Auto Care

Tips for Saving Money on Your Car

Your vehicle is one of your most significant expenses, while also being necessary to most people. The average vehicle owner can spend a fair amount of money each year (between car payments, fuel, and service). While a car will never be free, there are many tips for saving money.  7 Tips for Saving Money on Your Car 1. Don't Settle for the First Gas Station You See Do some research on gas stations instead of just stopping at the first one you pass. Sometimes you can't help it, and that's okay. But it wouldn't hurt and can make a small difference in finances if you take a moment to investigate options. Especially the one that will be your routine gas station. It will benefit you to find one that is convenient while also being affordable. Gas stations along the highway or on the outskirts of town tend to be more expensive. There are even phone apps that can tell you where cheaper gas options are located. This could be [...]

By |2020-12-16T14:28:17-06:00December 16th, 2020|Auto Care|0 Comments
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Protecting Your Car From Rust

Winter is on its way, and with it comes a higher threat of rust to your vehicle — which means it's time to start protecting your car from rust. In the winter and spring, there is more moisture in the air, leading to rapid corrosion. And the salt used on the roads during the snowy season will speed up the process. Now is the time to start thinking about how to protect your car. The first step in the fight against rust is awareness. It's essential to always keep an eye out for rust or possible corrosion. Even small nicks or scratches can lead to rust, and it's surprising how rapidly rust can spread, so you need to catch and treat even small scratches early and quickly. You should also pay attention to any bubbling or dark spots in the paint because this can be a sign of corrosion on the metal underneath the paint. Give some attention to the areas of your car that you don't usually notice, such as the undercarriage and [...]

By |2020-10-21T14:09:28-06:00October 21st, 2020|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Making Your Car Battery Last

Most of us have experienced car battery problems while driving at an inconvenient time or location. It can be very inconvenient and annoying if you do not have the tools or another car to jump start it. Car batteries have become more important than ever as car technology continues to advance and relies more and more on electrical features. Your car battery is what allows you to start your car, it also allows you to charge your phone, use seat heaters, and listen to music. Here are some tips to help you avoid a car breakdown in the middle of nowhere. Tips to Extend the Life of Your Car Battery Make Sure the Battery is Tight and Secure Your battery can come loose from its brackets, especially if you are driving on rough terrain like dirt roads. A battery that’s not secured properly, can cause internal damage and short circuit internally. Occasionally you should check that the battery is secure in its bracket and be careful if you decide [...]

By |2020-09-29T12:57:13-06:00September 29th, 2020|Auto Care, Car Parts|0 Comments
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Cars and Storms: Protecting Your Vehicle

The best way to face a storm or hurricane is with preparation and a plan. It’s important to consider how to protect your family and home, where you would go if your home became unsafe, what food to store, and what emergency equipment you might need. If you are preparing for a storm or hurricane, you have a lot on your mind. Let us help you out by ensuring that you don’t forget on topic that's important: cars and storms. Your car is easy to take for granted but it could be the difference between danger and safety in a time of emergency. Let’s discuss some ways to protect your car from storms and hurricanes and why these should be included in any emergency plan you have. Cars and Storms: 4 Tips for Protecting Your Vehicle Cover Your Car Keep your car covered during a storm or hurricane. Ideally you can keep it in your home’s garage or carport. Not everyone has that option but there are other things [...]

By |2020-09-21T15:36:21-06:00September 21st, 2020|Auto Care|0 Comments
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Tips to Preserve Your Engine

Your car engine keeps you moving and on the road — without it and you wouldn't be going anywhere. So, it would be best if you were doing everything you can to preserve your engine, or you may find your car in the shop and you riding the bus. Luckily, car and engine maintenance aren't hard. It ranges from a few regular maintenance appointments to driving tips to keeping it clean. 4 Tips to Preserve Your Engine Change Your Oil It's at the top of the list — and for a good reason. While it's a quick and straightforward appointment (or an at-home task for those with the skills), many drivers wait too long between oil changes. Your engine oil is responsible for removing dust and other contaminants that overtime clog filters and passages. Without changing it, you never remove these contaminants. So if you want to preserve your engine, one of the main things you can do is change your oil and fluids and conserve your engine, and [...]

