Category Archives: Tips and Tricks

2018 Dodge Challenger in Plum Crazy seen from the side and front

How do you break in a new car engine?

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Posted in Technology, Tips and Tricks

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 >>

overhead view of a highway intersection with the lights blurred from exposure

Texas speed limits (and why we should try to follow them)

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Posted in Community, Texas, Tips and Tricks

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 >>

the brake part of a wheel exposed in a car repair shop

How often should you replace your brakes?

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

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 >>

girl learning to drive in driver's ed

Learner, Provisional, and Full License Requirements in Texas

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Posted in Community, Texas, Tips and Tricks

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 >>

female mechanic with her face by a wheel (car on a lift)

Pros and cons of different large vs small wheels sizes

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

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 >>

truck pulling a trailer through mountains

Can you tow a trailer with a small car?

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

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 >>

person unlocking their vehicle with a keyfob

Have a keyfob or push-button start? Check out these videos

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Posted in Technology, Tips and Tricks

Does your car have a keyfob or push-button start? Either way, check out these tips and tricks

More and more modern vehicles have advanced locking, unlocking, and starting technology, such as a fancy keyfob or push-button start. While almost all new models come with keyfobs you can use to lock or unlock your car from across the parking lot, some designs now come with features like push-button start, and keyfobs that will automatically unlock your vehicle when you get close to it. But what happens when human error meets advanced auto technology? We found three cool videos that address some common questions.

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classic American cars driving down the road

Spring car shows around Travis County

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Posted in Community, Tips and Tricks

Easter is right around the corner, spring is in the air, which means that all the classic cars that were tucked away for the winter can come back out to play! Here in Austin, we are fortunate to not only have a thriving car community, but a few excellent auto shows and festivals of our own coming up. In this blog we are going to look at April 2018 Auto Shows around Austin TX to see where you can enjoy the best vintage and modern models. Read the rest of this entry >>

person checking the charge of a battery of a car

What can wear down your car battery?

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Posted in Tips and Tricks

Every part of a vehicle is important, from keeping the tires in good condition to even getting it washed once in a while. Your battery is instrumental in powering features like your sound system and air conditioning and, even more importantly, it’s what allows your car to start. There are warning signs for when your battery is running low, and ways of making your battery last as long as possible that can help you save a few bucks in the service department. In this blog we are going to look at what can wear down your car battery, and how to make it last. Read the rest of this entry >>