Happy Easter!
Bless you all as we celebrate and reflect throughout this special season.
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Happy Easter from our families to yours!
Author Archives: APS
HOW TO DETERMINE THE YEAR MODEL OF A VEHICLE
The only way to accurately determine the year model of a vehicle is to decode that vehicle’s original Vehicle Identification Number, known as VIN, for short. Starting in 1980, most production vehicles carried a VIN that was made up of 17 characters – a combination of letters and numbers. For any of those 17-character VINs, it is easy to pick out the single character that denotes the year model of the vehicle.
The VIN is located in multiple places on each vehicle – some easily visible, some purposefully hidden. Above is a photo of a VIN decal that is located in the driver’s door jam. Some VINs are stamped into metal plates that are then attached to the vehicle. Other VINs are stamped into various parts of the vehicle’s structure.
To find the character that denotes the year model of a vehicle, start at the end of the VIN. That’s all the way to the right. Now count left 8 characters. That 8th character can be either a number or a letter, but it will tell you what year the vehicle is. Refer to the chart below to determine what character denotes which year(s).
This only works on vehicles with 17-character VINs.
Note that the letters started repeating in 2010. For example, a 1980 and a 2010 model vehicle will both have an “A” in that 8th spot from the right of the VIN. But that shouldn’t be a problem, as everyone should be able to tell the difference between vehicles 30 years apart.
The letters L, O, Q, U, and Z were not used.
Feel free to download this chart for future reference:
Download
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
SUPPORT CLIFFORD’S ARMY RESCUE EXTRAVAGANZA
On September 2nd of this year, sweet Molli crossed Rainbow Bridge. We still miss her very much.
In the weeks following Molli’s passing, her best buddy in the whole wide world, our owner Jerry Allen, realized that he needed to find a way to turn this heart-breaking loss into a positive — to whatever degree possible. After much consideration, Jerry decided to assist a local organization that does a wonderful job of saving abandoned, homeless animals in Cleveland County and
surrounding areas. That organization is Clifford’s Army Rescue Extravaganza, also known as C.A.R.E., for short.
We are placing banks in trustworthy local businesses where caring people can donate their change to this admirable cause and help save these poor defenseless animals from an early and unnecessary death. If you own or know of a local business that you believe would be a great location for one of these banks, please let us know.
And if you are willing to donate time, money, or pet supplies to C.A.R.E., know that you couldn’t help a better 
organization and that anything you donate will be much appreciated. No donation is too small.
Thank you in advance for anything that you can do to help save these animals and to support Clifford’s Army Rescue Extravaganza.
Learn more about Clifford’s Army Rescue Extravaganza on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Cliffords.Army.
To see photos and more detailed information about local loving pets in need of a forever home, go here: http://cliffordsarmy.rescueme.org/.
Miss Molli loved to ride — cars, boats, whatever. As long as she was with her Jerry, life was good.
AND A VERY HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU!
Since Auto Parts of Shelby will be closed tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, we would like to take this time to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.
For all of you who will be traveling over the holiday, please be alert and stay safe.
We hope you have a relaxing day that is filled with good food, good companionship, and love.
TRAINING THE TRAINER by Team PRP
Most of our associates have extensive experience in the automotive parts business, and Jason Owens is no exception. During his 18+ years at Auto Parts of Shelby, Jason has served as Inventory Manager, Shipping Manager, Production Manager, or a combination of the above. In short, Jason will do whatever it takes to keep Auto Parts of Shelby running smoothly.
Jason is currently our Production Manager and our Shipping Manager. He is a vital cog in our day-to-day operations.
Recently, Jason flew to Jacksonville, Florida for a professional development session entitled “Training the Trainer”. “Training the Trainer” was developed and presented by Team PRP and is one of many examples of their commitment to the excellence and
success of all their member yards by:
- Establishing procedural and parts rating standards
- Improving the efficiency of all procedures involved in running a successful auto parts recycling location
- Minimizing part damage by standardizing how parts are processed and shipped
- Reducing overall operating costs
- Training key people from each member operation on how to effectively educate their associates
We appreciate the educational opportunities and guidance provided by Team PRP. The more efficient we are at what we do, the better prices and service we are able to offer our customers like you.
We’re always looking for ways to improve. Please let us know how we’re doing.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS
Halloween should be a fun day for our children. Let’s all do our parts to make sure they stay safe while they are out trick-or-treating and afterwards as they devour their bounty.
Here are a few safety tips from the CDC that we would all be wise to follow:
Going trick-or-treating?
Swords, knives, and other costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you. Always WALK and don’t run from house to house.
Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.
Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearingdecorative contact lenses.
Only walk on sidewalks whenever possible, or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.
Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Only visit well-lit houses. Never accept rides from strangers.
Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.
You will find more great Halloween Safety Tips at the CDC’s website and at Safe Kids Worldwide. You may also want to check the National Sex Offenders Registry by Family Watchdog for any area where you plan to allow your children to trick-or-treat.
Remember, Auto Parts of Shelby will be giving away candy to children in costume today from 8:00am to 5:00pm. If you’re in our area, we would love for you to drop by our office at 1021 County Home Road in Shelby, NC.
Stay safe out there this evening. Please do your part to help protect all children and animals by simply following a few Halloween Safety Tips.
Happy Halloween from Auto Parts of Shelby!
Check out some of our Halloween Specials:
GET $5 OFF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE NOW THRU HALLOWEEN 2014
USED BATTERIES ONLY $25 + EXCHANGE NOW THRU HALLOWEEN 2014
GET 10% OFF YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE THRU HALLOWEEN 2014
A LITTLE HALLOWEEN FUN
At Auto Parts of Shelby, we’re drop-dead serious about helping our customers and selling tons of auto parts. But we can be wild and crazy too. Here we are celebrating a monstrous Halloween. Stand up and join us in The Monster Mash.
REMINDER: Be sure to stop by our office in costume on Halloween Day to receive special discounts and free candy.
WIN $100 CASH
Enter Our Contest to Win $100 CASH!
Someone will win $100 CASH from Auto Parts of Shelby on Wednesday, October 1, 
2014. If you’re at least 16 years old, there’s no reason that someone can’t be YOU!
But don’t put it off. The entry deadline is midnight EST on September 30, 2014.
Go to our Facebook page to get all the details.
Best of luck to everyone!