Houston Auto Repair

We understand that there's a lot that comes with tire maintenance, and tire rotations are just a small part of it. Getting your tires rotated will even out tire wear, which means you will achieve better handling and traction on the road. But what exactly are the "regular intervals" of tire rotations?  AROUND EVERY 7,500 MILES OR 6 MONTHS. Most automobile manufacturers recommend that you get your tires rotated about every 7,500 miles or six months. However, some vehicles have exceptions, and it's always best to refer to your owner's manual for guidance. This number can vary depending on how, where, and what kind of car you drive. To make life simpler, we recommend getting into a habit of having them rotated every time you get your oil changed.   What Happens During a Tire Rotation? As the name suggests, your tires get removed, swapped, and remounted. Tire rotation precisely involves the switching of your front and rear tires. It's vital to get th ... read more

Most of us depend greatly on our vehicles day in and day out to get us where we need to be. We often overlook the amazingness of our cars. Have you paused to consider all the crazy things your automobile has done for you? Here are some general cool facts to nerd over about cars! There are currently more than 1 BILLION vehicles being used around the world in 2021. According to experts, this number is expected to double or reach 2 Billion by 2040. If you drove at an average rate of 60 MPH, you could make it to the moon in less than six months. 70 million cars are produced every year!  The average US driver spends 42 hours per year stuck in traffic. That's almost two days!!! Only 18% of American drivers today know how to drive a manual transmission. Did you know that 80% of an average car is recyclable? In the U.S. alone, 12 million vehicles are recycled every year. Because of this large number, automotive recycling is the 16th largest industry in the U.S. Washington D.C ... read more

A car breakdown is an ultimate nightmare for all drivers. It is dreadful and stressful, especially if you have no clue what you are doing. And if you panic in the moment, it can lead to further damage to your vehicle or even lead to costly crashes. The first thing you should do is to be calm and have a positive mindset. We've compiled a list of three things that you should never forget to do if your car breaks down mid-drive.   1.Turn on Your Hazard Lights In unprecedented times like a car breakdown, you should switch on your hazard lights. Doing this will communicate to the other drivers on the road that something is wrong and you need to get by. The flashing signal allows others to be aware of your presence and maneuver around you.   2.Get to the Side of the Road If you perceive that your vehicle is about to malfunction, you should do your best to get to the road shoulder before it stops completely. The road shoulder is the safest area to be, and being there will ... read more

A vehicle's optimum function dramatically depends on the exhaust system. The exhaust system has the responsibility of emitting gases and other combustion elements from the automotive engine. It also reduces any unnecessary sounds generated from the combustion process, making your ride stable and smooth. The exhaust system is made up of different parts that work harmoniously to achieve its purposes. These parts include:   Exhaust manifold Oxygen Sensors Catalytic converter Tailpipe Muffler Resonator   If there is trouble with any of the components, the entire exhaust system is compromised. We have seen many types of exhaust system troubles, but these are the most common:    MALFUNCTIONING OXYGEN SENSOR The oxygen sensors work within the exhaust system to balance the mixture of air and fuel. Their defects are somewhat common, and it affects the computer engine. An abnormal air-fuel mixture balance will lead to a clogged catalytic converter. As you will ... read more

Summer is on the horizon, and we know what that means: long days, hot sun, and road trips! With the summer months come more opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy all that this season offers. But don't forget about your car care needs. Here are 5 car care tips for summer to help protect your vehicle from wear and tear during these warmer months. Load Up Your Car With Essentials The first thing to do is load up your car with essentials to keep you on the road. We recommend bringing an emergency kit, water, snacks, and a first-aid kit to stay safe in any situation. And don't forget those other must-haves like jumper cables or tire jacks! Change Your Oil & Air Filter Next, change the filters in your vehicle. An air filter is essential to keep debris from entering the engine, while an oil change will help decrease friction in your engine and make it run more efficiently. Check Your Tire Pressure Another thing you don't want to forget is to check your tire pressure. T ... read more

