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Archive for June 2024Smooth Shifting in Houston, TX: Transmission ServicePosted June 30, 2024 6:34 AMSo you have some exciting plans for the weekend. You're going to take some of your friends out on the boat for some water skiing. Of course, you've gotten the boat all ready. And you haven't forgotten about your tow vehicle. You've gassed it up and even vacuumed it out. However, there is something even more important than the cleanliness of the interior: you want to make sure that your vehicle maintenance is up to date. While you have your vehicle in, ask for a trip inspection. Your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Westside Automotive will check your belts and hoses and let you know if your brakes are in good shape.
Westside Automotive Out with the Old (Vehicle Parts that Wear Out)Posted June 23, 2024 6:38 AMSome drivers don't pay any attention to their vehicles until something breaks. Others take them into their service repair facility for maintenance even before a problem develops. Still, even if you fit into the second group, there are some parts on a vehicle that will simply wear out over time. Your vehicle has gaskets in several places. They use a flexible material to seal the gaps between metal parts that fit together. After time, that material shrinks or gets brittle and fails. Eventually, after time, you will have to get gaskets replaced. Same goes for belts. Your engine has belts that help take the mechanical energy of the engine to drive other parts such as the generator and air conditioner. Heat and age will eventually cause these belts to wear out or break, so you'll need new ones at some point. You'll also find yourself buying brake pads. As much as you may try to go easy on them, brake pads work by wearing off a little bit of them each time they help you stop your vehicle. Do a lot of stop-and-go driving and you'll hasten the process. No battery lasts forever, and your vehicle's battery is no exception. It can only charge and discharge electricity so many times. Count on getting no more than 4 or 5 years out of a battery, fewer if you live in a very hot spot. Other parts that don't age well? Tires. They can have plenty of tread left on them, but rubber gets old and loses its flexibility. Tires have their date of manufacturer stamped on them for a reason. Finally, your muffler is being subject to moisture from inside and out: inside because of moisture-containing exhaust and outside from the elements outdoors. Stainless steel or other alloys will last longer, but after a while, either the moisture or constant pounding from vibrations will take their toll. That's why it's important to maintain every part on your vehicle. You can't wave a magic wand and make everything last forever, but take care of your vehicle and it'll take care of you.
The Vivacious Vernal Vehicle (Preparing Vehicle for Spring)Posted June 16, 2024 6:33 AMMost of us look forward to spring because the days are longer, the weather's warmer and we can finally get our vehicles into warm weather mode. Here are a few things that will breathe fresh energy into anyone's car, SUV, truck or van. First thing is a good cleaning, especially underneath. If you live where salt and brine are used on the roads, it's important to get that off. One thing to note… if you hose off your undercarriage, be careful not to get your spark plugs/wires wet. You could notice your vehicle running rough plus the Check Engine light may come on. It usually dries out quickly, but if the engine light stays on for more than a couple of days, have your service facility check it out. Next, replace your windshield wipers. They've taken a beating through the winter. New ones will have fresh rubber and you'll see clearly (and safely) out your windshield again. Have your brakes inspected. That salt doesn't do your brake's metal components any good. Have a technician make sure your pads and rotors are clean and properly lubricated so they can stop you when you ask them to. Speaking of wheels, it's a good time to have your tires checked, too. Road debris and potholes can take a toll on tread and sidewalls. It may also be a good idea to have a technician check your alignment since you likely have hit something pretty hard on a patch of rough road at some time during the winter. Make sure your tire pressure is appropriate for the rising temperatures. As the outside air warms up, your tire pressure climbs without you adding any air. Make sure it's what the manufacturer recommends. Finally, treat your vehicle's interior to a thorough refresh. Those floor mats and carpets may be white with salt; clean 'em up. Get rid of wrappers, drink lids, empty water bottles and anything else that's fallen down. And if you need to, have your upholstery cleaned so it looks and smells new. A clean exterior is nice, but since you spend your time inside your vehicle, it'll feel even better when your cabin is sparkling fresh.
Strutting Your Stuff (Shocks and Struts)Posted June 9, 2024 6:39 AMEver wonder how your vehicle is able to move over bumps, potholes and other irregularities in the road and you hardly feel a vibration in the cabin? It’s your shocks and struts doing the hard work along with the rest of your suspension and tires. They keep the ride smooth and are important for your vehicle’s safe operation. So, how do you know when your shocks and struts are wearing out? One way is to look at the surface of your tire (where the rubber meets the road—where the tread is). You might see some little indentations in certain spots, known as tire cupping. If your vehicle takes longer to stop than it used to, takes a dive when you hit the brake pedal or bottoms out (scrapes) on a big bump in the road, that’s another sign, as are loud, odd noises. You may also notice your vehicle sways more than it used to. Every once in a while, look around at your shocks to see what shape things are in. If you see the rubber cover cracked or worn out or see a fluid outside your shocks, those are signs to bring your vehicle in to us so we can see what’s going on. Since shocks and struts contribute to the safe operation of your vehicle, this service is important. Shocks and struts are what help your tires stay in close contact with the road and help stabilize your vehicle. They also help electronic safety systems work properly, including anti-lock braking, stability control, and collision avoidance. Bad shocks and struts are just going to get worse with time. It's best to have regular maintenance done before anything goes wrong with your struts and shocks. Your vehicle’s manufacturer has guidelines for how long those intervals are. If you do start to see some of the warning signs, head on over so we can evaluate any problems. We’ll replace the parts your vehicle needs and have you strutting your stuff once again. Westside Automotive Emergency! (Vehicle Emergency items)Posted June 2, 2024 6:35 AM"I never expected it could happen to me." Countless drivers have said that after they've had an emergency turn their lives upside down. So before that happens to you, let's thinking about planning ahead for an emergency with a few things you should keep in your vehicle.
Other things like basic tools, a first aid kit, a space blanket and jumper cables are also good ideas. Many service repair facilities offer these items for sale, and you can ask your service advisor for suggestions. While it's fresh in your mind, plan a shopping trip and put together your own emergency kit now. Sure, you can put it off, but you may find yourself stuck in a difficult situation, saying to yourself, "Only if…" Westside Automotive | ||
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Testimonials
Diane Zarembo, 09/05/2024
We take our cars NOWHERE else but Westside. Been going there for over 25 years now and have never been sorry. Same certified mechanics too. That's when you can tell a place is great: by the amount of turnover (of which Westside has none).