Car Questions

Driving Tips for Teens (and Their Parents)

Getting your learner's permit at 15 and your license at 16 is a part of growing up in America. It's a right of passage, your first taste of real freedom. But, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Car crashes remain the leading cause of death for teens. Fortunately, it's all preventable by following these safety and driving tips for teens. Driving Tips for Teens Keep the Phone in Your Backpack or Purse Or better yet, out of reach in the back seat on silent. Remember when we mentioned car crashes were a leading cause of death for teens? Well, texting causes the majority of those teen car crashes. Additionally, it may be illegal. With more research showing texting and driving the equivalent of drunk driving, states are starting to prohibit cell phones while driving. Keep it safe, keep it silent and keep it stowed. Drive Alone It may seem boring, but it is safer. While not a lasting rule, this is ideal for newly minted drivers. Even one passenger is distracting. They like chatting, asking questions, [...]

By |2018-02-22T09:28:46-06:00February 22nd, 2018|Car Questions, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Texas Car Inspections – What You Need to Know to Pass

Whether you just moved to the Lone Star State or its that time of year again, Texas Car Inspections are a requirement every driver has to meet. Let's take a closer look at what the Texas Safety Inspection and Emissions Test requires of car owners to pass. How Often Do I Need to Inspect My Car in Texas? Texas requires an annual safety inspection if you wish to keep your car's registration valid and lawful. No exceptions. But, what if you have a multi-year registration or are just in-state for college? Multi-Year Registration. If you have multi-year registration, it does not matter. The state mandates the same yearly inspection rules. New Residents. You have 30 days starting the date you move to Texas. Anything after 30 days and you are susceptible to ticketing. Out-of-State Vehicles (College Students). Your car and your home address are out of state, but you are living in Texas, it can get confusing. You will need to get a safety inspection in the state of Texas while keeping your out-of-state registration. What's [...]

By |2018-03-06T07:59:36-06:00February 9th, 2018|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments
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Car Ignition Systems & How They Work

It's Friday morning; you hop into your car. Groggy from a full week of work, you don't give any thought to your engine as you insert your key and crank it. In fact, you usually never give it a second thought (unless it doesn't turn on—then it gets your full attention). But, it deserves more. After all, ignition systems are responsible for the spark that gets your vehicle moving. Let's break down the different types of car ignitions and how they work. Parts and Process of Car Ignition Systems A car's ignition system is responsible for the fire—the spark—that gets your car's engine running. Without, this spark, your car would never ignite—leaving it powerless. Car ignitions serve two primary purposes: create a large enough voltage to project across the gap of a spark plug and strong enough to ignite combustion mixtures of fuel/air control the timing so the spark occurs precisely when it can ignite Different Types of Car Ignition Systems There are three to be exact. While achieving the same result (a running car), [...]

By |2018-01-26T13:10:23-06:00January 26th, 2018|Car Questions|0 Comments
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Signs You Have a Failing Clutch

For manual transmission drivers, hearing the words "failing clutch" makes your stomach turn. But, it's not just a problem for manual transmission, automatic transmissions also experience clutch failure. Let's take a look at what happens when your clutch fails and how to tell when it is going to happen. How Long Do Clutches Last? Typically, clutches can last between 50-100,000 miles, making it a forgotten component of a vehicle. But, this mileage varies. If you drive in heavy traffic, frequently pull heavy loads and are prone to riding the clutch, it can fail sooner than the 50,000-mile mark. Signs of a Failing Clutch Luckily, your clutch gives off warning signs before completely breaking. But, it's up to you to listen to them. Slippage Have you noticed your engine races, but your car moves slowly? Slippage is the primary symptom of a worn clutch in an automatic transmission but is also noticeable with manual transmissions. Not sure if this is happening? Take your car out for a test drive. While acceleration on the highway or a [...]

By |2018-01-12T12:33:50-06:00January 12th, 2018|Car Questions|0 Comments
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5 Reasons Your Car Won’t Start

Everyone has those rushed mornings that you're grateful you're only 15 minutes late leaving the house. But, then your car won't start. We agree—it's the worse. Let's break down the reasons why cars have troubles cranking. How a Car Starts It's as simple as turning the key and boom!—your car is running. But, there is more to it than that. When you turn the key, the spring-loaded ignition switch interacts with the starter by connecting the power from the battery to the starter motor. In turn, this cranks the engine and is your signal to release the key. Not so simple. With so many parts and connectors involved, it's easy to see how a car has trouble starting. Why Your Car Won't Start Maybe it's curiosity. Or perhaps you're currently sitting in your driveway wondering "why won't my car start." Here are the top 5 reasons your car isn't starting. 1. Key Won't Turn If the key doesn't turn, the car definitely won't start. Let's start with the obvious: are you using the correct key? [...]

