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Today is National Pothole Day. These roadside hazards are not only frustrating to encounter, but they also cost American drivers millions of dollars annually. Potholes are created when moisture collects in cracked or crumbling pavement.  As the temperatures fluctuate, the pavement expands and contracts due to freezing and thawing. The damage from the elements combined with the weight of cars driving over it, eventually leads to a pothole. Learn more about how to avoid them and spot them on today's post! more Inclement weather in winter and the subsequent Springtime thaw often see an increase of potholes. Drivers should exercise additional precautions while driving to avoid damage to their vehicle during these seasons especially. Tips for Avoiding Pothole Damage While Driving Don’t drive through puddles; puddles can seem fun to drive through due to the dramatic water spray, but they may be deceivingly deep potholes. Do not tailgate other vehicles. Maintain a safe distance of a minimum 1 car length for every 10mph of speed, or a minimum of 2 to 3 seconds of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Drive more slowly in the dark, especially if you’re on unfamiliar or unpaved roads. Monitor your tire pressure and keep them at recommended PSI to greatly reduce damage to your wheels and tires. Keep two hands on the wheel at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock position for optimal steering control. What To Do If You Can’t Avoid a Pothole on the Roadway Potholes can puncture tires, bend or crack wheels, damage a tire's sidewalls, knock your wheels out of alignment, damage your shocks or struts, and even impact your suspension. Here are two helpful tricks to saving your vehicle from costly repairs if an unavoidable pothole arises: 🟢 If you post the pothole in time, and provided the roadway is clear enough to do so, is to safely swerve around it and avoid driving fully into it. 🟢 Try to slow your speeds.  If you continue to drive at a higher speed into the pothole, you can risk quite a lot of damage to your vehicle, so it's best to slow down as much as you safely are able. 🟢 If you have to drive directly through it, drive straight and don’t brake while inside the pothole.  If you turn your wheels or brake too late, it can place additional stresses on your vehicle and cause more damage. If you can't avoid a pothole, or didn't see it coming and have driven into it, be sure to keep an eye out on the following: 🛑 feeling as if your car is pulling to one side or the other while driving 🛑 the car is bottoming out or bouncing 🛑 you experience shaking or tremors while driving If you experience any of the above, you should bring your car in for maintenance ASAP.  Worn tires, bent rims, alignment and steering issues can not only cause improper wear on your tires, but also cause accidents, decrease your fuel efficiency, and cause further damage to the car overall.

Customized Kia Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) solutions are intended to enhance versatility, catering to businesses and individuals Five Kia PBV concept models will be unveiled at CES 2024 – three Concept PV5 derivatives, Concept PV7 and Concept PV1 PBV platform offers users a blank canvas to redefine how space and mobility can adapt to their needs by providing exceptional flexibility through radical modularity Three-phase PBV road map can help transform the mobility landscape, with more models, advanced software and bespoke services to come Concept EV3, Concept EV4, and EV6 GT and EV9 production models showcase ‘EV Life for Everyone’ more On January 8th, Kia proudly announced its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) future strategy at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Kia’s new PBV strategy will initially center around a brand new, modular vehicle, previewed by the Kia Concept PV5. Kia PBVs are designed as a total mobility solution marrying fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s software-to-everything, or SDx, strategy.  These Platform Beyond Vehicles are anticipated to open the door to new businesses and new lifestyles through resdesigning the concept of space through advanced, tailored interiors which provide both flexibility and freedom. This forward thinking vision was presented in conjunction with a multi-phase plan, in which the goal is to revolutionize the mobility industry through the use of PBVs, and further advancing the Hyundai Motor Group’s intentions to pursue robotics, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and of course, autonomous driving technologies. “Kia’s PBV business represents our vision of going beyond the traditional concept of automobiles by fulfilling the unmet needs of diverse customers and communities through optimized vehicles and services catering to specific market and business circumstances,” said Ho Sung Song, Kia Corporation President and CEO. A vision for future mobility The launch of Kia’s PBV business will see the brand commit to providing a varied range of customized vehicle types to meet customers’ individual requirements. Determined to overcome existing restrictive and one-dimensional industry product line-up offerings, Kia believes its new approach to PBVs can help solve various mobility challenges encountered by individuals and organizations with limited transportation options. Kia’s PBV offering will be built around a dedicated business system, integrating vehicles, software, and future technologies to deliver added value. The brand's PBV roadmap, divided into three distinct phases, illustrates how Kia PBVs will be pivotal in realizing the Group’s SDx vision as devices that offer tailored solutions according to customer usage patterns. In phase one, Kia plans to introduce the Kia PV5, a versatile EV optimized for major domains such as hailing, delivery and utilities that features conversion capability for diverse customer needs. Enhanced data connectivity between vehicles and external data such as route or delivery information is intended to enable convenient operation of multiple vehicles as a software-defined fleet. The plan for phase two is to see the completion of the dedicated PBV model line-up, with PBVs evolving into AI-based mobility platforms that use data to interact with users and help keep vehicles updated. An integrated PBV solution can help provide a customized, seamless experience across devices and software. In phase three, Kia PBVs are expected to evolve into highly customizable, bespoke mobility solutions by integrating with the future mobility ecosystem. Designed to make users’ lives easier Utilizing technology to flexibly address the diverse demands of customers, the design strategy is to enable a single vehicle chassis to be used to fulfill multiple mobility needs. Behind a fixed cab, or ‘driver zone’, a variety of interchangeable upper bodies, or ‘life modules’, can be connected to the base vehicle via a hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology, turning the PBV into a taxi during the day, to a delivery van at night, and a personal recreational vehicle on weekends. The weldless body structure assembly is designed to enable the length of moveable members to be flexibly adjusted according to vehicle use purpose. Shipped in standardized, convenient kit form, Dynamic Hybrid technology is intended to allow for the quick and simple in-field transformation of a Kia PV5. The design of Kia’s PBVs is inspired by robust, simple and clever tools and goes beyond mere aesthetics. Kia’s mission is to design PBVs that are simple and intuitive to operate and engage with, regardless of where, when or how they are used. Whether the purpose of the vehicle is to transport people, move goods, or meet logistics or personal mobility needs, Kia’s goal is to ensure each PBV shares a consistent quality of design that reflects its solid, robust nature and projects a dependable and highly capable attitude. A combination of a simple yet robust surface language combined with expressive graphics seamlessly unifies the four Concept PV5 models, despite their diverse natures. On each vehicle, large doors open out to reveal an exceptionally accommodating pillarless opening that provides easy ingress and egress. Inside, the extended wheelbase and electric platform ensure wide, flat open spaces to offer stowage and usage possibilities. Inspiration becomes reality Kia plans to create an ecosystem that fosters interaction between PBVs. With extensive modularity — including the ability to share features across all vehicles — Kia hopes its PBVs will enhance versatility, opening up possibilities to cater to the needs of both businesses and individuals. In line with phase one, Kia plans to make various versions of the PV5 available in the future, including