Third Coast Auto Group Official Blog
Archive for the ‘Tips and Tricks’ Category
Would a set of snow tires be helpful next winter? Probably, but read this first
Monday, February 22nd, 2021
Is it a good idea to get snow tires in Texas?
After the last week of very un-Texas-like weather, there are probably a lot of people out there wondering, ‘Is it a good idea to get snow tires in Texas?’ Believe it or not, that has actually also been a very popular topic of conversation in and around all of the Third Coast Auto Group locations. Since our team believes in being as helpful as possible, we had a few of our teammates do a little research to come up with the best answers we could find. The bottom line is, snow tires might be a little overkill, but those aren’t the only options available. Most vehicles come with all-season tires and those might be the best possible solution. Let’s take a closer look at a few things you might want to know before the next major snowfall – which is hopefully a long way away. (more…)
A leaking car is an unhappy car, learn more today
Wednesday, February 17th, 2021
What is leaking from my car?
To be sure, modern automobiles are very complex pieces of machinery. Vehicle owners can know something is wrong if they start noticing strange stains on the driveway or on the floor of the garage. If you’re wondering, ‘What is leaking from my car,’ Third Coast Auto Group has some helpful information. More detail will be provided in the videos embedded below, but there are a few easy fluid identifications you can make. A black or dark brown fluid found under your vehicle is usually motor oil. Something that looks fluorescent green or possibly pink will probably indicate a radiator leak and red, or dark red is transmission fluid. Seeing any of these is bad news, and you need to have it checked out immediately. In the meantime, watch these videos to give yourself a little peace of mind. (more…)
Warming up your car in cold weather is a long-lasting automotive myth
Monday, February 15th, 2021
Do I need to warm up my car before driving in the cold?
The dangerously unseasonable weather that is gripping Texas has really been a wake-up call. When weather patterns are this far out of the norm, people need to learn some new skills to deal with the cold. One of the most common questions that people have when the mercury dips this low is, ‘Do I need to warm up my car before driving in the cold?’ There are two answers to this question, depending on the context. If you don’t want to get into a cold vehicle, then sure warm it up. However, as far as helping the engine perform better in cold temperatures, this is an outdated idea. It might have been true in the old days when we drove vehicles without fuel injection, but that time has largely ended. Let’s take a closer look at some additional information. (more…)
Learn more about your financing options available at Third Coast Auto Group
Tuesday, February 9th, 2021
Does buy here, pay here financing hurt my credit score?
Finding financing to buy a car, truck or SUV can be a steep hill to climb under the best of circumstances. People who find themselves in a less-than-ideal credit situation may very well have an even more difficult time successfully getting a car loan. There are some things that can be done to rebuild credit, but that process can take a while. Third Coast Auto Group is what is known in the industry as a buy here, pay here dealership – meaning we largely handle financing in-house. If you’re wondering, ‘Does buy here, pay here financing hurt my credit score,’ our team has some answers for you. Let’s take a look at a few common questions our team gets asked each week. (more…)
Make sure you have enough insurance coverage
Tuesday, January 26th, 2021
Texas Car Insurance FAQs and Information
In the state of Texas, car insurance isn’t technically required if a driver can prove they can financially cover the cost of an accident. Without putting too fine of a point on this, the amount of money required to demonstrate this kind of financial responsibility is nothing short of astronomical. This is why car insurance is a thing. If you’re buying your first vehicle, you are hopefully looking for Texas car insurance FAQs and information to find out exactly what you need to have. Our team of product experts has dug up a little information that could prove to be helpful. Basically, car insurance protects more than your car, it protects your assets. Getting caught without it in the wrong situation could be financially devastating. If you have any questions about car insurance, please contact a licensed insurance agent today. (more…)
All the wheels move, but not everything works the same way
Friday, January 15th, 2021
What is the difference between AWD vs. 4×4?
Modern automobiles are more reliable and higher performing than ever before. That also means modern cars, trucks and SUVs are also more complex than ever before. There is a lot to know and one of the most confusing concepts facing buyers is understanding all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive. So, what is the difference between AWD vs. 4×4? On the surface, these systems perform similar functions, but each one is designed for different purposes. It is pretty easy to get in the weeds of engineering terms when explaining how these things work. Our team found a couple of videos that do a good job making the information as accessible as possible. If you have any questions about the capabilities of any vehicle available at any vehicle at any of our locations, please make an appointment with your nearest Third Coast Auto Group product expert today. (more…)
A small investment today can pay off big time when you trade-in your vehicle
Thursday, January 14th, 2021
How can I get the most for my trade-in?
Everyone is looking for the best way to get the best deal on their next vehicle purchase. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve really put yourself in a strong position by considering Third Coast Auto Group. Most of our customers will use their current vehicle to off-set some of the final price of the vehicle they want to take home. If you’re wondering, ‘How can I get the most for my trade-in,’ a few of our product experts came up with a few tips that could cost us a little money by giving you a little more money for your trade-in. The best part of these tips is that these are simple tips that just about anyone can do. Let’s take a look at a few things you might need to know. (more…)
Some deals aren’t too good to be true, find some today
Tuesday, December 29th, 2020
Which used cars offer the best value?
Everyone loves a good deal. It doesn’t matter if they are buying a pack of gum or a car. Third Coast Auto Group specializes in helping people find the best deal possible on their next, or first, vehicle purchase. Naturally, some vehicle platforms are going to be inherently less expensive than others. For good reason, some people are leery of taking home a car, truck or SUV that seems like the deal is too good to be true. Our team is always looking for a way to save people some money and give them some additional peace of mind. In the process of that work, they have come across these videos from Car and Driver, a leading authority on automotive buying. Give these videos a look and compare the information shared with what you see at a Third Coast Auto Group location. If you need any additional help, make an appointment with us today. (more…)
Take advantage of the latest technology with your next vehicle purchase
Monday, December 28th, 2020
What can I do with a car’s infotainment system?
Very few industries have been as progressing as quickly from a technology standpoint as the automotive industry. Certainly, performance, safety and fuel economy are better than at any time in history. However, it’s in the area of automotive connectivity where things have really reached a new level. If you’re thinking about upgrading your vehicle to a later model that will be equipped with some of this new technology for the first time, you might be wondering, ‘What can I do with a car’s infotainment system?’ Different manufacturers offer different features, but our team thought it would be helpful to highlight some of the more common functions. Let’s take a look at a few things you might find interesting. (more…)
Take a look at some new info that could add life to your car, truck or SUV
Thursday, December 17th, 2020
Is it ok to switch to using synthetic motor oil?
There is a lot of new information available to people who own modern cars, trucks and SUVs to help them get the most life out of their vehicles as possible. Some of that information might contradict what was once thought of as conventional wisdom. One of the hottest debates in the automotive world is the effectiveness of synthetic motor oil and people asking their mechanics, ‘Is it ok to switch to using synthetic motor oil?’ There aren’t many vehicles built in the last 10 or so years that use conventional motor oil. But if you do have one of these platforms, the mileage is probably piling up and you might need to make some changes. These videos will probably come in handy. If your current vehicle has reached the end of its life, please make an appointment with a Third Coast Auto Group product expert today. (more…)