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Different Gasoline Types & What’s Right for Your

Have you ever pulled up to the gas pump and wondered which of the gasoline types you should put in your car? Did you end up choosing the cheapest option because you had no idea what the difference was? If so, you are not alone. 73% of U.S. drivers choose gas based on price. While price is an important consideration, it will benefit you to have a better understanding of what type of gasoline you are putting in your car and why. Gasoline Types There are generally four options for fueling your vehicle. The three most common gasoline fueling options are: unleaded, mid-grade, and premium — have one main difference: the octane grade. The octane grade or rating is based on how much oxygen is in the fuel. The higher the octane grade, the more resistant an engine is to knocking. Knocking is a rattling or pinging sound that results from premature ignition of the compressed fuel-air mixture in one or more cylinders. This can cause serious damage to [...]

By |2020-10-15T13:08:28-06:00October 15th, 2020|Car Questions|0 Comments
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Making Your Car Battery Last

Most of us have experienced car battery problems while driving at an inconvenient time or location. It can be very inconvenient and annoying if you do not have the tools or another car to jump start it. Car batteries have become more important than ever as car technology continues to advance and relies more and more on electrical features. Your car battery is what allows you to start your car, it also allows you to charge your phone, use seat heaters, and listen to music. Here are some tips to help you avoid a car breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car Battery Make Sure the Battery is Tight and Secure Your battery can come loose from its brackets, especially if you are driving on rough terrain like dirt roads. A battery that’s not secured properly, can cause internal damage and short circuit internally. Occasionally you should check that the battery is secure in its bracket and be careful if you decide [...]

By |2020-09-29T12:57:13-06:00September 29th, 2020|Auto Care, Car Parts|0 Comments
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Cars and Storms: Protecting Your Vehicle

The best way to face a storm or hurricane is with preparation and a plan. It’s important to consider how to protect your family and home, where you would go if your home became unsafe, what food to store, and what emergency equipment you might need. If you are preparing for a storm or hurricane, you have a lot on your mind. Let us help you out by ensuring that you don’t forget on topic that's important: cars and storms. Your car is easy to take for granted but it could be the difference between danger and safety in a time of emergency. Let’s discuss some ways to protect your car from storms and hurricanes and why these should be included in any emergency plan you have. Cars and Storms: 4 Tips for Protecting Your Vehicle Cover Your Car Keep your car covered during a storm or hurricane. Ideally you can keep it in your home’s garage or carport. Not everyone has that option but there are other things [...]

By |2020-09-21T15:36:21-06:00September 21st, 2020|Auto Care|0 Comments
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Why is My Car Shaking?

Ever drive down a paved road, but it feels like you're driving down a washboard, gravel road? Or maybe you feel your arms starting to go numb from your car shaking? Not only is it annoying, but it's also a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle. But what exactly? Let's take a look at a few common problems that could be causing your car to shake. Why Is My Car Shaking? The answer is, it could be several things — some that require immediate attention. So, it's always important to confirm your suspicions with your local auto repair shop. But to get you started, here are just a few things that leave your car shaking and you wondering why. 1) Unbalanced Tires or Unevenly Worn Tires As your points of contact with the road, something off with your tires can certainly cause your car to vibrate. If your tires are unbalanced (sometimes caused by hitting a pothole or driving on bumpy roads), you may notice a [...]

By |2020-08-25T11:27:10-06:00August 25th, 2020|Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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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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