AUTOS and ART

What do cars and art have in common?

Well, for Curry’s, that would be Aniekan Udofia. We just commissioned this D.C. Artist to brighten up the drab wall on the back of our Arlington location. He’s painting a big, colorful mural as a tribute to our Arlington community. It’s a crazy idea for an auto repair shop, but actually very fitting for a business that shares property lines with Barcroft Park. The park brings together the community and offers a break from a busy day. I think we’re up to the task of creating a vivid image that celebrates the communities in Arlington and is visually inspiring, just like the park and the surrounding Four Mile Run stream. Aniekan’s draft envisions the sweet faces of children, people participating in various outdoor sports and activities including biking and walking on the W & OD bike path that is directly across the street. Water is included since Four Mile Run stream is close by, as well as monuments from Arlington cemetery.

You’ll have to come by and see it. And let me know what you think. Did we represent the community and create a visual masterpiece for everyone to enjoy?

All the credit goes to Aniekan Udofia. Check out his website (http://www.artofaniekanudofia.com/index.html)to learn more about his talents and work. Commissioning a local artist like Aniekan is very easy!

Career Day

Super-Manager, Mike Dorsey was busy this week educating some kids! He volunteered to share his career experience with some students at a local school:

“Career day was GREAT at Westgate Elementary in Tyson's Corner!!!! I spoke to Five Classes and spoke about Curry's and what our job/industry was like and took them out to the Aston and pulled some diagnostic codes and taught them how the OBD system works. They all had lots of questions. I handed out about 25 "Curry's Coolers" and gave five winners circle cards to the classroom teachers and the Career day organizer/administrator. By the time I was going to the last class there were kids stopping me in the hall asking about "THE JAMES BOND CAR"....”

More about Mike: www.themichaeldorsey.com

Car Warning Lights: Myths and Facts

Today’s vehicles are equipped with an array of warning lights. Of course we’re all familiar with the seat belt warning chime and the door ajar indicator. However, with the automotive industry’s technological advancements there are a number of warning lights that can be quite alarming.

So here is a helpful guide on some of the more common warning lights...


SRS Light (Supplemental Restraint System)

The supplemental restraint system is your airbag system. It may incorporate a variety of active, passive, and even pre-safe technology depending on the vehicle. Given that the SRS system is a safety system, it is well monitored with numerous sensors and automatic self-tests. The slightest malfunction in this system illuminates the SRS light.

Can the vehicle be driven with an SRS Light on?
Yes, at the owner’s risk. There are thousands of vehicles on the road without SRS technology.

Is the airbag going to blow up? 
It’s unlikely. When the SRS Light is on the system is inoperative. If you’re nervous - tow it!

Red Brake Warning Lights

Generally, red warning lights mean DANGER. In the case of a red brake warning light, there may be a hydraulic brake fluid leak. If the brake pedal feels abnormal or spongy—don’t drive—tow it!

Note: Make sure that your emergency brake is not on as this will illuminate a red brake warning light.


ABS Lights

Illumination of the Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light is another common occurrence in today’s vehicles. Simply put, the ABS system helps to keep you from skidding out of control during braking by limiting your wheels from locking up/skidding.



Do I need brakes?
You might, but that’s not why the ABS Light is on. The ABS Warning System does not monitor disc brake pad or disc brake rotor wear (see the Brake Pad light Warning section below).

Can the vehicle be driven?
Like the SRS system, the vehicle can be driven at the owner’s risk as there are many vehicles still on the market without the enhanced safety features of ABS.

Note: The ABS system is often integrated with traction control and stability systems, all of which are designed to keep you safe during panic stops, wheel slippage, and handling.

Low Coolant Light

The Low Coolant Light will come on when the coolant drops below the coolant level sensor—generally one to two quarts. If this light is on, there are two primary possibilities. The most common is a coolant leak. The other is an electrical fault in the warning lamp circuit. Have them checked out.


Can it be driven?
If there are no major leaks, the vehicle is not overheating (and does not start to overheat), and there is still some evidence of coolant in the overflow bottle, it can be driven. If you can see coolant leaking on the ground—tow it. When in doubt, always tow it!

Red Oil Light On

Stop driving immediately and shut the engine off! If a Red Oil Warning Light comes on PAY HEED. The best case scenario is that your engine oil is a little low, or there is an electrical issue with the Oil Level Warning System circuit. Either way you should check your owners’ manual and follow the instructions to check your oil.

Add oil as recommended and get your vehicle checked out at your earliest convenience. The worst case scenario is internal engine damage.

Note: Many of today’s vehicles have very sensitive and sophisticated Oil Level Warning Systems. You may be alerted of oil level too high, or oil level too low. Again, follow your owners’ manual’s instructions.

Yellow Brake Warning Light (Brake Pad light)

This is an early warning system for brake pad wear. Essentially, as your disc brake pads wear down, at a certain point a sensor is tripped to alert you that you will need brakes soon.

