Mike and the Mechanic

Jen is here from My Lex Complete AutoCare.

Hi, Jen.

Good morning.

Mike and the mechanic.

Yep.

And Jen is not technically a mechanic, but she knows a lot about cars.

Right.

And she represents the mechanics at My Lex Complete AutoCare.

Do the best I can,

yes.

You got the classic one over there on Sylvia Avenue.

We do.

And then the new one over on Mount Vernon Road, 3108 Mount Vernon Road.

And I get to come out there and talk about the place during

the

grand opening.

And when is that exactly?

September 20th, we're going to be doing a big grand opening.

OK.

So it's going to be exciting.

We've got lots of stuff planned.

All right.

We'll leave that as a mystery for now.

Very compelling, very intriguing.

Since we're talking about relaxation day, do you have any relaxation tips, anything?

that Jen with the kids and getting ready for school in a couple of weeks

and

all of that stuff.

You gotta have a go-to for just at least calming down a little bit after a very stressful time.

For me during the week, this is calming to me to come in here and talk with you.

I really enjoy that.

Just hang out.

All right.

At home, you know, it's just kinda unplug, maybe go for a walk and just kinda...

Really just chill for a few minutes.

Yeah, a little alone time.

A little alone time goes a long ways.

Or, and give me a 1 to 10

on

how great this segue is.

Say you're driving in your car and you hear a knocking and you get really tense and all of that.

You know what you do to relax?

You're bringing into my legs complete auto care and they'll take care of it.

And then, and that's a relaxation.

It

is,

yeah.

1 to 10, scale of 1 to 10 on how that was as a segue.

That is 10 plus.

That was amazing.

And we have Jake there.

So if you want to come and pet Jake, he relaxes everybody that's dressed up.

I'll tell you, animals really do.

They really

do help your mental state

of mind.

Yes.

I get my kitty at

home.

Mr. Jimmy the Mittman Mittens.

Man, I wish I could relax like that cat.

Oh my goodness.

22 hours a day, just sleeping.

Right?

Yeah, sign me up for being a cat in my next life.

So what were some of the good relaxation people have had so far?

Because I need to learn some.

Breathing.

A lot of people just remember to breathe.

Oh, yes.

But there's that breathing technique where you breathe in, count to five,

hold

count to five, breathe out, or exhale for five seconds.

And I think that's a good one because it makes me feel a little more lightheaded.

And if you're feeling lightheaded, it's kind of like you've got

this

little high going on, man.

I love that.

So yeah.

And especially if you're a parent, you've got school to deal with.

And two weeks, it's crunch time to

get the

kids ready for school and shopping and getting all the last minute stuff.

And then you have all the open houses next week for a lot of people and sports are starting to start.

Yeah, it's a lot of money going out for parents right now.

So it's very stressful for the school year.

Right.

So, so as far as you guys, my like complete auto care for, for getting people ready for school.

I

know

you guys have some things you can,

you can

help out with.

You know, a lot of.

Kids are going to be driving to school or high school age or college, even taking off.

It's great to bring that vehicle in and have us take a look at it for you.

Make sure they're starting out the year with a nice fresh oil change.

And then at that oil change, we're going to look over the vehicle.

So we'll check those tire pressures, make sure they're where they need to be at for the PSI and the tires.

We'll make sure they have washer fluid in

there.

The

wiper blades are good.

All the lights are working because I know there is officers like to pull over people if you have a blinker out or a tail light or a headlight.

It's also a great time to teach kids to know some of those basic things about their car.

Teach them where the...

Jack is, if they have to change a tire, how to change a tire, if it goes flat.

You wouldn't believe how many kids don't know how to do that, or even adults don't know how to do that.

Or a simple thing also is the hazard lights,

because the

hazard lights can be hard to find.

They're down under something or whatever.

And some of them are in the middle of the dash now, too.

Yeah, know where the hazard lights are.

pull over if a school bus or an emergency vehicle don't pass a school bus.

Right, especially

with the stop sign

out.

Yes, you know, all those.

And the biggest thing is be cautious for kids that could be running across the street that you haven't been used to or for that new driver who's not used to it at all watching for that.

Right.

So just make sure the car's safe for the kids to be taken off in or if that kid's taken off to the college bound and they got a couple hour drive.

Let's make sure that they're, like I said, the oil changes fresh, tires and everything look good so that way they're good for the whole year while they're away at college and you know they're safe getting there and getting home when you want them to come visit you.

Yeah, and especially if your kid is in high school because I remember bringing my kids to high school when they were in high school.

And there were always the kid drivers, the high school drivers, and they would just speed through and just, you know, insane.

And there'd be a group of them in there.

And

of course, there's a

group of these high schoolers and oh,

they're

rebels, man.

But

anyway,

check the brakes.

Make sure if

they're gonna get a little bit, I

don't

recommend speeding, especially in the parking lot or around the school or anywhere, really.

But check the brakes.

Yeah, let's make sure what the,

quality of life that you have on those brakes are left.

