Franchise Owner Manager Eric Lilly is a recent Florida transplant from Bedford County, Virginia, near Roanoke. He served in the USAF as a Crew Chief, or fighter aircraft mechanic, and has now been in the automotive industry for over 15 years. He and his wife Melissa have four marvelous daughters. Eric spends his free time with the women in his life enjoying water sports, especially wakeboarding and wake surfing.
Pinellas Park Services Newer Vehicles Requiring 1234YF Refrigerant
We are thrilled to announce our Pinellas Park location at 6401 US Hwy 19 N is the latest Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair location now services newer vehicles that utilize HFO-1234yf refrigerants. This product is becoming more popular and can be found in many new vehicles starting as early as 2014 models. As of 2018, 50% of new vehicles from “original equipment manufacturers” (OEMs) are estimated to use HFO-1234yf.
We are the AC Experts in Pinellas Park and we have the equipment to service these vehicles! PLUS, in most cases, we can SAVE YOU hundreds of dollars on recharging your system over the dealership. Call Eric, the shop’s owner, to find out just how much money we can save you! 727-525-1197 .
HFO-1234yf is the first in a new class of refrigerants with a global warming potential rating 335 times less than R-134a and an atmospheric lifetime of about 400 times shorter. HFO-1234yf has a global warming potential of less than 1, compared to 1,430 for R-134a. Carbon dioxide’s global warming potential is exactly 1. This colorless gas is being used as a replacement for R-134a as a refrigerant in newer model automobile air conditioners.
Our 16th Year! Free Oil Change for Toys to Support the Marine’s Toys for Tots
Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair is giving away a free oil-change including a tire rotation to any customer who brings in a new, unwrapped toy for the Marines’ “Toys for Tots” program from now until December 11th. This is the Pinellas-based auto repair franchise’s 16th year giving away oil changes to those who donate toys. Customers have the option of trading the new toy for an oil change and tire rotation on the spot or exchanging the toy for a voucher for a free future oil change and tire rotation or $20 off any service. There are 17 Ice Cold Air locations throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. “We are very proud to join the Marines and their exceptional program for our 16th year. It is an honor to help facilitate our customer’s support and making positive impacts in the lives of children in our community,” said Tina M. Denham, President of Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair. “Our customers and community have been very good to us for 50 years, and acting as a drop off location for Toys for Tots is an excellent way for us to give back to the community and our customers for their support.” Over the years, it is estimated that Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair customers have donated 28,000 toys. This year Denham says they aspire to donate over 2000 more, “our loyal customers have a proven history, and I know they are eager to support the program again this year. We are asking for even more community members to take advantage of this offer and help us meet our goal.” The toys should be of similar value, in the original packaging and unwrapped. Donations will be accepted at almost all of the 17 Ice Cold Air locations. Those interested in taking advantage of the promotion should call or stop by their local Ice Cold Air location to ensure participation. Visit www.icecoldair.com for a list of locations. # # #
New Owner at Pinellas Park US19 Location with the Same Friendly Face
We are thrilled to announce that on Monday, August 9th Eric Lilly and his wife Melissa are the new franchise owners of the Ice Cold Air® Discount Auto Repair at 6401 US19N in Pinellas Park.
Eric began as the manager of his Pinellas Park location in November 2020 after moving to Florida from his home state of Virginia.
Eric has over 15 years in the auto industry. He met his wife while working at a local car dealership, his future Mother-in-Law was the service manager. Mom wouldn’t give him her daughter’s number but the parts guy did. During a four year stint in the Air force as a fighter plane mechanic, Eric and Melissa married and had their first child but the pull of family was too strong for Eric so he decided not to re-enlist. He returned to the dealership, first as a mechanic, then as service writer.
He and Melissa had three more daughters and bought a boat to spend family time together on the water. The activity soon became their family fun hobby. After several years of seasonal Virginia fun, they started bringing the boat with them while visiting when visiting Eric’s dad in Clearwater. After a few years of commuting to Florida with the boat several times a year, they finally decided to pick up stakes, move closer to the family already here and be on the water all year round.
The move to Florida fortuitously coincided with another event that would make the decision to move, in an odd way, well timed. Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer. She is currently undergoing treatment at Moffitt Cancer & Research Institute, one of the nation’s top cancer treatment centers and enjoys an exceptional support team of family members who live here.
Eric and Melissa are still making the best of their free time getting out on the water with their four girls whose ages now span from three to18. They especially enjoy water sports like wakeboarding and wake surfing. They are excited to own their own business and look forward to providing the neighborhood shop feel for which Ice Cold Air shops are known.
Our 15th Year! Free Oil Change for Toys to Support the Marine’s Toys for Tots
Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair is giving away a free oil-change including a tire rotation to any customer who brings in a new, unwrapped toy for the Marines’ “Toys for Tots” program from now until December 12th. This is the Pinellas-based auto repair franchise’s 15th year giving away oil changes to those who donate toys. Customers have the option of trading the new toy for an oil change and tire rotation on the spot or exchanging the toy for a voucher for a free future oil change and tire rotation or $20 off any service. There are 17 Ice Cold Air locations throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties. “We are very proud to join the Marines and their exceptional program for our 15th year. It is an honor to help facilitate our customer’s support and making positive impacts in the lives of children in our community,” said Tina M. Denham, President of Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair. “Our customers and community have been very good to us for 50 years, and acting as a drop off location for Toys for Tots is an excellent way for us to give back to the community and our customers for their support.” Over the years, it is estimated that Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair customers have donated 25,000 toys. This year Denham says they aspire to donate over 2000 more, “our loyal customers have a proven history, and I know they are eager to support the program again this year. We are asking for even more community members to take advantage of this offer and help us meet our goal.” The toys should be of similar value, in the original packaging and unwrapped. Donations will be accepted at almost all of the 17 Ice Cold Air locations. Those interested in taking advantage of the promotion should call or stop by their local Ice Cold Air location to ensure participation. Visit www.icecoldair.com for a list of locations. # # #
Ice Cold Air Awarded Best Honest Mechanics in a Dishonest World!!
September 18th, 2014
Wow are we excited! Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair was presented a 2014 Best of the Bay Award from Creative Loafing.
We were awarded their Critics’ Pick as the “Best Honest Mechanics in a Dishonest World!” Plus, we are featured in their Best of the Bay issue that hits the stands today! (on page 78)
Thank you to Creative Loafing for recognizing how hard all of us work to make our wonderful reputation stronger every day, and thank you for telling all of your readers throughout the greater Tampa Bay area too.
We would like to convey our heartfelt congratulations to each and every shop, and each and every employee who share in this tremendous acknowledgment. It is a true testament to how far we have come together as a team to make our Ice Cold Air family stronger and our company thrive in the spotlight of greatness.
