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Mechanics checking a vehicle

Timing Belt – signs it’s going and when it’s gone

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

The timing belt, also known as a camshaft belt, is one of the essential pieces of your engine. While some under-hood components can fall apart and it will just make life unpleasant, when the timing belt dies it can actually cause significant damage to your engine. This belt is usually hidden by the engine cover, and it coordinates the cam and crankshaft, and makes sure that your engine cylinders are firing at the right times. When this belt goes, it can throw everything off, and actually deform other engine parts that rely on the timing belt. But how can you know when the timing belt is going? Read the rest of this entry >>

A woman driving a vehicle

What’s the Difference Between Manual and Automatic Transmissions?

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Posted in Technology, Tips and Tricks

Differences between manual and automatic transmission

When you are looking for a new car, there are a lot of different things you look at. From the vehicle’s size, to its power levels, design, upkeep (if it’s used), and even its drivetrain. You may have noticed that the sportier models tend to be equipped with manual transmission, while typical family sedans and SUVs generally have automatic. But what’s the difference between these transmissions? What are the benefits of each? Let’s take a closer look!

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Car fueling at a gas station

Should I put premium or regular gas in my car?

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Posted in Technology, Tips and Tricks

When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, the engine is a key component. While the wheels and tires may have the most contact with the road, the engine literally keeps everything moving. Whether it’s a four-cylinder or a V-6, it’s important to keep everything in top condition, which can sometimes depend on the fuel that you use. We are going to explore the difference between premium and regular fuel below to answer the question: “Should I put premium or regular gas in my car?”

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A family near a car

Best Cars and Crossovers for Your Day-To-Day Commute in the Austin Area

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Posted in Honda, Toyota, Used Cars

What is the Best Commuter Car?

Did you know that the average day-to-day commute in America is 26.4 minutes or about 15 miles? In the Austin area, the average daily commute is 12.3 miles with commute times that range from 5 minutes to 75 minutes. If you live in the Austin area and are looking for a high-quality, pre-owned car, you may have asked – what is the best commuter car? With an extensive inventory of used cars, trucks and crossovers at Third Coast Auto Group, we have what you need for your day-to-day commute with available on-site financing and affordable prices.

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Santa Clause telling stories to kids

Meet Santa at These Austin Area Malls

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Posted in Community

Malls with Santa photos 2017 near Austin TX

December is right around the corner (or here already, depending on when you are reading this blog) which means that kids are excited about Santa and parents are pushing to get holiday prep wrapped up. If you are hoping to combine photos with Santa and a little Christmas shopping, these malls with Santa photos 2017 near Austin TX could be perfect. Meet the jolly man from the North Pole, take some photos, and grab a few goodies for the special people in your life at the same time.

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Side view of the Back view of the 2016 Chevy Tahoe

What’s the difference between the Chevy Suburban and the Chevy Tahoe?

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Posted in Chevrolet, Tips and Tricks

When drivers think “Chevy” and “major capability” their minds probably jump first to the classic Chevy Silverado truck. While we do have several attractive trucks like the Silverado in our inventory, two other Chevy models currently in our inventory that can deliver serious towing, hauling, and transportation options are the Chevy Suburban and Chevy Tahoe. Both of these SUVs can offer enough seating for a growing family, or can deliver towing and hauling options. But what’s the difference between the Chevy Suburban and the Chevy Tahoe?  Read the rest of this entry >>

A poster of Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy Turkey Day on a budget with these Austin restaurants

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Posted in Community

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and there are plenty of places in Austin that will be open on the holiday to feed those who don’t want to cook for themselves. However,  not all of those Thanksgiving menus will be affordable. That is why we wanted to put together a few options for Thanksgiving dinner 2017 in Austin TX for under $30. Just because a family or individual isn’t rolling in dough doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy Thanksgiving classics like roast turkey and all the fixings. Check out our selections below!

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Side view of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz CLA250

What’s the Difference Between Automatic Transmission and CVT?

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Posted in Technology, Tips and Tricks

Automatic Transmission vs Continuously Variable Transmission

The general understanding of most drivers is that you have two choices when it comes to the transmission in your vehicle. The differences between those two are obvious, in that one of them requires the driver to personally switch gears themselves. However, in recent years, many car models have begun adopting a continuously variable transmission system. While it is also a variation on automatic transmission, what it is the difference between them? Read more for an automatic transmission vs continuously variable transmission comparison. 

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Cars during snowfall

What is the difference between all-wheel and 4×4 drive?

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Posted in Technology, Tips and Tricks

While we’ve already tackled the differences and advantages of rear-wheel drive vs front-wheel drive, today we want to look at something a little different. While most cars on the road (and the majority of vehicles in our used vehicle inventory here at Third Coast Auto Group) are two-wheel drive models, drivetrains that send power to more than two wheels have plenty of positives, especially in bad weather or rough terrain. What is the difference between all-wheel and 4×4 drive? Keep reading for a few highlights. Read the rest of this entry >>

Side view of the 2017 Chevy Silverado 1500

What’s the difference between Chevy and GMC brands?

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Posted in Chevrolet, Tips and Tricks

When you go looking for a truck or crossover vehicle, you may come across plenty of Chevrolet and GMC models. Both of these brands exist under the umbrella of GM (General Motors) along with Buick and Cadillac. Moreover, if you compare similar models in these two brands (for example, the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra light-duty, full-size trucks) then the mechanical similarities are huge. Are they really the same vehicle with different branding? What’s the difference between Chevy and GMC brands? Learn more in this blog.

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