We’ve talked before about car seat laws (specifically here in Texas) but in this blog we want to explore two types of car seat and when you should use them. Should you have a car seat front- or rear-facing? That depends on the age and size of your child. If you are looking at a specific car seat, you may want to look for the owner’s manual on that option for precise details. This blog is general information for the curious. Read the rest of this entry
As it starts to get hot out there this spring and summer in the Austin TX area, you may be looking for ways to prepare your car for hot weather. Or maybe, when you are wincing every time you touch your steering wheel, you just want to know if it’s going to burn your hands. So, realistically, how hot can it get in your car in the summer in Texas? And can you actually cook an egg in there if you want to? Read the rest of this entry
At a certain point your tires will wear out. While regular tire rotation and balancing can help extend the life of your tires, you will need new ones roughly every two to five years, depending on how much driving you do. If you are asking yourself “What tires should I get to replace my old ones?” there are a few things to keep in mind. Read the rest of this entry
Our vehicles are a huge part of life. We take them everywhere, they haul our stuff, and sometimes we use them to prop ourselves up. Most people have probably leaned against their vehicles, put a cup of coffee on the roof, and maybe thought about sitting on the hood when visiting with friends. But can you sit on the hood of your car? And can the roof take your weight? We think that the answer to both questions is: mostly yes. But there are some things to think about before you decide to throw away your lawn chair in favor of your Corolla. Read the rest of this entry
Even though the inventory we carry here at Third Coat Auto Group is all used vehicles (the better to offer Austin drivers affordable financing no matter their credit situation) we thought it would be fun to talk about one of the steps of getting a new car. No, not enjoying that new car smell! We wanted to write about how to break-in that new, shiny, and expensive piece of powerful equipment. But how do you break in a new car engine? Whether you have a compact or midsize car perfect for that daily commute, or are raring to get out on the track (or, you know, gun it on one of the 85 mph highways here in Texas) you should take it a little easy while your car is getting used to its job. Read the rest of this entry
Sometimes when you are driving on the highway, it may seem like no one is following the posted speed limit. You may ask yourself why even try? However, in most areas the posted speed limit is set based on what is considered safe for drivers and pedestrians, when all factors are considered. In this blog, we are going to look at what is the maximum speed limit in Texas and explore a few other questions about how speed limits are chosen. Read the rest of this entry
Brakes are very important. While a broken timing belt may stop you dead on the highway, brakes that can’t do the job put you in danger every day. But how often should you replace your brakes? While your vehicle’s owner’s manual will give you a more customized idea of how often you should get your brake pads replaced (with the rotors needing to be replaced less often) usually you will need a pad replacement every 50,000 miles. That timing can be larger or smaller depending on what kind of brakes you have and how much you use them. Read the rest of this entry
Finally getting your driver’s license can be a great feeling. Suddenly the road is open to you, and there are many more employment opportunities available when you can just drive to a location. But, before you can get a car, and hit the road, you need your license and have to learn the driving skills that will serve you the rest of your life. When can you start driving in Texas? We are going to answer this, and a few other common questions about teen driving laws in Texas in this blog. Read the rest of this entry
While keeping your tires in good condition with regular rotation and rebalancing can be a good way to save money on repairs, the wheels you have on your vehicle may be having more of an impact than you know on how your vehicle is handling, consuming fuel, and impressing other drivers. In this blog we are going to check out the pros and cons of different wheel size and what is the best wheel for your vehicle?. Should you go larger or stick with small? Read the rest of this entry
The vehicle that you want for daily commuting and the one you need for weekend adventuring are very different. On one side you want easy parking, excellent fuel efficiency, and maybe a nice sound system so you can blast your tunes or listen to podcasts while you are going to work. But when it comes to the weekend, you want large cargo space, maybe plenty of seating (maybe with a minivan or crossover) and probably the ability to tow a trailer. Can you tow a trailer with a small car? Or are you going to destroy your vehicle trying to get your boat out of the yard? Read the rest of this entry