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10 Common Car Problems

When your car isn't running the best, it can leave you wondering what is going on. And unless you're a seasoned mechanic, that is a difficult question to answer. To help, we created a shortlist of common car problems that many drivers experience (some at their fault...). Remember, car problems vary from car to car. What may be a common issue in a Subaru isn't a common issue for a Ford. The same goes for a commuter car and a farm truck. What we are saying is — always get your car problems checked out by your local mechanic, no self-diagnosing here. 10 Common Car Problems From dead batteries to flat tires to squeaks when you brake, these are just a few common car problems many drivers experience. 1) Flat Tires One of the worst feelings as a driver is feeling your tire going flat. Whether from a sharp object in the road, your tire pressure being off, or regular wear and tear over time, flat tires are a [...]

By |2020-08-19T10:49:40-06:00August 19th, 2020|Car Service & Maintenance, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Tips to Preserve Your Engine

Your car engine keeps you moving and on the road — without it and you wouldn't be going anywhere. So, it would be best if you were doing everything you can to preserve your engine, or you may find your car in the shop and you riding the bus. Luckily, car and engine maintenance aren't hard. It ranges from a few regular maintenance appointments to driving tips to keeping it clean. 4 Tips to Preserve Your Engine Change Your Oil It's at the top of the list — and for a good reason. While it's a quick and straightforward appointment (or an at-home task for those with the skills), many drivers wait too long between oil changes. Your engine oil is responsible for removing dust and other contaminants that overtime clog filters and passages. Without changing it, you never remove these contaminants. So if you want to preserve your engine, one of the main things you can do is change your oil and fluids and conserve your engine, and [...]

By |2020-07-28T14:59:20-06:00July 28th, 2020|Auto Care, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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7 Things You Shouldn’t Do While Driving a Manual Car

Drivers who can drive manual cars seem to be a dying breed. Why? Because driving a manual car takes a certain added skill and finesse and today, most people don’t want to have to shift gears…especially in traffic. Additionally, manual cars come with their own set of driving rules and guidelines that are a bit different than driving an automatic car. Break them, and you could find yourself replacing your clutch sooner rather than later. And let us tell you, no one wants to be surprised with that bill. So, what do drivers with manual transmissions need to know and do differently than their automatic counterparts? 7 Things You Shouldn't Do While Driving a Manual Car 1) Use the Clutch Pedal as Foot Rest Your clutch isn't a footrest. It's meant to be engaged and then disengaged, and by resting your foot on the pedal, you are partially engaging the clutch. More importantly, resting your foot on the pedal, will prematurely wears parts that will have to be replaced [...]

By |2020-07-28T14:50:50-06:00July 15th, 2020|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Stop Driving on Empty

We’ve all been there before. Your car’s gas light has just turned on. You could stop to get gas, but you could also put it off until the next time you go out. You may have lived out this exact scenario dozens of times. However, you may not realize how damaging and dangerous this can be. Continue reading to learn why you should stop driving on an empty gas tank right away. Reasons to Stop Driving on Empty You May Damage Your Car The first danger of driving on empty is to your car. Several different essential parts can be damaged by continuously driving with low gas. The first is the catalytic converter, which is a part of your car’s fuel system. When you drive on empty, you run the risk of stalling out. This can be very damaging to a catalytic converter and may ultimately make you need to replace or repair the part. You may also cause damage to your car’s fuel pump while driving on empty. [...]

By |2020-06-23T13:28:53-06:00June 23rd, 2020|Car Tips|0 Comments
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Synthetic Oil Versus Conventional Oil

These days, you'll most often see "full synthetic oil" or "synthetic blend" on your oil change receipt. What is that? Before synthetic, there was conventional oil. Over time, after research and advancing technology, conventional oil has begun to be phased out. So, what's the difference between the two engine oils? What is Synthetic Oil? It's oil, but instead of being just naturally made, it takes a bit of work.  Synthetic motor oil combines a base oil, powder additives, and carrier oil. Both synthetic and conventional oils use refined crude oils, but the difference comes with the artificially made additives and a higher level of refinement found in synthetic oils. Full synthetic is the purest, with the highest level of refinement for the base oil and additives. However, there is no industry standard, so the levels of refinement range between the different manufacturers. Rarely is anything every fully "full synthetic." Benefits of Synthetic Engine Oil Overall, synthetic engine oils (compared to conventional oils) reduce sludge build-up, lower friction between [...]

