Killeen Auto Repair

Installing your child’s car seat is one of the most important things you can do for your child. It’s not the easiest task you’ll do but it’s well worth the time you’ll spend to get it right.To begin, it’s important to understand your vehicle and the car seat parts. Since every car seat and vehicle has different instructions, follow these tips to help you install your car seat and make sure your child fits in the seat safely and correctly. Read the car seat’s instruction manual as well as the section of your vehicle’s owner manual on car seat installation. Every car seat needs to be installed using the seat belt or the attached anchors to secure it in place. Place the car seat in the back seat of your vehicle and follow the manufacturer’s installation directions. The car seat must be secured tightly in the vehicle and should not move side-to-side or front-to-back more than 1 inch when pulled at the belt path.A good tip for securing the seat is to get in the ... read more

Have bad credit and still need a car? There are ways to make it happen that won’t break your pocketbook and can help you improve your credit at the same time. Most important, know your credit report for yourself. You can get your credit reports for free from AnnualCreditReport.com and see what is on listed there. If there is anything you disagree with, fix it and wait to purchase a car until it’s fixed. Directions to fix the mistakes are online, just read and follow the steps. Shop around when searching for the best deal from lenders. Some lenders will see your poor or improving credit as a sign that you’re worth taking a chance on while others will see you as high risk. That’s why it’s important to get more than one offer from a lender. Talk to your bank or credit union first. They know your situation and can see firsthand what your bank account looks like every month. They might not be the best deal but once they approve you, you’ll have the co ... read more

Often times overlooked for day to day driving, the cruise control is a great tool to ease the stress of driving, lessen wear on your vehicle, and increase fuel economy. Often times while driving we are bombarded by things begging for our attention and sometimes those things cause our driving skills to slip. Sometimes a swerve toward the other lane, but most of the time a decrease in speed. Setting the cruise control allows the car to maintain a constant RPM and speed, easing the wear and tear of constant speed changes and improves fuel economy by allowing the computer to control the operation of the engine

Summer has ended, but that doesn’t mean it’s not hot. A little Car battery maintenance can go a long way to keep your car starting and running correctly, and stop you from being stranded on the side of the road. Always check to make sure terminals aren’t gunked up and corroded. Poor connections will make your battery over work it’s self trying to start your car. With how hot it gets in Texas, it’s also a good idea to check the level of fluid in your battery’s cells. Low fluid levels can cause a battery to act dead and not hold a charge. Prolonged dry cells can cause permanent damage to your battery which could lead to a costly replacement. Use caution when dealing with a car battery, though they are relatively safe to handle, they can still be hazardous and cause electrocution or spill dangerous liquids

It’s raining and you’re running late for a PTA meeting, your best friend calls to remind you that you signed up to bring the cookies and you’ve just picked the kids up from day care. The grocery store is on the way to the school and you know it’s not the best thing to do but with this weather, you begin to weigh the options of leaving the kids in the car with the vehicle running and doors locked or getting them out and taking them in with you. Just stop. The fact that it’s even an option with children that still go to day care means that it’s not OK. Even in bad weather, a vehicle idling in a parking lot is an invitation to a car thief and children inside won’t stop a thief. Those few minutes you saved by dashing into the store could take your children away from you. Every day parents make decisions that affect their children. Choosing to leave their children in a vehicle whether by choice or because they were distracted and forgot to check the back seat i ... read more

Our bodies use water to help lubricate our joints to allow movement within our limbs. What if I told you that for around $40 I could trade the available water in your body out every 3 months for new clean water that would help your body run easier? No brainer, right? That’s similar to what an oil change is like for your car. The oil is the lubrication that keeps everything moving and flowing through your car. It collects dirt and grime as it goes around and has to be replaced or your engine will start to pay the price. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual should state recommended oil change dates and mileage and if your vehicle does better with regular or synthetic oil. Your driving habits will determine what you should follow and you should discuss those with your automotive technician to set up a schedule that works for your habits. Cleaning the old oil out of your engine on a regular basis will help extend the life of your engine because all moving parts need ... read more

In this summer heat, cars tend to act up in unusual ways. The last thing you want is to break down on the side of the road and wait two hours in the sweltering sun for a pickup truck or a relative to pick you up. It’s always best to keep your car as healthy as you keep yourself. The trick to keeping a car healthy is to regularly take it for tune ups at a garage that has the knowledge and expertise to handle your car. There are many different types of transmissions in the automobile world today: automatic, manual, antique, classic, CVT, marine, high performance, truck and re-manufactured. With this variety, you have to find a company that has worked with your type of transmission before. This is because there are many different ways to fix the different types of transmissions, none of which are interchangeable. Whether your car is a BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, Mini-Cooper or Audi, you need to make sure it is receiving the best possible tune up. When it comes to ... read more

If you experience a car accident, the first thing you may consider (after making sure everyone is okay or medically tended-to, of course) is whether the other driver was insured. If you are hit by an uninsured driver, there are several critical considerations and steps you must take immediately. You should first make sure that you are off the road and in a safe place, and then contact the local police or highway patrol. Use your cell phone to take photos of the other vehicle, including the license plate and any damage. Request to see the other driver’s identification, then take photos or carefully write down all information provided. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable doing so, wait until a law enforcement officer arrives on the scene. Uninsured Driver Risks Most states have implemented strict uninsured driver laws, and for good reason. Uninsured drivers cost the car insurance industry and law-abiding, insured motorists billions of dollars each year. The ... read more

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140624/CARNEWS/140629936

DETROIT (Bloomberg) — BMW’s M235i high-performance car has secured the German automaker its highest-ever score from Consumer Reports, beating the costlier Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette in road test reviews. The M235i, which earned 98 out of a possible 100 points, scored better that the discontinued BMW 135i, making it BMW’s highest-rated vehicle of all time. As tested, the M235i had a price tag of $50,400, or about $60,000 less than the Porsche 911 Carrera S from Volkswagen AG, which received a score of 95. The BMW is $23,000 cheaper than General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Corvette Stingray LT3, which scored a 92. The M235i has a “classic BMW mold” and offers “tenacious cornering” on the track, while embracing the company’s recent focus on comfort and luxury, Consumer Reports said. “This really is a totally dual-purpose car,” Jon Linkov, Consumer Reports deputy cars editor, said in an interview. “This is a car you could drive to work e ... read more