Auto Blog

Driving Tips for Teens (and Their Parents)

Getting your learner's permit at 15 and your license at 16 is a part of growing up in America. It's a right of passage, your first taste of real freedom. But, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens. Fortunately, it's all preventable by following these safety and driving tips for teens. Driving Tips for Teens Keep the Phone in Your Backpack or Purse Or better yet, out of reach in the back seat on silent. Remember when we mentioned car crashes were a leading cause of death for teens? Well, texting causes the majority of those teen car crashes. Additionally, it may be illegal. With more research showing texting and driving the equivalent of drunk driving, states are starting to prohibit cell phones while driving. Keep it safe, keep it silent and keep it stowed. Drive Alone It may seem boring, but it is safer. While not a lasting rule, this is ideal for newly minted drivers. Even one passenger is distracting. They like chatting, asking questions, [...]

By |2018-02-22T09:28:46-06:00February 22nd, 2018|Car Questions, Car Tips|0 Comments
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7 Bad Car Habits You Need To Stop Doing

We are all guilty of a few bad habits, from smoking to biting your nails to leaving the lights on when you leave the house. And your car is no different. Here are a few bad car habits you need to stop — and soon. 1. Sudden Shifting You reverse out of a spot and without slowing, immediately put it into drive and go on your merry way. Stop. Over time, these sudden directional changes wreak havoc on your drivetrain from the engine to the transmission to your axles. Take the extra three seconds. Completely stop before going forward. 2. Flooring It (and Than Quickly Braking) We are all guilty. At some point, everyone has hit a wide-open stretch and gunned it. While its fun (and relatively harmless) every once in awhile, doing it all the time is one bad car habit you need to stop. Inevitably after gunning it, slamming the brakes follows. Neither is great. Fast acceleration burns fuel, but also puts a massive, sudden load on the drivetrain. Braking quickly causes wear [...]

By |2018-02-16T11:25:19-06:00February 16th, 2018|Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips|1 Comment
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Texas Car Inspections – What You Need to Know to Pass

Whether you just moved to the Lone Star State or its that time of year again, Texas Car Inspections are a requirement every driver has to meet. Let's take a closer look at what the Texas Safety Inspection and Emissions Test requires of car owners to pass. How Often Do I Need to Inspect My Car in Texas? Texas requires an annual safety inspection if you wish to keep your car's registration valid and lawful. No exceptions. But, what if you have a multi-year registration or are just in-state for college? Multi-Year Registration. If you have multi-year registration, it does not matter. The state mandates the same yearly inspection rules. New Residents. You have 30 days starting the date you move to Texas. Anything after 30 days and you are susceptible to ticketing. Out-of-State Vehicles (College Students). Your car and your home address are out of state, but you are living in Texas, it can get confusing. You will need to get a safety inspection in the state of Texas while keeping your out-of-state registration. What's [...]

By |2018-03-06T07:59:36-06:00February 9th, 2018|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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10 Car Hacks, Tricks and Tips

Make your journey a little safer, more comfortable and more stylish with these car hacks, tricks, and tips. 1. Clean Your Headlights with Toothpaste Place the toothpaste on a soft, nonabrasive cloth and buff. Not only will your car look like new, but you'll also be able to see again too. 2. Cool the Car Without A/C The dreaded Texas summer sun just turned your car into a sauna. Cool the car off quick—without cranking the A/C (and wasting gas). Roll down one window and on the other side of car, open and close the door a few times. The movement forces the hot, stagnant air through the door, filling the car with colder air through the window. 3. Turn on the A/C while Defrosting the Windshield A/C air is dry. Frost is moist. Designers took notice, so new cars do this automatically, but not older cars. Crank the A/C as warm as it will go and watch the dry, warm air do work. 4. Rubberbands - The Free Car Phone Stands Thread the rubber [...]

By |2018-02-02T09:47:23-06:00February 2nd, 2018|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Car Ignition Systems & How They Work

It's Friday morning; you hop into your car. Groggy from a full week of work, you don't give any thought to your engine as you insert your key and crank it. In fact, you usually never give it a second thought (unless it doesn't turn on—then it gets your full attention). But, it deserves more. After all, ignition systems are responsible for the spark that gets your vehicle moving. Let's break down the different types of car ignitions and how they work. Parts and Process of Car Ignition Systems A car's ignition system is responsible for the fire—the spark—that gets your car's engine running. Without, this spark, your car would never ignite—leaving it powerless. Car ignitions serve two primary purposes: create a large enough voltage to project across the gap of a spark plug and strong enough to ignite combustion mixtures of fuel/air control the timing so the spark occurs precisely when it can ignite Different Types of Car Ignition Systems There are three to be exact. While achieving the same result (a running car), [...]