By |2020-06-08T16:05:57-06:00June 8th, 2020|Car Questions|0 Comments
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We’re Open! COVID-19 & Northwest Auto Center of Houston

Update on March 31, 2020 Like many businesses across the nation, we are adjusting our hours to accommodate these uncertain times. Moving forward, we will be open and available by appointment only. This will give us the needed time to handle needed sanitation measures and social distancing requirements. To make an appointment, please call us at (281) 894-8880. We are dedicated to the Houston community, still using our 30+ years of service to offer the services you need at prices you can afford. We appreciate the community’s support. Stay safe and strong. - Northwest Auto Center of Houston Family Update on March 20, 2020 To all our Family, Friends & Clients, We want everyone to know that during this difficult time, we're here and we will be open as long as possible, (unless we are mandated to close). If you need us or if we can be of service, (even something as simple as an oil change). We're here to help! As we have for over the last 30 years, we offer scheduled maintenance, brake [...]

By |2020-03-31T13:39:21-06:00March 20th, 2020|Auto Care, Houston Texas|0 Comments
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My ABS Warning Light is On, What Does that Mean?

As drivers, we may be accustomed to a few dashboard lights. Perhaps it's the "high-beams" light when you're driving dark, unlit roads, the "tire pressure" indicator on cold mornings, or even the "low gas" light when you're feeling brave. But, what about the ABS warning light? Anyone see that one lately? What Does ABS Stand For? Over the years, cars add more and more safety features. And in vehicles manufactured during or after the 1990s, those safety features include the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). ABS has one purpose: keeping your tires from locking at the same time when braking. This technology allows your vehicle to keep a grip on the pavement instead of skidding and sliding. This especially helps in situations where grip is already reduced, like on wet pavement or dirt roads. While you don't think about it until you need it, you always want the ABS ready to spring into action. So, when you see your ABS warning light on, it's essential to take notice. My ABS [...]

By |2020-03-19T14:57:49-06:00March 19th, 2020|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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Back-to-School Auto Maintenance Tips

The new school year means carpooling, after-school activities, and play dates. With all the focus on the kids in this new routine, it can be easy to forget about the most helpful tool you have at this time--your vehicle. The good news is that you can get your car back into tip-top shape with a few auto maintenance and car care tips. We know that you've been shopping for school supplies and clothes in preparation for the new school year! Why not focus a little of that attention on your car? It doesn't take much work and will make your life so much easier. Let's take a look! 8 Back-To-School Auto Maintenance Tips 1) Give Your Car a Good Scrub All of our cars' exteriors can use a little tender lovin' care. You may think that taking your vehicle to the car wash is for aesthetics, but the truth is that it can keep your car healthy. Debris, dust, and rust can damage a vehicle over time. The best [...]

By |2019-09-25T11:35:04-06:00September 25th, 2019|Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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Back-To-School Driving Safety Tips

School's back in session! Taking the kiddos to school can mean bus stops, crosswalks, and kids on bikes. During before and after school activities and pickups, drivers need to be super careful and on high alert. School zone driving safety isn't just up to families with children in school; it's up to everyone to keep the roads and zones safe.   Now is a perfect time to do a little review on driving safely around schools and neighborhoods! School Zone Driving Safety In a school zone, you have a ton to think about. From other parent drivers to kids on their way to and from class, a lot is going on. Not only do you need to think about your safety, but you also need to create a safe environment for those around you. Let's take a look at a few tips that can keep you and your loved ones safe. Load and unload kids in designated areas. Dropping children off on the street may save you the hassle [...]

By |2019-09-05T11:22:32-06:00September 5th, 2019|Car Tips|0 Comments
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Car Parts 101 – The Car Muffler

Have you ever heard an unusually loud car and wondered why it made such a ruckus? Chances are the car has an aftermarket muffler or has a hole in the muffler/exhaust system—the muffler is essential to suppressing the loud sounds of a vehicle's exhaust as it exits the car. The name seems pretty fitting, right? A muffler muffles the sound. Although Texas may not have a decibel regulation on the sound produced by vehicles, the southern state does have code on car mufflers. According to the Texas Transportation Code, "A motor vehicle shall be equipped with a muffler in good working condition that continually operates to prevent excessive or unusual noise." It's a good idea to know the ins and outs of your car's muffler. Let's take a more in-depth look at how mufflers work. How Does a Car Muffler Work? A muffler is a cylindrical, metal part that attaches to the exhaust. Your car's engine works off of combustion, which can be quite noisy. As the exhaust funnels [...]

By |2019-08-22T12:54:43-06:00August 22nd, 2019|Car Parts|0 Comments
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