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Mercedes-Benz Service, Phoenix, Arizona

Robert is one of our Service Advisers. People say he is able to explain technical things about their cars in a way that is easy for a “non car person” to understand. Robert is an ASE Certified Automobile Technician.

Virginia Auto Service provides complete Mercedes-Benz service in Phoenix, Arizona.

Here’s what people are saying about Virginia Auto Service!

“I had heard the many radio spots on 1480 over the last couple years, so gave them a try.

Experience was high level customer service, shop was clean and quite busy. The staff was courteous, and kept me informed asap with diagnosis and quote for repair.

A ride home was given when I left the Tahoe. I also like the complete review of my vehicle which found some forcasted problems which can be addressed before larger costs occur.” Jim Rio, Phoenix, Arizona (verified customer)

Why Choose Virginia Auto Service for Mercedes-Benz Service in Phoenix?

Convenient! If you work in downtown Phoenix, it’s easy to drop your car off at Virginia Auto Service in the morning and we’ll give you a free ride to work. Then we will pick you up again after work, or when you’re ready to pick up your car after it is done. Don’t waste another day off in the auto repair shop waiting room.
We Treat You Like Family! We want to make a lifelong customer, not just a sale so we treat our clients just like family. We care about you so we tell you what’s going on with your car, but then we help you prioritize. We understand budgets.
The Best Mechanics in Phoenix! Our auto mechanics are some of the best in Phoenix. They are all ASE certified and most of them have 20 years’ experience or more!
Non- intimidating Service Advisors. You don’t have to be a mechanic to understand what our service advisors are saying. We know that most people don’t work on cars for a living so that’s why we make sure to help you understand about what needs fixed with you car.
A Shop So Clean You Could Cook Dinner on the Floor! Okay, well we really don’t want you to cook dinner on our floor, but we believe a clean shop is a sign of a quality shop. Don’t you?
The Latest Computer Software and Tools! It’s important that the auto repair shop you go to has the correct computer software and tools needed to work on your car. For example, a Mercedes-Benz, requires computer software just to change the oil correctly! It’s not just about wrenches anymore! The good news is, we invest in the latest tools and technology so you can be sure we’re going to do the job right the first time!

Call us today at 602-266-0200 to get a FREE second opinion about your recommended Mercedes-Benz service or schedule an appointment online.

Burgie’s Back!

Dear Friends of Virginia Auto Service,

If you’ve been around for a couple years or more, then you’ve probably had an interaction with Burgie, our “Goodwill Ambassador”.

Maybe Burgie has taken you to work a time or two and shared some of his stories along the way. Burgie has worked with us at Virginia Auto Service since 2009.

You may recall, back in December of 2018, Burgie needed to take a leave of absence to address some serious health concerns as a result of complications from diabetes. Unfortunately, he had to have part of his foot amputated. He has made exceptional progress in his recovery. You may not even recognize him!

We are happy to welcome him back to work! While he is no longer acting as our shuttle driver, he is back in the mornings for few hours.

He is excited to be working again and to be able to reconnect with customers and the friends he has made over the years.

Burgie will be there to help ensure your drop off goes smooth in the morning. He’s missed all of you and would love to see you again.

So if you need a service done, we’ve included $25 in “Burgie Bucks” as a special bonus for you! Keep it as a souvenir or bring it in for service on your vehicle!

Help us welcome Burgie back to his home away from home!

Call or click here to make an appointment.

All the best,

Matt and Burgie

Virginia Auto Service

602-266-0200

How Do You Keep Tires from Dry Rotting?

Your car tire tread is the one part of your car which faces a lot of pressure from constant contact with the road.

As the number of miles that you log goes up, the degree of wear of your tire tread also increases.

However, the tire tread compound is also influenced by other factors such as road conditions, seasons, and temperature. And we know how hot a Phoenix summer is!

Although tires undergo stringent quality tests, the life of your tire is not finite, and they can sustain damage in different forms.

So, while normal wear and tear is expected, sometimes tire wear can happen prematurely. One of the most common factors for this happening is dry rot.

Dry rot refers to a type of tire decay which can occur in aged tires and is quite common. Tire dry rot can also happen if the tire is regularly exposed to harmful substances such as certain types of petroleum-based tire cleaners as well as due to environmental conditions.

