When it comes to maintaining your vehicle, there are some basic services that can add a lot of value and life to your vehicle. There are other services that most of the time you really don’t need. But what preventative car maintenance do you need? And what don’t you need? While the best answer to this question is in your owner’s manual (which can often be found online) there are some things to watch out for. Read the rest of this entry
When it comes to getting yourself and your family where you need to go, it’s important to find the right vehicle. While a compact or midsize sedan, or a smaller crossover or SUV might be just fine if you have a smaller family, more than two or three kids will require a larger vehicle. That is where minivans and three-row crossovers come into play. But are minivans or crossovers better for families? Explore some of the factors below. Read the rest of this entry
We don’t get much ice or snow here in Austin (thank goodness), but when it arrives that also means many people are unprepared. With the Polar Vortex messing up weather across the country, we thought we would blog a little about being ready in the case of crazy ice. The best way to drive safely in ice and snow is to drive slowly, and expect that your brakes may have more trouble than usual bringing you to a stop. But if the worst should happen, how can you correct a car slide on ice? We have the three steps for that below. Read the rest of this entry
Cars are complex compilations of moving parts, which means that there are many ways for them to fail. One of the scariest things that can happen is for your car to simply stop running while you are on the road. Whether you are going 25 mph around a roundabout or flying at 85 mph down the highway, suddenly losing power in your vehicle can be terrifying. Here are a few reasons why your car could stop running while driving. Read the rest of this entry
‘Tis the season for Christmas shopping and ice skating, but December is also a big month for credit card scammers to work overtime. With many people making large charges for Christmas presents, it’s a good time for criminals with stolen credit card numbers to sneak in under the radar. In this blog we are going to talk a little about how to prevent credit card fraud during the holidays (or any time) and what to do if you become a victim of this sort of attack. Read the rest of this entry
When buying a new or quality used car, it can be important to get one that offers valuable safety options. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has been doing evaluations on the safety of vehicles for years, including several different crash tests and even rating crash prevention technology and headlights. Ratings from the IIHS include “Top Safety Pick” and “Top Safety Pick Plus”. The criteria for these safety honors is slightly different almost every year, which means that a vehicle that won in one year may or may not the next. But why do IIHS safety ratings change every year? Read the rest of this entry
When it comes to figuring out what kind of gas to put in your vehicle, or how often you need to check or replace your timing belt, the advice often comes down to checking your owner’s manual to find the right maintenance interval or recommended fuel. But what if you have an older car, a pre-owned model, or just can’t remember where you put the thing? Fortunately for everyone whose owner’s manual has vanished, most car manufacturers also put their owner’s manuals online for anyone to access. But if you are wondering “Where can I find my car manual online?” we’re glad you asked! Read the rest of this entry
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
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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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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