Here at Third Coast Auto, some people call us “tire-lovers.” And we’re fine with that. Tires are important. Without them, our whole vehicle would be rendered useless and immobile. But we don’t spend nearly as much time thinking about them as we should. To remedy that, here are some lifesaving tips about tires- and they just might save your life.
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It can be hard to know what you should look for when buying a used car. With this guide, we provide you with some tips that will hopefully shed light on what your process should be to ensure you end up with the perfect ride.
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An accident doesn’t just happen without a cause. Ideally, if every person follows the rules, there won’t be an incident, thanks to the way our traffic laws and systems are set up (although it’s also important to keep your vehicle in top condition to avoid mechanical failure). To avoid being in an accident, you should know the dangers- the common reasons that accidents occur. Additionally, always practice defensive driving, as other people might not follow the rules as well as you do. Let’s take a look at the most common reason one car smashes into something it’s not supposed to in Texas.
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If you smell something unpleasant in your car, don’t ignore it; it usually means there’s a larger issue at hand. Hanging up one of those little trees from the mirror might help you avoid the truth for a while, but eventually you’re going to need to face it. Plus, it could even be a health or safety hazard. Read on to find out our recommended course of action for various unwelcome odors.
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More formally known as Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), the “check engine” light is primarily monitors a car’s emissions system. But according to Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing for Edmunds.com, “the engine and the emission control system are so interlinked that the health of the emission control system is a good indication of the general health of the car’s engine.”
With this in mind, resist that common human urge to ignore the light. If your Check Engine light is illuminated and doesn’t turn off on its own in a short period of time, it’s best to get it looked at promptly, especially if the light is flashing, which indicates a more serious problem. Below we have the five most common causes for an illuminated Check Engine light.
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Although here in Texas we’re known more for hot temperatures than cold, that doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and no rain. In the winter, the occasional freeze is all the more dangerous due to its rarity, and the lack of knowledge most of us have in how to deal with driving in these unfamiliar conditions. When the rough weather hits, most Texans either stay at home in fear or drive dangerously. Luckily, there’s a happy medium that can be found if you know how to deal with the patches of ice. Here are some tips recommended by the Texas Department of Insurance for a safe driving experience.
Read the rest of this entryWe’ve written an entire blog about how often you should wash your car, and even some tips and tricks for keeping the seats in good condition, but today we wanted to share a few really useful videos we found about cleaning car windows. Keeping your windows clean is an important part of staying safe on the road, and whether you are picking up bugs and gunk on the outside, or that oily residue on the inside, it’s important to occasionally give that glass a good scrubbing. So what’s the best way to clean your windows without streaking or unpleasantness? Check it out. Read the rest of this entry
Oil changes are on our list of necessary preventative car maintenance. You should change your oil when you hit certain mileage milestones. That is about 3,000-5,000 miles for your standard gasoline-powered passenger car and up to 10,000 miles or more for some vehicles. But are there signs you should get your oil changed, or can a car keep going indefinitely? Let’s just say if you notice any of the issues below, you should get to the shop! Read the rest of this entry
This New Year’s Eve there will be plenty of fun activities for adults, but what about the little ones in your life? We’ve focused in on three family-friendly New Year’s Eve 2018 activities in Austin TX that can offer great fun at a reasonable time. Read the rest of this entry
Christmas is right around the corner, which means that the shopping frenzy is in full swing. Do you have the gifts you need for the important people in your life? If the person who has everything also has a car, truck or crossover, then you still have options for a great gift. The best Christmas gifts for people with older cars may not always be the most romantic, but they made be practical and very welcome. Here are some of our ideas below. Read the rest of this entry