Texas Auto Repair

Warning lights on the dashboard are always concerning. If one pops up that looks like a steering wheel, there's something wrong with the car's power steering. You might be wondering what exactly that means and whether you can continue driving. Power Steering Basics All cars from the last few decades have power steering. Manual steering takes a lot of effort, and power steering relieves that. The system could be either hydraulic or electric, with the latter becoming more common. If there's an issue with the system, the car will automatically disable power steering until it has been fixed. Power Steering Warning Light Causes Hydraulic Systems The warning is likely letting you know that the car is low on power steering fluid. Check the level right away and fill it if you can. However, if there's fluid loss, there's a leak somewhere. If the fluid level isn't low, there's another issue that will need diagnosing. Electric Systems Occasionally, little glitch ... read more

The engine of your car is made up of several parts. From the engine block to the cylinders, spark plugs, and other components. The oil pan is located at the bottom of the block, covering the crankcase and fastened to the engine. This device serves as a reservoir for motor oil, which circulates through the engine to lubricate and cool moving components. The oil pan gasket covers the oil pan to the engine block, preventing oil from escaping as it flows from the pan to the engine and back. However, since oil is always flowing, no vehicle is immune to oil leaks. Oil leaks are often caused by the oil pan or a damaged oil pan gasket. Here's all you need to know about your car's oil pan gasket. A gasket: what is it? In general, gaskets are employed as a sealing and cushioning material between two surfaces that are attached by bolts. So, what exactly is an oil gasket? The oil pan gasket, as the description says, seals the region between the oil pan and the engine blo ... read more

Starting problems are annoying and a major inconvenience for many drivers. Most people are quick to put the blame on their vehicle's battery and immediately grab their jumper cables. But, some car starting problems can also be at the fault of other parts like your alternator. Before examining your vehicle's warning signs, you need to know how these parts operate.   A car's electrical components go through a three-step process to start and run your engine. The battery brings a jolt of electricity to the starter. Once your engine gets going, it puts the alternator to work. Finally, the alternator's movements are responsible for charging the battery. As you can see, these parts ultimately rely on each other to function.   To determine which electrical component is at fault, you can closely examine the warning symptoms. Dead Battery Symptoms Dim Dashboard Lights Battery Corrosion Battery Age (2-5+ Years) Car Doesn't Start (At All) Failing Alternator S ... read more

Your car's brake system is arguably the most important safety feature, which is why you should be taking care of them. Usually, brake pads will last about 50,000 miles, but it's best to replace them as soon as you catch signs of wear. The interval between replacements can also vary depending on the type of conditions you drive in and your driving habits. Here are four essential tips to help you preserve your brake system and its parts.  Tip #1 - Avoid speeding We're all aware of the dangers of speeding, but it can also be harmful to your brakes. If you have to decelerate rapidly or come to a complete stop after heavily accelerating, it can prematurely wear down your brakes a lot faster. In other words, brake pads wear out quicker when there is more energy they have to put out. It's best to slow down slowly and steadily.  Tip #2 - Only use 1 foot to brake This tip may be silly, but you should only have one foot on the brake or acceleration foot pedals (not ... read more

A radiator flush provides numerous benefits for your vehicle's cooling system. It is a relatively inexpensive service that should be done once a year or per your manufacturer's suggested interval. Before we get into the benefits, we should go over what a fluid flush is. There is a major distinction between a flush and drainage of coolant in the radiator, so make sure you stay tuned for more information.   Flush vs. Drain Flushing your system requires us to squeeze the several gallons of coolant, and any contaminants out that may have built up in your cooling system. A flush is a full-proof way of getting rid of the old anti-freeze before adding fresh fluid in. On the other hand, drainage only removes roughly 50% of the total anti-freeze in the system and leaves the other half of the dirty fluid behind. Leaving some of that gunk behind to be mixed with clean liquid doesn't do any good, so a flush is your best bet to obtain a better-performing cooling system.   ... read more