Here on the Third Coast Auto Group blog, we have offered tips on what type of car to buy, the benefits of buying used, and service tips. While these tips are great for anyone who has bought a car before, it can be daunting for any first-time buyers. In today’s blog post, we will be sharing some of the best tips to follow as a first-time car buyer.

When something is wrong with our vehicle, we’ll typically hear a strange noise, and maybe have a warning light turn on. Sometimes, a certain noise can indicate more than one problem. For example, a whirring or humming noise will indicate quite a few different problems. However, we will be focusing on the whirring sound that is caused by a worn wheel bearing. In this post, we have shared a video that shows you how to check if your wheel bearing has been worn down. It also includes an example of what you will hear when driving.

Our tires are one of the most important parts of our vehicle. We keep them in good condition by rotating them, balancing them, and changing them when necessary. However, when do you need to get them changed? You should be getting new tires when the tread is too low to provide proper traction. You can check your tire treads with a quarter and a penny to determine if you need new tires. Check out the video we’ve included to see how to do this test.

Our vehicles have many parts that help it run smoothly and efficiently. These parts need to be changed, fixed, or flushed regularly to ensure that they work properly. One of the most important parts to get changed regularly is the brakes. If these get worn down or broken, it can lead to more problems and is a safety concern. In this post, we will be teaching you how to tell when you need to get your brakes replaced.

Four common reasons your car is making a knocking sound

When our cars start to have a problem, we usually get warning of some sort. Some parts have a warning light to let you know to get your vehicle serviced soon. While other parts will start to make noise. However, there are many sounds that could indicate more than one problem. One of these sounds is knocking. In this post, we will be sharing a video that discusses the four most common reasons your car is making a knocking sound.

How to Be Prepared for Any Automotive Emergency Situation

If you are a new driver or you just bought a car for the first time, you’re probably unsure of what you should always have on hand. Anything can happen while on the road, so you should always have a supply of emergency items in your trunk or cargo area. Check out our list of emergency items to ensure you are ready for all emergencies.

Here at Third Coast Auto, we want to ensure you’re taking great care of the vehicles we sell you so that we see you a few years down the road still enjoying your ride. One way we do that is to share the occasional tips and tricks on how to keep your vehicle well maintained. One of those aspects you should consider is the rust that builds up. While this isn’t usually a catastrophic issue, it takes away from the appeal of your vehicle and can affect resale value. Take a look at the video below to learn how to repair a rust spot on your vehicle! Read the rest of this entry >>

If you’ve ever gotten a flat tire out on the open road, you know how frustrating it can be. You could be stuck for a long while out in the extreme cold or heat trying to figure out how to get it changed or wait for a roadside assistance service to come help you out. Many people find themselves stuck without the knowledge of how to fix it, but it’s actually a lot easier than it may seem. Take a look at the short video below to learn how to change a tire and be better prepared the next time this happens to you. Check out the rest of our blog for more tips and tricks! Read the rest of this entry >>

How to tell if your transmission is going bad

Like any automotive-related failure, your transmission will give off some warning signs that it is failing or starting to go bad. The longer you wait to address the issue, the more damage you may incur and the more money you’ll have to spend to get it fixed. That being said, there are a few different signs that your transmission is going bad. Learn more below! Read the rest of this entry >>