By |2018-01-26T13:10:23-06:00January 26th, 2018|Car Questions|0 Comments
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9 Tips to Save Gas and Money

Commuting and traveling are now apart of our everyday routines. But, overspending on gas doesn't have to be. Here are nine tips to save gas and save you money. 1. Slow Down It's the simplest tip we have—just slow down. Driving fast increases drag, which increases fuel consumption. Instead of going 5-10 mph over, go the speed limit. Can't be trusted to stop cruising in the left lane? Set your cruise control. In fact, keeping a consistent speed saves your gas and wallet. 2. Drive Smooth Aggressive driving will cost you. Sure, it's tempting to peel away at the green light, but that sudden acceleration burns through the gas. And, same goes for aggressive braking. How much will driving like Grandma save you? A test done by Edmunds.com found that accelerating and braking gradually saved a Land Rover 35% in gas consumption and a Mustang 27%. It's worth it. 3. Keep Your Tires Inflated Not only does it reduce wear on your tires, but it also saves you money. Proper inflation reduces "rolling resistance," which [...]

By |2018-01-18T12:39:27-06:00January 18th, 2018|Car Tips|1 Comment
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Signs You Have a Failing Clutch

For manual transmission drivers, hearing the words "failing clutch" makes your stomach turn. But, it's not just a problem for manual transmission, automatic transmissions also experience clutch failure. Let's take a look at what happens when your clutch fails and how to tell when it is going to happen. How Long Do Clutches Last? Typically, clutches can last between 50-100,000 miles, making it a forgotten component of a vehicle. But, this mileage varies. If you drive in heavy traffic, frequently pull heavy loads and are prone to riding the clutch, it can fail sooner than the 50,000-mile mark. Signs of a Failing Clutch Luckily, your clutch gives off warning signs before completely breaking. But, it's up to you to listen to them. Slippage Have you noticed your engine races, but your car moves slowly? Slippage is the primary symptom of a worn clutch in an automatic transmission but is also noticeable with manual transmissions. Not sure if this is happening? Take your car out for a test drive. While acceleration on the highway or a [...]

By |2018-01-12T12:33:50-06:00January 12th, 2018|Car Questions|0 Comments
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5 Reasons Your Car Won’t Start

Everyone has those rushed mornings that you're grateful you're only 15 minutes late leaving the house. But, then your car won't start. We agree—it's the worse. Let's break down the reasons why cars have troubles cranking. How a Car Starts It's as simple as turning the key and boom!—your car is running. But, there is more to it than that. When you turn the key, the spring-loaded ignition switch interacts with the starter by connecting the power from the battery to the starter motor. In turn, this cranks the engine and is your signal to release the key. Not so simple. With so many parts and connectors involved, it's easy to see how a car has trouble starting. Why Your Car Won't Start Maybe it's curiosity. Or perhaps you're currently sitting in your driveway wondering "why won't my car start." Here are the top 5 reasons your car isn't starting. 1. Key Won't Turn If the key doesn't turn, the car definitely won't start. Let's start with the obvious: are you using the correct key? [...]

By |2018-01-04T14:37:14-06:00January 4th, 2018|Car Questions|2 Comments
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What is the Powertrain?

Dealerships and companies keep advertising "Powertrain Warranties" with all the information in fine print—left for you to read and learn on your own. We are here to help. What is the Powertrain? The powertrain is made up of every part and component that mechanically propels your car, starting with the engine all the way to the wheels. It includes the transmission and the driveshaft as well as smaller parts like cv joints and differentials. What is the Drivetrain? The drivetrain is part of the powertrain, but a more a specific grouping of elements that are involved with turning the wheels. What are the Parts of the Powertrain? The Engine While used broadly, the engine refers to the parts utilized to convert gas into energy to keep your car on and working. It converts gas into motion allowing you the ability to move forward. It's made up of a four-part cycle to continually generate power: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. This energy transfers to the clutch and transmission that controls and converts the amount of energy [...]

By |2017-12-27T07:38:21-06:00December 27th, 2017|Car Questions|2 Comments
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Finding a Trustworthy Car Mechanic & Auto Shop

Car repairs do not come cheap. You want to know the mechanic performing them does right by your vehicle—and you. But, what makes a car mechanic trustworthy? How do you find a good auto shop? Qualities of a Trustworthy Car Mechanic and Auto Shop While they may not have an easy-to-spot outward appearance, trustworthy car mechanics have some common traits and attributes. Listening and Communication Skills Worthwhile mechanics and auto shops take the time to listen to their customers. Not only is it considerate, but it may also help them when diagnosing problems down the road. When it comes to repairs, they can easily communicate their intended plans of action. They can walk you through complex repairs in a way that is easily understood—they include you in the process. Mechanics that are transparent instill trust, versus a behind-closed-doors style that leaves customers wondering what is happening to their vehicles. Consideration for Budget No one looks forward to spending their hard-earned dollars on their vehicle. A thoughtful car mechanic should keep this in mind when suggesting [...]

By |2018-12-21T10:10:39-06:00December 19th, 2017|Car Service & Maintenance|3 Comments
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