Basic, Van, High Roof, and Chassis Cab. In the future, Kia also plans to introduce a Robotaxi model developed with Motional (a joint venture between HMG and Aptiv), which aims to provide a revolutionary autonomous hailing experience for passengers. During phase two, symbiosis of the PBV ecosystem will be complimented by two further models, the ‘PV7’ and ‘PV1’, utilizing cabinet and frame systems to enhance interaction and connectivity among vehicles based on the modular concept. PV7 — The largest product in the PBV line-up, designed with more interior space, impressive driving range, and enhanced functionalities. PV1 — The smallest product in the line-up, PV1 is designed for agile and short-distance logistics transportation, using driving modules to minimize turning radius even in narrow spaces. PBV modularity — An integrated rail system on the vehicle’s ceiling, floor, and side panels, as well as on the exterior, enables customization of the vehicle to meet individual customer needs. This system is designed to enable the seamless transfer of goods and items between vehicles, using cabinets and frames. The ‘rails’ within this ecosystem simplify the movement of items between vehicles, while the modular design of the ‘tiles’ and functional accessories, such as speakers and shelves, offer limitless flexibility for a wide range of scenarios. “Kia PBVs will initiate a new era of seamless everyday business and lifestyle solutions. We hope to make our customers’ lives easier and better, whether they’re stationary or on the move, offering exceptional flexibility and customization through radical modularization,” said Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design. To take full advantage of the opportunities enabled by PBVs, Kia plans to launch a dedicated business system, encapsulating various aspect of the process, from the product line-up to integration of software solutions, and global partnerships. The product line-up outlined above will be augmented by the introduction of a customer participation-based development process, utilizing customer input and feedback to create more tailored, mission-specific solutions. Kia is taking significant steps to meet the diverse demands of customers by constructing a PBV-dedicated EVO plant in Autoland Hwaseong, Korea. This factory will implement a hybrid production approach, combining conveyor and cell-based methods. Through collaboration with global conversion partners, Kia will be able to offer conversion models for various PBV line-ups, catering to different customer preferences. The factory is scheduled to become operational in 2025 and is expected to have an annual capacity of 150,000 units. The brand’s solutions for In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI), Fleet Management Systems (FMS), and charging aims to leverage vehicle software-based data and AI technologies to further enable customer-centric solutions, predictive maintenance suggestions to reduce downtime, and charging programs tailored to the customer's business operating environment. Kia's PBV IVI solution aims to enhance daily life by recognizing user preferences in real-time and providing relevant contextual data. It is expected to offer access to the Kia PBV App Market and third-party apps, allowing customers have information and entertainment content on the go. By connecting with business-specific apps previously limited to mobile devices, it seeks to improve service convenience and information reliability, providing a holistic user experience across different hardware form factors. The fleet management solution for Kia PBVs will be designed to allow customers to efficiently oversee multiple vehicles, providing insights on sales, inventory, and deliveries, benefiting mobility and logistics businesses. Features may include inventory monitoring, temperature control, and intelligent route planning for efficiency. The solution is intended to streamline fleet management with real-time data and AI integration for predictive maintenance and optimal operational efficiency. Kia's EV charging solution will be designed to optimize charging schedules by considering battery charge levels, routes, schedules, and breaks. Additionally, Kia aims to provide a total energy solution by utilizing advanced charging infrastructure, allowing high-density energy batteries to power mobile devices and emergency equipment. This can eventually be made possible through innovations like Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technology. This integration of IVI, FMS, and charging systems is expected to be delivered via unified software, enabling packaged solutions adaptable to various business environments. Kia has established partnerships with companies like Uber, Coupang, CJ Logistics, Kakao Mobility, and Dubai Taxi Corporation to further enhance its PBV-dedicated business system. “The Kia PBV business is the pinnacle of our customer-centric business approach. With the aim of developing PBVs and solutions tailored to their business environments, we are confident that these strong partnerships will be a driving force on the road to becoming a sustainable mobility solutions provider,” said Pierre-Martin Bos, Vice President and Director of PBV. Future business and affiliate partnerships may help strengthen the integration of robotics, AAM, and autonomous driving to support a PBV mobility solution within smart city environments. Robotics — Kia is leveraging robotics, including Boston Dynamics' Stretch and Spot robots, to enhance logistics automation and round-the-clock quality control at their smart factories. These efforts aim to uncover new business opportunities through collaborations and drive innovation. AAM — Kia is collaborating with Hyundai Motor Group affiliate Supernal, to expedite the development of smart cities by introducing multi-modal services and mobility hub businesses based on advanced air mobility. Autonomous driving — together with Motional, Hyundai Motor Group plans to expand beyond personal autonomous driving technology into the business phase. This is underway with plans for the development of a software based PV5 Robotaxi. This collaboration aims to combine Kia's competitive strengths with Motional's advanced Level 4 autonomous driving technology to expand global business opportunities. As such, Hyundai Motor Group's software capabilities transcend beyond vehicles and extend to various areas of mobility, such as robotics, aircraft, and autonomous driving, aiming to enable operation, control, and management, fostering an era of hyper-connectedness between people and things. Going ‘beyond mobility’ Kia’s PBV models can redefine how customers live their lives. Boundary-pushing design can lead to creating new vehicle interiors and can eventually expand to both mobile and stationary spaces, enhancing daily life, work, and leisure. Since the brand’s relaunch in 2021, Kia has embarked on a journey to adapt effectively to the rapidly changing market through its Plan S strategy. With award-winning models including the EV6 and EV9 having helped to successfully establish the company as a leader in the design and manufacture of EVs, Kia aims to solidify its position as a top-tier sustainable mobility solutions provider through the launch of subsequent vehicles, such as the EV3, and EV4. In pursuit of achieving its vision and meeting diverse customer needs, Kia’s brand relaunch has led additionally to a transition towards a sustainable customer-centric management system. Leading the way Kia’s presence at CES 2024 marks a return to the industry-leading Consumer Electronics Show after a five-year absence. The brand will be presenting two exhibitions at the event. Located in the LVCC West Hall, Kia’s PBV exhibition is based on the theme ‘Place of Inspiration’. The exhibition showcases the diverse ways in which PBVs can inspire and shape individuals' lives through a range of lifestyle and experience displays and features five PBV concept vehicles. The four display areas take the form of visual representations of a park, city, home and factory bathed in four visually distinctive colors. Together, the displays highlight the multiple applications and benefits of Kia’s PBV technology in addition to showcasing Kia's brand values and ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy. Kia’s second exhibition is located in the CES Central Plaza, under the theme of ‘EV Life for Everyone.’ Featuring a futuristic Kia Connected Home™, the display showcases the Kia Concept EV3, Concept EV4 and the EV6 and EV9 production models, in addition to an exciting EV9 driving technology simulation, a 10 innovative items exhibition, and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) power supply (coming in the future) and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) camping demonstrations.

