Third Coast Auto Group Official Blog
Archive for January, 2018
Learn All About: Cylinder Deactivation and Fuel Economy
Friday, January 26th, 2018
If you are looking for a new or used truck, or are exploring some of the latest new engine options in vehicles ranging from heavy-duty pickups to midsize sedans, you may be seeing the term “cylinder deactivation” bandied about. But what is cylinder deactivation? And how does it help drivers get better gas mileage? Explore the advantages and disadvantages of cylinder deactivation in this blog! (more…)
Austin Valentine’s Day Date Ideas 2018
Thursday, January 25th, 2018
Dinner and a movie or a show are pretty standard options for Valentine’s Day. This year, why not explore a unique option? Doing something special with your loved one for the holiday will make it a Valentine’s Day to remember, and give you memories to strengthen your relationship. Here are a few of our top choices for Austin Valentine’s Day date ideas 2018 that are a little out of the ordinary (because you and your SO deserve the extraordinary). Unless noted, all of these take place on Feb. 14, 2018. (more…)
Why are there so many speeds on an automatic transmission?
Monday, January 22nd, 2018
In the past we’ve talked about the differences between a manual and an automatic transmission. For the manual, you get that visceral feeling of changing gears, and the effort to find the perfect one for every driving situation. Automatic transmissions take that challenge away. But that begs the question why we have more than drive, park, reverse and neutral on an automatic transmission. When do you use gear two or three when driving an automatic? We’re going to look at a few of the answers to these questions below. (more…)
Services You Need and Services You Don’t
Friday, January 12th, 2018
When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, there are some basic services that can add a lot of value and life to your vehicle. There are other services that most of the time you really don’t need. But what preventative car maintenance do you need? And what don’t you need? While the best answer to this question is in your owner’s manual (which can often be found online) there are some things to watch out for. (more…)
Are minivans or crossovers better for families?
Tuesday, January 9th, 2018
When it comes to getting yourself and your family where you need to go, it’s important to find the right vehicle. While a compact or midsize sedan, or a smaller crossover or SUV might be just fine if you have a smaller family, more than two or three kids will require a larger vehicle. That is where minivans and three-row crossovers come into play. But are minivans or crossovers better for families? Explore some of the factors below. (more…)
How to drive cautiously if it snows in Austin, and correct a skid safely
Friday, January 5th, 2018
We don’t get much ice or snow here in Austin (thank goodness), but when it arrives that also means many people are unprepared. With the Polar Vortex messing up weather across the country, we thought we would blog a little about being ready in the case of crazy ice. The best way to drive safely in ice and snow is to drive slowly, and expect that your brakes may have more trouble than usual bringing you to a stop. But if the worst should happen, how can you correct a car slide on ice? We have the three steps for that below. (more…)