Tires with dry rot damage can suffer from leaks and holes, as well as blow-outs or in extreme cases, the tread can separate from the tire completely!

What is tire dry rot?

Do your tires sport little cracks that run along the sidewall and up to the tread? If yes, then it could be because of tire dry rot.

Dry rot occurs when the rubber of the tires becomes brittle and hard. With time, the oil present in the rubber dries up and the chemical bonds start to break down – something that can happen in used tires.

Tires with a manufacturing date that goes back several years can start to unwarp. This of course happens regardless of whether the tires have been in use or not.

Other reasons that can lead to dry rot of tires include – high mileage, low tire inflation, improper storage, and constant exposure to a heat source.

Exposure to the sun is a common cause for dry rot of tires; this is something that you need to watch out for if you live in Phoenix, Arizona or any place which has a hot desert climate as already indicated. If left exposed too long, the deterioration rate of your tires increases.

How long can tires remain unaffected by dry rot?

Is there a specific timeframe within which dry rot sets in? Well, we cannot provide an accurate or specific timeframe – it mostly depends on the above-mentioned factors. These factors primarily determine how much mileage you will be able to extract out of your car tires.

Having said that, most car technicians will tell you that the cut-off point for any brand of tires is around ten years.

Beyond ten years, the structural integrity of your tires, even if they don’t display any damage from dry rot, will start to weaken.

The tire tread compound of tires that are more than ten years old in most cases would have expired or at the very least, the tread compound would have lost its effectiveness.

4 Ways You can Prevent Tire Dry Rot

Lack of use is another common reason for tire dry rot. So, if you are not going to be using your car for an extended period of time, do the following:

Make sure you park your car in a garage with climate control if that is possible which in most cases it’s not.
Check the tire pressure at least once a month – certainly when you want to drive your car on the highway again after it has been parked for so long.
Ensure the tires are parked on boards – not pavement.
Inflate the tires as per the recommended pressure.

Note – Checking tire pressure at least once a month and maintaining tire inflation are two steps that should be undertaken as part of routine maintenance.

Can tire dry rot be repaired?

Driving your car with damaged tires is not something we or any other professional car technician or service will recommend. If dry rot damage is minor, the damage can be fixed with a tire sealant – but this is a job that should be best left to a professional car technician.

If, however, you find that the tire dry rot has reached an advanced stage, it is best to simply replace the tires.

It is not safe to drive your vehicle if the tires are damaged due to dry rot – when the tires run, they generate heat which causes the rubber to expand.

If, however, the integrity of the tires is damaged, then the tire can fall apart while you are driving.

Reliable car maintenance with professional auto experts!

If you are looking for professional and credible car repair service for your car, give Virginia Auto Service a call today at 602-266-0200 or schedule a visit with us online.

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How to Remove Oil Stains from Your Driveway

Two of the biggest investments a person will make in their life is their home and vehicle. As such, we want to make sure that we are taking care of both properly and regularly to keep them both at their highest value. Unfortunately, one can wind up being quite a nuisance to the other if it is not adequately maintained.

Oil stains on the driveway are unsightly and can put a damper on a homes’ curb appeal. The best way to avoid staining the driveway is to have regular maintenance performed on your vehicle. When you have regular preventative maintenance performed on your vehicle you can catch a potential leak before it starts, saving you money and saving your driveway. If, for some reason, the signs that your oil may begin leaking are missed and you wind up with a spot on your driveway, there are ways that you can try and remove it.

Here are six ways to remove oil stains from your paved driveway:

Oven Cleaner

Oven cleaner can be used to remove oil stains from the pavement. Simply spray the oven cleaner over the oil stain until it is fully saturated and allow the oven cleaner to soak in for at least 15 minutes. Take a hard steel brush or hard bristled brush and scrub at the stain using as much muscle as you can muster. As you scrub, you will see the stain start to disappear. Scrub until you no longer see a spot. It is not uncommon for an oil spot to seemingly reappear, it is just some of the more deeply soaked oil making its way to the surface. If this happens, you can repeat the process to completely eliminate the stain.

Dawn Dish Soap

Pour Dawn dish soap over the oil stain and let sit for about 10 minutes. Use a large, hard bristle brush to scrub the stain until you see the oil pulling from the asphalt then rinse with a hose. Repeat if needed until the stain is gone.

