Car Questions

Decoding Engine Sounds

It's time to turn those listening ears on! Decoding engine sounds is a crucial skill for any car owner. The symphony of clicks, hums, and whirs emanating from your vehicle can provide valuable insights into its overall health and function. Understanding these noises can help you address potential issues before they escalate, saving time and money. The Basics of Decoding Engine Sounds Your car's engine produces a variety of sounds during operation, each serving as a communication tool between the vehicle and its driver. You can gain valuable information about the engine's condition and performance by paying attention to these sounds. Here's a breakdown of some standard engine sounds and what they might signify... Normal Humming and Idling Sounds When your car is in good condition, you should hear a steady and smooth hum when idling. This sound indicates that the engine is operating within normal parameters. However, any sudden changes or irregularities in this hum could signal an underlying issue. It does not need to be a specific [...]

By |2024-03-13T10:15:54-06:00March 13th, 2024|Auto Care, Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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Texas Emissions Testing – Tips to Pass with Flying Colors

In the vast landscape of automotive regulations, Texas is one of the states that require emissions testing along with vehicle safety inspections for certain counties. There are no ifs, ands, or buts. Texas Emissions Testing is required for Texas drivers who want to stay on the road. And it's good to know what to expect. Let's delve into the details of the Texas Emissions Test and gain insights into what it entails and tips on how to pass with flying colors. Understanding Texas Emissions Testing Texas Emissions Testing is crucial to the state's commitment to environmental conservation. The program aims to reduce air pollution by ensuring that vehicles on Texan roads meet specific emissions standards. The testing process evaluates the emissions produced by a vehicle's engine, focusing on pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbons (HC). (This is accomplished by the state and not the inspection station. Whenever a vehicle is being tested, the inspector plugs into the DLC connection and this information is sent to the state at [...]

By |2023-12-28T13:23:46-06:00December 28th, 2023|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance, Houston Texas|0 Comments
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What is Diesel Exhaust Fluid?

Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is a combination of urea and deionized air. This fluid is essential for keeping a diesel engine running smoothly and provides a reduction of harmful contaminants, such as nitrogen oxide, that are released into the environment. When this fluid is allowed to run low, diesel vehicles suffer from reduced performance and may even cease to turn on until the tank is refilled. The Importance of Diesel Exhaust Fluid Diesel exhaust fluid helps to reduce the amount of pollution that is produced by medium and heavy-duty diesel engine exhaust systems. The SCR system injects the DEF into the exhaust, transforming harmful pollutants into clean air through a chemical reaction. DEF is not a fuel additive and it's stored in a separate tank. While it may seem like an inconvenience to spend money on an extra fluid, drivers of diesel trucks, buses, and heavy machinery need DEF to keep their vehicles running smoothly. Do All Diesel Vehicles Require Exhaust Fluid? Vehicle manufacturers began implementing selective catalytic [...]

By |2023-03-14T12:22:21-06:00March 14th, 2023|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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What’s the Deal With Your Car’s EVAP System?

An EVAP system stands for Evaporative Emission Control System. While most vehicles come equipped with this component, not every driver is aware of its function. These systems have been required on all gas-powered vehicles since the 70s and for an environmentally conscious reason. Before such a system was in place within cars, fuel systems would pollute fumes into the environment even when the engine was turned off. Car EVAP systems are used to keep gasoline vapors contained. This is not only beneficial to the atmosphere but the overall fuel efficiency of the vehicle by keeping the fuel within the vehicle. What Is an EVAP System? These systems are designed around the purpose of preventing gas vapors from seeping out of the fuel tank and into the surrounding environment. This helps control greenhouse emissions. Without a proper EVAP systems in place, gas-powered vehicles would be significantly more environmentally damaging. The EVAP system has been designed to both store and safely dispose of damaging fuel vapors to ensure they aren't released. [...]

By |2022-10-26T09:20:33-06:00October 26th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Questions|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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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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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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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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Diesel vs. Gasoline

We all know that gasoline and diesel fuels are different. We know not to put diesel into a gas engine and vice versa. But, do we know the "whys" behind that rule? When it comes to diesel vs. gasoline, not only are the fuel types different, but the respective engine types are different. And each fuel engine comes with its benefits as well as disadvantages. Diesel vs. Gasoline Gasoline engines were invented in 1876 and were ground-breaking — but they weren't efficient. The four-stroke combustion engine only utilized 10% for the fuel, while the other 90% produced heat and burned off. So, in 1892, Rudolf Diesel created the combustion power engine (also known as the diesel engine). While gasoline engines have had many technological advances that led them to be more efficient than the original model, they operate slightly differently from their diesel engine counterparts. Diesel and Gasoline Engine Differences Both engines use internal combustion, with cylinders compressing air and fuel mixtures to create mechanical energy turned into motion [...]

By |2022-01-19T14:52:20-06:00January 19th, 2022|Car Parts, Car Questions|0 Comments
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What to Do About Your Cracked Windshield

Cracked windshields are unavoidable (unless you've figured something out that we haven't yet). Some start as small chips, some come from weather changes, others from road debris, and some appear out of nowhere. But, wherever they come from, having a cracked windshield means you have some phone calls to make before it becomes worse or before you get a ticket. When to Repair or Replace Your Cracked Windshield Your windshield not only protects you from the elements, but an intact windshield ensures your airbags perform their job of protecting you and your passengers and helps keep everyone inside the vehicle in the case of an accident. When you notice damage on your windshield or any windows, you'll want to start thinking about your next steps. A repair may succeed if you have a small chip (smaller than a quarter) or a crack less than eight centimeters. A glass repair technician will be able to determine if your damaged windshield can be repaired. What happens if your cracked windshield or [...]

By |2021-11-08T15:05:01-06:00November 8th, 2021|Auto Care, Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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