Can I drive the vehicle, and for how long?
Yes, you can continue to drive. How long depends on your driving style. In other words, city drivers (city driving is generally harder on brakes due to the constant stop and go) will likely need their brakes addressed before someone who does primarily highway driving.

Will I do more damage to the brakes?
Depending on how long you continue to drive you could conceivably wear your disc brake pads down to the metal backing plate, which could then damage your disc brake rotors and, in rare cases, the disc brake calipers.  If you continue to drive until you hear or feel grinding, you should stop driving (for safety reasons and to prevent extensive damage) have your vehicle towed.

On many of today’s brake systems, the replacement of the disc brake rotors along with the disc brake pads is required or strongly recommended anyway. Calipers rarely need replacing during regular brake work.
If your yellow brake warning light is on, it is best to have your brakes checked early to decrease the possibility of extensive damage.

Note: Many of today’s brake disc pads and rotors require replacement due to rust and corrosion versus wear; thus rotor replacement is often necessary anyway.

Tire Pressure Warning Light

This recent technological development causes quite a bit of confusion. Put simply, if your tire is getting low on air, your car lets you know via sensors mounted in various places depending on the model.
Sometimes the reset procedure is as simple as pressing a button. Other times one has to set the tire pressures, recalibrate the on-board computer, genuflect and cross two fingers.  Check your owners’ manual and see the next question…

What is the low tire pressure warning light reset procedure?
The answer to this simple question depends on the vehicle. Check your owners’ manual or call Curry’s Auto Service 1.888. 8CURRYS.

Note: If you need to add air there is probably an issue with the tires loss of air, you should have a professional inspect your tires as soon as possible. 

Emission Warning Light

This light is similar to the Check Engine Light. Many European models such as Volvos have this type of Warning System. It’s essentially letting you know that an emissions component has failed or detected a fault. Follow the check engine light tips to address this particular warning light.

Note: If the light starts flashing pull over and shut off vehicle immediately. Restart vehicle if light is not flashing drive to a Currys Auto Service as soon as possible. If the light continues to flash, shut of vehicle and have it towed.

A flashing light usually means the catalytic convertor(s) are being damaged.

Resetting Oil Lights

Next to resetting check engine lights, resetting oil lights is the most common question we receive. Whether it’s a Toyota Oil Light Reset Procedure, an Oil Change Warning Light Reset Procedure on a 2005 GMC Envoy, or the process to reset a 1999 BMW M3 Oil Service Light, they all require a specific course of action.
Most owners’ manuals have this information.  You should find it under maintenance or oil service.

Note: Many European models require special tools to reset the oil service light, when in doubt, it’s best to Call Curry’s Auto Service 1.888. 8CURRYS, we reset oil service lights everyday on a variety of models. 

Blog Post by Vernon Abel

Director of Operations

Curry's Auto Service

Our Day at Raytheon - FREE “Green” car care checks for all!

BIG Kudos and thanks to Mike Dorsey, our Dulles location General Manager, Chris Prack, Curry's Technical Director and resident performance Guru, Damon Humenik from our Chantilly store, not forgetting our COO, Scott Coulter and marketing manager extraordinaire Aundy McCarthy!

We hopefully impressed all the 2,000 employees at the Dulles Campus, Raytheon offices. Mike, Chris and Scott did several free, on-site car care checks in the morning. Damon joined us for the afternoon “Lunch and Learn” session in their cafeteria,  where we set up a promo both and discussed with attendees how to keep their car running green and efficient. 

It was also "Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work® Day", so it turned out to be a great family event and featured an amazing selection of big donuts and big pizza.  Damon impressed the kids by handing out Matchbox cars to one and all, no wonder everyone loves him, he always thinks of everything!

We also raffled off an essential roadside assistance kit, a complete “Winner’s Circle” maintenance package and gave out lots of free advice, car tattoos, tire gauges and calendars.


Thank you to all the Curry Team who helped make this a memorable for everyone who attended - YOU GUYS  ROCK!!!!!!!

NFTE Gala Demonstrates Power-PR

The NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) Gala last night was a spectacular example of Power-PR! With 900 people in the audience, NFTE Executive Director Julie Kantor, NFTE volunteers and student entrepreneurs put on a moving show-and-tell of how NFTE works to change the lives of minority and at-risk students by encouraging them to start a business. As the program stated, “The purpose of the Gala is to raise the resources to provide entrepreneurship education to 950+ youth from low-income communities around the Washington, DC, region.” And it was a success: people in the audience pledged more than $600,000 to support NFTE’s goals.

My thanks to Matt and Judy Curry of Curry’s Auto Service, who invited me to attend the gala with them, their children and key members of their staff. Matt was one of eight honorees, recognized as “Home Grown Heroes” at the event.

Courtesy of PR Works

My Best Last Place 5K Finish

I have participated in many running events and always finish in the middle of the pack, but this event was different. First, it was the inaugural DSYS 5k to benefit both DSYS and ALS, hosted by my company, Curry’s Auto Service. My role was to be the “official” roving reporter. My job was to make the course fun and to mix things up a bit. Thus, this is the first event where I came in dead LAST.

