Category Archives: Tips and Tricks

A close up of chocolate ice cream

Feeling the heat? Grab in ice cream treat in Austin

Summer is almost upon us, and all the blistering heat that that entails. While some families may want to head to a water park or an air conditioned mall to beat the heat, there is another time honored tradition: ice cream! Whether you want your delicious cold confection traditional, dairy-free, or produced with SCIENCE, this blog has a list of some of the best ice cream shops in Austin TX. Keep reading to find your match.

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A mechanic adding oil to a vehicle

What is the difference between gasoline and diesel engines?

Gasoline engines are some of the most common on the road in the United States, but diesel engines are beginning to be in the news more and more. Granted, a lot of the time that is because diesel engines from specific companies have been blasted for their lack of compliance with U.S. emissions regulations. By what is the difference between gasoline and diesel engines? Learn a few gas vs diesel advantages, and why emissions matter, below.

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Customer talking to a salesman

How do you figure out what are the best used vehicles?

Opinions on what is the best used car vary wildly. Is it long-term dependability of a brand that make a used car a good bet, or is it the general aesthetics (like what kind of grille it has) that really seal the deal? Every car shopper will have his or her own opinion, but sometimes the experts also weight in. In a recent inaugural “Best Used Cars Awards”, the CarGurus website named the top vehicles in seven categories. Keep reading to see which vehicles earned the top spots.

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Cars during snowfall

What’s the difference between rear-wheel drive and front-wheel drive?

While there are clear advantages to all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive (especially if you enjoy off-roading adventures or live with challenging weather conditions), but it’s harder to figure out what’s the difference between rear-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. Is rear-wheel or front-wheel drive better? Why is front-wheel drive more common? Keep reading to find out! Read the rest of this entry >>

A man fueling car at a gas station

Save money by driving for the best mileage every day!

Fuel-Efficient Driving Tips for Every Day

Everyone wants to save money, and if you have a long daily commute getting gas can be a significant expense. Whether gas prices are high or low, driving efficiently can reduce what you spend at the pump in the long run. Here are a few fuel-efficient driving tips for every day that can save you money (and in many cases be better on your car!) Read the rest of this entry >>

Front view of the 2017 Ford Explorer

Car Grilles: Melding Form and Function

In the ideal world, cars are a perfect combination of form and function, good looks and great capability. Whether vehicle shoppers are focused on getting an affordable truck, top fuel efficiency, or want premium style, cars are designed to meet premium needs. That’s where a grille comes in. While the grille of a car (different from a “grill” where you could cook or eat dinner) can serve as a key style piece for a vehicle, it has an important function as well. Learn what is the purpose of a car grille, and check out our elegant automotive grille gallery of images, below. You can see even more in our affordable used vehicle inventory.

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Side view of the 2017 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

What is the most dependable used vehicle?

When you are looking for a used vehicle with affordable financing, another big factor to consider is the quality of the vehicle. A new-to-you car will do you no good if it breaks down the second it get off the lot. With our large used inventory and four dealership locations, we strive to offer the very best in quality used cars that can fit into your financing needs and budget. We also carry a variety of used Toyota cars in Austin TX. Do Toyota vehicles break down? This brand recently took top marks in the 2017 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study, which means they have very few problems.

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A mechanic checking a tire

How often should you rotate your tires?

Of all the parts of your car, the tires are the piece that you will likely have to replace the most often. Why? Simply put, tires are the only part that touches the road, which means that they will experience some serious wear and tear. But how often should you rotate your tires? Each vehicle will have a recommended rotation schedule (generally available in the owner’s manual, if you have that available) but generally it is recommended that tires be rotated and balanced every six months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles. That’s about once every other oil change, depending on the age of your vehicle and if you have standard (rather than synthetic) oil. But why should you rotate your tires? And is tire rotation and balancing the same thing? Keep reading to find out.

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