Ah, September. The month that kicks off with a long weekend and then hits you like a Monday. September is kind of one long Monday.

Back-to-school traffic is back (because nothing says “welcome to fall” like getting stuck behind a bus at every intersection). The kids are back to routines, and so are we—begrudgingly packing lunches, setting alarms, and pretending we didn't already Google "how many days until Thanksgiving."

Summer officially waves goodbye on the 22nd, but if you're anything like us, you’re still mentally clutching your beach chair. And just like that, the great seasonal swap begins. Pool toys out, pumpkin spice everything in. (Unless you're TJ Maxx—then it’s already full-blown Christmas. We see you, glittery reindeer.)

But before we dive too far into the land of crunchy leaves and caroling commercials, let’s talk about this month. We’ve got helpful car tips to keep your vehicle fall-ready, updates on what we’ve been wrenching on in the shop, and a peek at what’s coming up.

So grab your coffee (iced, hot, or questionably pumpkin-flavored), settle in, and let’s roll into September together.

Joe’s Column

The Long Game of Teaching

The greatest thing you’ll ever fix isn’t a car — it’s a person who didn’t believe they could do it.

There’s an old proverb I’ve carried with me:
“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach him to fish, feed him for a lifetime.”

In my world, fishing lessons look more like torque specs, brake bleeds, and the sacred rule of never cross-threading a spark plug.

I’ve trained a lot of people over the years.

Some are sponges — they soak it in instantly.
Others? More like colanders — you pour in the knowledge and watch it run out the holes.

But both are worth teaching because learning isn’t a straight climb. It’s trial, error, busted knuckles… and quiet victories.

The best part isn’t when they get it right the first time.

It’s the moment they no longer need you looking over their shoulder — when the seed you planted finally pushes through the soil.

I’ve seen shy apprentices become leaders.
I’ve seen self-doubt turn into skill and pride.

And every time, I’m reminded: none of us got here alone.

But here’s the reality — our trade is in trouble.

Baby boomers are retiring.
Fewer young people are entering the field.

A few years ago, our local tech school’s graduating class had just four automotive students.
You can’t rebuild an industry with a carpool’s worth of graduates.

I understand why it’s a tough sell.

This work is hard.
It’s hot, cold, dirty, and rough on your body.
You’ll spend thousands on tools and never stop learning.

And just when you think you’ve caught up, technology changes again.

When I started, you could climb inside the engine bay.
Drop a wrench — it hit the floor.

Now? It disappears into a labyrinth of wires and plastic that feels more like surgery than wrenching.

And yet… I still believe it’s worth it.

Not just because people will always need their cars to get from Point A to Point B — but because teaching someone how to do this work, and watching them take pride in doing it well, is one of the most satisfying things you’ll ever experience.

Teaching is planting seeds you might never see bloom.
But every great mechanic, every great teacher, every great leader is the result of someone else deciding to plant anyway.

So here’s my challenge to you:

Keep teaching.
Keep learning.
Keep showing up.

Even when it’s messy.
Even when it’s slow.
Even when it feels like it’s not sinking in.

Because someday, someone will look back and realize you were the one who gave them the tools — not just to work, but to believe in themselves.

And if life drops your wrench into some dark, unreachable place?
Well… a magnet, a flashlight, and a little patience can rescue more than just car parts.

— Joe

Help Us Choose A Pennridge Teacher to Win $1,000 in School Supplies

Every one of us carries the memory of a teacher who changed our lives. Maybe it was the one who saw potential when no one else did. Or the one who stayed after class to help us catch up. Or maybe the one who made us feel—perhaps for the first time—truly seen.

For my wife Cindi and me, the halls of Pennridge are where our stories began. We’re both proud graduates of Pennridge High School, and today, we run Joe Davis Autosport right here in Perkasie. Three of our own team members are also Pennridge alumni. This community has shaped us, and it continues to shape the lives of our children and grandchildren.

We believe that great teachers don’t just teach—they build character, confidence, and curiosity. They pour themselves into their students, often with limited resources and little recognition.

So, this year, as the school year begins, we wanted to offer a heartfelt thank-you to those teachers who quietly, steadily, and powerfully shape the future.

From September 8–14, we’ll be hosting a campaign on our Facebook page where students, parents, and community members can nominate a current Pennridge teacher who’s made a difference in their lives. The teacher with the most votes (via comments and tags) will receive $1,000 to spend on school supplies—for their classroom, however they see fit.

This small gesture is rooted in a bigger belief: that the people who lift others up deserve to be lifted up themselves. Teachers are unsung heroes, and we’d be honored to help sing their praises—if only for a moment.

With sincere Gratitude,

Joe Davis

Back-to-School, Back to the Commute… Is Your Car Ready for the School Year Grind?

Ah, September. That magical time of year when the house finally quiets down… until you realize you’ve become your child’s full-time Uber driver. Between school drop-offs, after-school activities, practices, and emergency snack runs, your car is suddenly living its best (or most overworked) life again.

Here’s the problem: most of our cars spent the summer in vacation mode. Maybe you skipped an oil change (or three). Maybe your brakes have been squeaking louder than your kid during homework time. Or maybe your Check Engine light has been on so long it’s starting to feel like part of the dashboard décor.

