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A stock photo of people looking at some tires to buy.

Would a set of snow tires be helpful next winter? Probably, but read this first

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Posted in FAQs, Texas, Tips and Tricks

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.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of oil spots on a driveway under a car.

A leaking car is an unhappy car, learn more today

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

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.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a person walking through snow because their car wouldn't start.

Warming up your car in cold weather is a long-lasting automotive myth

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Posted in Safety, Tips and Tricks

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.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a person working on their finances.

Learn more about your financing options available at Third Coast Auto Group

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Posted in FAQs, Finance, Tips and Tricks

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.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a person looking a credit report.

Having bad credit doesn’t have to be a life sentence

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Posted in Finance

How can I rebuild my credit score? 

The number one obstacle for people buying a car, even a used vehicle, is obtaining financing. Things get even more difficult when the buyer has a less-than-perfect credit history. Bad things happen to good people and sometimes taking a hit in the credit department is unavoidable. Having a low credit score will not only make getting a loan more difficult, but it will also make the overall cost of the loan more expensive. If you’re wondering, ‘How can I rebuild my credit score,’ the financing experts at Third Coast Auto Group are here to help. This blog is not meant to be a comprehensive guide but instead is supposed to be a jumping-off point. Everyone’s situation is different and getting customized help from a licensed financial expert is probably a good idea.   Read the rest of this entry >>

A photo illustration representing the protection provided by car insurance.

Make sure you have enough insurance coverage

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

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.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a low fuel warning on a a vehicle's dashboard.

Getting stranded isn’t the only problem with running out of gas

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Posted in FAQs

Why is it bad to drive a car on empty? 

Just like you eat food to fuel your body, your car, truck or SUV more or less eats gasoline (or diesel) to produce the power to move it down the road. However, your vehicle doesn’t deal with being hungry as well as you might – even if you do get a little ‘hangry.’ The most obvious answer to the question, why is it bad to drive a car on empty, is that you’ll eventually be stranded on the side of the road. This will usually happen at the most inconvenient time possible. For the most part, any given vehicle’s fuel system is going to be pretty easy to understand, that doesn’t mean car owners should be reckless. Let’s take a closer look at some things you might need to know.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a four-wheel-drive vehicle going through a mud puddle.

All the wheels move, but not everything works the same way

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Posted in Just for Fun, Texas, Tips and Tricks, Trucks

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.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a person shining a headlight lens.

A small investment today can pay off big time when you trade-in your vehicle

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

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.  Read the rest of this entry >>

A stock photo of a car with two flat tires.

Do you know what to do after you’ve changed a flat tire?

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Posted in FAQs

How long can I drive on a spare tire? 

When was the last time you thought about your tires? If things are going well, you probably don’t give them a second thought, much less a first. In fact, most people won’t know something is wrong with their tires until they experience a blowout and need to have a spare put on their vehicle. Naturally, this leads to the question, ‘How long can I drive on a spare tire?’ The roadside assistance experts at AAA say that most vehicles should follow the long-standing standard: 50/50 rule. A vehicle equipped with a donut-style spare tire should travel no more than 50 miles, no faster than 50 miles per hour. As its name implies, a spare tire isn’t a permanent solution. Here are a few things you should know about using a spare tire.  Read the rest of this entry >>