Houston Auto Repair

A car's brakes are composed of several components, each of which needs to be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure the vehicle can stop safely in case of an emergency. These parts include brake lines, brake pads, rotors, and calipers. Common signs you need to replace brake pads and rotors Grinding Sound When Braking Anytime you apply pressure to the brake pedal, a grinding noise will sound, which means your brake pads need to be changed ASAP. Some brake pads come with metal wear indicators that emit a loud noise to alert you that they need replacement. You expose yourself to more damage and higher repair costs if you leave the brake pads to grind. Vibrations During Braking Your vehicle's braking system likely needs professional service if you hear a vibration when you apply the brakes. Your rotors are possibly warped and will have unevenly worn brake pads. Slower stopping If you're unable to apply the brakes with any force, this is another sign that your brake ... read more

Aftermarket additions are used to personalize and customize vehicles as you like. There are so many aftermarket kits and products that it can be hard to pick what you want. Furthermore, it can be challenging to determine what is most suitable for your vehicle's made and model. Among all the options, the most dramatic change you can make to your car is lifting it with a kit.   Using a suspension or body lift kit, drivers can have their ride sit higher off the ground. Besides looks, some can improve your car's performance.   Body Lift Kits Versus Suspension Lift Kits There are two general types of lift kits: body lift kits and suspension lift kits.  Body lift kits can elevate a car or truck around one to three inches off the ground. This involves lifting the vehicle's body from its frame by adding spacers or blocks. With the elevated body, you have the option to install taller tires too. It is important to note that body lift kits do not increase the vehi ... read more

To answer this question, it depends on the scenario and the kind of mix-up that occurred. Even if the situation isn't considered dangerous if done once, you should never put the wrong type of gas in your car intentionally or more than once. Below are four possible fuel mix-up scenarios: Putting 87 Octane Instead of 93 Octane Gasoline Octane numbers can be confusing for some drivers, but it is just the rating of the fuel's ability to withstand compression. Some people opt for 87 octane gas because it is cheaper. Using different octane will not cause intense damage, but things can be complex if you use a lower-than-recommended octane. Depending on the make/model and your engine design, a lower octane might not strike immediate damage, but continuing to do so could cause engine knocking.  Putting 93 Octane or Higher than Recommended Octane Gasoline Of the four different scenarios, this is the least harmful. A higher octane level will not hurt your engine, but it also won ... read more

Just as important as having your car serviced on a regular basis is driving in a way that conserves gasoline and doesn't cause unnecessary wear on your vehicle. Here are some suggestions you can employ to help you keep both fuel and repair bills lower: Stick to straight, smooth roads for safer trips that utilize less fuel. When starting your car, never race your engine. In areas with many stoplights, stick to a safe, legal speed. Lights are often timed so that stops will be minimal. Before putting your car in gear, be sure to disengage your emergency brake.  Start off slowly and drive steadily. Avoid accelerating suddenly. To save gas and your brakes, allow your car to coast when you know you will be stopping soon (at a light, for instance). Whenever possible, avoid stopping quickly. Shift into high gear as soon as you can. Driving faster than 40 mph leads to increased wind resistance, w ... read more

The water pump inside your vehicle has a very important job when it comes to ensuring that the engine stays cool while your car is running. The water pump circulates coolant to the engine, keeping it at the right temperature to prevent overheating. The good news is, most water pumps will last the entire lifetime of your vehicle. However, it isn't uncommon for a bearing to go bad or for a leak to develop which will require a water pump replacement in order to avoid major damage to your car. If your water pump does need to be replaced, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: Leaking antifreeze Faint grinding noise coming from the engine Engine overheating or high temperature gauge Water leaking from engine The symptoms above are some of the tell-tale signs that your water pump is bad and needs to be replaced. In some vehicles, the water pump is actually located next to the timing belt, and therefore will often be replaced with the timing belt. This saves you time a ... read more