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Preventing Car Breakdowns

Having a broken-down vehicle in the middle of the highway is a nightmare for any driver. It's inconvenient to be stuck on the side of the road, waiting for a tow truck and a potentially expensive repair bill. That’s why preventing vehicle breakdowns should be a big part of your vehicle routine and maintenance. Staying on top of your vehicle's maintenance schedule is a surefire way to keep it in optimal working condition, though untimely repairs can still occur. You're less likely to become stranded with a vehicle breakdown if you practice preventable vehicle maintenance. What is Preventable Car Maintenance? Preventable vehicle maintenance involves staying updated on oil changes, tire rotations, throttle body, fuel injection services, brake and power steering flushes (if power steering system is hydraulic and not electric) and other normal upkeep on a vehicle, just to name a few items. These types of preventative measures can decrease the likelihood of something failing prematurely. As vehicles get older, they can require more frequent visits to the mechanic [...]

By |2022-10-17T13:52:34-06:00October 17th, 2022|Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips & Auto Maintenance|0 Comments
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Signs of a Bad Car Thermostat

Your car's thermostat has the important responsibility of releasing coolant to the radiator when it reaches the rated coolant temperature. This ensures that your engine doesn't get too hot and there’s no thermal shock to the engine. When it's not functioning properly, you're running the risk of an overheated engine, or in some cases, a thermostat can stick open and won’t let the engine reach the proper operating temperature. Luckily, a replacement car thermostat is a relatively inexpensive repair. Signs of a Bad Car Thermostat Unusual Temperature Gauge Readings When you're starting up your car in the mornings, it should read as cold. As the engine has the chance to heat up, the gauge should move to the right to indicate the engine is reaching a normal running temperature. If the readings seem erratic, this could be a sign that your car thermostat is having issues. If you notice the gauge erratically moving from one end to another, this can be a sign of coolant that's being released at [...]

By |2022-09-23T09:19:52-06:00September 23rd, 2022|Car Parts, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Saving on Inflation with Car Maintenance

Prices and costs are rising and aren't showing signs of stopping. With shortages, supply chain issues, and inflation, everything costs more, including the automotive industry. New cars are expensive (and hard to find), and car parts cost more. This means you could find yourself struggling to pay the price if you're unprepared when you need a repair. But what about saving on inflation instead of opening your wallet? Instead of car repairs — think vehicle maintenance. A little can go a long way in protecting your vehicle from costly, major repairs. Saving on Inflation with Car Maintenance Getting your car serviced based on mileage is recommended, and we should all know our oil change schedule by now. But what about some of the bigger ticket items? Here's what Northwest Auto Center of Houston recommends for every two years or 30,000 miles for preventative maintenance. There are other items that each manufacturer recommends at certain mileage, but that’s on specific case by case basis. 1) Throttle Body Service and [...]

By |2022-08-22T15:40:45-06:00August 22nd, 2022|Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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Soft Clutch – What Does it Mean?

A soft clutch can be a clear sign that a replacement is in order. As your vehicle's clutch wears down, it may begin to feel soft and spongy when you press down on it. This inconsistent feeling is a sign that you should bring your vehicle into a shop to get it looked at. If your clutch is allowed to break down completely, your car eventually won't move. What Exactly Is a Soft Clutch? For those who have never heard the term, "soft clutch," before, it's simply a reference to a clutch that has been worn down to the point that it feels spongy, or soft, when you put pressure on it. Conversely, if the clutch pedal feels like it’s harder to push down, the pressure plate springs may be getting worn and it’s still a good idea to have a shop look at it. When you depress the clutch, it should have a consistent spring to it all the way down. If you're being met with little resistance [...]

By |2022-08-16T13:47:40-06:00August 16th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Questions, Car Tips & Damaged Car|0 Comments
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What to Do After a Car Accident?

For many drivers, it's nearly inevitable that you'll be involved in some type of car accident during your time behind the wheel. Fortunately, this can be as minor as a fender bender but there are steps drivers should take after an accident in order to protect themselves, their passengers, and their car. Knowledge is powerful and knowing what to do after a car accident can make things go just a little smoother. Once you've taken care of your physical safety, you'll want to begin the insurance process as quickly as possible. They'll be able to suggest the next steps to you, which often involve taking your car in for repairs. Steps for What to Do After a Car Accident 1. Check For Any Injuries It's common for drivers who have been involved in an accident to feel stressed and anxious and to perhaps suffer from shock. The most important thing is to ensure your wellbeing and to seek immediate medical attention if injuries are present. 2. Document the Scene It's important [...]