Make sure they're not squealing or grinding or anything like that.

Let's check that coolant level, make sure the coolant level is good.

And the other really important thing that we've been seeing a lot of is batteries.

The heat

can

take a toll on batteries in your car too, just like the cold does.

And we've been replacing quite a few batteries lately, just the heat has taken its toll on them.

So let's make sure kids aren't stranded with their vehicle, not starting also.

because you don't want that heat to drain it.

And then you got

the

cold weather coming, which can really do a job on it.

Yeah.

So it's just added stress.

Like if a student has to go to early practice or something, you know, and they're able to drive now, mom and dad are like, oh, I don't have to get them to take them.

But their car doesn't start.

Mom and dad are taking them again.

You know,

you're getting up.

You're getting up.

Let's go.

That's

right.

That's right.

So they're taking your car and then you got to figure out how to get to where you're going.

So

now.

Just on the offhand chance that you do, does MileX Complete AutoCare take care of all the things we've been talking about?

Yes, we do, and we'd be happy to.

Well,

what do you know?

Right?

Just bring it over to MileX.

Absolutely.

I can't

believe.

No wonder they call you MileX Complete.

Auto care?

Yeah.

There we go.

And teach your children how to check their oil, because a lot of kids are driving older vehicles.

Right.

Who may have a few leaks under the hood, you know.

Check your dipstick,

kids.

Yes, know how to check it, and tell them where the proper level is for that oil, and how to add it if they need to, and where to add it, because you don't add that in the wrong spot.

There's a type of oil you need for the weather and the season.

Yeah.

And if you, as a parent, don't know, come on over.

I'll show you.

I'll help you.

Any of us will.

My Lex will do that too?

Yes.

Well, gosh.

Yeah, we'll take care of you.

Yeah, of course you will.

Of course you will.

And you know, the last really big thing that we'll hit on that is make sure that your spare tire has air in it.

You can't believe how many people go to use a spare tire and it's flat.

But I'll tell you, the more winter takes over, the bigger my spare tire gets.

Yes.

Yeah.

Especially

with football season and chili.

Right, just sitting around watching.

Oh,

got a full.

But maybe it gets a little too full, my spare tire.

So I may have to bring that over to you guys

as well.

Absolutely.

Yeah, you guys should have some kind of a treadmill put in or something.

Whether you need to fill your spare tire or you need to decrease your spare

tire.

While you're waiting, you could take a lap in the lobby on the treadmill.

Yeah, I think you guys call it the lobby lap.

Yeah.

Yes, then we might be on to something

there.

Hey, and then Jake can sit in your lap for a little while in the lobby.

And

you would have a nice cup of coffee, because we got coffee.

Oh,

it's beautiful.

That's beautiful.

It's a beautiful thing.

Yes.

All right.

Well, my legs complete auto care.

We'll talk more about that coming

up.

OK, sounds

great.

You in a pony.

I want a pony.

I

love the little chant.

We were screaming in here as it was going.

Hey, hey, what?

Check.

Oil

check.

Tires.

That's, that's what we were

seeing.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Actually go in, go into my like complete auto care today, whether it's the, the classic location

on Sylvia Avenue here

in Cedar Rapids or the new location.

Over on Mount Vernon road, 3108 Mount Vernon road.

Yep.

I'll be out there.

September

20th.

3108.

I think I said it backwards.

3108.

3108.

Yeah.

3108

rolls off the tongue

that way.

3108.

Can't miss a sign.

You'll see it.

Mount Vernon road.

Yeah, so if you go into either location today and go, hey, hey, what, check, oil, check, tires, you'll be waited on right quick.

Not that you wouldn't be anyway, but.

You just gave me a great idea.

What?

Oh my gosh.

So you know how some places have secret menus.

Yeah.

We're going to do a secret discount.

So if you come into either location and say,

hey, hey, what, check, oil, check, tires or the other way around.

Either way, you have to say that, or at least hey, hey, check oil.

We will have a secret discount for you.

All right.

Don't tell the owners I'm doing this, because they don't know.

I'm just going on the fly, and I'm gonna be like, when they call me, I'll be like, hey, I thought it was a great idea.

Let's do it.

I'm gonna call the owners and ask what the mystery discount is.

I don't know if they'll say anything.

And then I'll tell

all the

listeners.

Tell everybody.

I'll post it on all social media.

You come in, and if they say, what are you talking about?

Be like, Jen said.

Yeah.

So, yeah, come on in.

We'll have a special discount for you.

Because, yeah, you know the chant, and you know what the chant usually is.

Don't say that.

Yeah, I don't say that one.

That's a family establishment,

like this is a

family

program.

My big kids around,

so.

Hey, hey, what?

Check oil, check tires.

Yeah, or just hey, hey, check oil.

You can do either one.

But you can do the, if you want to do the

complete chant, if you want to do the

complete chant, you have to do the tires thing.

But you

don't have to in order to get the mystery discount.

