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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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General Car Service and Maintenance by Mileage

Going in for a car service can be daunting. With the general population lacking in the knowledge of what parts need maintaining versus replacement, it's easy to end up paying too much. Below are general car service and maintenance tips and an outline by mileage to get you started. Know Before You Go Before heading to the dealership or your auto shop of choice, it's important to do your homework. No need to dread it as you did in high school, this homework can save you money (and who doesn't love keeping cash in your pocket?) Read Your Manual Each car comes with a maintenance manual that lays our suggested mileage and times for routine maintenance and car service. This manual is the basis for what mechanics will suggest—but, they do deviate. Knowing what to expect will help you determine if you're up-sold on what your vehicle needs to have done. Know Your Car Only you can tell how your car is feeling and driving. Brakes may need to be replaced earlier if you have [...]

By |2017-12-06T09:43:35-06:00December 4th, 2017|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|3 Comments
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Car Smells You Shouldn’t Be Ignoring

Smells aren't just bad for your nose; they could mean bad news for your car. Like tire tread, those car smells are trying to tell you something—and you should listen. But, which smells requirement immediate care? Musty or Gym Socks If you notice a musty or gym sock smell, especially while running the A/C or Heater, it's probably mold. Mildew and mold grow in the water from the condensing process in your A/C evaporator. Luckily, the fix and prevention is simple. About a mile from home, turn the fan onto high and the A/C off to dry out the system. If that doesn't work, you may want to look into cleaning your A/C system as breathing in mold and mildew can have adverse health effects. If you continue to smell the musty smell, check your door seals for leaks as your carpets could be getting wet. Sweet or Maple Syrup If your car smells like maple syrup and you haven't been eating pancakes, you have a leaking antifreeze issue. The leak could be anywhere in [...]

By |2019-04-29T15:10:19-06:00November 27th, 2017|Car Questions|3 Comments
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Is a Flooded Car a Totaled Car?

With the 2017 hurricane season ending, we have had a lot to recover from. Communities and families continue rebuilding and life is slowly returning to its normal pace. We now have time to turn our attentions back to the less dramatic losses—including the flooded cars. But, is a flooded car a totaled car? Can it be salvaged? How Flooded is Flooded? It doesn't take much to flood a car. If you drove through or were parked in water up to mid-tire level, you probably have some damage. If that water splashed or reached any electrical components, you have a problem. Electricity and Water Do Not Mix We all know this. Water trumps electricity. And the water doesn't need to be as high as you think to start wreaking havoc. The motor starter is the lowest electronic component of a vehicle. Water doesn't even need to reach door height to start splashing and damaging the starter. Modern Cars With all the new advances in modern cars, they have actually gotten worse at withstanding flood waters. The [...]

By |2017-11-30T07:40:16-06:00November 21st, 2017|Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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