When one is faced with the question from the counterman at the parts store of "Do you want the lifetime warranty brake pads or the economy brake pads?" what is one to do? This is a questions that Do It Yourselfers are faced with all the time when purchasing auto parts. One has to know a few answers when faced with that question:

1. Will the Economy line affect the safety and overall drivability of my car?
2. Are the advantages of the Top Of The Line Part really worth the extra cost?
3. Do I do regularly maintain my vehicle like I should?

With answering just those three questions a consumer can determine which grade of part to purchase. When answering the first question of " Will the Economy line affect the safety and overall drivability if my car?" safety is the number one issue here. If a cheap set of brake pads are installed on a vehicle that does a lot of commuting and driving, therefore a lot of stop and go traffic, those pads could easily heat-up and not stop the car as well as the OEM pads did. 

Most people don’t know that if they are involved in a traffic accident, state or local inspectors could easily inspect their vehicle. When an inspector looks at vehicles that are involved in an accident they look for safety related items such as brakes, tires, suspension, a faulty horn and drive-train problems to determine who is at fault. If there are a cheap set of brake pads installed on one of the vehicles they are more than likely not stopping the greatest after a few miles. 

So when buying brake pads or shoes it is suggested that a mid-level or high-grade brake pad/shoe is installed instead of the economy set. This rule goes into play for other parts on a vehicle such as suspension parts, tires, u-joints, cv shafts and other drive train related parts. This is not to say that the most expensive part is always the best, but make sure that the part that is purchased and installed meets or exceeds OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) specifications.

When answering the question of "Are the advantages of the Top Of  The Line Part really worth the extra cost?" Usually the pocket book has the answer to this one. There are occasions when the most expensive part for a vehicle is really not worth buying unless the vehicle is used for car shows or off road racing only. For example there are spark plug wires that cost a ton of money, and have no noise suppression so they will interfere with the vehicles radio. Another example is the many grades of oil filters on the market that advertise longer drain intervals. Though a good oil filter can prolong changing oil, there is no oil filter that can retrieve the acids that are so harmful in a combustion engine. 

Spark plugs are yet another example of a good marketing scam. The suggestion to this day by many top mechanics and manufactures is to stay with what the vehicle came with. A good platinum plug never hurts, but don’t go overboard and expect a nine-dollar spark plug to be the cure-all of a tired or high mileage engine. The bottom line is to ask two questions:

1. Will this more expensive part fit into the overall budget?
2. What are the advantages of the "better" part?

Although the other questions are important, "Do I regularly maintain my vehicle?" could be the ultimate question. If the vehicle doesn’t receive regular tune-ups then and only then would it be recommended to go with the longer life platinum spark plugs to help prevent costly break downs. If the oil changes are not done on a regular 3000-3500 miles, then the synthetic oil may be a good alternative. 

Lets face it, many people just have to many things going on in their life to worry about changing oil or changing the fuel filter right? WRONG! Try to take an hour a month and look at the vehicle and it’s service records to see if an oil change will be needed, or if the timing belt is coming due for a change. Making time for a vehicle is saving you time in the long run. Just think how much time and frustrations would be saved if that belt were inspected before it snapped and left the vehicle stranded on the way home from school or work in traffic on a Friday afternoon.  Return to top or,  Auto Tips Page.

DJ - BOOTH CONSTRUCTION

We have advertised a state of the art DJ Booth on our main page and are now moving the booth to a prominent position in the front of the building.  The booth will play host to a lot of action and will bring to the forefront the excitement of the pool restaurant club atmosphere.

The mood will be enhanced by special lighting and the booth itself will have a new decor befitting the new club paint theme.  Soon a web cam will be installed from the DJ Booth which will allow visitors to the web site some live action at the Non-Toxic Teen Center.  Stay tuned!  Back to top.

REMODEL PROGRESS!

It has been a long time in coming.  In fact, it has been eight years since the club began but in the last four months tremendous and major changes have taken place.  The game room and kitchen have undergone new looks and now the final phase remains.  That is, we will join the golf course, cafe, game room and concert hall so that it will become one large 5,000 square foot arena of awesome excitement!

Currently the entire complex is joined and easy access is available through hallways but the future master plan holds no narrow passageways.  Instead when one enters the club he can go right into the game room or she can go left into the golf course and arcade.  

The former 10 foot high ceiling has given way to a 16 foot high room which feels like an auditorium while still having a comfortable feel.  Soon the task will be concluded and the club will expand to other communities with its emphasis on positive alternatives and activities for teens.  Back to top

THE BEST HAS ARRIVED!

Non-Toxic just received four brand new Valley pool tables on June 8.  The solid construction will offer teens a quality and professional table to enhance skill and enjoyment.  Thanks to a $10, 400 donation the Edgerton Teens have the "best" on which to shoot.  Back to top.

"This Place Is Huge!"  

New drywall, carpet and the relocation of the food service counter has created a much larger feeling club.  I suppose raising the ceiling six feet higher aided that feeling as well.

The new counter is setting inside the kitchen creating more square feet for actual dining.  Bar stools and counter area now await teens who want to hang out in style.  The game room still holds great pool table action but we are in the works to acquire four new seven feet long Valley tournament pool tables.  Oh, to dream!

A rather modest doorway was cut through the wall separating the cafe area from the game room so now easy maneuverability is accessible to the crowds wanting to travel throughout the club.  The final openings to be made will be in the wall between the golf course and the cafe.  Since these walls are 12 inch concrete, it may be a few months.  This will be the crowning glory of the Club we like to call, Non-Toxic!  Stay tuned for pics and much more as this club continues its remodeling adventure.  Back to top.

From Chaos To Order

(This picture shows what the club looks like now, after the mess has been cleaned up.  This is the first phase of the remodel project).

To undertake a remodel project requires forethought and planning.  To finish it and hear the ooh's and ahh's from the teen audience is beyond expression. The tear out of the old drop ceiling came with a few surprises.  Namely, there were two drop ceilings, one from when the huge building was a grocery store.  After a wonderful surprise of volunteer help showed up we were off and destroying with accurate and incredible deliberateness.  

With the ceiling and its supports removed the real task of turning out what appeared to be a warehouse into a state of the art teen facility was underway.  Track lighting, ceiling fans, paint scheme, and more have been installed and more is yet to be completed.  This has turned out above and beyond our expectations for both its look and its function.

The remodel will be complete in a month or so and will offer teens yet another exciting experience where each young person can truly believe that the people at Non-Toxic care about them.  The entire project is estimated to cost around $5,000.  However, we will spend under $20.  That is not a type-o.  Everything has been graciously donated as well as the fact that we have great volunteers who do the real work.  One of our volunteers was a young man on vacation from the New England area.  That is commitment. 

The final results will be incredible!  We have come this far in just two weeks.  However, we plan to go all the way to perfection!  Watch us grow.  So far the mess is cleaned up but the expansion continues.  Back to top.