AUSTIN AUTO REPAIR

It's one thing that nobody wants to hear regarding their car, "It's going to need engine repair." Many people instantly assume that this means their vehicle is going to require expensive repair, but that may not be the case. As long as you take your car into a professional auto repair shop as soon as you notice a problem there is a good chance it can be resolved with minimal work. If you ever experience the following four symptoms of engine trouble be sure to make that appointment right away. Engine knocking noise One of the most common signs of engine trouble is a knocking noise coming from under the hood. This is often times the sound of worn out engine bearings. Without proper lubrication or simply due to high mileage wear and tear these bearings, which support the movements of the interior engine pieces, may wear thin and could eventually seize up. To avoid this be sure to get to the repair shop as soon as possible. Increased exhaust smoke I ... read more

Gas pricing are reaching lows across the nation that haven't been seen in years. While this is great news for all drivers it doesn't mean that people shouldn't still be trying to get the most distance possible out of a tank of gas. There are many auto maintenance procedures that you can perform for your vehicle in order to increase your fuel efficiency, saving you hundreds of dollars at the gas pump over the course of a single year. Here are 5 quick tips to maximize your vehicle's miles per gallon. Change the Air Filter One of the most best things you can do for your car is ensure that you maintain a clean air filter. Your vehicle runs on a combination of air and gasoline and if the proper amount of air is not able to get into the combustion chamber due to a clogged filter your vehicle will compensate by burning additional gasoline, lowering your MPGs and potentially causing major engine damage. New Spark Plugs Spark plugs are fed an electrical ... read more

Searching for a reliable auto repair shop can be difficult thanks to the stigma that independent facilities have acquired over the years. How do you know who you can trust and who is just going to try to get the most money out of your wallet? There are a few characteristics that you can look for as you search for an honest auto shop that will ensure you're not only going to get a great repair, but be treated well, also. ASE Certified Technicians To ensure your vehicle is fixed right the first time always bring your vehicle to a shop that employs ASE certified technicians. Automotive Service Excellence is the industry standard for technician testing in auto repair and customer service. When you see the blue seal of approval you know you're in for fair and reliable repair service. AAA Approved Auto Repair It is not easy for a shop to earn a AAA approval. The Automobile Association of America has high standards. A repair shop must ... read more

If you're searching for an auto repair shop you no doubt want to trust your vehicle to a shop that has a reputation for doing honest work at affordable prices. While a quick Google search may reveal many options in regard to shops near your home, how can you tell which will be able to actually take care of the problem with your vehicle, without ripping you off? There are a few key ingredients to a great shop. Be sure to look for the following qualities in your search for auto repair. AAA Approved Auto Repair Perhaps one of the most important things to search for in an auto repair shop is an AAA Approval. The Automobile Club of America does not hand out these certifications very easily. A shop must meet extensive criteria in regard to customer service, pricing and the services offered in order to be eligible for the prestigious red, white and blue badge. Plus, if you're an AAA member you'll be able to get a discount on your service! ASE ... read more

Your car or truck's transmission, whether it is automatic or manual, controls the speed of the engine and transfers power to the wheels. When a vehicle is driven properly the transmission helps to achieve maximum miles per gallon and ensures the engine doesn't run so fast that parts break or seals blow. It is important to conduct proper transmission maintenance throughout the life of your vehicle at mileage intervals recommended by your auto's manufacturer. If you don't you will begin to experience these signs of transmission problems that will likely result in a need for costly auto repair. If you experience any of the following transmission failure symptoms call your local mechanic to schedule an appointment right away to avoid more extensive problems. Grinding Gears A common sign of transmission trouble is a grinding noise happening during shifting. A shaking sensation coming from the clutch pedal or the gear shifter may also accompany the noise. Transmission Flui ... read more

There are some services that your car requires that need to be completed without question. While you may think that your vehicle with more than 70,000 miles on it is running great now, in a moment's notice all that could change due to the failure of one part. The timing belt is a very important part of your vehicle, and should it snap it can wreak havoc for your engine. If the belt were to completely fail you'd likely find yourself with a vehicle that needs a complete engine rebuild. There could be some signs the belt is on its way out, but more often than not there is no warning. This is why it is important to have the belt replaced as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. What is the function of the timing belt? The timing belt is a small, toothed belt that connects the camshaft to the crankshaft. This in turn regulates the opening and closing of the valves. This ensures that cycle of the engine happens at the correct time, providing a smooth running motor ... read more

With numerous systems operating together within vehicles it can be difficult to know what exactly is causing a problem. Diagnosis can be tough without an understanding of a car's innerworkings, but there are some specific symptoms that will likely point directly to an particular part that is having trouble. The transmission will exhibit a few tell-tale signs of trouble should it be in need of service. These are 5 common issues you'll run into if it is time for transmission repair or service. Grinding Noises while Shifting Grinding, whining or other strange noises that occur as your transmission shifts are certainly a symptom of trouble. They may be caused by mechanical issue or a lack of fluid. Be sure to have a trusted mechanic check out the problem so you don't end up stuck on the shoulder because your car fails to shift. Transmission Fluid Leaks Transmission fluid is dyed a red color in order to make it easy to distinguish from other types of ... read more

Shortly after starting your vehicle's engine it begins to operate at incredibly high temperatures. Without the help of the cooling system the engine would cook itself from within, quickly failing and resulting in a need for an engine transplant. Thankfully your cooling system prevents this from happening, that is, if it is in good working condition. If you notice any of the following signs of trouble with the cooling system you will want to make an appointment with your mechanic to get it taken care of right away to prevent major engine damage. Rising Temperature Gauge More often than not one of the first signs of trouble that you will experience with the cooling system is a red hot temperature gauge. Well, the gauge itself won't be hot, but it will indicate that the engine is! This gauge is generally placed on the dashboard, and should you ever notice that it is pointing to the hot zone you should pull over and shut your car off as soon as it is safe and legal to do so. Ste ... read more

Your car takes care of your transportation needs, getting you to and from all the places you want and need to go. In order to continue having that freedom it is important that you in turn take care of your car's maintenance needs. If you check the service schedule inside the owner's manual you will find out exactly what your vehicle requires and when. Maintenance is performed at certain mileage points to ensure your car is running the best it possibly could. Here is how maintenance benefits your car. Best MPGs By conducting routine maintenance you will find yourself spending less time at the gas station and more time on the road. Regular maintenance includes changing filters and running diagnostics to ensure that certain sensors are operating properly. This is one of many ways that routine maintenance will save you money in the long term. Keeps warranty valid If your vehicle is under warranty it is important that you keep up with all the necessa ... read more

Once your check engine light comes on, time is of the essence. Your car is telling you there is a small problem that needs to be fixed now, or you can wait and likely need to fix a much bigger issue. When your light comes on, contact an expert auto repair shop to have the problem diagnosed using computer computer diagnostic equipment that will pinpoint the fault. Here are 5 common reasons the light comes on. Faulty Catalytic Converter The catalytic converter helps reduce harmful emissions by converting carbon monoxide and other hazardous gases into less harmful emissions. Replacing a catalytic converter is pretty pricy, but they generally don't fail unless something else has already broke, such as much less expensive spark plugs or an airflow sensor. This is why it is important to get your car to a professional mechanic as soon as the check engine light comes on so that you can get the initial problem fixed for a couple hundred dollars before having to spend th ... read more