Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

While it's important to have regular oil changes done on your vehicle, there are times when your vehicle may not perform as expected, or it may give off strange sounds or vibrations that indicate there's a problem. If you experience any of the following issues then it's time to call Austin's Automotive Specialists in Hutto, TX to book an appointment. Rough Shifting Your car's transmission is there to do the shifting work. It should provide smooth and reliable movements. But there may come a point when your vehicle hesitates when you're shifting to reverse or forward. Perhaps your gear changes feel rough or abrupt. Your vehicle may even be upshifting or downshifting at the wrong moments, or be sluggish when you're moving it into a higher gear. If you have these signs, it may be time for a tuneup in Hutto, TX. Sluggish Acceleration Sluggish acceleration can become dangerous if you're trying to get onto one of the chaotic highways or freeways in Texas. Extra power may also be needed when ... read more

It's important for your vehicle to undergo regular oil changes, but it can be hard for a car owner to determine what time is the right time to head to Austin's Automotive Specialists for that oil change. The advice you may hear is to have your oil change done once every 3,000 miles. The best advice is to track your mileage and check your vehicle's user manual to see what drain interval is best. Why Mileage Varies In the past, every 3,000 miles was the best advice. But now there are more fuel-efficient and better engineered vehicles on the road. Every 5,000 miles may be more acceptable advice. However, in some car manuals you may notice how it says that an oil change is acceptable at 7,500 to 10,000 miles too. This is due to better engines today, and also better engine oils. Today's engine oils may be completely synthetic, or they be of a blend that lasts much longer that conventional oils. Other Factors Affecting Oil Besides doing oil changes based on mileage there can be other factors ... read more

Many car and truck owners want to wait longer between oil changes and vehicle maintenance, but worry that it can affect the performance or longevity of their vehicle. This is perhaps the number one argument between vehicle owners: how often is it necessary to change that oil? And even though car makers may recommend you do an oil change from 5,000 to 10,000 miles, is that really because oil last thats long, or is there another underlying reason? Conflicting Advice Between Car Manufacturers There are some car makers who are claiming it's fine to change your oil every 10,000 miles or more, while some recommend you do it at 5,000. It can be tempting to buy that vehicle off the lot when you don't have to perform oil changes as often. But can it be that the car manufacturers are simply trying to sell more vehicles? While it may seem like auto manufacturers are just trying to sell more cars, this isn't actually the case. In reality, modern day oils and vehicle manufacturing is much better th ... read more

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