Houston Auto Repair

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

Dirty fuel injectors affect the performance of your car immensely. If your vehicle shows some rough idling or lousy gas mileage, it is a call to check its fuel injectors. Your car engine is likely to misfire if the fuel injector is not spraying enough fuel on it. Your car will find it difficult to accelerate, and the vehicle might pause when you step on the accelerator pedal. Noticing the signs of a bad fuel injector and investing through quick cleaning can help smooth the rough side. You will recover free cruising and have a smooth ride if the fuel injector starts working efficiently. Signs of a Bad Fuel Injector A dirty fuel injector can cause engine failure. The problem can make the car feel crackling, making the entire vehicle vibrate. The misfire can occur when a fuel injector problem interferes with the delicate balance between fuel and air entering the engine. Idling Gets Rough If your car is sputtering when you are at a stop sign, it is saying that there are many lousy fu ... read more

The simple answer to the above question is to guarantee you do not purchase a lemon. However, it is much more than that. Every vehicle owner should drive a safe and reliable automobile. Purchasing a used vehicle can be uncertain, especially because the condition of the vehicle can’t always be detected just by the naked eye. It may look fine on the outside, but it could have many underlying issues under the hood. That is why a pre-purchase inspection is so important to have performed before committing to purchasing a used vehicle.    Is It Worth the Money? Ultimately, a pre-purchase inspection of any car is important and definitely worth the money. Some do not want to spend the money on it; however, they should. Also, many fear the private seller or dealer will stress them if they request an inspection, but here is the deal. If they fight you on it, there is a purpose; hence you should opt for another vehicle on your list. Pre-inspections will help yo ... read more