Car Tips

Safety Tips for Driving at Night

The seasons are changing. This also means you should be thinking about how this affects your car and your driving. Now that it becomes darker earlier than in the summer months, we find ourselves driving in the dark more often. It’s true that it’s more dangerous than driving in the daytime. Even if you are a good driver, there are always new tips that you might find useful when driving after the sun goes down. 7 Safety Tips for Driving in the Dark 1. Use Your Headlights You should be using your headlights as soon as the sun starts to set. But, when was the last time that you checked to make sure they were operating correctly? A burned-out headlight looks more like a motorcycle than a car to other on the road. It could confuse other drivers and put you in danger. It may also be tempting to drive with your high beams on because you can see better. However, this is far more dangerous for everyone on [...]

By |2018-11-26T08:40:34-06:00November 23rd, 2018|Car Questions, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Driving Into Autumn & Fall Car Care Tips

Fall. The season of pumpkins, pumpkin pie and pumpkin spiced lattes. But, it's also the season of change as leaves change and temperatures begin dropping. And that means it's time to get your car ready for a different season with these fall car care tips and tricks. Fall Car Care Tips & Maintenance To-Dos With Autumn comes a significant change in weather. Gone are the blue skies and hot temperatures. Instead, start expecting cold mornings and stormy weather. So, what do you need to do to get your car ready for fall? 1. Check Your Tires With almost guaranteed sunny weather gone, now is the time to check on the things that keep you connected with the road — your tires. Checking your tires' tread should be apart of your general car care checklist, but before fall it's especially important. Same goes for your tires' air pressure. Just had full tires, but notice they look less inflated on the crisp fall mornings. Don't automatically assume you have a leak. As [...]

By |2018-10-04T10:01:59-06:00October 4th, 2018|Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips|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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Tips for Going Green with Your Current Car

Hybrid cars and electric vehicles aren't for everyone. While great for the environment, they aren't great for everyone's lifestyles. For the farmers and ranchers, a Prius just won't cut it. Some need a car with some power to get them up steep roads and driveways. Others can't afford a fancy, new car in their garage. Whatever your reason, that's okay. Luckily, going green(er) with your current car is a possibility. Here are a few tips for going green while keeping your vehicle. How Cars Affect the Environment Before even hitting the road, vehicles require plenty of energy. During production, plants use copious amount of power running the machinery needed to turn steel, rubber, glass, plastics, and paints into a working, drivable car. Once your vehicle hits the road, fuel becomes the most significant impact on the planet. From extraction to transporting to burning, your car's need for fuel and emissions affect air quality, natural resources and more. But, that doesn't mean the solution is only to ride your [...]

By |2018-07-26T12:27:55-06:00July 26th, 2018|Car Questions, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Safe Driving with Kids – 5 Tips & Tricks

Distracted driving. We see the billboards and PSAs warning drivers to put down their phones, stop changing the music, and stop chatting with friends. But, what about kids in the car? Studies show new moms are three times as likely to crash than the average driver, and with such precious cargo in the car that is a terrifying statistic. But, driving with kids doesn't have to be scary or stressful. Here are our tips and tricks to staying safe while driving with kids in the car. 5 Tips & Tricks for Driving with Kids Safely From screaming toddlers to agitated teens to improper use of child seats, driving with kids can be difficult. But, don't let the stress get to you. By keeping your cool and planning ahead, it's just another drive around the block. Tip 1 - Learn How to Install a Child Seat Before the Baby Comes Perfect practice makes perfect. Don't just assume you know how to use your child's car seat. After all, you [...]

By |2018-07-12T12:36:31-06:00July 12th, 2018|Car Tips|0 Comments
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6 Safe Driving Tips You Shouldn’t Forget

Sure, it's been a few years (or decades) since you took your driver's license test. But, that doesn't mean you should forget all the rules and driving tips! Actually, quite the opposite. While at the time it may have seemed like the obstacle in the way of your freedom, the driver's test prepares you for the road. Here are a few things you should always remember from your driver's test that will help you stay safe on the road. Safe Driving Tips You Shouldn't Forget They range from remembering signals, to proper following distances and the classic "put the phone down." But, all of these tips for driving safely help you (and those around you) arrive to your destinations accident-free. Tip #1 - Follow Proper Spacing Rules It's time to stop tailgating. Not only will it not get you there faster, but it also makes everyone around you angry, and it inhibits your ability to stop in time. So what's a reasonable distance? Follow the three-second rule. You should be (at the minimum) three seconds [...]

By |2018-05-22T09:16:02-06:00May 22nd, 2018|Car Tips|2 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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Tips for Buying a Used Car

New cars are expensive, and they only cost more every year. With high prices, many drivers turn to buying a used car. But, finding a problem-free, reliable used car isn't always straightforward. Just because someone says it was "well-loved" doesn't mean they put love and maintenance into it. Here are a few tips and things to look for when looking at used cars. Tips for Buying a Used Car With all the scammers and bad deals on the market, it's your job not to fall prey. How? Prepare ahead of time and know what to look for when buying used cars. Do Your Research Before ever laying eyes on a car, do your homework. Here's a list of things to know before going in: What's the fair price for that particular car in that condition? One place to start would be Kelley Blue Book or researching dealer prices online. What do other owners say about that make, model and year? Are they known for lasting a long time? Does the transmission regularly fail at a certain [...]

By |2018-04-26T12:49:43-06:00April 26th, 2018|Car Questions, Car Tips|0 Comments
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Roadside Safety — What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down

Well, your car broke down. Now what? Hopefully, you are already on the side of the road, but even there isn't necessarily safe. Here are a few tips for staying safe when your car breaks down. Preventing Car Break Downs The first step of roadside safety? Avoid it! Many breakdowns are preventable with proper maintenance and general car care. Money woes stopping you from performing regular maintenance? Remember, repairs post-breakdown are far more expensive than a 5-month check-up. Driving and feel something funny? Instead of waiting for it to truly go South in the middle of the highway, pull off at the next exit. Stopping at the parking lot of a gas station or rest stop are safer options than the side or shoulder of the road. Plus, it's easier and better for service vehicles as well. Roadside Safety Tips After your car breaks down, it's hard to be in a "safety-first" mindset. But, that's exactly where your mind needs to be. Move Off the Road Seems like a no-brainer, but some folks don't move [...]

By |2018-04-20T07:52:55-06:00April 20th, 2018|Car Service & Maintenance, Car Tips, Damaged Car|0 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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