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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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Car Parts 101 – Car Chassis

We talk a lot about the inner workings of your vehicle's engine and drivetrain. We've gone over the various parts and components required to run your engine. And we have passed along a few helpful tips to help you care for and keep your car on the road. But today, we are going to talk about the foundation for your vehicle — the car chassis. What is the Car Chassis? With upwards of 30,000 parts and pieces making up your vehicle, none of that would be possible without the chassis. The chassis is a combination of many parts that act as the car's platform. They include names you may already know: The Frame Suspension Components - struts, shocks, springs, and control arms Transmission & Drive Shaft Axles Steering Gear Controls Tie Rods & other steering components But, when most folks hear "chassis," they think about the frame. Initially, cars were built on a body-on-frame construction. After the chassis was built, the vehicle's body would be fitted on top and [...]

By |2022-04-21T09:54:09-06:00April 21st, 2022|Car Parts|0 Comments
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Is it the Battery, Starter, or Alternator?

When you've got places to be, but a car that won't budge, it leads to some strong feelings of frustration — and confusion! Your next question is probably, "is it the battery, starter, or alternator?" With all three having the ability to cause your engine not to start, 1/3 isn't seeming like good odds anymore. A little knowledge can go a long way in helping you diagnose the issue (and how much effort it will be to get your car going again). Car Parts 101 - The Battery, The Starter, and The Alternator While the three parts work in tandem to get your car moving, they all have separate (but equally important) roles. Car Battery Your vehicle's battery is the first spark that ignites the engine into action. Once the ignition switch is engaged (either by turning the key or pressing the start button), the battery sends voltage to the starter to help it get the gears turning. It also lets you crank the tunes without having your car [...]

By |2022-04-12T09:06:41-06:00April 12th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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Responsibilities of Car Ownership

Owning a vehicle is part of the American way. Especially for those living in the suburbs and rural areas in Texas, a car gets you where you need to go on your schedule. And for many folks, driving starts promptly at 15 with your learner's permit as a right of passage. But many drivers forget about the responsibilities of car ownership. From having your financials in order and taking driving seriously, owning and driving a vehicle isn't something to be taken lightly. Financial Responsibilities of Car Ownership Purchasing a car (new or used) takes money. And the financials don't stop there. Yearly, you'll need to register your vehicle. Texas requires your state registration fee, local registration fee, and inspection costs. For a typical passenger car or truck, expect to spend around $80 per year. You will also need to keep your car insurance current. The cost of insurance varies depending on your age, vehicle, and driving history, The average cost of car insurance in Texas is around $150 per [...]

By |2022-03-23T12:14:06-06:00March 23rd, 2022|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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The Road’s Stickiest Problems

We talk a lot about protecting your car from wear and tear and early damage. But, that's mostly centered around your car's engine and components. Today, we'd like to talk about some of the road's stickiest problems. While contaminants on your car's paint certainly dull the shine, we don't often think about what else road remnants are doing to your vehicle. Beyond keeping your vehicle looking like new, keeping your car clean can also help keep it on the road. Avoiding the Road's Stickiest Problems You can't avoid road grime; it's a fact of life for any driver. But that doesn't mean you should let it go unchecked. Bugs, Bugs, and More Bugs "Bet he doesn't have the guts to do that again!" It's a saying most of us have either heard or said while on a road trip or commute. With so many bugs flying around Texas, you've noticed the build-up on your grill and windshield. And those tiny bugs can cause some issues. If left on your [...]

By |2022-03-14T11:30:21-06:00March 14th, 2022|Auto Care, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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I Put the Wrong Fuel in My Car – Now What?

We've gone over the different fuel types in previous articles. Whether from not knowing any better or an accident, putting the wrong fuel into your vehicle can cause some issues. If you mitigate this mistake quickly enough, you can minimize the damage. Put the Wrong Fuel in Your Car? Here's What to Do. The first step: quit driving and look up what you need to do (see below). The less fuel that is entered into your system, the better. From there, here's what you need to do to know about the wrong gas types. Gas in Diesel Vehicles Diesel and Gas are very different fuel types. Diesel fuel is thicker and acts as a lubricant. Thinner gasoline fuel causes wear to the fuel pump, injectors, and filters. This wear can happen quickly. Immediately halt your travels and call a tow truck for a ride to your local automotive shop, where they can drain the tank and fuel lines and fuel filter/s. Diesel in Gas Fueled Cars While engine damage [...]

By |2022-02-18T11:42:17-06:00February 18th, 2022|Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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