Car Service & Maintenance

Why Are Vehicle Inspections Necessary?

Most states, including Texas, require a annual or bi-annual vehicle inspection to register your car. Even in states where vehicle inspections are not required, it would be beneficial and responsible to get an annual or bi-annual car inspection. Getting this done will help ensure your car is safe and working well, protecting you and the drivers you share the road with. What is a Vehicle Inspection? A vehicle inspection is government-mandated in most states and follows certain specific and consistent regulations when performed. It is performed on a schedule or when you buy a new car, or in some cases when you get a driver's license. Vehicle inspections cover all components of your vehicle, making sure everything is in working order. It doesn't repair issues but finds them and lets you decide how you want to proceed. Vehicle inspectors have precise criteria that they follow. They will look at every checkpoint even if it has passed an inspection previously. If you pass your vehicle inspection, you will receive a [...]

By |2021-03-25T13:34:11-06:00March 25th, 2021|Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments

8 Transmission Maintenance Tips

Your transmission is one of the integral parts of your vehicle. It is what communicates between the engine and the wheels, sending engine power to move your vehicle. It also allows quick acceleration of your vehicle and disconnects your engine from your wheels so it can continue to run when your vehicle is stopped. If your transmission has problems, you will not be going anywhere in your vehicle. To prevent large costs and inconveniences from transmission repair or replacement, here are some simple transmission maintenance tips that even the least car-savvy driver can manage. 1. Get Regular Car Check-Ups Transmissions vary in type and model, therefore each transmission should be on a different maintenance schedule. Check your vehicle manual or the manufacturer transmission service recommendation for how frequently you should take your car into your mechanic to get your transmission checked and possibly serviced. You can also discuss your transmission maintenance schedule with your mechanic, asking any questions and setting up maintenance appointments if needed. 2. Use the Right [...]

7 Tips for Preserving Your Brakes

Brakes are one of the features you rely on the most while driving down the road. And for good reason! If your brakes fail you, then your car is un-drivable. This is why it matters so much that you do not abuse your brakes, and take good care of them. Brakes work by having two surfaces causing friction when you press them together, by pushing on the brake pedal. This friction converts energy to heat. Because brakes function using friction, they can wear down over time. Brakes can last 35,000 miles and many times, much longer depending on your driving habits. There are things for preserving your brakes and it is beneficial to your wallet to make them last as long as possible. Tips for Preserving Your Brakes1. Slow DownThe faster you drive on the road the harder it will be on your brakes when you need to slow down. Driving faster forces you to use your brakes more often as well, since you will have to brake when you [...]

4 Reasons a Clean Engine Air Filter is Important

We all know that the engine is an essential part of your vehicle. Most of us are good at getting our oil checked and replacing our tires when they lose traction. One thing that is often neglected is your car’s engine air filter. A clean air filter is actually very important to your car’s functionality and it is inexpensive to maintain. What Does An Air Filter Do? An air filter has two main functions. It keeps dirt, dust, leaves, debris, etc. from entering the engine, keeping the air that enters as clean as possible to prevent corrosion and potential damage. The engine requires a balance of oxygen and fuel for its combustion process. A clean air filter will provide the right amount of oxygen to allow the engine to operate optimally. 4 Reasons for a Clean Engine Air Filter  1. Better Gas Mileage When your air filter is clean, the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to burn fuel because it has plenty of clean air. This means [...]

10 Common Car Problems

When your car isn't running the best, it can leave you wondering what is going on. And unless you're a seasoned mechanic, that is a difficult question to answer. To help, we created a shortlist of common car problems that many drivers experience (some at their fault...). Remember, car problems vary from car to car. What may be a common issue in a Subaru isn't a common issue for a Ford. The same goes for a commuter car and a farm truck. What we are saying is — always get your car problems checked out by your local mechanic, no self-diagnosing here. 10 Common Car Problems From dead batteries to flat tires to squeaks when you brake, these are just a few common car problems many drivers experience. 1) Flat Tires One of the worst feelings as a driver is feeling your tire going flat. Whether from a sharp object in the road, your tire pressure being off, or regular wear and tear over time, flat tires are a [...]

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 [...]

Back-to-School Auto Maintenance Tips

The new school year means carpooling, after-school activities, and play dates. With all the focus on the kids in this new routine, it can be easy to forget about the most helpful tool you have at this time--your vehicle. The good news is that you can get your car back into tip-top shape with a few auto maintenance and car care tips. We know that you've been shopping for school supplies and clothes in preparation for the new school year! Why not focus a little of that attention on your car? It doesn't take much work and will make your life so much easier. Let's take a look! 8 Back-To-School Auto Maintenance Tips 1) Give Your Car a Good Scrub All of our cars' exteriors can use a little tender lovin' care. You may think that taking your vehicle to the car wash is for aesthetics, but the truth is that it can keep your car healthy. Debris, dust, and rust can damage a vehicle over time. The best [...]

By |2019-09-25T11:35:04-06:00September 25th, 2019|Car Service & Maintenance|0 Comments

Caring for Your Car’s Air Conditioning

Summer is coming up soon and it can be a real scorcher. Extreme heat can take a toll on your car, just like cold weather can. During the summer heat, coolant is essential to ensure your engine runs well during the change in weather. Air conditioning is also key to surviving the summer season with your car. We all know the feeling of getting into a car during an extremely hot day and turning on the air conditioning full blast. It’s an important part of your day-to-day life during the summer. While you’re gearing up for summer, why not go the extra step to check on your car's air conditioning system? How to Detect an Problem with a Car's Air Conditioning System Detecting a problem with your car’s air conditioning is a pretty simple process. Are you noticing that the air from your air conditioning is not as cold as it used to be? Does it seem to take longer than usual to cool down? Or, is the A/C [...]

9 Questions to Ask Your Car Mechanic

Taking your car into a professional for maintenance is just part of owning a car. There’s no way around it. You may know your mechanic like a family friend, or you could be getting to know them. In either case, there are questions to ask your mechanic to gain the confidence that your auto professional will take the best care of your car. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way and allows you to make the right decisions for you and your car. So let's look at a few questions to ask your mechanic that will go a long way. Questions to Ask Your Mechanic 1. Have you worked on my car’s make and model before? This one is especially true if you are seeing a new mechanic. Sometimes mechanic shops only work on certain types of cars. If you have a foreign car or maybe one that is a little older, you should be aware of the mechanic’s experience and abilities with your particular make, model [...]

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 [...]

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