Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

Everyone has been in this scenario once or more in their lives – When you’ve had a busy week or day, all you want to do is run back home. However, rush hour traffic slows you down and puts your car at a stop. And before you know it, the low gas indicator comes on your dash. Whether you panic or not, you might start to wonder when the tank will run dry. Should you take a risk and run your gas as close to empty as possible? Or take the extra 15 minutes or so to fill up?    Truthfully, it is not good to run your car for long with the low fuel light on, let alone running the tank completely empty. There are two reasons why:   You Could Run Out Completely and Be Stuck The most obvious reason why you should not drive until your gas light comes on is that you may feel like you can put it off for longer. Eventually, you will run out of gas while on the road. This can be a costly situation to put yourself in. Think about the cost of having to call for a tow truck ... read more

A head gasket is a flat component that forms a barrier between the cylinder head and the engine block. Its main job is to keep engine oil and coolant separated. When the head gasket goes off, several things can happen.    For one, you most likely will have a warped cylinder head, which will cost you money to replace. Moreover, you may find coolant in your oil, or oil in your coolant. Either way, the fluids will be contaminated, and you’ll need to have them replenished.  Here are some symptoms that you might notice when your head gasket is in serious trouble: White exhaust smoke  Engine misfires  Rough idling Poor fuel mileage Coolant or oil puddle High temperature reading Dashboard warning light on The truth is oil contaminating coolant is not as serious as coolant leaking into your motor oil. Because there needs to be a steady flow of coolant running at all times, your engine is at high risk of overheating. In turn, that will cause even more da ... read more

Summer's high temperatures are extremely dangerous for your car's battery. The car's engine and batteries are put under a lot of strain as the temperature rises. Therefore, you may find yourself in a situation where your car's battery isn't at its best. Also, keep an eye on your car's battery in hot weather since temperatures are rising yearly. Charging the Battery Properly Correctly charging the battery is the single most important step for increasing its life span. Use a battery charger that charges the battery in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, if required, to recharge the battery to full capacity. Park in the Shade Simple steps like parking in a garage or shade might help preserve your battery. When left in direct sunlight, your car's hood warms up rapidly, causing heat damage. Avoiding direct sunlight can significantly reduce the temperature, which may extend the life of your car's battery. Always Keep the Battery Clean Su ... read more

Fluid maintenance is a key part of general car maintenance. Fluid flushes are the process of  removing old fluids from a system and replenishing them with new fluids. While you are probably aware of transmission or coolant flushes, most people tend to be confused about how the power steering system. Does the power steering fluid require a fluid change?   If your car has a hydraulic power steering system, then the answer is yes. Driving with contaminated or low power steering fluid can lead to dangerous driving conditions. Plus, it can damage other parts like the power steering pump.   You should always follow your automaker’s instructions on power steering fluid maintenance. They may have the recommended intervals listed in the owner’s manual. Plus, it may have specific fluid requirements.   Another way you can tell to change the power steering fluid is by the noise your steering makes. Steering should be done easily and quietly. When you notice no ... read more

The braking system serves the vital role of helping you slow down and stop your vehicle. Most of the time, it is a hydraulic system that transmits pressure once you apply pressure onto the brake pedal. The harder you press, the quicker your vehicle will be able to slow down. None of this can happen without the brake fluid.   Brake fluid is the substance that sends the pressure to engage your brakes. It also lubricates the moving parts and protects them against corrosion. When problems with the brake fluid occur, your entire braking system will become less effective. You’ll need to bleed or flush the fluid to restore its performance.  Brake Bleeding vs Brake Fluid Flush Bleeding the Brakes – If your brake pedals feel spongy or loose, it usually calls for bleeding of the brakes. Air is brake fluid’s worst enemy. Brake bleeding service is the process of removing any trapped air within the system using a bleed screw. Brake Flush – The brake flush is a ... read more