Do you know that improper maintenance of cars is responsible for the reduction of their life time by over 27%? Our Houston Auto Repair shop sees this day in and day out, and it’s a problem not many owners are aware of, yet it’s not hard to prevent. With the fuel prices and repair costs increasing every six months, you will never want your car to break down unexpectedly. With some simple tips followed regularly, you can maintain your car in perfect condition for a decade. While Whitty’z is the best Houston Auto Repair shop in the area, we also want our customers to be informed so they can avoid costlier major repairs. Here’s just a few tips that will pay off in dividends. As always make sure you use a reputable Houston Auto Repair shop like Whitty’z when getting serviced
Regular Service With A Smile:
Nothing works as good as a regular service to keep a smile on your cars grill. Read the car’s owner’s manual and find out if your mechanic is providing the necessary maintenance. This helps avoiding the expensive repairs related to engine, cooling system, suspension and other components. A well maintained car also makes availing the manufacturer warranty easy. Make sure to keep documents of all work and always make sure the shop is ASE certified, any respectable Houston Auto Repair shop will be.
Minimize the Cold Starts:
When you start the cold engine, condensation occurs in the exhaust. If the car is not driven long enough till all the condensation evaporates, water accumulates in the muffler which causes rust that may cause a hole in it. Our Houston Auto Repair shops have replaced many a muffler that weren’t but a couple of years old, and cold starts are almost always the culprit. Never start a cold car just to travel a few blocks or to pull it out of garage. For people owning more than one vehicle, using the one that has recently been used is the best thing to do.
Do Not Keep It Idle for More Than a Week:
Leaving the car idle may cause fluids to gradually drain out of the system. In situations where you will be out of town, consult Whitty’z, your trusted Houston Auto Repair shop for preventative solutions.
Keep an Eye on Fluid Condition:
Let’s face it Houston summers are HOT! Those summer heatwaves can wreak havoc on car fluids. Regularly monitor the levels of your car’s brake fluid, transmission fluid, anti-freeze oil and power steering fluid. Just because they do not leak, it doesn’t mean that the car is in perfect condition. Anti-freeze oil will be pink, yellow or green depending on the brand, but a brown color denotes that it is filled with dirt or rust. Transmission fluid must be red; a brown color and burnt smell means it has to be replaced. Engine oil should never be black – it has to be clear. Also, if it appears white in colour, it probably has water in it, due to condensation or an anti-freeze leak if you see any of these bad signs, contact your trusted Houston Auto Repair shop immediately for an appointment.
Replace the Air Filter When Necessary:
Whitty’z is the leading Houston Auto Repair Shop and we see more clogged up filters any other unkempt vehicle part. Many car owners simply don’t think about it, but it’s just like a person if you can’t breathe you can’t function. A dusty air filter simply sucks down the gas mileage. For every twelve thousand miles, you will have to replace the air filter. This job does not need a mechanic; you can purchase a matching air filter for your car at any auto parts store and the car’s manual will have the steps to fix it.
Care for the Tires:
Make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Insufficient air pressure in them reduces fuel efficiency and lifetime by 15% and 10% respectively. Keep a tire gauge in your garage and glove compartment to monitor the air pressure every 4 days. Also, if you feel like the tires are worn out, bring your car in to Whitty’z Houston Auto Repair Shop and replace them if necessary.
Get Off to a Slow Start:
Every time you start the car, drive for two or three minutes at slow speeds so that the engine gets sufficiently heated up. This shouldn’t be a problem in Houston traffic, so just be patient and don’t gun it down the feeder road. This slow gentle increase in workload unburdens the strain on it. You can also install an electric engine space heater to start the car with a warm engine for those rare Houston snow storms.
A well-maintained car that has limited emissions and long life does not only save you money, but also contributes to keep the environment green. Many people lack complete knowledge on car maintenance. Whitty’z Houston Auto Repair Shop has professional ASE certified technicians that are happy to educate you about your vehicle.
We are owner operated and customer service oriented. Our goal is to build your trust so we can fix your vehicle and give you a great experience time and time again. We believe in REAL customer service So, at Whitty’z if you call between 8-6 pm Monday- Saturday you will get a conversation and not an answering service. Give us a chance to earn your business and your trust. You deserve quality service and integrity in your Houston Auto Repair facility. We know that your vehicle is one of your most important possessions and we treat it like our own.