We’re back with another fun wintertime travel guide, this time with a little extra serving of adventure on the side!  Today, we’re highlighting the winter wonderland of Gunflint Trail, Minnesota, and giving you all the exciting details about the 2024 Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race.  So gather up your friends and family, pack up the skis and snowshoes, and let’s hit the road! more For those who love a good scenic drive, the Gunflint Trail’s 57 mile National Scenic Byway takes you through the incredible Superior National Forest. While the destination is popular in warmer weather for hiking, moose watching, canoeing, and more, it’s got no shortage of entertainment and excitement when the temps drop and snow starts falling!  As you drive along, you’ll find pristine Minnesota forest and landscape, unparalleled views of sparkling lake views, and plenty of cozy lodges and resorts to warm yourself by the fireside and enjoy a hot meal.  Once youve recharged from your drive, it’s time to hit the trails! Winter Day Treks are perfect for taking in the scenery and enjoying the great outdoors. Explore the forests along Kekekabic Trail on a guided tour. Take in the scenery, enjoy the wilderness lake views, and visit historic sites like the Gunflint Fire Tower. Ice Fishing is an ever popular regional favorite activity! Whether you choose to rent an Ice Fishing cabin nearby, or head out for a day of lake trout and rainbow trout guided fishing tours, or enjoy a walkable trip from resorts like Gunflint Pines, we are sure you will pull in a catch worthy of a photo! Make some memories to la st a lifetime by hopping aboard an historic sleigh pulled by impressive Clydesdale working horses. H orse Drawn carriage rides are available all year, but in the winter, the whole family will have a blast on an Amish Pioneer horse drawn sleigh!  It offers a unique perspective of the area, and an unforgettable experience. If you love hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, you’ll find plenty of professionally groomed trails.  Grab a trail access pass from a nearby lodge or resort (Bearskin Lodge, Gunflint Lodge, or Golden Eagle Lodge are a few options!) Trails are marked by level of difficulty and terrain, so visitors of all experience levels will have a great time.  For those with a need for speed, you can also take an ATV or Snowmobile tour of the area for a more exhilarating tour experience. Take in the snowy sights, sunsets, and sunrises in the area fo r some unparalleled nature and landscape photography opportunities. If you’re lucky, you may spot some of the roaming regional wildlife including Moose, Wolves, Bear, Deer, Loons, Foxes, Lynxes, Swans, Snowy Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and many more. If you’re looking for cozy dining options and delicious warming foods, there’s plenty of options to choose from! The Poplar Haus Restaurant, Hungry Jack Lodge Dining & Bar, Loons Nest Coffee, Trail Center Lodge, The Crooked Spoon, Angry Trout Cafe, and Justine’s are just a few local eateries worth mentioning. Of course, we can’t leave the dog lovers out of the loop on our list!  If you’re interested in trying your hand at Skijoring with your pups or taking a dog sledding tour of the Gunflint Area, there’s plenty of options!  Enter the skijoring events such as Pincushion Winter Festival Ski Race and Tour or the Dog Days of Winter Sled Dog Derbies and Skijoring Races. For those who wish a more relaxed experience, skijoring is available on a handful of cross-country trails in the area, but you’ll want to check the trailhead info at each spot to be sure it’s dog-friendly.  For dogsledding, we recommend booking a tour with Points Unknown Dogsledding or Cast Outdoor Adventures. To those who prefer to keep two feet firmly planted on the ground, you can surely enjoy being a spectator for professional dog sledding activities.  The Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon are going to be right up your alley! This year the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race takes place on February 10th 2024 for a total of 65 miles distance with 10-dog teams; up to 15 teams will be competing this year, and the race is split into two 32.5 mile legs. The John Beargrease Sled Dog Race kicks off its 40th event on a postponed-due-to-weather date of January 26th 2025, so there’s plenty of time to plan your trip for next year ahead of schedule. In the meanwhile, you can help keep the race going and prepare for next season by donating the the cause!

