Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

Cars aren't really supposed to give off potent smells. Maybe at most, they can produce smokey fumes, as well as the faint odor of gas. But what about if your vehicle starts to smell like rotten eggs while running? This sulfur smell is never meant to be considered normal. So if this is happening to you, it is a sign that you probably should have your vehicle inspected. If you're reading this article, you're most likely dealing with this issue at the moment and wondering what exactly is causing this annoying smell, so let's begin. Source of the smell Most often suspected of causing this kind of smell is the vehicle's catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is one of the components that make up your car's emissions system. In a nutshell, this converter does precisely that; it converts harmful emissions like exhaust gases into more harmless emissions. This harmless gas, known as sulfur dioxide, is completely odorless. When a catalytic converter fails to do it ... read more

The anti-lock braking system or ABS is a safety mechanism that prevents a car's brakes from locking up and stops the car from skidding when the brake pedal is pressed. If the ABS light remains on when the car has been started it may mean that the ABS system is deactivated due to a possible malfunction. It is not safe to drive when the ABS light is on because it means the vehicle would not operate the way it is supposed to when you brake suddenly. The car could skid across the road in an emergency situation and cause a serious accident. The four most common scenarios where the ABS light may go on is when the ABS module malfunctions if there are low levels in the fluid reservoir, broken wheel speed sensors, or the system has deliberately been turned off. The ABS, an anti-lock braking system, shares some very important components with the traction control system in the vehicle and it is imperative that when the ABS light comes on you should pull your car off the road into a safe p ... read more

What is a timing chain? A timing chain, or in some motors a timing belt, is responsible for coordinating the opening and closing of valves within the internal combustion engine. This coordination is achieved by synchronizing the camshaft and crankshaft to open and close the valves while simultaneously preventing the pistons from hitting these valves. The timing chain consists of multiple links that run smoothly over gears, but with such a dynamic role in the motor, the timing chain is susceptible to wear and tear and may cause problems. Luckily, there are a few tell-tale symptoms to look out for. What are the symptoms of a bad timing chain? The engine misfires. Once a timing chain is stretched and has lost its integrity, the chain may skip a gear and lose the necessary coordination leading to an engine misfire. Repeated misfires could indicate a timing chain issue and should be investigated.   There is a rattling sound. A lax timing chain, or worse, a broken timing chain wi ... read more

If your new brakes are producing a squeaking sound then you would be quite worried about it! It's not ideal to put yourself in danger so it's better to visit a professional auto mechanic. Let's find out what are the possible causes behind the squeaking sound of the new brakes. Why The New Brakes of Your Car Are Squeaking? It's surely bothersome when you just got the new brakes, but again there is an issue. The following causes are possible: When you press down on the brake pedal, the pads and rotors are the two parts that touch. It's possible that there could be moisture on these two parts due to rain or snow and hence contributing to the squeaking noise. But, it would go away when you would start driving your vehicle. You might have got brake pads of cheap quality and that's causing the squeaking noise that you don't like! It's important to visit a reliable service provider.  It's possible that the metal fibers on the pads would be causing ... read more

How frequently your vehicle needs an oil change depends on several factors. The tried-and-true guideline about changing oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles is no longer viable. Depending on the vehicle and type of oil, some vehicles may not need an oil change until 10,000 miles or every 7-9 months. So, how does the average consumer know when to change their vehicle oil? There are several helpful guidelines available. Start with the Manufacturer Recommendations: What does the owner's manual say? Read and follow the manufacturer's guidelines about what type of oil to use and when to change it. Often, the manufacturer will recommend changing the oil filter at the same time. How do you drive? Owner's manuals often separate regular and extreme driving. Extreme driving may include items like towing, racing, and off-road driving. Stop and go driving or quick trips in a city also fall under these guidelines. These driving conditions require more ... read more