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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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Signs of an Overheating Car and What to Do

Imagine this. 'You're driving down I-69 in rush hour on a hot summer day, and you start to notice your 'car's acting funny. You look down at the instrument cluster and see that the temperature gauge is indicating that your engine is hotter than usual. You really 'don't want to pull over because the interstate is busy and you want to get home. What do you do? Unfortunately, an overheating car is a real possibility, and there are right and wrong ways to respond to this scenario. 'Let's take a look at some things that can cause your car to overheat and what you should do if you notice those issues. Tell-Tale Signs of an Overheating Car You 'can't always predict when you will run into car trouble, and an overheating car is no exception. Luckily, there are some signs that can help you recognize when your 'car's engine is too hot. 1.   Temperature Gauge We used the temperature gauge as the example in the scenario above. Your temperature [...]

By |2019-08-06T11:08:09-06:00August 6th, 2019|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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What is a Catalytic Converter?

As of 1975, the catalytic converter has been a mandatory component in cars, and for a good reason too. As your car's engine burns gas, it creates toxic pollutants that cannot be released back into the environment. This is where your car's catalytic converter comes in. Forming part of your car's exhaust system, the catalytic converter is designed to reduce the levels of nitrous oxide and ozone released into the atmosphere. What Does a Catalytic Converter Do? As the gasoline burns inside the engine, the expanding gases from combustion push the pistons to turn the crankshaft. These cases are full of toxic molecules that can wreak havoc on the environment. The catalytic converter takes toxic chemicals produced by your car and makes them less harmful through a series of reactions. Through these chemical reactions, the byproducts become carbon dioxide and water, which are okay for immediate release. Where is the Catalytic Converter? Many newer vehicles have the catalytic converter close to the engine; the older models, they were [...]

By |2019-08-16T14:54:09-06:00July 24th, 2019|Car Parts|0 Comments
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Car Parts 101 – Car Radiators

Let's talk about car parts! Specifically, an essential part of your car's cooling system, car radiators. Because when it gets hot in Texas, it's really, really hot. Your car's engine works through combustion. Combustion means explosions. Explosions mean heat. For your car to take you across town, it has to produce a lot of heat. Without a cooling system, the engine combustion jacks up the engine's temperatures quickly, causing issues when it gets too hot. The radiator is one car part you don't want to have trouble with, especially in the dead of summer. So, what is a radiator, and how does it work keeping your car cool? What Are the Parts of Car Radiators? You can locate your car's radiator under the hood next to the engine. Radiators come in different makes and models, but they all have the same necessary components. Coolant – the liquid used to conduct the heat away from the engine, transmission, and radiator. Coolants can be gaseous or liquid. However, most modern vehicles [...]

By |2019-07-09T13:21:25-06:00July 9th, 2019|Car Parts|1 Comment
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Summer Road Trip Preparation

Summertime is here! With that comes plenty of sunshine, great weather — and the desire to pack up your car and head out on a summer road trip. But, that means a little summer road trip preparation. From getting your oil changed to packing for emergencies (as well as few extra bottles of sunscreen), here's what you need to know about getting your car ready for a road trip! Summer Road Trip Preparation With more than 100 million Americans planning on traveling this year, Summer road trips will be on the top of many of those families lists. And it should be! With Texas (and the surrounding states and areas) offering many gorgeous pit stops, it's time to hit the road! So, what do you need to do for your car before pulling out of the driveway? Check/Change Your Oil Your engine's oil has the large and important task of keeping your engine lubed and running smoothly. Without (or with dirty oil) your road trip may not be that [...]

By |2019-06-26T13:08:17-06:00June 26th, 2019|Car Tips|0 Comments
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How Do Anti-Lock Brakes Work?

Cars today have many safety features, from lane change assist to rearview cameras and even to self-driving vehicles. Even if your vehicle isn’t the newest model, chances are you have at least one or more of the modern safety features — including anti-lock brakes. Starting in the 1990s, the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) became a standard among the safety features in all modern cars. And for a good reason! Every time you drive, you use your brakes. Anti-Lock brakes changed the way your car reacts when you have to stop quickly and forcefully. In short, ABS keeps your vehicle’s wheels from all locking up at the same time. A car does not automatically stop just because all four tires have stopped spinning. Instead, the vehicle keeps its momentum, throwing the vehicle into a skid or a spinning motion, causing the driver to lose control of the car potentially. One of the critical features of this braking system is that it allows your car to maintain its grip on the pavement, safely bringing your vehicle [...]

By |2019-06-06T12:21:23-06:00June 6th, 2019|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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2019 Summer Events in Houston, TX

Summer officially starts on June 21st this year, but the summer mood is already setting in! While you’re enjoying the Springtime weather, you might be thinking about all of the events that start in the summer. We’re sure that you want to make the most of the season, so let’s take a look at some Summer events in Houston you shouldn’t miss out on. Everything from concerts, exhibitions, movies, and festivals – let’s go! 2019 Summer Events in Houston, TX The Texas, Tacos, and Music Festival When: Sunday, June 8, 2019 Where: 130 Spring School Road, Spring, TX 77373 Who doesn’t like tacos, tequila, and music? This festival has live music stages (featuring the Los Lonely Boys, The Suffers and more), tequila tastings, live mariachi bands, artisan vendors, and Luche Libre wrestling. Hosted at Preservation Park in Spring, TX this festival has it all. It goes from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am and has a $15 entrance fee. Pride Houston Parade When: Saturday, June 22, 2019 Where: Downtown Houston Celebrate Houston’s diversity and LGBTQ [...]

By |2019-05-31T15:36:12-06:00May 31st, 2019|Houston Texas|0 Comments
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Caring for Your Car’s Air Conditioning

Summer is coming up soon and it can be a real scorcher. Extreme heat can take a toll on your car, just like cold weather can. During the summer heat, coolant is essential to ensure your engine runs well during the change in weather. Air conditioning is also key to surviving the summer season with your car. We all know the feeling of getting into a car during an extremely hot day and turning on the air conditioning full blast. It’s an important part of your day-to-day life during the summer. While you’re gearing up for summer, why not go the extra step to check on your car's air conditioning system? How to Detect an Problem with a Car's Air Conditioning System Detecting a problem with your car’s air conditioning is a pretty simple process. Are you noticing that the air from your air conditioning is not as cold as it used to be? Does it seem to take longer than usual to cool down? Or, is the A/C [...]

By |2019-06-27T13:31:36-06:00May 22nd, 2019|Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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9 Questions to Ask Your Car Mechanic

Taking your car into a professional for maintenance is just part of owning a car. There’s no way around it. You may know your mechanic like a family friend, or you could be getting to know them. In either case, there are questions to ask your mechanic to gain the confidence that your auto professional will take the best care of your car. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way and allows you to make the right decisions for you and your car. So let's look at a few questions to ask your mechanic that will go a long way. Questions to Ask Your Mechanic 1. Have you worked on my car’s make and model before? This one is especially true if you are seeing a new mechanic. Sometimes mechanic shops only work on certain types of cars. If you have a foreign car or maybe one that is a little older, you should be aware of the mechanic’s experience and abilities with your particular make, model [...]

By |2020-03-04T11:18:20-06:00April 18th, 2019|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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