With winter forecasts bringing snow to our area over the next few weeks, we thought we’d share some fun activities to enjoy in the Kenosha, WI area, just a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from our Waukegan dealership.  It’s a great time to get outdoors, take in the crisp winter air, and enjoy those snowdays from work and school, or even a weekend away having fun with family and friends. more Winter Fun in Kenosha The Snow Daze Festival in January This year’s annual Snow Daze Festival is coming back to town on January 27th at Veterans Memorial Park and throughout the downtown area beginning at 12PM.  This amazing festival gives visitors a chance to check out an ice carving demo from 1PM to 3PM in the park from professional ice sculpture artists Art Below Zero of Franksville. They’ll be creating a truly one-of-a-kind work of art just for the event!  There will also be unique ice sculptures on display both in the park and throughout Downtown Kenosha from 12PM on.  You can find the full list of sculpture locations here so you don’t miss a single one of these amazing creations!  Festivalgoers will also be able to partake in free ice skating in the park, and special deals and discounts around town from shops and businesses.  And make sure to come hungry, because there’s a fantastic Snow Daze Pizza Brunch serving up specialty breakfast and lunch pizzas with mimosas. Ice Fishing (Weather and Ice Permitting) If you’re looking for something a little more outdoorsy, we recommend ; a day full of fun on the lakes with a little ice fishing! Top spots to visit include Silver Lake, Lake Mary and Lake Elizabeth aka the “Twin Lakes”, Powers Lake, The Fox River, and along Lake Michigan’s shores. If you’re just trying it out, you can apply for a special “one-day fishing license”.  And remember, the third full weekend in January is a “Free Fishing Weekend” – don’t miss out on that, because the next one isn’t until June!  Remember to check the ice reports with the WI DNR and refresh yourself on some ice safety tips. Snow Tubing and Sledding (Weather Permitting) There’s nothing like making memories together with the family and your friends with a day of good old-fashioned fun like sledding! There are give great parks to enjoy downhill sled rides and good clean snowy fun: Alford Park, Fox River Park, Petrifying Springs Park, and Washington Park. If you don’t want to wait for the perfect weather day, we recommend hitting the slopes at Wilmot Mountain for some adrenaline pumping snow-tubing fun. Plus, they make their own snow if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate! Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing (Weather Permitting) If you find yourself missing those warm weather hikes, you might want to get out and enjoy a fresh new perspective on trail walks in winter.  Whether you opt for snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing, you’ll certainly get quite the workout as well as breathtaking views of the woodlands and forests. These two activities can be enjoyed at numerous parks, trails and wildlife preserves in the Kenosha area including: Bristol Woods Park, Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park, New Munster Wildlife Area, and more! Kenosha Restaurant Week in February and Early March While it’s a little ways off, you’ll also want to bookmark February 24th through March 3rd to enjoy Kenosha’s Annual Restaurant Week!  This nine-day event celebrates the incredible locally owned and operated independent restaurants, pubs, food shops, and cozy eateries in the area. You’ll be able to check out special dishes and special price menus just for the occasion!  The official list of restaurants participating is expected to be posted at the end of January!  If you’re worried about reservations, you can check the restaurant week page for updates, as well as the venue’s individual social media pages.

Continuing our posts for National Dog Training Month, we thought it would be fun to highlight some of the great snowy trails you can visit in Illinois with your furry best friend by your side!   Why leave your trusty sidekick at home when they could be having the time of their life running through the fresh powder, exploring the trails, and catching snowballs?  Check out our picks for winter destinations in WI and IL where you can have fun with your pets and enjoy things like snowshoeing, skijoring, and more. more Did you know that dog sledding and skijoring are allowed on non-designated cross-country trails and off-trail areas (so long as dogs are permitted on property) in Wisconsin? Here are some great places to visit if you’d like to enjoy winter sports with your pup! Justin Trails Resort in Sparta, WI - This dog friendly area has more than 200 acres of open areas and forests just rife with adventure opportunities.  You and your pup can enjoy camping on-site, or opt for a more cozy stay in a cabin, and accommodations can be made for up to 3 pets (for a small fee per night.)  This is a great location to enjoy skijoring or snowshoeing with your pet for some tandem snowy fun!  There are also plenty of options for snowshoeing trails and cross-country skiing as well, and for the kids (and kid at heart!) there are sledding hills and tubing hills, too. Indian Lake County Park in Cross Plains, WI - This park has a beautiful 442 acre lake with a winding trail around it that leads to an incredible historic chapel from 1857.  If you’d like to go cross country skiing or snowshoeing, this is the place to be. If you’re looking for ski-joring, seek out trails marked pet friendly and ones that aren’t specifically groomed for x-country skiers.  You’ll find plenty of opportunities to take photos of your pooch enjoying the snowy conditions at any of the scenic vista points along the way.  There’s also a designated pet-friendly exercise area on site next to the small boat launch on the west side of the lake. Interstate State Park in St. Croix Falls, WI - Although the area does not boast any official skijoring trails, the area has plenty of multi-use trails to choose from. Please bear in mind that some areas may be off limits to your pet, so always check the signage and keep them on leash as directed by Wisconsin State Park rules.  The Winter Recreation Trails are open for snowshoeing, winter hiking, cross-country skiing, and pet friendly activities like walks, trail running, and skijoring; note that the Skyline Trail does prohibit pets when it’s been groomed.  The area is open to camping in tents, trailers, and RVs if you’d like to take a longer a pet-friendly vacation together. While you may be new to the concept of skijoring, it’s been growing in popularity as a sport in the Midwest!  In fact there are several skijoring competitions happening each year specifically in Wisconsin.  You may want to check out the Barkie Birkie in Hayward event, the Three Bear Sled Dog Race in Land O’ Lakes, Willow Springs Round Barn Sled Dog Race in Wausau. Pretty cool, right? Check out more information on Midwest Skijoring and Sled Racing here. Looking for something local? You’ll find lots of Skijoring and Sledding and winter dog sport opportunities right here in Illinois! We bet you didn’t know that the Waukegan Savanna is a ski-joring and dog sledding hot spot!  If you and your pup still haven’t had enough adventure for the day, there’s an incredible 11-acre off-leash dog park that’s perfect for snowy weather fun like snowball fetch, snowy running, and frosty socials with fuzzy pals. The Blackwell Forest Preserve is another wonderful area, especially if you’re just starting out with your skijoring and dog-in-tow snowshoeing pastime.  The trails are perfect for beginners and intermediate snowshoers, but if your dog hasn’t had enough physical activity you can make a stop at the off-leash dog area on site. For those seeking adrenaline and adventure, you’re also welcome to seek out the dog-sledding trails, too. Looking to join the fun on a regular basis and explore dog sports year round? The Windy City Mushers Club in Chicago is a great place to start!   If you’re looking for like minded dog owners who enjoy dogsledding, bikejoring, skijoring, and more, this group will point you in the right direction.

