Auto Care

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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Wheel Alignment & How to Tell Your Out of Alignment

Your vehicle is a well-oiled machine — literally. With so many moving parts in such a small space, you quickly realize when something is off or not working correctly. Wheel alignment included. But, what is tire alignment? What causes your car to fall out of alignment? And how can you tell is your wheel alignment is off? What is Tire or Wheel Alignment? When speaking of alignment, we are referring to your vehicle's suspension, not the actual tires or wheels. Your suspension connects the body of your car to the four wheels and helps protect the frame from massive hits, like potholes or bumps. When you visit your local auto shop, and they realign your wheels, they are adjusting the angles of your tires to make the best contact with the road. Unaligned tires cannot grip the road as well and could potentially damage your suspension system if left unchecked for too long. The Angles of Tire Alignments When checking the alignment, mechanics and auto shops take note of three [...]

By |2019-02-19T10:35:30-06:00July 19th, 2018|Auto Care, Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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5 Summer Car Tips

Welcome to Texas—it's hot, really hot! While Texas may cool off during the winter, once summer hits expect temperatures to start hitting 100-degrees. While you can take shelter in your home, your car cannot. Unfortunately, all that heat deals damage to your vehicle. So, what can you do to prepare your car for the summer heat? Protecting Your Car from the Heat & Summer Car Tips Just how hot can your car get during Summers in Texas? If it's 102-degrees outside, the interior can escalate to 160-degrees! No wonder heat is one of the biggest environmental concerns for vehicles. Here are some summer car tips to keep your vehicle cool in the hot weather. Tip #1 - Check Your Coolant System Regularly Keeping your car cool isn't just a luxury, it's a requirement. Your cooling systems works overtime during the summer to keep your engine cool and prevent overheating. What should you look out for with your cooling system? For starters, always keep your coolant level topped off. Get an oil change to keep built-up [...]

By |2018-05-10T09:50:49-06:00May 10th, 2018|Auto Care, Car Tips|2 Comments
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Preventable Car Problems & How to Avoid Them

It's never a good feeling when you notice something is wrong with your trusty steed. Maybe it's starting rougher than usual. Or making some pretty strange noises. Perhaps it even smells different. Whatever the problem with your car, your stomach drops and you start doing the math of what you can afford in repair costs. But, many common issues are preventable car problems. That's right, a little work now (or yesterday) could save you BIG in the future. Preventable Car Problems It's true; you cannot plan and prevent everything. Eventually, your clutch will wear, or your brakes will need replacing. But, there are some problems you can avoid with proper car care and maintenance. 1. Rust Issues Salt means rust, whether it's from the ocean or from deicing the roads. And while you may think your car is dirty at the end of the winter—it's covered in corrosive salt and sand. Regular car washes prevent rust. Short on time? Give it a quick spray, paying particular attention to the undercarriage and wheel wells to hold [...]

By |2018-03-30T15:01:28-06:00April 10th, 2018|Auto Care, Car Tips, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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10 Car Hacks, Tricks and Tips

Make your journey a little safer, more comfortable and more stylish with these car hacks, tricks, and tips. 1. Clean Your Headlights with Toothpaste Place the toothpaste on a soft, nonabrasive cloth and buff. Not only will your car look like new, but you'll also be able to see again too. 2. Cool the Car Without A/C The dreaded Texas summer sun just turned your car into a sauna. Cool the car off quick—without cranking the A/C (and wasting gas). Roll down one window and on the other side of car, open and close the door a few times. The movement forces the hot, stagnant air through the door, filling the car with colder air through the window. 3. Turn on the A/C while Defrosting the Windshield A/C air is dry. Frost is moist. Designers took notice, so new cars do this automatically, but not older cars. Crank the A/C as warm as it will go and watch the dry, warm air do work. 4. Rubberbands - The Free Car Phone Stands Thread the rubber [...]

By |2018-02-02T09:47:23-06:00February 2nd, 2018|Auto Care, Car Tips|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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