Christopher King

Three Hikes Outside Springfield, Missouri

Based in Springfield, Missouri, Christopher King serves as the president of Queen City Motors, where he oversees all aspects of the company, including the service department. In his free time, Christopher King enjoys traveling and hiking. Residents of Springfield, Missouri, have access to many great hiking opportunities nearby. Here are three of the best:

Fire Tower Trail

Found in Roaring River State Park, this 3.75-mile hike is moderately difficult, but any effort is well-spent as the trail affords multiple viewpoints. The trail passes through forest, springs, streams, and open glades, and passes a lookout tower built by the Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

West Loop Trail

A longer trail of moderate difficulty, the West Loop Trail runs 6.6 miles through Two Rivers Bike Park and offers a good workout. While this trail is popular with bikers, there are fewer cyclists during the winter, making it a good option for hikers.

Homestead Trail

This popular, 3.5-mile hike in the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area takes hikers through a forest and past creeks. Visit the trail after a heavy rainfall to get a glimpse of previously hidden waterfalls.

Reasons to Join Rotary

Based in Springfield, Missouri, Christopher King is the owner and president of Queen City Motors Service Center and Queen City Motors. Christopher King belongs to the Rotary Club.

Chicago attorney Paul Harris established the Rotary Club in 1905 as a way for professionals from diverse backgrounds to connect and form lifelong friendships. Over time, the club expanded into a service group that worked to help their communities and those around the world. In addition to friendship and service opportunities, the club offers the following benefits:

1. Business Development – Rotarians enjoy access to a vast network of professionals from every business community who are prepared to share knowledge and help each other.

2. Leadership Development – rotary is full of leaders, and other successful people and members get the opportunity to learn from these leaders and serve in leadership roles within the organization.

3. Continuing Education – the rotary continues to connect members with learning opportunities on a weekly basis through educational programs. Each meeting engages different speakers who talk about timely topics.

4. Public Speaking Skills – trough rotary, members get the opportunity to practice speaking in public, which can help them gain confidence and deepen communication skills.

Be Bear Aware with Missouri Black Bears

Christopher King serves as president of Queen City Motors, a car sales lot and service center in Springfield, Missouri. In his free time, Christopher King enjoys spending time outside by hiking, especially where he lives in Springfield, Missouri.

As the weather warms, many Missouri residents are venturing outside and enjoy hikes, and they aren’t the only ones. Missouri has a growing population of black bears, and the Missouri Department of Conservation urges residents to be “bear aware.”

The first thing to know about black bears is that they aren’t always black; they can be brown, cinnamon, or red. Black bears are especially on the move in late spring and early winter as they leave their winter homes in search of food and companionship. Hikers should be sure to make noises while on the move, such as clapping or singing, to avoid surprising a bear. It’s also smart to travel in groups when possible. Hikers should also be aware of their surroundings, taking note of tracks or scat, and keep dogs on leashes. If camping, be sure to keep food, toiletries, and trash stowed away or hung up high. Finally, do not approach a bear or offer it food.

For more information about bears in Missouri, visit mdc.mo.gov/bearaware.

Where Do Auto Auction Lots Get the Cars They Sell?

Christopher King joined the auto sales industry shortly after earning his bachelor’s degree in 1999 from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield. In 2007, he took early retirement from auto sales and service, moved to Zaire, and ran a big game hunting ranch. Christopher King returned to Springfield, Missouri, in 2014, when he opened car dealerships, Queen City Motors and Queen City Motors Service Center.

Car dealerships often get the bulk of their inventory from auctions of used cars conducted by professional automobile auctioneers. These events are held in every major city and many smaller cities weekly. Some are held solely for automobile dealers licensed by the state, while others are open to the general public. Automobile auctioneers don’t own the cars they sell but act as middlemen between them and buyers.

