Auto Care

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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6 Myths About Engine Oil

Your car needs regular oil changes — that’s a fact. It should already be a part of your routine car maintenance. But, there is a lot of confusion about what type of oil and when the oil needs a changing. Chances are you’ve heard the myths floating around about car engine. These myths can get in the way of proper maintenance. Read through our list of myths about engine oil to ensure a long life for your car’s engine. 6 Myths About Engine Oil 1. Engine Oils are All the Same. This is wrong. Different types of engine oils are made for different car technologies and different types of cars. Oils have different physical characteristics too and can have different viscosities and temperature thresholds. Depending on the age, mileage, and make of your car, you could benefit from using a different type of oil engine. This is why you should talk to your automobile expert to decide on which oil is right for your engine. 2. Oil Changes Should [...]

By |2019-04-10T07:48:46-06:00January 30th, 2019|Auto Care, Car Questions|0 Comments
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6 Ways to Prevent Car Theft

No one thinks about auto theft until it’s too late. Maybe unexpected car trouble means you have to leave your vehicle parked in an unfamiliar part of town. Or, perhaps you’re traveling to a new city. You can’t always tell whether a place is safe or not just by looking around. Even in the Lone Star State, car theft and car break-ins exists. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas ranks #2 in the list for most vehicles stolen in 2016. The NHTSA report targets statistic on cars that are stolen. But, we want to keep you safe from other theft too. This means someone breaking into your car and stealing valuables. There are several things that you can do to diminish your chances of being an auto theft victim and prevent car theft. 6 Tips to Prevent Car Theft 1. Lock Up Your Car This one seems like a “no-brainer” but cars are left open and unattended more often than you think. It’s easy to [...]

By |2018-10-18T09:49:26-06:00October 18th, 2018|Auto Care|1 Comment
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Protecting Your Car’s Paint Job from Everyday Things

Everyone loves the look of a sleek, shiny new car — especially when you know your car's paint will begin showing wear quickly after leaving the lot. From small chips to everyday occursions your car's paint won't stay like new forever. But, with a little knowledge and preventive measures you can keep your vehicle looking like new, longer. Everyday Things That Destroy Your Car's Paint and Exterior There are things in life we cannot control. Including things that damage your paint job, unavoidable everyday things. And it's not just about keeping your car looking like new, your car's paint protects the metal of your car's frame, preventing rusting and damage. So, keeping it healthy isn't just cosmetic, it's required. The Sun Try telling the sun to stop shining. It's not going to work. Unfortunately, not only does that glowing yellow ball make Texas quite hot in the Summer, it's damaging and baking your car's paint job. If your car spends the majority of its time outside, you'll begin [...]

By |2018-09-04T16:28:32-06:00September 13th, 2018|Auto Care|0 Comments
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Driving an Automatic Car and What Not to Do

Everyone thinks driving an automatic car is easy. And they are right! A simple press of the gas pedal gets you going, and a stomp on the brakes stops you in your tracks — no manual shifting or clutch pedal needed. But, that doesn't mean you should take your transmission and engine for granted. Driving an automatic transmission comes with its own set of rules. What Not to Do When Driving an Automatic Car No worrying about miss-shifting or stalling out when you drive a car with an automatic transmission. However, there are still a few things that you shouldn't do when driving an automatic car. Stop Coasting in Neutral — Downhill or Otherwise There is a misconception floating around that putting your car in neutral while going down a hill, coasting or at a stop light saves your engine and conserves gas. Well, that's not true. Modern cars now automatically stop the flow of gasoline when it's not needed. Thank you modern technology! Additionally, it's not a [...]

By |2018-09-06T16:05:07-06:00September 6th, 2018|Auto Care, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Changing Your Fluids Saves Your Car (and Your Wallet)

We've heard it from our parents since the day we first started driving: "Make sure to always schedule an oil change." Which is good, because changing your fluids saves your car. But, that's not just limited to oil changes. Transmissions fluids, brake fluids and other should also be included on that list. Why? Well, we repeat: changing your fluids saves your car. The Essential Fluids While every part of your engine works together to keep you moving, these fluids are the lifeline - the blood - of your engine. Which is why changing your fluids and keeping them in shape is critical. But, which fluids are we talking about? While windshield wiper fluid sure makes seeing much easier, it's not critical. Engine Oil Engine Oil is the classic; it's what you are replacing when you go in for those regular (we hope) oil changes. What is its job? Protecting your engine's components from corrosions while also keeping your engine cool. The later which is relatively important for drivers in [...]

By |2018-08-09T11:00:13-06:00August 9th, 2018|Auto Care, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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