Austin's Best Choice for Auto Repair

Pads, Discs, & Calipers When you visit the auto shop for brake repair, and they start talking about the pads, calipers, rotors, and discs, do you know what they mean? At Austin's Automotive Specialists in Hutto, Texas, we don't expect everyone to be an automotive expert. That's why we're sharing our knowledge to help you better understand vehicle repairs. Keep reading for a basic understanding of the main brake components. Brake Pads The brakes function by creating friction. Parts squeeze together to stop the wheels from spinning. To buffer the squeezing and create a smooth stopping experience, brake pads fit between the discs and calipers on each wheel. When you engage the brakes, it's the pads that make contact with the discs to generate friction. That causes them to wear down over time, which is why they need regular service. You don't want to drive around without brake pads, or your car might not stop at all! Brake Rotors/Discs The discs, also known as the rotors, are the large ... read more

Interested in Auto Repair? Are you interested in learning more about what it's like to work in the auto repair industry? The opportunities and responsibilities in different career positions can be very rewarding! Austin's Automotive Specialists in Austin, Texas, is happy to share insight into the key auto repair roles to help you better understand what it's like to work in the industry. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out! We would love to tell you more about our line of work. Technician Auto technicians are the ones working in the garage. They need to know their stuff to provide reliable repairs and services for all kinds of vehicles. That's why it's recommended that aspiring technicians pursue an education to develop a strong foundation. Having a general understanding of auto mechanics and how cars work is a great place to start! To dive in further, we recommend the National Institute for Automotive Service Exce ... read more

How Auto A/C Works It's nice to know the basics of your car's important systems, especially when it's time for repair or service. That way, you know what is going on with your vehicle. Austin's Automotive Specialists in Lakeway, Texas, is always happy to explain things on the spot, or you can keep reading to learn more about your car's A/C system! Refrigerant Refrigerant, also commonly known as Freon, fills the A/C system. It changes physical properties from gas to liquid as it moves through the different parts of the A/C system — the compressor and condenser. As it changes temperature and state, it absorbs the heat, which makes the air left behind cooler. Car AC doesn't work by creating cool air. Instead, it removes heat and moisture to make the cabin feel more comfortable. Compressor The compressor is powered by the car's serpentine belt. It places the refrigerant under extremely high pressure, causing it to liquefy and warm up. Once it's hot, the refrigerant moves from the com ... read more

Why You Need Regular Service Why does your car need a wheel alignment? The culprits that throw off your vehicle's geometry are often unavoidable. That's why so many automotive professionals, including Austin's Automotive Specialists of Round Rock, recommend regular wheel alignment service. That will ensure you are always driving your vehicle in its best form. Regular Wear & Tear How does a vehicle fall out of alignment? Sometimes, the answer is as simple as this: it just happens. If you are driving your car, it's undergoing normal wear and tear. Part of the process may affect the wheel positioning. That's why it's important for all drivers to stick to a routine maintenance schedule. Even if you don't think that your alignment is off, it might need a few degrees of adjustment to get back to the factory settings. Skipping wheel alignment as part of your routine maintenance can lead to multiple problems. Your tires might wear out sooner. The engine might need more fre ... read more

Supporting Clean Engine Performance If you own a car, you hear about oil changes all the time because your vehicle regularly needs them. One part of fluid service that some drivers don't know about is the oil filter, which should also be changed during your visit. Austin's Automotive Specialists in Leander, Texas, summarizes everything you need to know about the oil filter if you care about having a clean and healthy engine. What it Does The oil filter removes contaminants from the motor oil. “But how does the oil get contaminated if it's brand new?” Good question. Not all motor oils are the same. Some are less pure and may contain particles even right out of the bottle. Dirt, dust, and debris from daily driving also find their way into your vehicle and the motor oil. Since that's unavoidable, oil filters are used to trap them and prevent anything from building up in the engine. Without the oil filter, dirt and contaminants would build up in the engine and damage parts. Tha ... read more