Virtually every driver on the planet has experienced a steady check engine light going on for no obvious reason. In most cases, if the vehicle is still running with no apparent problem, most drivers ignore the light. There are, however, times when a check engine light is blinking and should not be ignored. Here is what either type of check engine light means. A Steady Light is a Warning A steady light means something is wrong or about to go wrong, but it is not a dire emergency. It could be something as simple as a sensor going bad, which normally is an inspection issue and nothing more. A Blinking Light is Bad In most cases, a check engine light will shine steadily, a serious reminder that something is amiss in your vehicle. If the light is blinking, however, your minor annoyance and concern just got elevated. If the check engine light is blinking, get to the nearest trustworthy mechanic you know. What a Blinking Light Means It could be overheating or an oil pressure issue. I ... read more

A blue engine coolant temperature light only indicates one thing: that your coolant, or antifreeze, is too cold. In fact, the temperature is so low that it is possible for your radiator to get too cold, thus resulting in your engine freezing up and not being able to start. But for this light to come on right at startup is normal. If anything, it's simply telling you that you just need to let your engine warm up a bit. In the meantime, your vehicle's system is performing a routine temperature check, and that's normal. It's also an excellent safety feature that wakes up your engine prior to take-off. Allowing your vehicle a couple of minutes to warm up is equivalent to you enjoying that delicious first cup of coffee that starts you up and keeps you going the rest of the day. In most cases, this blue light only stays on for a minute or two. When this happens, driving off right away is ill-advised, especially in certain gears. The blue light will go off when you've gi ... read more

Many vehicle owners do not understand the magnitude of their daily driving habits and the pivotal impact on a car's longevity. A few of the most common driving habits that are damaging your car include: Aggressive Braking and Accelerating Stopping abruptly can be unavoidable in certain situations. Most of the time, aggressive braking behavior results from poor anticipation and attention to your surroundings. And abrupt acceleration is the product of an adrenaline rush. Both forceful braking and acceleration wear out the brake pads and rotors, thus significantly reducing your vehicle's working efficiency. Cold Starting Cold starts are when you start your vehicle after sitting inactive for some tie. When the engine starts after these events, the engine has difficulty lubricating the transmission. Repeated cold starting affects the life expectancy of your vehicle's engine. So, it is recommended that you allow the engine to warm up before d ... read more

Automobiles top the list of the pollutants that are hampering our environment day in and day out. This has driven modern manufacturers to design eco-friendly vehicles that consume less fuel and emit fewer fumes. People are also adopting greener ways to minimize environmental damage by adopting carpooling, cycling, walking, and using public transport. Despite all these measures, driving is inevitable for most people, so here are some environment-friendly driving tips that can bring about a reduction in our carbon footprints. Invest in an eco-friendly vehicle. Modern technology has made energy-efficient vehicle options more accessible for us, such as hybrids, hydrogen battery-operated, and electric cars. Purchasing a vehicle with reduced carbon emissions benefits the environment as well as your fuel economy. Get rid of extra stuff from the vehicle. Extra weight such as bike racks, strollers, boxes, etc., in the truck or around the car increases the aerodynamic resistance, reducing th ... read more

A vehicle contains numerous components that aid in reducing discomfort during car rides. A muffler is among the essential features that ensure a smooth ride. The muffler is placed under the vehicle's rear and forms part of the vehicle's engine's exhaust system. Mufflers are made of steel, which is then coated with aluminum to shield them from the exhaust system's heat and chemicals. The Function of the Mufflers Whenever exhaust valves open, there is a large burst of burnt gases that have been used during engine combustion, and it's released into the exhaust system. Mufflers thus help in minimizing the noise emitted from the engine and controls the engine backpressure. Mufflers considerably increase the performance and endurance of the engine. How do Mufflers Work The functioning of the muffler is precise and straightforward. Mufflers are fit with tubes. That have perforations that direct sound waves through the muffler and out. The sound waves pass through a cen ... read more