Powder Laundry Detergent

Completely cover the stain with the detergent. Sprinkle it with a little warm water so that the powder will mix and use a hard brush or strong wire brush to scrub the detergent into the stain. Once the detergent has mixed with the oil let it sit for an hour so that the detergent can really penetrate the oil. After the hour spray the detergent away with a hose. Repeat if necessary.

Coca-Cola

This method is not great for old, deep, and large stains. However, if the stain is small and has just occurred, Coca-Cola can be a pavement saver! You need only take a can or two of Coca-Cola and pour it over the stain before you go to bed. Allow it to sit overnight. In the morning you can rinse it with water and the stain should be gone.

WD-40

Spray the stain with WD-40 until completely covered and allow it to sit overnight. In the morning you can rinse it away and in most cases, there will be no signs of the oil stain remaining.

Baking Soda

Cover the stain completely with large amounts of baking soda then scrub with a steel brush. You may find it a bit fascinating as the baking soda begins to turn black. After you have scrubbed for a good 10 minutes or so allow the baking soda to sit for at least a half an hour then rinse with a hose. Repeat if needed.

Remember, the best way to protect your driveway is to keep up with your vehicles’ regular maintenance schedule. Virginia Auto Service is here to help you with your automotive maintenance and repair needs. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

The Top 5 Reasons Your Car Won’t Start

You rely on your car for a lot of things, such as getting to work on time and transporting the kids to and from soccer practice. It’s easy to see why problems can arise if your car refuses to start.

There are literally dozens of reasons why your vehicle may not start. However, it can be fairly easy for our expert auto repair technicians to diagnose the issue depending on the symptoms.

The following are the five most common offenders of automotive no-start situations, and advice on how to ensure your vehicle stays in tip top shape.

You Have a Dead Battery

The most common reason for a car not starting is a dead battery. It is especially common after a long, hot summer. There are several factors that can contribute to a dead battery in a vehicle including its age, loose wires, leaving the lights on, and more. If you determine that your car is not starting because the battery has died, your first step would be to check and make sure the terminals are clean and connected tightly. If they are good, you will want to try and jump-start your vehicle. If the jump-start is successful, then your battery wasn’t completely dead but is on its way out. At this time, you should consider bringing your vehicle in and having the battery inspected by an automotive technician.

You Have an Empty Gas Tank

Sometimes the obvious answer is the right one. If your vehicle was running on fumes and you forgot to refuel, you may not have enough gas left in the tank to get it started the next time you need it to. Try not to be embarrassed, you aren’t the first driver to let your gas level get too low. Though it is embarrassing and more than a little inconvenient, it is a very fixable and affordable problem. Grab your wallet and a gas can then catch a ride to the nearest gas station. And, don’t let it get so low next time.

You Have a Clogged Fuel Filter

If your fuel filter is clogged, the gasoline won’t reach the engine. The fuel filter is responsible for keeping the fuel lines clear and blocking dirt and debris from reaching the engine. When the filter is clogged, several problems can arise, including a vehicle that won’t start. Most fuel filters require changing every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. For details specific to your vehicle, you should refer to your owner’s manual.

You Have a Bad Ignition Switch

The ignition switch is the area in which you insert your key, and it can malfunction. This may be the case if you know your battery is fine, yet your car isn’t turning over. If you are unsure, you can try turning on your headlights. If they work, then the battery is fine, and the ignition switch is the likely culprit. If you have a broken ignition switch, this kind of repair can be proven to be difficult. It is made that way to prevent theft. Bring your vehicle to us and we’ll fix it for you.

You Have a Broken Starter

A broken starter is another common reason your vehicle won’t start. The starter is a small motor that provides the turning force necessary to get the engine running. If you hear a clicking noise when you turn your key, it may indicate a broken or weakened starter. This problem may be temporarily fixed with a jump-start, but to completely fix it, you will need to bring it in to be repaired or replaced.

If your car won’t start, chances are it’s because of one of the above five problems. Whether a dead battery or a bad ignition switch is to blame, you can trust the certified automotive technicians at Virginia Auto Service to fix the problem. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto repair services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

5 Signs it’s Time to Change Your Oil Filter

The oil filter has one main job- remove contaminants from your car’s engine oil that can accumulate over time as the oil keeps your engine clean. Contaminated oil can lead to many vehicle issues. Issues that can have a dramatic impact on, or even destroy the engine.