By |2022-07-27T09:58:06-06:00July 27th, 2022|Car Tips & Damaged Car, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Tips For Preventing Catalytic Converter Theft

It can be concerning to many vehicle owners to hear that catalytic converter thefts have been on the rise, especially when they're so costly to replace. This is a crime of opportunity and the key to preventing catalytic converter theft is to stop thieves from gaining easy access to this precious piece of your car's exhaust system. There are a few helpful tips below on how to protect your investment and how to make it less desirable and efficient for someone to grab your converter and resell it. What Does a Catalytic Converter Do? Catalytic converters have been designed to defend against harmful emissions by turning these pollutants into harmless gasses. There are naturally multiple issues that can arise when you try to drive without having one equipped on your vehicle. In short, catalytic converters basically act as a filter on a vehicle's exhaust system. However, it's not what the catalytic converter does that makes it so valuable to steal and flip for a profit. They're often high in [...]

By |2022-07-20T11:28:14-06:00July 20th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Tips, Houston Texas|0 Comments
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Tire Balance vs. Wheel Alignment

Tire balance and wheel alignment are both integral maintenance routines that prolong the life of your tires, yet many drivers don't know the key differences between the two or what purpose they actually serve. In short, tire balance has to do with the balance between tires and rims and wheel alignment focuses on the direction or angle that they're facing. When your wheels come out of alignment or become unbalanced, you'll begin to notice uneven wear on your tires. For a safer and smoother ride, your wheels should be properly balanced and aligned. You may find that you save money on gas, prevent a costly suspension repair, and avoid having to prematurely replace your tires. Difference Between Tire Balance and Wheel Alignment If you're not a professional mechanic yourself, you may be wondering what the difference between the two is or if they can be used interchangeably. Tire balance and wheel alignment are specifically designed to treat different issues and are in fact two separate procedures. Wheel alignment ensures [...]

By |2022-06-21T11:43:27-06:00June 21st, 2022|Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips & Auto Maintenance|0 Comments
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Differences in Wheel Alignment – Front-End and 4-Wheel

If you've been having to fight the pull of your steering wheel while making your daily commute to work, it may be time to head in for an alignment. When a vehicle is out of alignment, drivers may notice that it begins to drift to one side or another — making for unsafe handling on the road. The question is, do you need a front-end or a 4-wheel alignment and what are the differences in wheel alignment? The type of alignment your vehicle requires depends on whether your car or truck has front-wheel or all-wheel drive. After proper alignment has been achieved, you'll have a smoother ride that may even save you money at the gas pump. Front-End Vs. 4-Wheel Alignment and Differences in Wheel Alignment The difference between front-end and 4-wheel alignment comes down to how many tires are being aligned. When a technician aligns all four wheels, it's commonly referred to as a wheel alignment or a 4-wheel alignment. If only two wheels are needing to be [...]

By |2022-06-10T11:06:24-06:00June 10th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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Do You Have a Blown Head Gasket?

Have you ever heard of someone’s engine blowing a head gasket? They never sound happy about it! A blown head gasket is a big problem — and an expensive repair. To understand why a broken head gasket could be such an issue, let's first discuss about what they do and why they are essential for your vehicle. Head Gaskets 101 The head gasket in your vehicle’s engine, retains the gases that are combusting between the engine head/s and the engine block deck. As your engine works, combustion makes power and head gasket/s prevents liquids (like coolant and oil) from getting into the engine’s combustion chambers. Head gaskets act as barriers between the engine head/s and the engine deck. It keeps everything where it's supposed to be without any crossover or contamination that could cause damage to your vehicle's engine components. However, the head gasket/s can wear over time, significantly weakening the part. Blown head gaskets can happen when an engine severely overheats due to a faulty thermostat, clogged radiator, [...]

By |2022-05-16T13:30:15-06:00May 16th, 2022|Car Tips & Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Keeping it Cool – Tips for Cooling Off While Driving

No one wants to stay in a hot car, and those living in Texas tend to get extra hot. A vehicle with a working A/C is almost a requirement for Texans. However, that doesn't mean your vehicle is cooperating. When the A/C system isn’t working properly, there are many things that can cause that condition. The most common causes are a leaking system and/or a faulty a/c compressor, followed by a faulty expansion valve or leaking line/hose and a leaking condenser. There are other causes, but those are the most common. When it gets really hot, it can take a while for your vehicle to cool off. And it can seem like it takes an eternity. Tips for Keeping it Cool Turn on the Fan Before the A/C After starting the car, the next thing you should do is, switch on the fan and roll down your windows for a couple of minutes. This allows the hot interior air to exit your vehicle before turning on the [...]

By |2022-05-11T08:43:55-06:00May 11th, 2022|Car Tips & Auto Maintenance|0 Comments
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