Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

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

You may take your car or truck's air conditioning for granted until it breaks down during the hottest part of summer. Even though Austin has some nice weather year-round, the scorching months are ahead when you're going to rely heavily on your vehicle's air conditioning system. Does your vehicle have any of these signs? They could be an indication that it's time for a/c repair. Leaks or Puddles Inside/Outside the Car Are you finding small puddles of water on the floor mat of your car? This is unusual as it doesn't often rain in Austin. It could be your a/c is starting to break down. The a/c system should be draining outside of your vehicle when it's functioning properly. This moisture comes from the air as it's pulled through the unit, then expelled outside. The most common reason you'll see water puddled inside your car is from having a clogged drain hose. There may also be refrigerant leaks that can cause your a/c to stop working. If your unit has run out of refrigerant, then no air ... read more

Thanks for stopping by our first blog entry on our new and improved website! This is going to be where we write about anything and everything automotive related. We may share auto industry news, car care tips, automotive history, new and exciting products or services that we offer, and much more. Be sure to stop by once and awhile to find new entries! For our first blog entry, we'll be talking a little bit about our ten Austin's Automotive Specialists locations and the services we offer. You can find all of this information throughout our website, but we'll condense it all here for easy reference. What Do We Service? All of our Austin's Automotive Specialists locations service every make and model vehicle, both foreign and domestic. No matter what you drive, or how you drive it, we can help make sure it's operating at peak performance and efficiency. What Kind of Repairs Do We Perform? We do it all! Our focus is on general ... read more