Clean Motor Oil is Important

If motor oil were left unfiltered for an extended period of time it could become inundated with tiny, hard particles that can wear the oil pump’s machined components and damage the bearing surfaces in the engine.

How the Oil Filter Works

The outer part of the filter is a metal can that has a sealing gasket that allows for it to be tightly held against the engine’s mating surface. The metal can has a base plate that holds the gasket and has holes around the area just inside the gasket. A central hole is threaded to combine the oil filter assembly on the engine block. On the inside of the can is the filter material, which is usually made from synthetic fibers. The oil pump moves the oil directly to the filter through the holes in the base plate. The dirty oil is pushed through the filter and back through the central hole- where it re-enters the engine.

Using the Right Oil Filter

Oil filters will look similar, but there are small differences in the threads and/or gasket sizes which will determine if a particular filter will work for your vehicle. Consult your owner’s manual to determine which oil filter you need for your vehicle. Making sure you use the right filter for your vehicle is important. If the wrong filter is used it can cause oil to leak out of the engine, or if it doesn’t fit properly it could just fall off. Both of these situations would lead to serious engine damage.

Signs That it is Time to Replace Your Oil Filter

Here are five signs that your oil filter may need to be replaced:

Poor Performance

If your oil filter needs replaced, the car will not accelerate as well as it normally would, and the accelerator may feel as though it isn’t working properly. The engine will run, but not as well as it should. Continuing to drive a vehicle like this can damage essential parts of the engine.

“Sputtering”

A clogged oil filter could cause “sputtering.” In this case, the oil filter will not release oil like it’s supposed too, and your vehicle will not be able to maintain its speed. The sputtering may be soft for a time, gradually worsening. Replacing the filter will remove the sputter.

Metallic Sounds

If the filter is clogged, there will be a lack of oil in the engine causing metal to touch metal as the engine works. If you hear metallic sounds, you should stop driving the vehicle immediately to avoid serious engine damage. Have the oil filter replaced and introduce more oil into the system right away.

Oil Pressure Gauge is Dropping

While you are driving, you can read the oil pressure gauge on the dashboard. A swift drop in the oil pressure is a cause for concern. A pressure change can cause serious problems within the vehicle.

Contaminated Exhaust

If the oil filter is clogged, the exhaust coming out of your car can be black or dirty. You will also likely smell the oil burning as it passes into the exhaust pipe. If this is the case, you need to bring your vehicle in for assistance right away. Our mechanics can replace the oil filter, fix a clog in the oil system and remove any sludge that has made its way into the car.

The filter is very difficult to reach on your own, and you should bring your car in before real damage is done. If you think it is time for an oil filter replacement, Virginia Auto Service is here for you. We are your go-to in Phoenix, AZ for reliable, high-quality auto repair services. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

How to Get Your Car Unstuck from Mud

Off-roading is a popular activity that people participate in all over Arizona. There are even clubs and Facebook groups dedicated to it!

The activity isn’t without its risks, though. You run the chance of encountering patches of thick mud, especially in the days and weeks following rain. For the most part, you may be able to determine if it is safe to drive through, but even the most experienced off-roader can be misled and find themselves stuck.

Should this situation arise, it is important that you know what to do. How you approach the situation could mean the difference between getting yourself unstuck, or waiting hours (and spending a lot of money) for a tow truck to help you.

Here are seven tips to get your car unstuck from mud:

Arrive Prepared

Like we said, even the most avid off-roader can potentially find themselves stuck. It is safest to plan ahead. One of the best things you can do is include the following items in your roadside emergency kit before you take off on your adventure:

Shovel– This is probably the most useful tool for getting your vehicle unstuck. You can use your hands or another item for digging or scooping, but a shovel will get the job done quickly and with the most ease. (If more than one tire is stuck, your back and hands will be glad that you had a shovel.) You don’t have to try and figure out how to fit a garden shovel in your car. A D-handle or foldable shovel will work perfectly and fit in your vehicle with ease.
Cardboard, Carpet, or Plywood– A piece of cardboard, carpet or plywood can help provide traction.
Plastic Recovery Tracks– A step up from the carpet/cardboard solution, a molded plastic recovery track like the Maxtrax MKII or the MAXSA Innovations 20333, won’t sink or slide under your tire. As an added bonus, when held at the end they can be used as a shovel.
Hi-Lift Jack– A hi-lift jack can be used to lift a stuck tire so you can slip your traction device (cardboard, carpet, recovery tracks) underneath it with ease.
Tow Strap– This is great to have if you are off-roading in a group. If you have a tow strap you can use one vehicle to help free another. You should avoid using straps with hooks, as they can be dangerous if the strap breaks. Remember to only connect to automobile frames, and not the body or bumpers

Stay Calm

If you find that you are stuck, avoid panicking and acting rashly. Avoid the urge to slam your foot on the gas, as you will only get yourself into a deeper hole, literally and figuratively. Remove your foot from the gas and take calming breaths until you are composed.

Assess the Situation

Get out of the vehicle and assess the situation, then make a game plan. If your wheels are so deeply buried that the axle and chassis are now resting on the ground, you will know that you have a lot of work ahead of you. Same goes if you have more than one wheel sunken into the mud or sand. If the drive wheels are sunken, or if your car is tottering by its frame enough to alter its weight distribution and reducing traction in the drive wheels, getting it unstuck will also prove to be a little more difficult and time-consuming. If your case is less severe than all of that, you will probably get out somewhat easily.

Try the Easy Escape

If your situation doesn’t appear to be very severe, try and gently accelerate your vehicle out of the mud. Use your steering wheel and make sure that your front wheels point straight. For vehicles with an automatic transmission, use the lowest gear setting. For a manual transmission, you should try a higher gear like first or second. Gently accelerate, rocking the vehicle slightly, to see if the vehicle moves without the wheels spinning in place. If you move slightly, but don’t escape, throttle up and try to conserve the momentum you’ve built. At this point, the wheels may start to spin faster than the vehicle moves, which is fine as long as you continue to move in the direction of escape. If you stop moving and/or start to drift uncontrolled, stop. You don’t want to drift further into the mud or towards any potential oncoming traffic.

Ask Someone for Help

Your passenger or a willing passerby can prove to be helpful. Ask them to stand at the side of the vehicle that is opposite your escape path and push. Use the same method as before–slowly accelerating and rocking. Hopefully, they will be able to help push you out of the initial dip. You might find that, while rocking, it also helps to move your steering wheel back and forth. This will wiggle the front of the vehicle and could build momentum to the back and forth rocking. Essentially what is happening is the front wheels are acting as flippers with the back wheels and you are “swimming” the car out of the mud.

Get Traction

If you aren’t getting anywhere with the above tips, then it’s safe to assume your wheels and axles are buried too deep for an easy escape. Now it’s time to dig out the mud surrounding your tires. Gently scrape mud from off the tires as well so that you can see some tread. If you have one, use your jack to lift the tires a little then place your cardboard, carpet, plywood or plastic recovery track in front of the wheels. If you don’t have one of these, a coat, blanket, or car mat can be used. You could even try gravel, rocks, foliage, or sticks. You just need something to provide traction. Accelerate slowly and you should hopefully find yourself unstuck soon.

Time for a Tow

If you have tried everything listed above and you are still stuck, it may be time to blow the whistle and call for a tow. This could be a tow truck or a friend who can use a tow strap and/or winch to help you out.
At Virginia Auto Service, we love to help you with your vehicle and safety in any way we can. We hope you find these tips for getting your vehicle out of the mud helpful. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

48 Interesting Facts About Arizona

Everyone knows that February 14^th is special for lovers, but for Arizona, it holds another important meaning. It was 105 years ago, on February 14, 1912, that Arizona became the 48^th state in the Union.

To honor our home state on its birthday, we thought it would be fun to share some facts about it. Some you may know, others you may not, in any case, it is all good fun.

