Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

You might notice a small amount of smoke escaping from your tailpipe as you start up your car one morning and start to worry. There's no need. This kind of smoke is normal. It's just water vapor from condensation that has gathered in the exhaust system overnight. But a cloud of smoke billowing from underneath your car's hood as you drive? That's the kind of smoke with cause for concern. Different colors and smells of smoke can help indicate the cause, though it's best to err on the side of caution and take your vehicle to a mechanic if you're concerned. What Do the Different Colors of Smoke Mean? White Smoke: This is usually a signal that coolant is being sprayed onto a hot engine by a blown radiator hose. It's usually accompanied by a strong, sweet smell from the coolant. Black Smoke (with a burning plastic smell): A burning plastic smell accompanying black smoke usually indicates an electrical failure. The sm ... read more

  Vehicle fluids are just as essential as your tires and engine. Over time, your car's fluids can become contaminated with dirt and outside pollutants, detrimentally impacting your vehicle's performance. This is one reason why it's vital to visit your trusted automotive shop for regular inspections, fluid top-offs, and fluid flushes. Fluid maintenance is usually quick and affordable. It's an easy way to boost the health of your vehicle quickly. Most drivers are aware that engine oil is essential and make a point to get oil changes regularly. However, they forget about the other fluids that work together to power the vehicle efficiently. Below is a short guide with information on essential fluid flush services.    Coolant Flush Coolant prevents the engine from reaching extreme temperatures by absorbing the heat, recirculating it back to the radiator. It also protects the engine from freezing during cold winter temperature ... read more

It's officially fall here in Austin! It's time to schedule your vehicle maintenance service while temperatures aren't too cold. Maintaining your vehicle saves you money, which means your pockets won't hurt during the holidays. A well-maintained car runs more efficiently. Caring for your car in the fall prevents winter break downs. Below are five tips to consider for fall vehicle maintenance.  Check the Tires It's the perfect time of year to check the condition of your tires. Stop by a nearby gas station and check their inflation. Take the opportunity to give them a fill or even decrease their pressure if you need to. Keep an eye on the tire tread. Tire tread tells you a lot about the health of your tires. If the tire tread is even, the wills are aligned and balanced. Uneven tire tread usually spells trouble.  Oil Change  Check the last time you brou ... read more

Buying a safe, reliable car doesn’t always mean purchasing new. Today’s used cars are just as efficient as more modern cars, sometimes even with a cheaper price tag. In the past, buying used felt like a game centered on chance. Carfax reports and pre-purchase inspections have made purchasing a used car a common choice for most households. Below are five reasons you should consider purchasing a used vehicle.  1. Depreciation A new vehicle starts to depreciate the moment the front tires drive off the lot. By the time the car turns one year old, it will lose about 20% of its value. Since a new vehicle depreciates quickly, it’s best to save money by purchasing an affordable car with few miles. You don’t lose as much value in depreciation in a used car as you do a newer. 2. More Value If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, your new car budget may get you more value purchasing a used vehicle. A new car budget may afford you the base model of a new car ... read more

Changing your oil is one of the most important and simplest car maintenance tasks you could do. High quality, clean oil helps prevent too much friction from taking place within the engine. It prevents corrosion by keeping the engine lubricated to avoid any essential components from rubbing together. As oil gets dirty, it becomes less effective, leading to vital parts wearing down on each other. If it’s been a long time since you’ve had an oil change, your check engine light may come on, or you may notice a leak in extreme circumstances. It can even come as a surprise if you see a puddle of oil under your vehicle after running an errand. Below are a few key reasons why oil may leak while your car is parked: A blown head gasket If you’re driving an older vehicle, the head gasket could be blown. There’s also the possibility that the rubber material surrounding the engine block may have decomposed. Both of these items would eventually need to be re ... read more