartment. 

Last, but definitely not least - service your air conditioning system! The best way to tell if you have a problem with your a/c is if it is not cooling and maintaining air temperatures to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) below the outside temperature. The most common issue is low refrigerant. This could be caused by a leak, so it's best to have it inspected by an automotive professional to look into the problem. 

These maintenance tips can be time consuming, that's why Mastermind Enterprises Auto Care Center is here to help you! Give us a call and schedule a quick trip check for your vehicle before you hit the road. You will have peace of mind knowing your vehicle will be reliable and the only question you have left to answer is, "Are we there yet?" 


We look forward to seeing you and serving your vehicle needs!
Happy Summer Travels!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

NAPA Chassis Rebate for On and Off Road Drivers

During July and August, Mastermind Enterprises is excited to offer our customers up to $50 mail-in rebate with qualifying repairs for:

  • ball joints
  • control arms & shafts
  • king bolts, bushing and shims
  • alignment products
  • sway bar kits & bushings
  • suspension parts
  • idler/pitman arms
  • tie rod ends & sleeves
  • center, steering & drag links
  • coil springs

Call us today - 
303-297-AUTO (2886). 

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!


Happy 235th Birthday, America! 

Celebrating with you the freedom of our country.
Have a wonderful, safe Independence Day!

We will be closed today to spend time with family.
See you tomorrow! :)

Saturday, July 2, 2011

4th of July Safety

We hope you all have a wonderful, safe Independence Day weekend! We will be celebrating with you the freedom of our country. We will be closed on Monday, July 4th to spend time with family! See you on Tuesday! :)


4th of July Safety
Be Fireworks Smart Before, During and After Your Fireworks Display

Fireworks are a wonderful way to celebrate holidays. But they must be used carefully! The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges consumers to be fireworks smart, before, during and after their consumer fireworks display.

Before: Choose an open area away from spectators, homes and buildings and dry vegetation. Use a garden hose to wet down the area before firing.
During: As each device burns out,  oak it using a hose, or bucket of water.
After: Place all used items in a covered, fireproof container and leave it outside and away from homes and buildings.

“Fireworks are beautiful and add fun and excitement to holiday celebrations. But you must be fireworks smart when you use them!”, says National Council Vice President Jack Leonard

And remember the following special fireworks safety tips for sparklers:


  • Children under the age of 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.
  • Always remain standing while using sparklers.
  • Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.
  • Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.
  • Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed- ‐toe shoes when using sparklers.
  • Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.
  • Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.
  • Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.
  • Never throw sparklers.
  • Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm’s length.
  • Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose sole mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks.

For a full list of consumer fireworks safety tips and a safety video, please visit 
www.FireworksSafety.org.

Happy Independence Day 2011!


Friday, July 1, 2011

Powerful Savings on Batteries, Alternators & Starters in July

Your vehicle's battery, starter and alternator are essential to its reliability. With busy summer driving ahead, let Mastermind Enterprises test these components for you today to make sure you're Good to Go!

If your vehicle should need a battery, starter or alternator this July, Mastermind Enterprises is offering money-saving rebates on several great products including batteries, alternators and starters. 
Get $5 to $25 Back on your purchase!

Call us at 303-297-AUTO (2886) TODAY!
Click Here for a Map to Mastermind Enterprises