If you’re looking for a unique and memorable vacation this winter, we’ve got the perfect place for you to explore.  As far as winter wonderlands go, there’s simply no better than Apostle Islands Ice Caves in Wisconsin as a seasonal stop!  The islands are always a popular destination for summer, but we daresay winter makes them even more special. Whether you’re a professional photographer or a smartphone shooter, a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or a casual tourist, you’ll find nothing short of sheer beauty at this destination.  When the temperatures drop, the lake freezes over and the snow glistens on the surface, the caves overflow with the most magnificent icicles and ice formations, turning the Islands and caves into one of Wisconsin’s most breathtaking and magnificent landmarks. more What to Do at Apostle Islands in Winter With 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland coast, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is an ever popular warm weather destination, but that’s not all it has to offer! In fact, during the winter the area transforms into a magical kingdom of ice caves, glowing lighthouses, and quiet coastal towns to explore, dine, and enjoy! Outdoor excursions in the area include snowmobiling, winter hikes, and snowshoeing. The Apostle Island region and Bayfield County are home to more than 600 miles of snowmobile trails and incredible winter landscapes. With that many trails to choose from, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself whether ti’s your first time or your hundredth time on a snowmobile. As for hiking, seasoned enthusiasts will want to don best winter boots and explore the challenging 10 mile snowy hike around Lakeside Trail, which offers unparalleled views of the glistening ice and snowscapes as well as ample opportunity for wildlife viewing.  You’ll explore woodland areas, snowy beaches and shoreline, and breathtaking cliffside views.  It also offers a unique perspective on the ice caves from above! The bravest of the brave who don’t fear the frigid temps of Lake Superior in winter may even dare to try some late winter season surfing if they’re up for the challenge.  If the lake is frozen solid, extreme enthusiasts may alternatively wish to check out some of the campsite options on Madeline Island for a winter weather campout. For the slightly less adventurous but those who don’t mind sitting in the cold, an intermediate activity to partake in would be Ice Watching from the shoreline.  Tourists to the area report seeing amazing natural ice formations such as stacks, ice shelves, sparkling icicles, ice sheets, and more! Sometimes, you may even feel or observe the water moving beneath your feet in the areas where it’s thick enough and safe to walk across. Ice Fishing at the Apostle Islands is another lower stress local favorite activity to get in touch with nature and add a little excitement! History buffs will enjoy taking in some of the local lighthouses in the area with some of them opening for limited winter time hours for up close tours.  Otherwise, they make wonderful backdrop scenery during your local walking, hiking, and snowmobiling tours. But by and large, the best thing to experience in the area would be a tour of the Ice Caves of Apostle Islands. With the ever changing natural landscape and the dynamics of winter weather changing by the hour, the caves are never the same twice, even from one day to the next!  These incredible tours are only accessible by hiking across the thick frozen ice of Lake Superior, which is an adventure in and of itself with more than one mile of trekking across the spectacular surface to the caves across crystal clear, glass-like icy surface.  Late January and into February is the prime time to visit the caves, as the ice begins to start showing signs of thaw in March.  But in prime season, weather permitting, you can book any number of guided tours to various sections of the Ice Caves (sleds are encouraged if you’re bringing little ones who may be a little fatigued by the trek or the cold) Note: Be sure to check the weather reports before you set out, as this touring option requires optimal weather conditions to access by foot. The Ice caves are not always possible to visit every year as a result of changing weather patterns.

Did you know it’s National Train Your Dog Month? Here at Classic, we love being able to take our furry friends with  us on our road trips and vacations.  Before we hit the road, we practice acclimating them to the car, so they’ll be comfortable, happy, and calm on the journey.  We also make sure to secure our pets to reduce and eliminate distracted driving, as well as keep them safe in the event of an unavoidable accident.  On today’s blog, we’re going to share our favorite tips to acclimating your dog to being your road trip sidekick, and some suggestions for gear to keep ‘em comfy and belted safely. Check it out! more Need help showing your pup how to passeng safely? We’ve got some basic suggestions to get started on that journey. Introduce your pup to safety restraints, crates, and other car ride harnesses while indoors, and always while reinforcing positive experiences such as treats, praise, playing with their favorite toys, and physical affection (if your dog appreciates that!)  Your job here is to associate the safety gear with a happy, wonderful, enjoyable experience ahead of time so that when you’re ready to get on the road, they’re excited to use it! If your pet has never ridden in a car before or has a bit of nervousness, it’s a great idea to spend some time making sure to  associate the car with a positive experience. Some of the ways you can do this are by offering chaperoned and leashed socialization in and around your vehicle, making  a game out of loading in and out of the vehicle, and sitting inside quietly for very short durations. Once your pet is used to that, you can practice slowly driving in and out of your parking space or driveway, and increasing the distance and duration of travel time. Giving your pets a pet-friendly, safe area away from other passengers and the drivers can prevent distractions as well as make your pets feel safer and more secure.  Use a crate to keep them safe and sound, a grate between the front and back seat or cargo areas. Avoid driving situations where your pet is in your arms on your lap and unrestrained. If you’re not opting for a sectioned gate or a crate, secure your fuzzy pal with a seatbelt harness, appropriately sized pet car seat, and/or attach their harness into a special seatbelt attachment with shock absorber. Crack the windows no more than a few inches, making sure your pup cannot get any paws, their nose, or any other body part out the window.  Just enough for some fresh air! Have a friend or family member that your dog is comfortable with sit in the back seat alongside your pal to help them remain calm and seated or lying down. Get them a special elevated doggy car seat so they’re positioned up higher with a view of the outside that can help them see outside and acclimate their equilibrium a bit better. Open the windows just a pinch to circulate some fresh air and help them breathe more evenly.  The windows should not be open enough for your dog to get their head or body outside the vehicle. Note: We’re just very enthusiastic dog lovers, not canine professionals.  Please remember, these are just suggestions, but should not be taken as professional advice or replace instructions or routines given for training by a professional.   You may wish to consider hiring a certified, credentialed trainer or behaviorist to assist you further. Want to keep your pet pals safe and secure in the car? Here’s some great options for pet friendly restraint systems: Ruffwear’s Load Up Car Harness was created specifically with your dog’s safety in mind during collision and related road incidents.  The design includes strength-rated hardware, premium webbing fabric, and durable materials and padding to create a very secure, strong restraint for comfortable extended wear.  It was thoroughly researched and crash tested to provide comfort and safety for your pup, and its easy on/off attachment system was designed with convenience in mind for you. Kurgo’s Car Safety Harnesses are offered in two styles and sizes. The lower priced option is the Enhanced Strength Tru-Fit Dog Car Harness, and the higher price point option is the Impact Dog Car Harness.  The Tru-Fit harness was crash tested for dogs up to 75lbs, and features a 10” seatbelt tether with steel carabiner, can be used as an every day harness, features leash attachments on the back and front, and utilizes steel nested buckles and hardware with a padded chest plate. The Impact harness was constructed from a singular piece of webbing, features all steel hardware, a leash attachment on the back of the harness, and fully integrates with your vehicle’s seatbelt systems. The Carrotez Bungee Leash Extension offers shock absorption to reduce stress and injury from walking, running, and other impact related force.  The trigger snap carabiner attaches to your dog’s collar or harness securely, and the D-ring attaches to your seatbelt, leash, or harness to provide additional support.  It can also act as a small traffic handle to help stabilize your pup as they load in and out of the vehicle or for direction on walks. Paw Brands offers a variety of colors, materials, and sizes for dog-friendly car seats. Adding a plush, soft sided car seat may provide a calming environment for your dog, reducing their anxiety and/or discouraging physical movement while the vehicle is in motion.  This brand may be pricier entry to the pet car seat category, but has frequently offered promotions and sales for both holidays and seasonally.

