Archive for the ‘Tips and Tricks’ Category

Are you breaking out the air fryer for Thanksgiving? Watch this first!

Tuesday, November 10th, 2020
A stock photo of a table set of Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving Turkey Air Fryer Tips Videos 

We are just a week away from Thanksgiving and you may have chosen to scale back your plans to keep yourself and your family safe during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. If it will just be you and your in-house family, you probably don’t need to cook a huge turkey in the oven, when there are other modern kitchen appliances at your disposal. Our team was talking about their modified Thanksgiving dinner plans and found these Thanksgiving turkey air fryer tips videos from the professionals at Consumer Reports. Regardless of what you choose to do with your holiday season, everyone at Third Coast Auto Group wants you to have a safe and happy time with your loved ones. If a new vehicle would make that easier, come talk to us when your schedule opens up again.  (more…)

Have you saved enough for your down payment?

Friday, October 23rd, 2020
A stock photo of a couple holding a new set of keys.

How much should a down payment be for a used car? 

Third Coast Auto Group specializes in connecting people with the most reliable vehicle that can fit their budget. Buying a vehicle cannot be a spontaneous purchase. Responsible buyers need to factor in their monthly budget for housing, food and other required expenses, in addition to making sure they can afford their monthly car payments and keep up with maintenance. If you’re currently working through this process, you might also be wondering, ‘How much should a down payment be for a used car?’ After speaking with the financial team at a few Third Coast Auto Group locations and doing a little bit of poking around online, the consensus is that people should put down as much as they can afford. Let’s take a look at some things you should know.  (more…)

Is outdated information preventing your vehicle from being at its best?

Thursday, October 15th, 2020
A stock photo of a person checking the oil in their vehicle.

Does synthetic oil still cause engine leaks? 

The car, truck or SUV that is sitting in someone’s driveway is likely one of the biggest assets a person can own. It only makes sense that people will want to make sure they can wring every mile they can out of that investment, and the best way to do that is to make sure that the vehicle is well-maintained. Regular maintenance is the best way to keep any vehicle of almost any age running in peak condition. One of the biggest challenges to this goal is outdated thinking. If you’re wondering, ‘Does synthetic oil still cause engine leaks,’ this is the kind of outdated information we’re talking about. While Third Coast Auto Group doesn’t have a service department, it is still a question that comes up a few times a month while we’re helping customers. Let’s take a look at a few things.  (more…)

Third Coast Auto Group helps you understand popular features

Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
A photo of a vehicle with a sunroof.

How are a sunroof and moonroof different? 

There is a lot to know about modern automobiles. Even as vehicles get more technologically advanced, one of the most common questions we hear around the various Third Coast Auto Group showrooms is, ‘How are sunroof and moonroof different?’ At the most basic level, there really isn’t much of a difference anymore. However, in automotive circles, there is a distinct difference. Our team thought it would be useful to get into the weeds a bit and explain the differences between these two very popular features. Let’s take a closer look at what our team put together.   (more…)

Best Tips to Follow as A First-Time Car Buyer

Monday, September 28th, 2020
woman dealer showing vehicle info to mother with baby at dealership

Here on the Third Coast Auto Group blog, we have offered tips on what type of car to buy, the benefits of buying used, and service tips. While these tips are great for anyone who has bought a car before, it can be daunting for any first-time buyers. In today’s blog post, we will be sharing some of the best tips to follow as a first-time car buyer.

(more…)

How to Check if Your Wheel Bearing Has Been Worn Down

Sunday, September 27th, 2020
car driving on highway

When something is wrong with our vehicle, we’ll typically hear a strange noise, and maybe have a warning light turn on. Sometimes, a certain noise can indicate more than one problem. For example, a whirring or humming noise will indicate quite a few different problems. However, we will be focusing on the whirring sound that is caused by a worn wheel bearing. In this post, we have shared a video that shows you how to check if your wheel bearing has been worn down. It also includes an example of what you will hear when driving.

(more…)

How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter and a Penny

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020
someone using a penny to check the tread of a tire

Our tires are one of the most important parts of our vehicle. We keep them in good condition by rotating them, balancing them, and changing them when necessary. However, when do you need to get them changed? You should be getting new tires when the tread is too low to provide proper traction. You can check your tire treads with a quarter and a penny to determine if you need new tires. Check out the video we’ve included to see how to do this test.

(more…)

How to Tell When You Need to Get Your Brakes Replaced

Monday, August 31st, 2020
traffic brake lights on of vehicles

Our vehicles have many parts that help it run smoothly and efficiently. These parts need to be changed, fixed, or flushed regularly to ensure that they work properly. One of the most important parts to get changed regularly is the brakes. If these get worn down or broken, it can lead to more problems and is a safety concern. In this post, we will be teaching you how to tell when you need to get your brakes replaced.

(more…)

Why is my car making a knocking sound?

Friday, August 28th, 2020
knocking sound of car cartoon person listening

Four common reasons your car is making a knocking sound

When our cars start to have a problem, we usually get warning of some sort. Some parts have a warning light to let you know to get your vehicle serviced soon. While other parts will start to make noise. However, there are many sounds that could indicate more than one problem. One of these sounds is knocking. In this post, we will be sharing a video that discusses the four most common reasons your car is making a knocking sound.

(more…)

What Emergency Items Should You Keep in Your Car?

Friday, August 7th, 2020
orange vest reflective triangle and fire extinguisher

How to Be Prepared for Any Automotive Emergency Situation

If you are a new driver or you just bought a car for the first time, you’re probably unsure of what you should always have on hand. Anything can happen while on the road, so you should always have a supply of emergency items in your trunk or cargo area. Check out our list of emergency items to ensure you are ready for all emergencies.

(more…)