Third Coast Auto Group Official Blog
Archive for the ‘Tips and Tricks’ Category
Why does my car smell weird?
Friday, February 8th, 2019
Bad Car Smells That Mean Trouble
If you smell something unpleasant in your car, don’t ignore it; it usually means there’s a larger issue at hand. Hanging up one of those little trees from the mirror might help you avoid the truth for a while, but eventually you’re going to need to face it. Plus, it could even be a health or safety hazard. Read on to find out our recommended course of action for various unwelcome odors. (more…)
Why Is My “Check Engine” Light On?
Friday, January 11th, 2019
More formally known as Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), the “check engine” light is primarily monitors a car’s emissions system. But according to Dan Edmunds, director of vehicle testing for Edmunds.com, “the engine and the emission control system are so interlinked that the health of the emission control system is a good indication of the general health of the car’s engine.”
With this in mind, resist that common human urge to ignore the light. If your Check Engine light is illuminated and doesn’t turn off on its own in a short period of time, it’s best to get it looked at promptly; especially if the light is flashing, which indicates a more serious problem. Below we have the five most common causes for an illuminated Check Engine light. (more…)
Tips for Winter Driving in Texas
Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019
The Winter Freeze
Although here in Texas we’re known more for hot temperatures than cold, that doesn’t mean it’s all sunshine and no rain. In the winter the occasional freeze is all the more dangerous due to its rarity, and the lack of knowledge most of us have in how to deal with driving in these unfamiliar conditions.
When the rough weather hits, most Texans either stay at home in fear or drive dangerously. Luckily, there’s a happy medium that can be found if you know how to deal with the patches of ice. Here are some tips recommended by the Texas Department of Insurance for a safe driving experience. (more…)
Video tips for cleaning your interior and exterior car windows
Friday, December 21st, 2018
We’ve written an entire blog about how often you should wash your car, and even some tips and tricks for keeping the seats in good condition, but today we wanted to share a few really useful videos we found about cleaning car windows. Keeping your windows clean is an important part of staying safe on the road, and whether you are picking up bugs and gunk on the outside, or that oily residue on the inside, it’s important to occasionally give that glass a good scrubbing. So what’s the best way to clean your windows without streaking or unpleasantness? Check it out. (more…)
Does your car give you warning signs that you need to change the oil?
Monday, December 17th, 2018
Oil changes are on our list of necessary preventative car maintenance. You should change your oil when you hit certain mileage milestones. That is about 3,000-5,000 miles for your standard gasoline-powered passenger car and up to 10,000 miles or more for some vehicles. But are there signs you should get your oil changed, or can a car keep going indefinitely? Let’s just say if you notice any of the issues below, you should get to the shop! (more…)
Take whole family out this New Year’s Eve in Austin
Wednesday, December 12th, 2018
This New Year’s Eve there will be plenty of fun activities for adults, but what about the little ones in your life? We’ve focused in on three family-friendly New Year’s Eve 2018 activities in Austin TX that can offer great fun at a reasonable time. (more…)
Car accessories that can make good Christmas presents
Tuesday, December 11th, 2018
Christmas is right around the corner, which means that the shopping frenzy is in full swing. Do you have the gifts you need for the important people in your life? If the person who has everything also has a car, truck or crossover, then you still have options for a great gift. The best Christmas gifts for people with older cars may not always be the most romantic, but they made be practical and very welcome. Here are some of our ideas below. (more…)
Ford Co-Pilot360 To Be Standard By 2020
Friday, December 7th, 2018
While Honda and Toyota have been offering fairly extensive driver assistance safety features on their vehicles for a few years, other brands are just getting into the game. Nissan is planning to make Nissan Safety Shield a standard feature on most new Nissan vehicles by 2021, while Ford introduced a new suite of safety systems for 2019 that it plans to make standard by 2020. But what features come standard with Ford Co-Pilot360? And what models are currently available with this feature? (more…)
Does Nissan offer driver assistance features?
Tuesday, December 4th, 2018
We have already written about two of the classic heavy-hitters when it comes to driver assistance features: Honda and Toyota. While these two brands have been offering advanced crash-prevention safety features for years, most brands are starting to get on the bandwagon, including Nissan with the Safety Shield 360. But what features are in the Nissan Safety Shield 360 system and what Nissan models have this feature? Keep reading to find out. (more…)
Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Fresh Christmas Tree
Thursday, November 29th, 2018
‘Tis the season for finding and setting up your holiday decorations! Whether you grabbed all your holiday decorations during Black Friday sales, or are heading off to a farm to cut-your-own Christmas tree with the family, it’s smart to figure out your game plan before you start the journey. In this blog, we wanted to share a few useful videos we found about how to find and deal with live Christmas trees. From finding the perfect tree, to getting it home on your car, to setting it up at home, these videos may answer all your questions. (more…)