Just because winter weather has arrived doesn’t mean you have to forgo enjoyment of the Great Outdoors!  Today we’re sharing some fantastic places to check out the winter wildlife, in particular: birds.  These beautiful nature parks, conservation areas, wildlife preservations, and hiking trails are perfect for winter birding.  If you’re a wildlife or nature photographer, you’ll want to bring your best gear with you, too, to catch some incredible seasonal snapshots of migratory species. more Despite chilly temps, here’s a four great hot spots for birding in Illinois: Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary is located in Lincoln Park. The area's best vantage point is a 150-yard stretch of shrubbery and treese known as “The Magic Hedge”, notorious for its incredible attractive power to migratory birds. More than 300 species have been noted at the sanctuary and nearby Montrose Beach Dunes.  It might seem counterintuitive to list a major metropolitan area like Chicago as a hotspot for wildlife, but this area is world renowned! Illinois Beach State Park is another wonderful stop on your bird watching adventure. The lake is home to many species of waterfowl including grebe, loons, ducks, and gulls. The southern region of the park features wonderful trails through each of the area’s habitats: forest, marsh, beach, dunes, and lakeside.  The northern region of the park is famous for the annual hawk watching season; visitors flock (pardon the pun) to the area in September through November to catch a glimpse of the migratory birds of prey including Osprey, Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagles, Sharp-Skinned Hawks, Northern Harriers, and more. Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area is a gorgeous tallgrass prairie adjacent to a section of marshy wetlands, making it the perfect home for wintering migratory birds. In the winter season, you’ll find an assortment of waterfowl, Bald Eagles, Rough-Legged Hawks, Short-Eared Owls, and Northern Shrike. As the weather begins to warm and Spring creeps towards us, you’ll notice breeding pairs arrive including Northern Bobwhites, American Bitterns, various wrens and sparrows, and more. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is an impressive 44,000 acre wildlife refuge area, with 7,000 acre Crab Orchard Lake at its center, and two adjacent smaller lakes, Little Grassy Lake and Devil’s Kitchen Lake.  It’s a prime spot for migrant and wintering waterfowl, as well as resident bird of prey nests.  Wander along the trails or follow the auto trail map via the visitor’s center and you’ll see species such as Bald Eagle, Canada Geese, several types of Warblers, Eastern Bluebird, and more. Here’s a list of some of the birds you’ll see across Illinois: Bald Eagles Winter Geese Snowy Owls American Tree Sparrows Chickadees Juncos Cardinals Purple Martins Woodpeckers Merganser Duck Scaup Duck Goldeneyes Diving Duck White-Winged Crossbills Pine Siskins Snow Buntings Lapland Longspurs Saw-Whet Owls Long-Eared Owls Short-Eared Owls Snowy Owls Red-Tailed Hawks American Kestrels Cooper’s Hawks Rough-Legged Hawks Red-Winged Blackbirds Ring-Billed Gulls Glaucous Gulls Iceland Gulls Thayer’s Gulls Carolina Wrens Yellow-Rumped Warblers

Winter weather is rolling in, and we’ve got a checklist of items that will keep you safe on the road during snowy, blustery, and icy conditions.  We’ve covered some of these before in previous seasons’ posts, but it’s always good to have a refresher.  Feel free to print out our checklist and do a thorough check of your vehicles.  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! more Here’s some vehicle points to consider for winter weather safety: Survey the windshield and wiper blades for any signs of damage and check fluid levels.  If you notice any “stars”, cracks, or dings, be sure to schedule a windshield replacement ASAP to prevent vision hazards or injury due to further damage.  Remember to replace any damaged wiper blades with new, fresh blades.  We also recommend bringing your car into a garage and applying a thin coat of hydrophobic coating such as Rain-X.  When replacing or topping off your wiper fluid, remember to choose one appropriate for winter weather temperatures in your area. There’s nothing worse than hydroplaning on slushy snow or skidding out on the ice in a storm, and that’s why it’s important to ensure your tires and brakes can bring you to a safe, complete stop! Schedule an appointment to have your brakes inspected so that you can drive confidently and be safe in treacherous weather conditions. Make sure you prioritize this service check before the winter weather escalates. Our service center will be happy to help you evaluate your tires for proper inflation and tread depth as well as ensure you’ve selected safe, efficient tires, but here’s some pointers: If you’ve not done so already, any summer tires should be swapped out for all-weather or winter tires ASAP for maximum safe road grip. Make sure to also check your tire pressure; the PSI number should match the manufacturer requirements (can be located in your manual or on a label on the side door pockets or frame), and if not, inflate until it does!  Look for signs of wear and tear such as bulges and bubbles, cracks or small tears, or significant tread wear leaving bald spots; replace worn or damaged tires immediately.  Make sure your spare tire or donut is in good shape and shows no signs of wear or damage; replace if necessary. In cold weather and decreasing temperatures, your vehicle requires a bit more energy to start up. This puts an increased stress and wear on your vehicle’s battery.  Ensure that the connections are cleared of any build-up and residue as well so that it makes proper contact. Call in for a service appointment and request to have the battery tested for quality, and if it needs replacing we can surely help with that! Test your heating and ventilation and defrosting systems to ensure they’re properly functioning.  