Here are 48 interesting facts about Arizona:

Arizona was the last of the contiguous United States to be made a state.
A person from Arizona is called an Arizonan.
Cattle, cotton, copper, citrus, and climate -also known as the five C’s– were the building blocks of Arizona.
Arizona leads the nation in copper production.
The geographic center of Arizona is 55 miles (89 kilometers) southeast of Prescott.
The Capitol building’s roof is made up of enough copper to make 4.8 million pennies.
Ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th amendment granted women the right to vote across the United States. However, in Arizona, women earned the right to vote eight years earlier in November of 1912.
Arizona has the largest percentage of Native American lands, with nearly one-fourth of the state being reservation land.
There are currently 22 sovereign American Indian communities in Arizona.
Arizona is the sixth largest state, in area, falling behind Alaska, Texas, California, Montana and New Mexico. Arizona is close to 114,000 square miles. It is around 340 miles wide and 400 miles in length.
All six states of New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) plus the state of Pennsylvania would fit inside of Arizona.
Only about 17 percent of Arizona is privately owned. The rest of the state consists of forest and park lands, state trust lands, and Native American reservations.
Of the 50 states, Arizona is the 15^th most populous with over 6.7 million people.
The world’s best-preserved meteor crater is found in Winslow, Arizona.
You won’t find any dinosaur fossils in the walls of the Grand Canyon because the rocks are a lot older than the oldest known dinosaurs. There are, however, fossils of things like corals, crinoids, sponges, and trilobites.
Arizona’s last volcanic eruption occurred between D. 1080 and 1150, creating Sunset Crater near Flagstaff.
Because of its diverse geography and climate, Arizona can yield both the highest and lowest temperatures in the country on the same day.
In Phoenix and Tucson, the sun shines 85 percent of the year. That is even more than Hawaii and Florida.
The official state gemstone of Arizona is Turquoise.
The Arizona Trout can only be found in Arizona and is also the official state fish.
The official state tree is the Palo Verde. The name means “green stick.”
Arizona’s official state flower is the saguaro cactus blossom. The flower usually blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during the months of May and June.
The official state bird of Arizona is the cactus wren, which loves to build their nests in the protection of the thorny arms of the saguaro cactus.
The saguaro cactus is the largest American cactus, and it is also considered endangered. If you cut down endangered cactus like the saguaro in Arizona, you could face up to a year behind bars.
With 13 species of rattlesnake residing in Arizona, it has more rattlesnake species than any other state. The Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake is the official state reptile.
Arizona is famous for the Petrified Forest, so it comes as no surprise that petrified wood is the official state fossil.
Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time year-round and does not observe daylight savings time, with the exception of the Navajo Nation, located in the northeast corner of the state. The only other state that does not observe daylight savings time is Hawaii.
The World’s Oldest Rodeo is held in Prescott, Arizona every July. The oldest continuous rodeo is in Payson.
Arizona, along with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, is a part of the Four Corners. A place in the United States where a person can stand in four states and the same time.
There are three national parks, six state forests, 18 national monuments (more than any other state), and 28 state parks in Arizona.
Kitts Peak National Observatory, near Tucson, is the home of the world’s largest solar telescope.
The largest unbroken Ponderosa pine forest in the U.S. is in Arizona. Around one-fourth of the state is covered by forest growth.
The West’s most famous shoot-out, the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, took place in Tombstone, Arizona. It lasted for only around 30 seconds.
There are more golf courses than Scotland and more mountains than Switzerland located in Arizona.
The Southern Pacific Railroad connected Arizona with the eastern states in 1926.
The original London Bridge now calls Arizona home. It was shipped stone-by-stone and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City.
The name “Arizona” originated from the Spanish name, Arizonac, which in turn derived from the O’odham name “alĭ ṣonak” (meaning “small spring”).
The two largest man-made lakes in the U.S. are found in Arizona- Lake Powell and Lake Mead.
The Arizona flag has 13 rays of red and gold/yellow on its top half, symbolizing the original 13 states in the Union as well as Arizona’s sunsets. The copper star at the center of the flag represents Arizona’s copper mining industry. The blue one the bottom half represents the Colorado River. The red and blue shades on the Arizona flag are the same as the red and blue found on the flag of the United States.
The hottest recorded temperature in Arizona was 128 degrees in Lake Havasu City on June 29, 1994.
The coldest recorded temperature in Arizona was -40 degrees, recorded January 7, 1971, at Hawley Lake.
With 3,928 mountain peaks and summits, Arizona has more mountains than any of the other mountain states (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming).
Humphrey’s Peak is Arizona’s highest point, coming in at 12,633 feet.
The Four Peaks area of the Matzanal Mountains produces top-quality amethysts.
Phoenix originated as a hay camp to supply Camp McDowell in 1866.
The Tonto Natural Bridge, near Payson, is thought to be the world’s largest natural travertine bridge. The bridge was discovered in 1877 and is 400 feet long and 183 feet high.
It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water in Arizona.
The land area that is now known as Arizona had the Castilian and Burgundian flags of Spain, the Mexican flag, and the Confederate flag flown over it at one point in time.

