Ah, March… the month that can’t decide if it’s winter or spring, so it just throws both at us like a toddler with a handful of Legos. One day, you’re scraping ice off your windshield; the next, you’re considering flip-flops. And let’s not forget St. Patrick’s Day, when we all suddenly remember we have some Irish in us.

But March isn’t just about unpredictable weather and questionable green beverages. It’s also the season of shaking off winter’s sluggishness and getting ready for the open road—because before you know it, road trip season will be here!

So, grab a coffee (or something stronger—March is weird like that), settle in, and let’s talk about how to keep your car running smoother than a river of gold at the end of the rainbow. We’ve got tips, updates, and maybe even a lucky surprise or two!

Our "Humble Brag" Approach

For the fifth year in a row, we’ve been named a CARFAX Top-Rated Service Center, which basically makes us the overachievers of the auto repair world.

But let’s be honest—we couldn’t have done it without YOU, our incredible customers. Your trust, loyalty, and occasional “I swear it made a weird noise this morning” moments keep us going, and we’re beyond grateful!

And, of course, we couldn’t do it without Our Rockstar Team. They keep your engines running, your wheels turning, and your brakes… well, braking.

Thank you for your support and for being part of our journey. Here’s to another year of top-notch European service!

The School of Hard Knocks: A Lost Art?

A Message From Joe

I find myself looking into the future a lot these days, wondering what kind of world my grandkids will inherit. The years are flying by, and they’re growing up so fast. Like any grandparent, I want to protect them — to shield them from all the bad in the world. But deep down, I know that wouldn’t be right. In fact, it would probably do more harm than good.

Kids today are different. Not necessarily worse—just different. They’ve grown up with technology in their hands from day one. Where we once learned life lessons the hard way (by falling out of trees, getting into scuffles, and figuring things out for ourselves), they have Google, YouTube, and an app for everything.

I worry that in our attempts to make life easier for them, we’ve actually made it harder.

I see this firsthand when hiring younger employees. Many lack basic life skills—things that my generation learned early on simply because we had no choice.

It seems the more we protect kids and do things for them, the less they learn to do for themselves. And before anyone rolls their eyes and calls me an old, self-righteous fart, let me be clear: I'm not saying we should go back to the days when discipline meant a leather belt and a stern glare. My dad had no problem dishing that out, and while I learned right from wrong quickly, let’s just say I wouldn’t nominate him for any Father of the Year awards.

Back then, if you got in trouble at school, the punishment at home was twice as bad. We didn’t like it, but we sure as heck respected it.

My dad had ten kids to keep in line—five boys and five girls—and I wouldn’t have traded places with him for anything. But despite all that discipline (or maybe because of it), we grew up knowing how to stand on our own two feet. We played outside, rode bikes, got into fights, and figured out how to make things work. That’s how we learned.

Now, I read articles about employers hesitating to hire Gen Z employees because of bad attitudes and lack of work ethic. They can’t change a lightbulb, read a paper map, or write in cursive. Now, I’m not saying cursive is a survival skill, but at some point, they’re going to find an old letter from their grandmother and wonder why it looks like hieroglyphics.

I get it—every generation wants their kids to have a better life than they did.

But the truth is, struggle teaches resilience.

Pain and failure are some of the greatest teachers in life. The school of hard knocks isn’t just a cliché—it’s an institution, and tuition is paid in sweat and scraped knees.

We went from the Greatest Generation—the men and women who stormed the beaches of Normandy—to a generation that needs a safe space if someone disagrees with them. And that worries me. Our country needs people who can think, problem-solve, and persevere when things get tough. If we don’t teach kids how to handle adversity, who will?

Maybe the answer isn’t to fight the digital age but to balance it. Let’s teach kids how to navigate the real world, not just the virtual one. Let's give them the freedom to fail so they can learn to succeed. And maybe, just maybe, let’s remind them that there’s more to life than the next level of a video game.

“There’s no greater name for a leader than “Mother” or “Father”. There is no leadership more important than parenthood.” - Sheri Dew

What do you think? Am I just a grumpy old guy yelling at the clouds, or does this strike a chord with you too?

Until next month,
Joe

Advice From Our Audi & Volkswagen Expert

Look, we get it—cars can feel like just another appliance. You turn it on, expect it to work, and only think about it when something starts making that noise (you know the one). But modern cars? They’re basically computers on wheels, and that check engine light? Yeah, it’s not just there to ruin your day—it’s trying to tell you something important.

That’s where Peter, our in-house Volkswagen & Audi whisperer, comes in. He’s here to break down why today’s cars are so dang complicated, why transparency in repairs is a must, and how our digital vehicle inspections keep you in the loop—without you having to Google “what does this weird rattling mean?” for the 100th time.

Don’t Be “That” Customer

1. The Great Registration & Insurance Scavenger Hunt

You tell us, “Oh yeah, my registration and insurance are in the glove box.” Are they? Are they really? Because our techs have uncovered some truly historic artifacts while searching for them—like a registration so expired it could legally vote or an insurance card from a company that doesn’t exist anymore or even something that might have once been a registration but is now held together by a single piece of gum and hope.

Do us a favor—please hand your updated documents to our service writers when you drop off your keys. Otherwise, we’re spending an hour on an adventure that Indiana Jones himself would struggle with.

2. The 365-Day Rule for Emissions Exemptions

Drove less than 5,000 miles this year? You might qualify for an emissions exemption… but there’s a catch. It must be at least 365 days since your last emissions test. Not 364. Not 364.5. 365.

We don’t make the rules—PA does. But we do have to follow them, no matter how much we’d love to let you slide in at 364 days and 23 hours. So, if you’re aiming for an exemption, check that calendar carefully!

3. Wheel Lock Keys: The Mystery Tool You Forgot About

Ever had a mechanic ask, “Where’s your wheel lock key?” and responded with a blank stare and pure confusion? You’re not alone.

A wheel lock key is a small tool that lets us remove your custom lug nuts, and without it, taking off your wheels becomes an episode of Mission Impossible. These are usually found:
✔️ In your glove box (if not already filled with expired paperwork).
✔️ In the center console (buried under gum and fast-food napkins).
✔️ In the trunk, near the spare tire (where it should to be).

If you have no idea where yours is—don’t worry, we’ll help you find it! But knowing where it is beforehand saves us all some time (and possibly a few choice words).

Employee Spotlight

Meet Ryan!

1. How many years have you been in the Automotive Industry? 13 Years

2. How many years have you worked at Joe Davis Autosport? 10.5 Years

3. What was your first car? Jeep Grand Cherokee

4. Do you have a favorite Quote or Motto? “Live in your means, and help others.” 

5. If you could drive any car – no budget restrictions - What would it be? Mercedes-Benz Coupe SLS

6. What’s one common car issue that you wish more people paid attention to?Dashboard Warnings

7. In your Opinion, What’s the Best Movie of All Time? Most Star Wars Movies

8. What’s your favorite type of repair job to do and why? Anything that includes powertrain removal. I enjoy complex work that others don’t want to do. 

Save With Our Bundle Packages

European Maintenance Service (Bundle Savings of $50.00) Includes—

Synthetic Oil Change with OEM Replacement Filter

Tire Rotation & Spin Balance

Complimentary Car Wash

Digital Vehicle Inspection

Brake System Inspection

Cooling System Inspection

Multi-Point Check Over

Battery Test

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