I had 10 gift certificates to give to those runners who would pause enough to help me on my fun quest. With my position still under development as the race began, it was decided that I would use a walkie-talkie to update our associate who was at the Curry’s tent and logged into our social media accounts to give real-time updates.

I joined the kids on the fun run that began before the 5k event and was off to see if anyone could name all of Snow White’s seven dwarfs. The first person I asked was a Dad with two girls. No luck – they only knew three. Next up was an eight year old. She looked at me kinda funny when I asked. She said very politely, "I don’t believe I know who this snow white person is." Bummer! I had to ponder this for a bit before I decided to just turn around and go back since I had to conserve my energy for the 5k.

Next up was the 5K. I was able to get South Riding Running Club member, Jeremy to tell an engineering joke. Very well done, but the punch line was delivered just as my breathing became unbearably loud. Before I could even catch my breath and laugh at the same time, off he went to finish at a 6:39 pace. I was able to get the next person to do five jumping jacks. The next person, I believe his name was Drew, was running on behalf of a family member who just succumbed to ALS. I took a moment to be thankful that so many people could come together to support ALS and all the friends and family members that are adversely affected by this disease.

As I continued and ponder the fact that South Riding has no hills (really? I definitely encountered some inclines), I realized that not one person could name all the seven dwarfs. A highlight was the water stop manned by Girl Scout Troop #4884. Wow - I was so happy to see them! As a matter of fact, most of the runners were very vocal in their appreciation! I was hopeful that every flagger and route volunteer heard my shouts of “thanks for volunteering”, “you’re the best”, “thanks for your time… I LOVE YOU!”. I introduced one female runner to the octopus hand shake. Guess you had to be there. Several people said they’d do it again - for many it was their first running event. Some spectators along the course said they’d do it next year since I couldn’t get them to join me. It was an awesome effort for everyone- the fast runners, the joggers, the stroller pushers (that’s for my friend John), the volunteers, the spectators and the walkers. I walked crossed the finish line with a Dad and his awesome daughters. It was my best finish ever. The only thing that I would do differently would be to make sure I do NOT wear a chip. The roving reporter has more important stuff to do on the course than run (fast)!

Coming in last means that you miss a lot of the finish celebration, including the presentation of the big @#! trophy for the first place winners. DSYS and Curry’s has an incredible amount of gratitude for all the volunteers- the South Riding Running Club for packet pick-up and course help, all the race committee chairs, the 40-50 race day volunteers, the Freedom High School Football players, all the race participants (over 300) and their family and friends. Also, for those who came out not to run, but to honor friends and family who have suffered from ALS. This was an overwhelming successful inaugural event which raised about $10,000! We can’t wait until we get to do it again next year. (Mark your calendars for March 17^th 2012, St. Patrick’s Day!)

In the meantime, if you have any thoughts on how we can make next year’s run even better, please shoot me an email: judy@currysauto.com! Watch for updates on the race site: http://www.currys-dsys5k.com/.

Thank you! A new tradition blooms!

Forgive me for not saying this much, much earlier! All of the organizers were overwhelmed by the support and enthusiasm that all the volunteers brought to our first 5k fundraiser. We had great weather, incredible supporters and raised $10,000 with over 300 runners. Not bad for the first year! (yes, next year is already in the works!)

Putting this event together was always a dream that I had- especially since I've been participating in lots of local run events and discovered how fun and addictive they can be! Being involved with DSYS gave me a reason to try to put a fundraiser together. Knowing first hand how expensive it is to participate in athletics, I really wanted to see if there was more that I (and Curry's) could do. I discussed this with some local experts- LJ White (Virginia Run Tri) and Lisa Smith (Founder and past Race Director for Stone Ridge 5k). When I discussed this with Debbie York, President of DSYS, she became excited and suggested that Julie Jasper (Track and Field Commissioner) get involved and tie-in fundraising for ALS. The rest just involves lots of hard work by tons of awesome and incredible volunteers.

There were several Freedom High School Football players who used their brawn to move some of the big stuff- like the world's heaviest helium tank! They were awesome and had such great attitudes for an event early on a Saturday morning. The South Riding Club came out to just help where needed and I was so impressed by their support and willingness to help. They also manned one of the registration/pick-up tables. (check them out). I'll post my first ever run report soon that has more details about the run. We also owe the Curry's Race Team members a spot on our Wall of Fame on our website. This will be coming soon.

Mark your calendars for St. Patrick's Day 2012. Next year's run will be on St. Patrick's Day and will contain green stuff and a pot of gold PLUS a USATF-Certified course! Due to lots of positive feedback, the 2nd annual 5k will be better, bigger, more fun and will have another roving reporter on the course! If you do have any suggestions, we'd love to hear from you! (judy@currysauto.com)

Watch the website for updates and registration! http://www.currys-dsys5k.com/

Cheers!