But here’s the thing—back-to-school season is the perfect time to give your car a reset before the daily grind wears it down and leaves you stranded in the dreaded school pickup line… with an audience of parents silently judging your engine sputter.

What Your Car Needs for the Commute Comeback:

• Oil & Filter Change 

• Brake Inspection 

• Wiper Blades & Washer Fluid – That early morning dew (and rogue bird poop) isn’t going to clean itself.

• Battery Test 

• Fluid Top-Offs 

• Tire Pressure & Tread Check

We’re Not AAA, But We Are Family

At Joe Davis Autosport, we’re all about keeping your European vehicle running like new—but we’re just as committed to looking out for our extended family. That means you—our customers, friends, and neighbors.

So here’s something worth sharing: If you’re a AAA member and you’ve got a teen driver between 16 and 18, you can sign them up for AAA’s Junior Associate Program—for free. It gives them their own AAA membership card, complete with roadside assistance, towing, lockout service, and even discounts on everyday purchases (yes, including back-to-school supplies).

We don’t make a penny if you sign them up, but if we think it’s worth buying for our own kids, it’s worth you knowing about for yours. Joe and Cindi have been AAA members for decades, and they still gift memberships to their now-adult children every Christmas. It’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on (especially when it’s free).

So before the school year ramps up, take five minutes to sign your teen up. It might just save you from that late-night rescue mission.

Oil, Chips, and a Side of “Wait, What Did PennDOT Just Do?”

If you’ve been driving anywhere from 5th Street to Ridge Road lately—and maybe even right past your neighbor's mailbox on Penny Lane—you’ve probably noticed the roads look like someone sprinkled gravel on freshly poured syrup.

That’s because PennDOT, in their infinite wisdom (and budget-saving strategies), has decided to give a fresh makeover to a huge chunk of Perkasie roads using something called oil and chip sealing.

[*Editor’s Note] Now, before I knew better, I genuinely thought “Oil & Chips” was just a trucker’s roadside café I hadn’t discovered yet. A place where you could get some synthetic blend with your kettle-cooked Lay’s. I know, not my best moment. Thanks, Nate (our ever-patient service manager), for gently popping that bubble.

What the &@% is Oil and Chip Anyway?

“Oil and chip”—also known as chip sealing—is PennDOT’s low-cost alternative to fully repaving roads. It involves spraying down liquid asphalt (the "oil"), then dumping a layer of crushed stone (the "chips") on top. It’s cheaper than full paving and supposedly extends road life.

Sounds great... in theory.

In reality? It’s like turning the street into a rock tumbler and sending your tires, paint, and windshield in as the unlucky participants.

So What’s the Damage?

Today alone, we had a customer come in needing their PA State Inspection sticker re-applied—because their entire windshield had to be replaced after being blasted by rogue flying chips. (Shoutout to the Alderfer Glass that said they’ve had over 100 people come in with the same issue. That’s not a statistic, that’s a trend.)

And not to make this about me, but… I brought my car in for a routine brake inspection and Ryan (our Mercedes/Porsche/Saab specialist and resident truth-teller) pointed out that the tread of my brand-new tires was packed with loose gravel. Fantastic. So much for that fresh rubber.

What Can You Do to Avoid a Chip-tastrophe?

Great question. Here’s what we recommend:

Back-to-school Season: What’s one tool or gadget every parent should have in their car?

Joe (Owner): “Green Slime for Flat Punctures”

Ryan (Shop Foreman & Mercedes-benz Specialist): “A Flashlight”

Justin (Technician: BMW, MINI, & Volvo Specialist): “Tide-to-Go Stick. But realistically… AAA”

Peter (Technician: Audi and Volkswagen Specialist): “Anything to Aid With a Spare Tire”

Chris (Service Writer): “Duct Tape”

Avery (Social Media/CRM Specialist): “Magnetic Phone Holder”

Logan (Technician & Newly Grad from Penn Tech): “Tire Pressure Gauge. One that you can put in your pocket”

Jonah (Graduated Shop Apprentice & Summer Tech): “Zip Ties”

Rev Up for a Cause — Join Us at the Drive & Thrive Car Show!

We’re proud to be a repair partner with Drive & Thrive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing reliable transportation to individuals and families who need it most.

Since we teamed up back in April, our incredible techs here at Joe Davis Autosport have donated their time and expertise to help Drive & Thrive clients get safe, working vehicles — whether it’s rebuilding brakes, fixing critical issues, or just making sure someone has a reliable car to get to work or medical appointments. Drive & Thrive covers the parts, we donate the labor, and lives get changed.

Now, we’re shifting into high gear for their biggest event of the year — and you’re invited!

The Drive & Thrive Car Show

Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Starts at 8:00 AM
475 Virginia Drive, Fort Washington, PA

Come walk the lot and check out a jaw-dropping collection of classic cars, muscle machines, and exotic rides. Expect great food, music, raffles, family-friendly fun, and plenty of chrome, horsepower, and heart.

Whether you’re a gearhead, a community-minded neighbor, or just someone who loves a good Saturday outing, this is the perfect excuse to get out and support something meaningful.

Let’s show up, show off, and support the work that helps families across our region Drive AND Thrive.

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