Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

Older advice for doing oil changes on vehicles involved every three months or 3000 miles. Today, newer vehicles have more efficient engines, so the average advice is about 5,000 to 10,000 miles. If you read your car's user manual, some brand new cars may even suggest up to 20,000 miles! Some of this is due to better oils on the market and better vehicles. Today's oils can be fully synthetic, or a synthetic blend that lasts longer before its viscosity breaks down. Every 5,000 Miles & Up to 10,000 Miles Many car makers recommend that you change the oil every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. However, there can be other factors at work too. This can include how old the engine is inside your vehicle, the make and model of it, your driving habits, and even the road surfaces you drive on. For the Ford Motor Company, they say newer models of cars are fine until the 7,500 miles mark, while their Ford cars earlier than 2007 should have their oil changed more frequently. Driving Conditions If you're dr ... read more

Almost all modern vehicles today have a smart dashboard that will display an illuminated warning light for when something has gone wrong in the vehicle. These can be as simple as low gas or a burned out headlamp, or as complex as an engine failure. But before you totally panic, you should understand what the check engine lights can mean. If it's a burned out headlamp, you can wait until after work to have it fixed, while a transmission failure should be dealt with immediately. Here are a few of the most common causes for a check engine light. The Oxygen Sensor Needs Replacing This sensor is what's responsible for monitoring unburned oxygen from the exhaust. It helps to monitor how much fuel is burned. If the sensor is faulty then it can result in a decrease in gas mileage. Most vehicles have 2-4 sensors so your technician can use the scanner to figure out which one it is. Possibly a Loose or Faulty Gas Cap This is one of the most common issues, but it's simply enough to fix. The cap ca ... read more

Last century's vehicles required more frequent tuneups. While it's good news for today's automobile owners, your vehicle should still be regularly serviced so you can extend its life. Vehicles are extremely expensive today, so most owners want to regularly maintain their vehicles so they last well beyond the warranty. But it can be possible that you are experiencing some issues that indicate you need an immediate tuneup in Buda, TX right now. Fuel Mileage Isn't As Good Have you been filling the gas tank more often even though you're still traveling the same distances every day? It's possible your vehicle has a reduction in fuel mileage. If you're getting fewer miles out of that tank of gas you just bought, then you'll need to figure out why. It could be as simple as a sticking brake pad or the wrong tire pressure, but you need to figure out why. Noisy or Squeaky Brakes Do you have to put a harder foot on your brakes to stop? Perhaps they squeak or are noisy when you use them. You may e ... read more

Many people rely on their vehicle's air conditioning, but don't understand the complex components that make it run. Here at Austin's Automotive Specialists we don't expect our clients to be experts in automotive a/c, but it can help to have a basic understanding of how a car's a/c works, so you can be aware of what needs to be done to keep it in good working order, and when it should be maintained. What Are Refrigerants? Refrigerants are similar to radiator coolant that are responsible for converting the hot air inside a vehicle into colder air. The refrigerant absorbs the hot air and releases it back out, resulting in cooler air. One type in the past was called freon, a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that was discovered to be harmful to the ozone layer in the 90s. Since then, much safer products for the environment are used. Common Parts That Compose an A/C System An a/c system in a car is made up of a compressor, condenser, receiver dryer—also known as an accumulator, an evaporator ... read more

If you're on a tight budget it can seem simple to cut corners on your car maintenance. Sure, you changed the oil and the filters. That should be good right? Well, it depends on your vehicle, but in most instances, no. Vehicles are complex machines and routine maintenance of all components should be expected. For instance, your vehicle's wheel alignment could be off, causing you to fight with the steering wheel to stay straight on the freeways of Texas. Here are a few ways to tell if you should have your wheel alignment fixed: Directional Drift Issues Even though you're driving down a street and there's no wind, your vehicle may try to drift off to the left or right. It'll feel like the steering is off. Usually this is because the angle of the wheel is off. It's also a sure indication when you're driving if you have to turn your steering wheel away from the center position to compensate when your car veers to one side. Sometimes directional shift happens after your vehicle has run over ... read more