Killeen Auto Repair

Maintenance for your vehicle is extremely important. After every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, it is essential that you have your tires balanced and rotated by trained professionals. Rotating and balancing your tires regularly is specifically designed to help you maintain the correct tire pressure. The wear on your tires will be substantially different if you do not have them rotated and balanced routinely. Here are a few of the biggest reasons why you should have your tires rotated and balanced: Even Tire Wear Your tires wear out over time and this is unavoidable, but it is important to note that the tires on the front of the axle wear differently than those on the rear. This means that your tires must be rotated to ensure that you are getting even wear. Leaving the same tires on the front axle will result in those tires wearing o ... read more

A car is a necessity, but it can also be a major investment. Since you most likely don’t have enough cash in savings to purchase a car outright, you have to obtain a car loan. This is standard practice in the car industry and while there are a variety of different loan types, it is important to know where exactly you can find a good auto loan. Shopping for a great car loan does not have to be an overwhelming process if you know where to look. It is best to go into a dealership with a guaranteed auto loan in your hands, this allows you to have the most bargaining power. Before you go to the dealership, these are the best places to shop for a good auto loan: Bankrate.com Starting your search for an auto loan is always a great option. At Bankrate.com, you have the ability to look at the average auto loan rates. All you have to do is enter in informati ... read more

Are you looking to upgrade your current vehicle? Over the next few months, some of the best car manufactures will be releasing new models. You need to stay on top of the latest car information, so that you are ready to buy when a newly released car catches your eye. Over the next few months a number of new models will make their debut. Why not start learning about the features now? Here are the new future car releases for July and August of 2015: Mercedes-Benz V-Class This new release will be replacing the Viano. This luxury car is one of Mercedes Benz highly anticipated releases and offers a number of features that drivers are clamoring for. This type of vehicle is designed for families, but is an alternative to a minivan. It is luxurious and designed to be both sleek and stylish. With rear-wheel drive and an upgraded s ... read more

We’ve all been driving down the highway and had a rock fly into our windshield. Perhaps quick freezing and warming caused your windshield to crack in the winter time. Regardless, windshield cracks are one of the most prevalent issues that vehicle owners experience in their lifetime. Knowing what to do when you notice a crack is what will help you to avoid needing a windshield replacement in the future. Step 1: Measuring the Crack The first thing to do is take a ruler and measure the length of the crack. If it’s less than 12 inches or if it is a chip that’s less than the size of a quarter it can easily be repaired without having to worry about replacing the entire windshield. You can go to a local auto store or a mechanic and get it done for a relatively low cost. It is also important that you make sure that the crack doesn’t impair you ... read more

If water gets in your gas tank either by accident or on purpose, it is something that can cause a world of problems for your vehicle and you will need to address the issue immediately. You can get water in your tank from condensation or even from severe weather, which is why it is important that you look out for the different symptoms that you may experience. This guide will also help you with taking care of the problem to get your car back to its best state. Acceleration and Hesitation The main symptom that you will notice if you have water in the gas tank is if your car has problems accelerating or if there is a hesitation when you try to speed up. If you find that you can’t reach highway speeds, it could be a result of water in the tank. Drivers may also notice a sputtering sound when they change their speed quickly. If your tank is completely full and you accelerate, your fuel may be contaminated with water. Replacing the ... read more

There are many different methods that you can use to check the tread on your tires and it will help you to know whether it’s time to replace a tire on your vehicle. If your tread is extremely worn out, it will prevent you from driving a safe vehicle. One of the easiest and most talked about methods of checking your tire tread is to use a penny and a couple of minutes out of your day. When to Replace Tires There are certain regulations in countries around the world about when you should be replacing your tires. In the United States, the tread depth is measured based on 32nds of an inch. New tires generally have 10/32” or 11/32”. If you have a SUV or a truck, your winter tires may have deeper treads than other vehicle models. It is advised that tires should be replaced once they have reached the 2/32” range and in fact, most states require drivers ( ... read more

All car owners have been in a situation where they wished they had known sooner, whether a crack in your windshield gets worse or even if your battery dies on the road. One of the largest benefits of a car battery is that there are indicators that you can take advantage of to know when it’s time to change it so you’re not stuck on the road calling for assistance. Sign 1: Check Engine Light The most common issue that you’ll notice is the check engine light in your dash. This is generally a pretty good sign that the power in your battery is weak. It is also an indicator of other issues that your car may be experiencing. Sign 2: Slow Engine Start-Up When you try to start your vehicle the engine will be sluggish and cranking it may take longer than normal. This is when you should consider a battery change as soon as possible. Step 3: Leaking Battery If you notice that there is any corrosion around the + and – sides o ... read more

Foggy or cloudy headlights is an annoying problem for all drivers. Not only is it unsightly, but it is potentially dangerous, reducing visibility on the road and making your car less visible to other drivers. But, how to clean them? Cloudy or foggy headlights cannot be cleaned with traditional soap and water. However, there are some great homemade remedies to the problem. Below are listed some of my tried and true favorites for removing that cloudy, foggy layer on your headlights. Soap and Water – Soap and water is a possible solution, but it often fails to remove the film that causes the cloudy appearance. However, it can help improve the overall cleanliness and appearance of your headlights. Vinegar – Vinegar is a natural deoxidizer that can help break down the cloudy film that can adhere itself to your headlights. Be careful though, as vine ... read more

Have you ever walked out to your car in the morning and found a strange pool of liquid underneath? That mystery liquid can be quite disconcerting, and it may even make you fearful of getting in your car and driving away. So, it’s of extreme importance that you are able to identify that strange pool of liquid for what it is. Luckily, most fluid leaks from underneath your car will be one of only a few. I put together this list of the most common fluid leaks to help you make an educated guess and, thus, an educated decision as to what you should do next to get it taken care of. Engine Coolant or Antifreeze The most obvious sign that you have an engine coolant leak is the color of the liquid itself. Most antifreeze is green, bright green actually, though it is also sold in pinks and oranges. The coolant also has a thick, almost sticky feel to it ... read more

Having a minor scratch in your otherwise perfect paint job can be more than just a little irritating. There is help however. Though larger and deeper scratches may require a trip to a professional garage or detailing center, smaller scratches and chips can be dealt with by a DIY weekend warrior. Try to remember that the paint finish on a car is sprayed on very thin but also very hard, so you have two things to fight against at the same time. Automotive paint jobs are hard and difficult to work with, mold, and sand. They are also thin, so any mistake or overly aggressive approach or sanding will be disastrous. Here are a few homemade solutions to dealing with a scratch on your cars exterior. Filler and Buffing – The traditional method of store bought fillers followed by a little buffing is still one of the easiest ways to deal with a paint scratch. However ... read more