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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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Getting Your Car Winter Ready

Winter is hard—on you and your vehicle. The freezing temperatures. Snow and ice (yep, even here in Houston, TX). The slippery roads. Getting your car winter ready is a must and it starts before the first snowfall. Getting Your Car Winter Ready Visibility Check Seeing clearly is essential during the winter months. Check your wipers, check that your headlights are shining their brightest and check your defroster. Will it keep the ice at bay while driving? Battery Check Your battery capacity is reduced by cold weather—depending on the temperature your battery could only be holding half-charge. Also, the low temperatures are making the battery fluid thicker, increasing the strain on your starter. Have your battery tested, whether at home, at an auto parts store or at your local auto shop to make sure it is fully charged. In addition, check all the cables and terminals for any signs of corrosion or loose connections. Fluids & Coolant Check Coolant. It is absolutely vital for your engine to have the correct antifreeze/water mixture to keep your engine [...]

By |2017-11-30T07:40:06-06:00November 20th, 2017|Auto Care|3 Comments
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What Your Tire Tread is Telling You

Tires can be windows to the health of your car—if you know how to look. Some may find this hard to believe. But, tires are sensitive. They begin to wear differently if something isn't right, which means your tire tread is trying to tell you something. This can include inflation issues, issues with your driving, alignment problems and even problems in your suspension or brake systems. Center Tire Tread Wear Take a peek at your tires. If you see the center strip of your tire is more worn than the sides or edges of the tire that means your tire is overinflated. Overinflation causes tires to bulge in the center, meaning this is the spot on the tire connecting the most with the road. It is important to follow your tires' and car's recommended psi. The recommended tire psi can be found on the outer wall of your tire, on a sticker found inside the front passenger door or in your owner's manual. Side/Shoulder Tire Tread Wear If your tires are showing wear on the [...]

By |2017-10-27T16:30:28-06:00October 31st, 2017|Auto Care|5 Comments
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General Car Care Tips

New or old, flashy or clunky, your car needs maintenance and care to keep running. Here are a few general car care tips to keep you on the roads. Car Care Tips for Your Engine Perhaps one of the most complicated parts of your vehicle—and potentially the most expensive. It's important to keep all parts of your engine in working order to avoid further problems. Oil Oil lubricates the engines moving parts. It keeps the engine clean of dirt and gunk. It prevents wear and corrosion. And it is important to check and change your oil regularly. In the past, it was suggested to change your oil every 3,000 miles. With new technologies, some are saying you can wait for 7,000 miles. When in doubt, follow your car's manual. Still not sure? Check your oil on the indicator stick in your engine. If the oil is low or comes out in a muddied color, it's time to refill or change. Belts Belts are a series of rubber lines filing through your engine. They include your [...]

By |2017-10-27T16:28:46-06:00October 17th, 2017|Auto Care|4 Comments
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5 Signs You Need New Brakes

Brakes are perhaps one of the most important components of your vehicle. They also have a few questions surrounding them. What happens when you push the brakes? How long do brakes last? How do you know when you need new brakes? What Happens When You Brake Your vehicle's brakes are most likely found on the front two tires of your car (with exception of weighted trucks which can have rear brakes). They are made of three components: Rotors: circular piece attached to the back of the wheel. Calibers: vice like clamps that engage with the rotors to slow down the vehicle. Brake Pads: in between the rotors and calibers, brake pads create the friction to slow down your vehicle. While all three components wear over time, your brake pads will wear the fastest and need replacement first. How Long do Brakes Last? It varies. Brakes are a wear item, not a mileage item, with the brake pads wearing first. And not all driving is equal. 20,000 miles of driving in Dallas with stop-and-go traffic is [...]

By |2017-10-27T16:26:47-06:00October 6th, 2017|Auto Care|5 Comments
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