Corpus Christi Auto Repair

This December, as you search high and low for the perfect gift for your friends and loved ones, don’t forget about your vehicle! The following are gifts that you can give to your car to keep it running efficiently and using less gas (keeping more money in your pocket!) this holiday season.O2 Sensor – Your O2 (oxygen) sensor regulates the mixture of fuel and air going into your motor. A dirty or malfunctioning sensor will allow an inefficient ratio of fuel and air into the system which can decrease your fuel efficiency by 3 MPG. Left unfixed, it can even ruin your catalytic converter (which can cost several hundred dollars to replace)!Fuel Injectors – The fuel injector’s job is to spray a fine mist of fuel into the engine, where it’s ignited by the spark plug. But when your fuel injector is clogged or dirty, fuel dribbles and drips, it doesn’t burn cleanly or efficiently, and your gasoline ends up wasted. Our technicians can run a pressurized solv ... read more

Are you planning on traveling this Thanksgiving? If so, you’re not alone! More than 43.6 million Americans travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving weekend, and 90% of those travelers (39.2 million) make the journey by car.But before you hit the roads, be prepared! Long road trips are demanding of your vehicle. Make sure it is up to the task by stopping by Dub’s Garage in Corpus Christi. We will perform an inspection to make sure your vehicle will keep your family safe on the journey.If you’’re traveling by car this Thanksgiving, you’’re in luck; our team has come up with these five travel tips to keep you safe!1. Prepare with Preventive Maintenance: Simple maintenance can prevent many of the problems that strand motorists on the side of the road before you leave your home. Preparation is key! Before you leave home have a thorough inspection to make sure you don’’t end up stranded.2. Plan ahead: Before you get on a highway, know your exit by nam ... read more

Taking care of your vehicle is key to protecting your investment and saving money. Though it may be tempting to put off the “routine” maintenance in order to save a few dollars now, this can have a negative impact on your vehicle and cost you more money long term.Through the years our auto repair shop has performed inspections on vehicles in Corpus Christi, we’ve seen a large number of vehicle issues. Here are some of the most common car care problems drivers experience:Dirty engine oil. Waiting too long between oil changes leads to premature engine wear. When the motor oil becomes too thick or dirty with contaminants, it can no longer perform it’s job as well. Your vehicle’s engine has to work harder and is at increased risk for damage.Leaking or dirty coolant. Low fluid levels in your vehicle usually indicate a leak. If coolant is collecting in the radiator or surge tank, it is not flowing through the engine where it belongs. Leaking or dirty coolant ... read more

Tires can be a significant investment for your family vehicle, and it makes sense to get the most out of your investment. But when your vehicle’s tires are legally bald, continuing to drive on them isn’t getting the most of your money… it’s putting your family in danger!Bald tires pose a number of problems for your vehicle. Too little grip and you can lose control of the car. Add in icy, snowy, or wet conditions, and you may have an extremely hard time steering, braking, or controlling your vehicle.Even in dry conditions, bald tires are dangerous. When your tread is too low, you are at extreme risk for a flat tire or blowout on the road. Not only is a flat tire an inconvenience, blow outs can endanger your life, the lives of everyone in the car, and other people on the road.The most common cause of a blow out is a worn out tire. You see the wear on the exterior of the tire, but just as dangerous is the wear on the inside. If you drive on an old, bald, or under-inflated tire, you put pr ... read more

On the hottest days off summer, cranking up the air conditioning in your vehicle can be the best way to get relief from the heat in your car. Fall is around the corner, but the heat is lingering in Corpus Christi.If you’ve noticed your gas mileage dipping lower during the summer months, that’s not a coincidence… running the air conditioning means you’ll use more gas in your car!The air conditioning in your vehicle is powered by the gas engine. That’s why you can’t run the air conditioning when your car is off.When you turn on the A/C, the engine has to divert some power in order to keep the car cool. The engine will use more fuel and gasoline in order to keep up performance.Want to stay cool and reduce your footprint? Try these tricks:Roll down the windows. When you’re driving at low speeds around town, getting some fresh air by rolling the windows down will use less gas than the air conditioning.Use the fan only. If you still need air flow in your veh ... read more