Yes, so we're gonna, we're gonna do that and we'll change the phrase.

Next week we'll change the phrase and we'll change the discount and it'll just be like a secret little thing.

A new mystery everywhere.

A weekly

mystery.

Yes, it'll be worth it.

How intriguing.

Isn't that fun?

Yes.

Yeah, very

exciting.

Very good idea,

Jen.

Yes, just go off the fly here.

Just another way to help the folks.

All right, well, I've got this lady who's been been holding for a little while.

I think she's got

a question for you.

So, uh,

hello.

Is this Mike Waters?

Yes, who's this?

This is Mary Engleby.

I've tried to get on your station before, but I finally got you.

Yay.

Welcome,

Mary.

What's, what's happening?

Is Jen there, sir?

Yeah, Jen.

Yeah, good morning.

Okay, discussions.

I enjoy you very much, Mike Waters.

This is a question for Jen.

I'm sorry to say.

Hey, it's okay.

Yeah, do it.

Okay, Jen.

I'm recently a widow, and I'm taking care of my car stuff.

I get tired of people overcharging me.

What do you charge for an oil and all that you just mentioned?

For the oil changes and stuff?

Yeah, because people, I go into like, okay, we can talk to this.

I'm like, what kind of car do you have?

So I know what kind of oil you would need.

I take, I have a 2019 Ford Fiesta.

It just turns to 25,000 miles.

So Ford usually takes a

blend.

And that would be $37.95 up to five quarts before tax and shop supplies.

Um, if

you come in

and say that you heard me on the radio, we

can get a

coupon and your total would be, I know it's

$42 out the door.

I will come see you soon.

I don't need it yet, but I've been needing to charge $60.

Oh

boy.

Hard enough being a little bit to say, hello guys.

You got to take care of us people that don't know much.

And my husband spoiled me and did all that.

And now I'm trying to be responsible, which I am, but still like,

Really, people?

Come on.

Yeah.

You come

see me and I will take care of you and I promise I won't overcharge you.

And I'll tell you one thing, Mary, from all the people I've talked to, this is a place you can bring your car and they don't take advantage of you.

You

know, they don't say, oh, well,

here's somebody who doesn't

know

anything about cars and we

all know those.

are so good and I appreciate you both for being out there for people to take care of us.

And I wouldn't ask possibly with you, Mr. Waters.

I read this in my book.

Everybody counts or nobody counts.

Right.

Everybody counts.

Yeah.

That's the way to

be.

And right now we need to do it.

So I finally got through up.

So I got to say hi.

So and I want to just meet Jen.

So I'll be in a couple months, Jen.

All right.

Sounds good.

I can't wait to meet you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Take care.

You guys do great.

Thank you.

Thank you,

Mary.

Take care.

Bye.

All right, well, thank you to Mary.

Isn't that awesome?

That's a good price for an oil chain.

That is a great

price.

That's basically $20 less than what she's paying.

I know.

And I've

paid more than what she pays for an oil chain.

So

$42 out the door.

That's a good deal, man.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, and I'll tell you, like I told Mary there quickly, you guys being local and of the community, and you depend on word of mouth,

You really do treat people very well.

In fact, I've had some listeners walk into my Lex

and

they'll call me and tell me what

a good

experience they've had just

to make sure

I know that and what I talk about is they affirm it.

That's good.

That just warms my heart.

I love it.

Yeah.

Well, and there was that that was his name, Roger guy who came in.

Uh, you gave him some advice.

About the car.

About the car.

Yes, yes.

Yeah, his wife comes in and sees us now with her car.

Yeah, they're very

happy, very happy.

And I love it when people come in and they're like, it's Jen here.

And I'm like, yeah, I'm right here.

And I'll come out and talk to him.

Yeah, yeah.

One lady just a week ago said, I was here because you sounded so inviting.

You do?

Yeah, I just want to invite everybody in.

Just come in and say hi.

But just a little secret here, as soon as she gets off the radio, she

is

just screaming at me and just belittling me and berating me.

No, of course I'm kidding.

Stop telling them all those

lies.

She's the same off the air.

No, you're better than some co-hosts that I've had.

A

lot of co-hosts that I've had, yes.

And I'm just sitting here flying off the cuff every day.

See?

There we go.

This is fun.

That's what I

like to do.

Yeah!

Yeah!

Seat of the pants radio is what I like

to call.

Yeah, see Mary G in that idea.

So you gotta come in and say the secret phrase and we'll give you a discount.

Yep, just

think Moni Moni chant, but the family-friendly Moni Moni chant, car-related,

check,

check oil.

Check tires.

Yep.

Yep.

Yeah.

All right.

Well, Mary, Mary, thank you for calling, Mary.

Yeah, you're

awesome.

You're awesome.

And Jen, thank you

for coming in.

It's

always good to have you in here.

I enjoy this.

It's so much fun.

Thank you so much.

And thank you for everybody.

Jen's going to go off and have a great weekend, please.

I will.

You too.