Posted on 3/20/2013
Long rides can sometimes make you feel bored and constricted…perhaps even lazy. However, even in the small constrain of your car seat, there’s plenty you can do to stay fit and healthy! This month, we’re shifting from auto repair tips to give you 5 simple exercises that you can do on those long car trips to keep you in shape!Squeeze, Hold, ReleaseWhen you squeeze and hold a muscle, it’s called an isometric contraction. Whatever a muscle’s job is, these exercises help tone and prepare them for that job. Simply squeeze or flex a muscle, hold it for 5 to 10 seconds, and release. Try this with your hands, biceps, or even your thighs.Relax!We all know how being stuck in rush hour can leave us feeling pretty tense. You can release tension in your shoulders with simple shrugs! Raise your shoulders up to your ears, hold it for 8 to 10 seconds, and repeat as many times as you need to feel relaxed! This will not only make your drive better, but also help you wind down from a long day at work.Toe ... read more
Posted on 2/15/2013
As a driver, you can’t predict what you’ll encounter on the roads in Corpus Christi. But with a wheel alignment, your tires will last longer, you’ll get better gas mileage, and you’ll have a safer drive.Suspension connects your vehicle to its wheels and provides an even, safe drive over uneven streets. Parts of your vehicle’s suspension can bend over time from collisions with curbs and potholes. When these parts alter shape, your wheels become misaligned and cause your car pull to either side. This also means your tires will wear quickly and unevenly.Camber is the angle of the wheel (measured in degrees) when viewed from the front side of the vehicle. When a pair of wheels has their leading edges pointed slightly towards each other, the wheel pair is considered to have a “toe-in” or a negative camber. If the top of the wheels are leaning out from the center of the car, then the camber is “toe-out” or positive. Extreme camber angles can wear out tires unevenly, reduce cornering performa ... read more
Posted on 1/15/2013
If it feels like you’re on a roller coaster when you’re driving on the road, your vehicle may need new suspension components to keep you comfortable and safe.The suspension components in your vehicle are designed for comfort, stability and performance depending on the weight of the vehicle. Remember that suspension components are different depending on the make and model. As these components wear, handling and response performance are reduced, meaning your car won’t be able to change directions as quickly, and the driver will require more time to react to unexpected road obstructions.Most vehicles have shocks that compress when going over bumps to absorb the jolt, but as shocks age, their ability to effectively cushion these jolts decreases. This makes any drive around town a rough and bumpy one. Replacing worn shocks allows your vehicle to have the performance it had when you drove it off the lot.Bushings are another important component to your suspension system. Bushings cushion the ... read more
Posted on 12/31/2012
Any mechanic in the Corpus Christi area will recommend having a pair of jumper cables handy just in case something goes wrong—like leaving your lights on or not shutting your car door all the way. Mistakes happen! It’s best to be prepared. Check out this clip explaining exactly how to use a pair of jumper cables safely and effectively
Posted on 10/16/2012
For the best results for your vehicle, we recommend going to an “auto repair shop in Corpus Christi to have maintenance performed on your vehicle every 3 months, there’s lots of easy, minor maintenance items you can you can take care of yourself in between visits.We’ve broken this short checklist that allows you to inspect something minor on your car every morning before leave for work, home, school, or anywhere else. So while you’re enjoying your morning coffee or perhaps right before you take off for work, look at these items:Monday Morning: Tire PressureWhen your tires have correct tire pressure, you’ll have better fuel economy AND your tires will be able to hold to the road that much better. Consult your owner’s manual for what your pressure should be and purchase a tire pressure gauge (they’ll cost you around $3-$4). Before leaving, check all 4 tires to ensure they have proper air. If any of them are low, stop by a gas station air pump to fill up your tires.Tuesday Morning: Wiper ... read more
Posted on 10/16/2012
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that as many as 75% of car seats aren’t installed correctly! Most Auto Repair shops in Corpus Christi won’t check your car seat in an average inspection, so take a quick look at this video with some tips for keeping your young ones safe in your vehicle: Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com
Posted on 8/22/2012
When you sign those papers to get your vehicle, you’ve purchased an investment. You should be proud of this investment, and take care of it as it was most likely very expensive. However, it should also be in the back of your mind that you are probably not going to drive this car for the rest of your life. That said, it’s important for you to retain your vehicle’s resale value so when you do trade it in, you’ll get the most out of it. Here are a few tips from your local Corpus Christi Mechanic on retaining resale value:Keep it Clean!People associate cleanliness with care, especially when looking for a new vehicle. The more you keep up with your vehicle’s cleanliness—i.e. trash, windows, vacuuming—the more you’ll receive when either selling or trading in your vehicle. Your local Corpus Christi Auto Repair shop also suggests taking your vehicle through the car wash every two weeks!DON’T Customize Your Ride!Yeah, it can be tempting to make your vehicle more “you,” but if you truly want the ... read more
Posted on 7/30/2012
If you haven’t experienced an overheated car, then chances are you’ve seen one on the side of the road. It’s an elaborate scene—a car pulled off to the side, the hood propped up with smoke leaching from the engine, and a distressed car owner standing by waiting for a tow truck.Simply put, overheating can claim any victim, any time of day if you’re not too careful! Here are some warning signs of your car’s overheating from your local Corpus Christi Wheel Alignment shop:DashboardYour dash has a couple of indicators that tell you when your engine is close to overheating. The first one is the temperature gauge. One end is typically marked “C” for cold and “H” for hot. When your engine begins to overheat, the needle on the gauge will go toward the “H” side. The other indicator is a dashboard light that illuminates when the car overheats, and usually looks like a thermometer. If either of these situations pops up, be sure to pull over and let your car rest until you can get to a local Corpus ... read more
Posted on 6/29/2012
Honestly, when was the last time you checked the weather report? Not anything surprising, really, but it looks as though we’re going to be swimming though 90 degree weather for a while! That said, it’s important to keep your vehicle a manageable temperature in this time of intense heat.However, we know better than anyone that keeping your car a cool temperature in Texas is more of an art than a science. Luckily, your local Corpus Christi TX Auto Repair is here to give you some valuable tips on how to accomplish room-temperature bliss in your car: Park in the Shade Sounds like a drop in the bucket, but trust me—you can NEVER underestimate your desire to get the closest parking spot to your destination. I’ve seen it happen—there could be a perfectly shady spot under a tree a mere 40 feet away, and you’d still go for the closer spot on the sunbaked asphalt. Your local Corpus Christi Brake Repair wants you to know that parking in the shade can ... read more
Posted on 6/5/2012
If you bring a used vehicle by your local auto shop, the ASE-Certified technicians there can perform this service to make sure the car is in good condition before you buy it. What am I?A: A Pre-Purchase Inspection!Want more safe driving and preventive maintenance tips, fun facts, and special offers? Join the conversation on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DubsGarage