Some people repair engines. Others repair something far less visible.
For five years, I walked through the doors of Tire Kickers Inspection Station #5 in Des Plaines, Illinois, because I was required to have a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installed and serviced. What could have been a constant reminder of one of the most difficult periods of my life became something entirely different—a story about compassion, resilience, and the life-changing impact of one person’s kindness.
At the time, I was working toward rebuilding my life after losing my driving privileges nearly two decades earlier following two DUIs I received when I was 21 years old. I had not driven since then. Regaining my license represented far more than getting behind the wheel again. It represented independence, responsibility, and the ability to better provide for my children, who depended on me.
From my very first visit, Owner Duane Moore and his employees at Tire Kickers treated me with dignity, patience, and respect.
“The importance of helping others should be paramount with any business. You do not have a business without satisfied customers,” says Moore.
The Mastery of Mechanics
Duane Moore’s expertise as a mechanic was shaped long before he became the owner of Tire Kickers. He grew up working on cars and farm equipment, developing much of his early automotive knowledge alongside an uncle who was a certified mechanic.
His most formative professional training came through the United States Air Force. Moore attended technical school to become a fighter jet mechanic and then served four years on active duty as a fighter jet crew chief. Much of his military training was handson, giving him practical experience working directly with complex aircraft mechanical systems.
That hands-on foundation continued throughout his career. Moore later completed courses through Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), a nationally recognized organization that develops testing and certification programs for automotive service professionals. Through ASE, mechanics can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in specific areas of vehicle service and repair. Moore continued his education and ultimately attained ASE Certified Master Mechanic status, reflecting advanced competency across multiple areas of automotive service.
Moore has carried that same commitment to technical knowledge into his business. He requires his employees to take ASE courses and attain at least one ASE certification.
When Technology Became a Challenge
One of the most difficult parts of the BAIID process was something that might sound simple to someone who has never experienced it: getting the BAIID device to properly communicate with my vehicle.
The challenges became especially difficult when I purchased a new car. Installing a device into a different vehicle is not simply a matter of connecting a few wires. The device had to communicate correctly with the vehicle’s electrical system and wiring.
There were connection issues, wiring concerns, and problems that required troubleshooting to determine whether the issue was with the device, the installation, or the vehicle itself. What should have been a straightforward transition into a new vehicle became a frustrating process that required patience and persistence.
There were repeated service calls to Tire Kickers to help diagnose and correct the problems. Instead of treating each visit as an inconvenience, Duane and his employees continued working through the issues with me. They checked connections, investigated wiring, worked to determine why the device was not communicating properly, and made the necessary adjustments to get everything functioning as it should.
Going Above and Beyond
One night, while my vehicle was being repaired, Duane went above and beyond what anyone would expect from a business owner. He stayed late troubleshooting my BAIID device. When the issue required an overnight stay of my vehicle, Duane took it upon himself to offer me a ride home.
During that ride, he encouraged me to stay positive, reminded me that this hardship was temporary, and told me he believed I would regain my driving privileges.
I will never forget that moment.
Throughout those five years, Duane never lost faith that I would reach that milestone. Even when I questioned whether I would get there, he continued to encourage me and remind me that my future was not defined by my past. His kindness helped me stay focused on rebuilding my life for myself and for my children.
“We try to instill customer satisfaction as #1 and also improvement of skills and knowledge in all employees,” says Moore.
Service Extends Beyond the Business
Tire Kickers started on March 27th, 2013. According to Moore, luck and persistence were key to the company’s success.
Duane Moore’s commitment to service extends far beyond his business. The discipline, responsibility, and hands-on problem-solving skills he developed throughout his career have become part of the foundation on which he built Tire Kickers.
That commitment to ethics is also reflected in Duane Moore’s involvement with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Torch Awards for Ethics. As CEO and Owner of Tire Kickers and a board member of the Chicago Better Business Bureau, Moore has been actively involved with the Torch Awards, which recognize local businesses that demonstrate a strong commitment to corporate responsibility, integrity, and ethical marketplace practices.
Under his leadership, the veteran-owned small business places a strong emphasis on transparency, integrity, and doing right by customers throughout the vehicle inspection process.
Moore has also been featured in the Better Business Bureau Magazine, recognizing his work and commitment to ethical business practices.
A Business Built Around People
Duane owns three Tire Kickers locations, including Des Plaines, Las Vegas, and Phoenix.
“Long term, I was hoping to build the business enough to be able to give the business to my employees when I decided to retire,” says Moore.
Tire Kickers Inspection Station #5 in Des Plaines provides essential vehicle services, including comprehensive pre-purchase inspections for used car buyers, rideshare safety inspections for Uber and Lyft drivers, and ignition interlock device (BAIID) installation, calibration, and maintenance services.
The company is also known for detailed inspections performed by experienced, veteran inspectors who help drivers make safe and informed decisions.
The Person Behind the Vehicle
Yet the greatest measure of Duane’s impact cannot be found only in professional accomplishments, certifications, military service, or business success. It can be found in the lives he touches through everyday acts of compassion.
“Tire Kickers has always and will always put the customers first,” says Moore.
For someone trying to rebuild after nearly twenty years without driving, having another person say, “I believe you can do this,” can mean more than they may ever realize.
A Second Chance
This is not a story about a BAIID device or the circumstances that brought me to Tire Kickers. It is a story about second chances, accountability, resilience, and the extraordinary difference one person can make by choosing kindness over judgment.
I was finally able to regain my driving privileges and begin a new chapter of my life. Duane Moore was one of the people who helped me believe that day would come.
“The lasting impression I want to have on my customers is that I’m truly a nice person who will go out of my way to help others,” says Moore.
After five years of visits, I left with a renewed belief that people can choose to look beyond someone’s past and see the person they are working to become.
Sometimes, that is the greatest repair of all.
About the Author
Kelly Hack is a journalist and content writer with a background in broadcast, investigative, and B2B media. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia College Chicago and a Master of Science in Print Journalism from Roosevelt University. She began her career with internships at WGN-TV and NBC5-TV, covering political corruption and consumer fraud. Her work has appeared in publications including American Builders Quarterly, Concrete Construction, Skin Inc., MedEsthetics, and Yoga Magazine. Kelly brings a clear, research-driven approach to storytelling across industries.