You want to make sure you’ll stay nice and toasty during your commute or to keep warm while help arrives if heaven forbid any roadside emergencies occur! Call our shop to schedule  a service appointment and have your vehicle’s heating system serviced if anything is amiss. Request an inspection of electronic components like heated defrost mirrors and defroster elements to further ensure they’re in working order. Being able to properly defrost your windows and use heat to help melt frost, snow, and ice is vital for safe visibility in a storm. Pull your vehicle into your garage or a flat surface and do your best to check the underside of your car.  Be on the lookout for signs of  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 and our service team will replace or repair the damaged parts before they worsen further in the winter weather and lead to even more costly repairs. Make sure to top off all fluids in your vehicle, and ensure that seasonally appropriate options have been used. This includes making sure to top off your gas tank before you hit the road, especially if inclement weather is forecasted for your area. There’s nothing worse than being stuck for a lengthy period of time due to hazardous driving conditions or a white out, and running out of fuel.  You want to ensure that you’re prepared for delays and will stay warm while you wait. Our knowledgeable and experienced auto repair service crew at Classic Body Shop is here to help you!  Check out our service deals and specials for special seasonal discount and limited time promotional pricing options.

Today we’re sharing our local community calendar of events in Lake County and beyond.  We’ve got everything from trivia nights to karaoke to distillery tours to light shows!   Make new friends with like minded culinary interests at a cooking class. The new year is wide open ahead and full of possibilities!  Try your hand at a paint night and learn a new creative skill.  Join a Zumba class and test your rhythm. New year, new experiences!  What doors will you open this year? Let’s find out! more Enjoy the last celebration of the holiday season at the Dia de Los Reyes event in at the Village of Round Lake Beach Cultural and Civic Center on Thursday January 4th starting at 6PM.  Enjoy a meet and greet with “the Three Kings” and enjoy a magic show, face painting, balloon animals, and amazing local food!  It’s free to enter. The New Year Zumba-thon is moving and groovin into 2024 at the Mundelein Parks and Recreation District event on Friday January 5th from 6PM to 8PM.  Ticket prices are $9 for members and $15 for non-members. The incredible Frosty Fest at Viking Park in Gurnee promises a winter wonderland of fun for all ages! This free event is a perfect opportunity to have “snow much” fun as you enjoy outdoor sleigh rides, bumper cars, games, winter crafts, and so much more.  Plus, there’s a hot cocoa bar with fireside s’mores!  It’s all happening on Saturday January 6th from 10:30AM to 1PM. Gather your friends for the first hang out of the year as you enjoy a behind the scenes distillery tour of North Shore Distillery in Green Oaks from 4PM to 5:30PM on Saturday January 6th. Now through January 8th, head over to the Belvidere Recreation Center in Waukegan for a special Holiday Adventure event.  Families can enjoy st is $35 per day for residents, $44 per day for non-resident guests. On January 9th gather your pals and head over for Throw Down Tuesday at Timerjaxe Axe Throwing Lounge from 6PM to 7PM in Libertyville. Tickets are $20 per adult for this Axe Throwing Meet-Up event where you can meet new people and enjoy some friendly competition! On Wednesdays at 7PM, Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing Company is hosting a very energetic and entertaining Trivia Night event! Cinephiles will rejoice when they attend this virtual event via the Lake Forest Public Library highlighting the Fabulous Films of the 80s from 7PM to 8:30PM with host Steven Frenzel for a blast from the past.  Enjoy music, behind the scenes anecdotes, and classic moments from beloved 80s cinema! Impress your guests this year with a dinner party thanks to Ramen: Hands On and Pan Seared Scallopes over Caccio e Pepe Pasta classes at the Joyful Gourmet. Or if baking is more your speed, you can try your hand at “Scones and Spreads” or French Macarons class instead!  There are so many cooking class options to choose from, but all of them as delicious as the last. Vernon Hills Winterfest returns for this special all-ages family friendly event at the Century Park Arboretum on January 13th from 11AM to 2PM.  There’s a special dog sled demonstration, fireside s’mores, and if weather permits: ice skating!  Admission is free, making it the perfect  family outing in the great outdoors. Enjoy the classic sounds of Swing Music as the Let it Swing Band of Deerfield brings high energy music to the masses from 1PM to 12PM at the Deerfield Park District on January 14th.  We bet you’ll be tapping your toes from the moment they start til the finale! Tired of screentime arguments? Let it goooo, and bring the family out of the house for a day of fun as you have a blast at Olaf’s Winter Wonderland at the Grayslake Park District event on Saturday January 20th. Enjoy an Olaf themed craft, listen to storytellers, play Olaf inspired games, and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and snacks! Enjoy a night of artistic inspiration on Saturday January 20th from 5PM to 8PM with the Hero Youth Art Exhibition event and then test your skills in a painting technique classes and hone your creative vision with fundamentals of art at the Dandelion Art Gallery on January 21st! This months’ January Waukegan Art Wauk promises to be another great one on Saturday Januart 20th from 5PM to 9PM. Enjoy live music and special art exhibitions as part of this free event each month! Got an event you think our readers would enjoy? Let us know in the comments on our social media!