Even in the summer in Corpus Christi, temperatures can fluctuate drastically, taking your tire pressure along with it. Every 10 degrees up or down in the air could mean 1 to 5 pounds of pressure difference in your tires. This might not seem excessive, but considering car tires need, on average, 35 pounds of pressure in them, those few pounds could make a big difference in the way you drive.Here are a few things to look out for in your tires when the heat fluctuates this summer:Under-inflated tires will have full tread in the middle of them, but will be bald on the outer edges. This is because the lack of air pressure causes the tire to sink in the middle, keeping this area from having much contact with the road.Under-inflated tires create for a hazardous driving experience for any driver. Should you hit a puddle of water, the lack of traction in the tire will increase your risk of hydroplaning. And should the steel cords pop through the sides because of under-inflation, it will make yo ... read more

Summer heat is coming to Corpus Christi. As temperatures rise, your vehicle may become uncomfortably hot as you drive around town. You rely on your air conditioning to stay cool and beat the heat… but what happens if your turn it on and it only blows muggy, warm air?There are a number of reasons your air conditioning might stop working. Three common reasons include:Fan. If your vehicle isn’t blowing cool air through the car, check to make sure there is air flowing. If nothing (or very little) comes through the vent, there may be a problem with the circulation of the air.Air filter. A strange, mildew smell coming from the air conditioning can be a warning sign. Check the cabin air filter to make sure it is not dirty or clogged. An old air filter can prevent the cold air from traveling through the system.Leaks. The most common issue with car air conditioning is a leak in the system. Low pressure indicates a leak and means the air conditi ... read more

The warm weather and sunny days of summer are coming to Corpus Christi, and with it comes a burning desire for a vacation! As your family starts dreaming of summer road trips to come, take advantage of these unique apps to help with your road trip planning:Roadtrippers. Not sure where to start? This app lets you browse interesting road trips from all over the country. View the built in trip guides or use this app to find places near by.TV Food Maps. How cool is this?! Interactive map of all of those amazing restaurants featured on TV shows and visited by people like Guy Fieri and Anthony Bourdain from food and travel networks. Over 5,000 locations highlighted, as broadcast from 40 different television shows. Map you way across the county, led by your appetite!Field Trip. ... read more

Whether you want to save the planet or save money in your wallet, an easy way to go green this spring is by using less gasoline!But where do you start? Here are four things you can do at home to use less gas in your vehicle.Gas Cap. When was the last time you replaced your gas cap? It’s not something most drivers pay attention to except when you pull up to the gas station to fill your tank. But the gas cap is one of the biggest culprits for wasting fuel. If the gas cap is old, worn, and cannot hold a seal, your gasoline will evaporate into the air!Air Filter. A dirty air filter can result in using more gasoline. The air filter collects dirt, debris, and gunk and prevents it from going into the engine. But when the air filter is dirty, it’s like breathing with a rag over your mouth. A clean air filter can improve your fuel efficiency by 2 miles to every gallon!Tires. Before you hit the road, check your tire pressure. Proper inflation ca ... read more

Tis the season for… spring cleaning! While you’re dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming your home, don’t forget about your car!Just like your home needs cared for to avoid cobwebs, cracking walls, and leaking roofs, your car also needs spring cleaning to stay in peak condition.Carpeting and Upholstery. Shake out floor mats, vacuum seats, and use carpet cleaner to remove any pesky stains from the fabrics in your car.Organize compartments. Take time to clear out the glove box, seat pockets, and other compartments in the car. Be thoughtful about what you put back and keep it organized.Empty the trunk. Remove any extra belongings (especially heavy ones) that you don’t need to carry every day. A lighter load means you’ll save money at the pump!Interior surfaces. Use a slightly damp rag to wipe down the dashboard, console, door handles, and other plastic components inside your car. Remove dust for easy breathing!Car wash ... read more