By |2018-01-04T14:37:14-06:00January 4th, 2018|Car Questions|2 Comments
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What is the Powertrain?

Dealerships and companies keep advertising "Powertrain Warranties" with all the information in fine print—left for you to read and learn on your own. We are here to help. What is the Powertrain? The powertrain is made up of every part and component that mechanically propels your car, starting with the engine all the way to the wheels. It includes the transmission and the driveshaft as well as smaller parts like cv joints and differentials. What is the Drivetrain? The drivetrain is part of the powertrain, but a more a specific grouping of elements that are involved with turning the wheels. What are the Parts of the Powertrain? The Engine While used broadly, the engine refers to the parts utilized to convert gas into energy to keep your car on and working. It converts gas into motion allowing you the ability to move forward. It's made up of a four-part cycle to continually generate power: intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust. This energy transfers to the clutch and transmission that controls and converts the amount of energy [...]

By |2017-12-27T07:38:21-06:00December 27th, 2017|Car Questions|2 Comments
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General Car Service and Maintenance by Mileage

Going in for a car service can be daunting. With the general population lacking in the knowledge of what parts need maintaining versus replacement, it's easy to end up paying too much. Below are general car service and maintenance tips and an outline by mileage to get you started. Know Before You Go Before heading to the dealership or your auto shop of choice, it's important to do your homework. No need to dread it as you did in high school, this homework can save you money (and who doesn't love keeping cash in your pocket?) Read Your Manual Each car comes with a maintenance manual that lays our suggested mileage and times for routine maintenance and car service. This manual is the basis for what mechanics will suggest—but, they do deviate. Knowing what to expect will help you determine if you're up-sold on what your vehicle needs to have done. Know Your Car Only you can tell how your car is feeling and driving. Brakes may need to be replaced earlier if you have [...]

By |2017-12-06T09:43:35-06:00December 4th, 2017|Car Questions, Car Service & Maintenance|3 Comments
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Car Smells You Shouldn’t Be Ignoring

Smells aren't just bad for your nose; they could mean bad news for your car. Like tire tread, those car smells are trying to tell you something—and you should listen. But, which smells requirement immediate care? Musty or Gym Socks If you notice a musty or gym sock smell, especially while running the A/C or Heater, it's probably mold. Mildew and mold grow in the water from the condensing process in your A/C evaporator. Luckily, the fix and prevention is simple. About a mile from home, turn the fan onto high and the A/C off to dry out the system. If that doesn't work, you may want to look into cleaning your A/C system as breathing in mold and mildew can have adverse health effects. If you continue to smell the musty smell, check your door seals for leaks as your carpets could be getting wet. Sweet or Maple Syrup If your car smells like maple syrup and you haven't been eating pancakes, you have a leaking antifreeze issue. The leak could be anywhere in [...]

By |2019-04-29T15:10:19-06:00November 27th, 2017|Car Questions|3 Comments
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Is a Flooded Car a Totaled Car?

With the 2017 hurricane season ending, we have had a lot to recover from. Communities and families continue rebuilding and life is slowly returning to its normal pace. We now have time to turn our attentions back to the less dramatic losses—including the flooded cars. But, is a flooded car a totaled car? Can it be salvaged? How Flooded is Flooded? It doesn't take much to flood a car. If you drove through or were parked in water up to mid-tire level, you probably have some damage. If that water splashed or reached any electrical components, you have a problem. Electricity and Water Do Not Mix We all know this. Water trumps electricity. And the water doesn't need to be as high as you think to start wreaking havoc. The motor starter is the lowest electronic component of a vehicle. Water doesn't even need to reach door height to start splashing and damaging the starter. Modern Cars With all the new advances in modern cars, they have actually gotten worse at withstanding flood waters. The [...]

By |2017-11-30T07:40:16-06:00November 21st, 2017|Car Questions, Damaged Car|0 Comments
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