As you can see, we love Arizona. More than that, we love the people of Arizona, and we take pride in our part in keeping them safe on the roads. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.

8 Valentine’s Day Date Ideas Near Phoenix, AZ

It’s that time of year, romance is in the air. Do you have plans for this romantic holiday? We have put together a list of eight Valentine’s Day date ideas in and near the Phoenix area to create lasting memories with your significant other.

Valentine’s Date Night at Butterfly Wonderland– Scottsdale

Guests will enjoy wine, hors d’oeuvres and a showing of the full-length version of Flight of the Butterflies movie in the comfortable, state-of-the-art theater. $25/couple. Pre-registration is required.

Arizona Renaissance Festival– Gold Canyon

The Renaissance Festival opens the weekend of February 11 and 12 this year. The age of chivalry is alive and well at the Arizona Renaissance Festival! Romance your Valentine at Sunday’s Wooing Contest! The Wooing Contest will take place at 2pm at the Royal Pavilion. Registration is limited, so please arrive a little early to pre-register. The entrants will be judged in 3 areas as they try their best to win the hearts of a lucky Court Lord or Lady – costume, eloquence & charm! SAVE opening weekend and pick up your 2 for $24 coupon at one of the festivals Coupon Partner locations!

Castles ‘N’ Coasters– Phoenix

On the Sunday before Valentine’s Day, February 12, Castles ‘n’ Coasters is offering all day unlimited rides, 18-holes miniature golf, and a burger meal – all times two for you and your date! Get all of this for just $44.99 +tax. That’s under $25 each, for a $85+ value! On Valentine’s Day, they’re offering 2-4-1 Miniature Golf. Great date-night idea! Tickets can be purchased at the door on the day of the event.

Valentine’s Family Day at Dave and Buster’s- Glendale

Join Dave and Buster’s Westgate for their Family Valentine’s Day event. Event includes a chocolate fondue buffet, unlimited video game play, one spin on the “Spin to Win” prize wheel, be-my-Valentine goody bag, and craft stations. Event takes place in the private event rooms. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time. Parents need not buy a ticket unless they would like to go through the fondue buffet and play games.

Enjoy Arizona Beer Week– Phoenix

Arizona Beer Week, in its 7th year, is the celebration of Arizona craft beer and happens every February. This year the event runs from February 9-18^th. With over 200 events across the state, each hosted by individual breweries, craft beer bars, hotels or restaurants, there is something for everyone. They offer educational behind the scenes tours, tastings, beer dinners and much more. Check the event page for events happening on Valentine’s Day and Valentine’s weekend.

Romeo and Juliet by Ballet Arizona– Phoenix

Ib Andersen’s full length ballet adaptation of perhaps the greatest love story ever told returns just in time for Valentine’s day. Set in 16th century Verona, Romeo†Juliet chronicles Shakespeare’s tale of two beautiful teenagers from families on opposing sides of a bitter feud. With its sweepingly regal ballroom scenes, vivacious swordplay and poignant pas de deux, Ib Andersen’s production is a feast for the eyes and ears.

Valentine’s Day Aboard the Dolly Steam Boat– Canyon Lake

Take your sweetheart on the twilight Dolly Steamboat dinner cruise on Canyon Lake on February 14, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Advanced prepaid reservations required.

Theater Works Presents Love and Marriage– Peoria

Theater Works presents a love and marriage comedy show that celebrates marriage and the importance of having that special someone. The performance take place February 14, 2017 at Peoria Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets $12 per person.

Happy Valentine’s Day from the team here at Virginia Auto Service. For high-quality auto repair services, give the experts at Virginia Auto Service a try. Call (602) 266-0200 or schedule an appointment online.