There are several types of sellers at auto auctions, including military and government organizations, like police and fire departments. Demand among buyers for such cars is high because their maintenance and record-keeping are usually very good, making it fairly easy to discern their condition. Another source of auction cars is banks selling off repossessed cars, which have generally been well-cared for and have good documentation of all service; competition for them is usually fierce. Auto dealers themselves also sell cars at an auction. There are sometimes good deals to be found in this group, but these are cars the dealers haven’t been able to sell, so they’re selling them at auction to limit their loss.

Buying a car at auction is not for the faint of heart, nor is it for the ill-informed. There are no provisions made for test-driving the cars. Buyers can inspect the cars and their engines but not drive them. Buyers also are given whatever documentation exists about cars’ repair history and any other issues that may be on the record.

The Different Types of Coolant

Detail on pouring anti-freeze liquid screen wash into dirty car from blue and red anti-freeze water container, car concept

Christopher King owns Queen City Motors and Queen City Motors Service in Springfield, Missouri. These companies offer quality used cars and car-related services to residents of Springfield, Missouri, and the surrounding areas. Christopher King offers a variety of automotive repair and maintenance services through Queen City Motors service, one of which is coolant flushing.

Engine coolant protects the engine from rust and corrosion. The coolant drops the freezing point of the cooling system in the winter season and raises the boiling point during the summer months. There are three different types of coolants: IAT, OAT, and HOAT. IAT is an inorganic additive technology coolant. This is the classic green-colored coolant. The additives in this coolant will deplete over time. This kind of coolant will need to be replaced every two years or 24,000 miles. Compared to other coolants, this kind of coolant is more effective against engine corrosion but it does have to be replaced more often.

OAT is organic acid technology. This is the required coolant for General Motors vehicles and comes in a variety of colors. Replacement is at 5 years or 50,000 miles. This kind of coolant lasts longer than inorganic coolant and works better with newer engine materials such as aluminum.

HOAT is hybrid organic acid technology and comes in orange and yellow. This coolant is typically found in Ford and Chrysler vehicles. Replacement of this kind of coolant could be as long as 10 years or 150,000 miles. This coolant is meant to combine the protective qualities of inorganic coolants with the longer replacement requirements of organic coolants.

Owning a Car vs. Owning a Truck

Queen City Motors and Queen City Motors Service Center were established by Christopher King to provide quality used vehicles and quality automotive services. Both companies are located in Springfield, Missouri. Through Queen City Motors, Christopher King offers buyers a choice of both cars and trucks.

For car owners who are contemplating buying a truck as well as truck owners who are thinking of buying a sedan, it is worthwhile to note some of the key differences between owning a truck and a car.

Looking at maneuverability, cars are more nimble than trucks, and feature a tighter turning radius. They are better for cramped urban environments.

Average fuel mileage for trucks is about 26 mpg, and for cars it is 34 mpg. This is because of the heavier build and larger engines of trucks.

Trucks have cargo beds and hauling capability. This kind of storage capability cannot be matched by a car. On the other hand, cars tend to have more space for people. This need to carry people can be alleviated by choosing a truck with an extended cab, but it will add to the vehicle’s cost.

Trucks can handle road conditions and off-road terrain that cars cannot, and are generally more ruggedly built. They are also typically better for harsh conditions like deep snow.

The Different Types of Brake Pads

For nearly two decades, Christopher King has been in the car business in Springfield, Missouri. Starting with Queen City Motors, Christopher King has sold quality used cars. He also owns an auto service shop. Queen City Motors Service operates out of Springfield, Missouri, and offers several automotive services, such as brake pad replacement.

Brake pads are car components that grip the rotors to slow or stop the car. There are different types of brake pads. Non-metallic or organic brake pads are used for daily driving situations that do not have heavy braking demands. They are the softest kinds of brake pads made of rubber, cellulose, glasses, and a bit of metal. Compared to other brake pads, they wear more easily and are typically replaced more often.

Semi-metallic brake pads are made of a combination of synthetics and metal. These are the most common pads for cars currently being produced. Compared to organic brake pads, they are more durable and resistant to heat, making them perfect for performance cars and large vehicles. These pads are designed for heavy braking situations.