Out with the old, and in with the new!  Let’s make 2024 the year we all resolve to become better car owners and stay on top of our vehicle maintenance schedules.  Here’s some great tips to get you started on the right foot.  These are six easy tips will get you started, but you’re welcome to share your own in the comments section on our social media, too! more Keep your car clean! Make sure you follow the ol’ campground rules of “Bring it in, bring it out.”  Whatever you bring into your car, be it a cup of coffee, a bag of fast food, or even just some protein bar wrappers, remember to clear the trash out each time you leave your vehicle.  Consider purchasing a portable trash can or trash bag for your car to stow the refuse while you’re on the road, too. Make an effort to end distracted driving habits! Statistics show that an average of 9 people are killed by distracted driving every day. Distracted driving is causing an increase in accidents with severe bodily injury and even death. Forget about filming videos for TikTok and Reels.  There’s no need to update Facebook while en route.  You’ll have plenty of time to chat with your favorite people when you get to where you’re going, and so will the other drivers and pedestrians who share the road with you! That text or phone call can wait until you’ve safely reached your destination.  Best to keep your eyes and ears on the road, and your phone safely stowed away.  If you must answer a call or message, utilize hands-free methods like talk-to-text via your infotainment center, or speaker phone and voice command options.  But it’s best if you leave it. Create a Vehicle Maintenance Checklist for your vehicle. Most vehicles have average mileage checkpoints for service calls such as oil changes, tune-ups, and brakes, but some models may have additional requirements.  Hybrid and Electric vehicles also have their own unique maintenance needs that combustion engine vehicles may not have.  Consult your owner’s manual and create a handy checklist of your vehicle’s basic maintenance requirements and their mileage. A great way to do this is by utilizing a white board or an app like Google Sheets or Notion.  Keeping a monthly and yearly checklist can help you notice problems and patterns before they balloon into something very costly to repair! Schedule regular oil changes. Keeping your engine lubricated with clean, fresh oil is a must!  Skipping oil changes can lead to dirty oil, stalling engines, and poor fuel mileage among other things.  Vehicles generally need an oil change between 3,000-6,000 miles; mileage requirements depend on the type of oil, type of engine, and other factors.  Consult your vehicle manufacturer manual for exact mileage requirements and create calendar reminders on your smartphone to keep you in check! Learn how to perform basic vehicle emergency tasks. A great way to stay safe on the road is by making sure you know how to stay cool in an emergency situation.  Learning how to change a tire or put on a donut can save you a lot of time, stress, and money if you get a flat or have a leak.  Learning how to jump-start your car is another vital lifeskill, and thanks to portable battery jump chargers, you don’t even have to worry bout flagging down another driver or waiting for a tow.  Be prepared no matter what by packing a duffle bag of emergency supplies such as  duct tape, first aid kit, reflector flares or hazard triangles, a flashlight, fire extinguisher, and multi-tool (just to name a few!) Don’t ignore those warning lights on the dash! We know it’s scary when your dash lights start illuminating and little symbols flash across the gauge cluster, but we promise you it’s much scarier to wait it out.  Our friendly auto body shop team is here to help.  If you see any blinking, static, or intermittent warning lights in your car, we’ll be happy to perform an assessment and evaluate your vehicle’s needs.  It might be something smaller than you’re anticipating!  Sometimes it’s as simple as a loose wire or a sensor, but in case of larger issues, it’s better to bring it in for service sooner instead of complicating the situation by delaying.

We’ve had one busy year here at Classic Auto Group, and we’re so excited to see what the next one brings.  On today’s blog, we’re highlighting some wonderful local area celebrations in Lake County nearby for you and your favorite people to ring in 2024 together!  You’ll find family friendly events for New Year’s Eve as well as some adults only events for a kid-free night.  Got an event to recommend to us? Leave us a comment on our social media to share your shindig!  Let’s celebrate in style together. more Where to Celebrate New Years Eve in the Lake County, Illinois Area to Ring In 2024! December 28th and 29th there’s a fantastic kid-centric dance party at the G rayslake Library for “Noon Year’s Eve”! All ages are welcome at this hour long event featuring crafts, dancing, music, and more which all culminates in a “Countdown to Noon” ball drop balloon event! Registration is limited to one session only, and each family member requires registration. On December 29th from 4PM to 6:30PM head over to the Ve rnon Hills Park District Sullivan Community Center for a New Year’s Eve Family Party celebration! There will be music, dancing, and games and even a kid-friendly balloon drop.  It’s a perfect get together for those with young ones. Kids 2 and under are free, but everyone else is a $7 admission. Register by calling 847-996-6800. December 30th at the J oyful Gourmet is a New Year’s Dinner demonstration with chef side table event! You’ll learn to craft a gorgeous salad, delicious Chilean Seabass dish, and a delectably rich dessert!  Grab your besties and a glass of wine and register for a seat ASAP. On December 31st, all three locations of O’Toole’s (Gurnee, Lake Villa, and Libertyville) are hosting a New Year’s Eve Dinner Party and Countdown event! Celebrations include your drink of choice from a Champagne Split or High Life Tall Boy, along with fun seasonal party favors, a live DJ, and the most exciting party of 2023.Click the link above to get more info on each location. December 31st starting at 4PM, register for the New Year’s Eve Celebration Gala featuring live music and entertainment at Feather Glass Wine Bar and Eatery in Vernon Hills!  The three course meal will be paired with wines and cocktails and includes a midnight snack and bubbly toast!  ​​For more info, call 847-794-8182 or email info@featherglasswine.com December 31st is a WhirlyBall New Years Eve celebration from 12PM to 4:30PM a t Whirly Ball in Vernon Hills! Kids are $20 each and adults are $30 each.  Admission includes a 2 hour window to enjoy LaserTag, Pop-Up Games, a special Lunch Buffet, and endless Whirlyball!  Choose from Noon to 2PM or 2:30PM to 4:30PM time slot. Book now by emailing reservations@whirlyball.com or calling 847-918-0800 And we can T forget the 25th Annual Polar Bear Plunge right here at Waukegan Beach! This year is the 25th Annual Polar Bear Plunge for 2024, and if you're in the first 500 brave souls to make the leap you’ll get a special commemorative Polar Plunge Tee Shirt!  There will be food and beverage on site as well as special polar bear hats on-site for sale.  Are you brave enough to make the leap into 2024 from the shores of the glistening waters of Lake Michigan?  Let 2024 be the year of adventure and bravery! Help raise funds for a good cause and learn more about the Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge here!