By |2020-07-28T14:59:20-06:00July 28th, 2020|Auto Care, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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7 Things You Shouldn’t Do While Driving a Manual Car

Drivers who can drive manual cars seem to be a dying breed. Why? Because driving a manual car takes a certain added skill and finesse and today, most people don’t want to have to shift gears…especially in traffic. Additionally, manual cars come with their own set of driving rules and guidelines that are a bit different than driving an automatic car. Break them, and you could find yourself replacing your clutch sooner rather than later. And let us tell you, no one wants to be surprised with that bill. So, what do drivers with manual transmissions need to know and do differently than their automatic counterparts? 7 Things You Shouldn't Do While Driving a Manual Car 1) Use the Clutch Pedal as Foot Rest Your clutch isn't a footrest. It's meant to be engaged and then disengaged, and by resting your foot on the pedal, you are partially engaging the clutch. More importantly, resting your foot on the pedal, will prematurely wears parts that will have to be replaced [...]

By |2020-07-28T14:50:50-06:00July 15th, 2020|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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We’re Open! COVID-19 & Northwest Auto Center of Houston

Update on March 31, 2020 Like many businesses across the nation, we are adjusting our hours to accommodate these uncertain times. Moving forward, we will be open and available by appointment only. This will give us the needed time to handle needed sanitation measures and social distancing requirements. To make an appointment, please call us at (281) 894-8880. We are dedicated to the Houston community, still using our 30+ years of service to offer the services you need at prices you can afford. We appreciate the community’s support. Stay safe and strong. - Northwest Auto Center of Houston Family Update on March 20, 2020 To all our Family, Friends & Clients, We want everyone to know that during this difficult time, we're here and we will be open as long as possible, (unless we are mandated to close). If you need us or if we can be of service, (even something as simple as an oil change). We're here to help! As we have for over the last 30 years, we offer scheduled maintenance, brake [...]

By |2020-03-31T13:39:21-06:00March 20th, 2020|Auto Care, Houston Texas|0 Comments
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Signs of an Overheating Car and What to Do

Imagine this. 'You're driving down I-69 in rush hour on a hot summer day, and you start to notice your 'car's acting funny. You look down at the instrument cluster and see that the temperature gauge is indicating that your engine is hotter than usual. You really 'don't want to pull over because the interstate is busy and you want to get home. What do you do? Unfortunately, an overheating car is a real possibility, and there are right and wrong ways to respond to this scenario. 'Let's take a look at some things that can cause your car to overheat and what you should do if you notice those issues. Tell-Tale Signs of an Overheating Car You 'can't always predict when you will run into car trouble, and an overheating car is no exception. Luckily, there are some signs that can help you recognize when your 'car's engine is too hot. 1.   Temperature Gauge We used the temperature gauge as the example in the scenario above. Your temperature [...]

By |2019-08-06T11:08:09-06:00August 6th, 2019|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Preventing Flat Tires

Part of owning a car means preparing for problems, including flat tires. And, there are a lot of causes behind just that. The good news is that there are ways to prepare for and prevent flat tires from occurring. Take a look at our tips on preventing flat tires and the warning signs your tire may be losing air. Avoiding and Preventing Flat Tires 1. Check Tire Pressure Losing air from a tire leads to a flat. That’s a no-brainer. So, checking your car’s tire pressure regularly will help you spot a leak before it turns into a flat. If you’re unsure of what your tire pressure should register at, you can find the psi (pounds per square inch) on a label in the driver’s door jamb, in your car's manual or on the side of the tire as well. Cars now come with their sensors that will alert you when a tire is low. Another tell-tale sign of low tire pressure is a drop in your vehicle’s gas [...]

By |2019-04-04T08:33:30-06:00April 4th, 2019|Auto Care, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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What to Do When Storing Your Car

Storing your car isn't all that uncommon. Maybe you live in a city and don’t drive your vehicle very often. Or, perhaps you plan on traveling and need to store your car in your absence safely. Just because you won’t be driving the vehicle doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t plan on maintenance and care. If you plan on putting your automobile in storage for an extended amount of time you may consider some of the preparation and maintenance tips listed below. Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage 1. Clean the Vehicle Clean your vehicle inside and out. Cleaning the Interior Make sure that you aren’t leaving anything valuable or something that you may need at a later date inside the car. Make sure to check the trunk. Don’t leave anything inside the vehicle that could cause harm to the interior. Make sure there are no drinks or food left behind before you say ‘goodbye’ to your car. Cleaning the Exterior Wash and inspect your vehicle’s exterior. A thorough cleaning will [...]

By |2019-03-21T11:22:50-06:00March 21st, 2019|Auto Care, Car Questions|0 Comments
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