The most expensive and highest quality pads are ceramic pads. These are typically used by supercars and made from a combination of clay and ceramics. The high cost of these pads is due to the expense of the manufacturing process. These pads have superior performance in high temperatures and can recover from continuous hard braking.

Choosing the Right Automotive Engine Oil

Based in Springfield, Missouri, Christopher King owns and operates Queen City Motors which sells quality used cars. Aside from selling cars, Christopher King also provides automotive services through Queen City Motors Service in Springfield, Missouri. One of the services offered by Queen City Motors Service is the oil change.

There are a number of different automotive engine oils available for a car owner. Conventional motor oil should be used by vehicles that only have light duty. This means that the vehicle is not used for towing nor does it have a high-performance engine. These are the kinds of engine oils that come with new cars. It is not practical for owners of light-duty vehicles to switch to synthetic oils because the engines do not benefit from the increase in performance due to synthetic oils.

Meanwhile, fully synthetic engine oils are used by heavy-duty vehicles and sports cars. Heavy-duty vehicles refer to vehicles used for towing duty. Sports cars and supercars have high performance engines that require fully synthetic oils. These oils are designed to maintain their quality at both low and high temperatures.

SUV and pickup truck owners who do occasional towing are advised to use blended synthetic oils. These are a combination of both conventional and synthetic oils. Available at lower prices than full synthetics these oils provide protection for higher engine temperatures.

On the other hand, high-mileage cars should use high mileage oils. These are intended for cars who have been driven for some time and would most likely still be on the road with six figures in the odometer. These oils have conditioners mixed in that are designed to keep engine seals flexible, therefore avoiding oil leaks from brittle seals.

Tips for Buying a Used Car

Since 2000, Christopher King of Springfield, Missouri has been working in the automotive industry. He is the owner of both Queen City Motors and Queen City Motors Service in Springfield, Missouri. Through Queen City Motors, Christopher King sells a hand-selected inventory of used cars.

Some people are hesitant to buy a used car because of the fear of wasting their money on a lemon. When buying a used car, do not skip the test drive. Be sure to test the vehicles acceleration, braking and cornering. During the drive be aware of how the engine sounds. Beyond the mechanical condition of the car, the test drive is also an opportunity to decide on whether the vehicle can give adequate utility in terms of storage and space where the passengers can sit comfortably.

When speaking with a dealer, ask about the history of the car. Also, check the title of the car. In particular, check if the car has a branded title. Branded titles point to car history. For example, if the car is branded as salvage this means it was declared as a total loss by the insurance company. Make sure to ask if the car has been into any accidents, floods, or fire. A used car with a detailed maintenance history is a plus.

The last tip is to be able to walk away from a bad deal. Car buyers should be treated respectfully and their questions should be answered in a straightforward and honest manner. Do not be afraid to walk away from a bad deal, no apologies needed, just walk away.

The Creation of Mozart’s Choral Masterpiece, Requiem in D Minor

Christopher King is a Springfield, Missouri business executive who guides Queen City Motors and Queen City Motors Service. Active in his local community, Christopher King enjoys cultural events in Springfield, Missouri and is an enthusiast of the symphony orchestra.

One of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s most remarkable works, the Requiem in D minor is a choral masterwork that was left unfinished at the composer’s death at age 35. Having triumphed with the opera Don Giovanni in 1787, Mozart had fallen out of fashion by 1790, with the French Revolution casting a pall on the arts and Austria preparing for war. At the same time, his benefactor Joseph II, the emperor of Austria, died and his successor was not enamored of Mozart’s works.

In 1791, with Mozart deep in debt and chronically ill, the composer received a choral commission from Count Franz von Walsegg, who often presented such works as his own at private concerts. The mass was to be in honor of the Count’s wife’s memory, but as Mozart continued with the lucrative composition his own health steadily worsened.

The first Requiem performance was given on December 4th, 1791, at the bedside of Mozart, who would pass away a day later. Fortunately for posterity, Mozart interrupted this three-singer rendition, which he accompanied on viola, and gave detailed instructions to his pupil Süssmayr on how to complete the still unfinished work.