Spring and Houston Auto Repair

Coolant, also called antifreeze, is a mixture of ethylene glycol, lubricant, and inhibitors that get added to your vehicle's radiator. It technically becomes the official term "coolant" when the antifreeze is mixed with water. This solution helps maintain a stable operating temperature within the engine and enables your automobile to function optimally in both hot and cold conditions. Below is a full rundown of what exactly coolant/antifreeze does in your vehicle. PREVENTS FREEZING As the name implies, the antifreeze will, of course, prevent the moisture in your car's engine and radiator from freezing in harsh winter conditions. If it does freeze up, it can cause extensive engine damage. PREVENTS OVERHEATING Antifreeze prevents the engine and its components from overheating in a hot climate. An overheating vehicle can lead to irreversible damages and a breakdown on the road. PROPER LUBRICATION Antifreeze acts as a lubricant as it flows through the cooling system ... read more

If you have ever pushed on your brake pedals and nothing happens, or it takes a significant amount of pressure to slow down your car, you experienced what is known as "brake fade." Nearly every driver has experienced this type of brake problem, so you shouldn't worry. Because brake fade is a widespread problem for many drivers, it is vital for you to understand the causes of it and what you can do to prevent it from happening. Your vehicle's brake system has many parts at play: brake calipers, pistons, fluid, pads, and rotors. They all work simultaneously for one purpose: to create friction so that your vehicle speed can decrease (and stop). When your car can't produce friction in a timely manner, you can be at risk of colliding with other vehicles or objects and getting hurt. Below are some common problems that cause brake fade: Brake Overheating Most of the time, the primary cause of friction loss is too much heat. Heat accumulates in your brakes when you br ... read more

Most people think that their car's suspension system is only there to provide you with a smooth ride on the roads. While that may be true, they serve other purposes too. For instance, they help other key components (engine, transmission, drive train, tires, etc.) from absorbing the effects of shocks and bumps. If your suspension system isn't functioning correctly, you will undoubtedly be able to feel it. Here are some of the most prevalent signs that indicate you need suspension repair: Drifting or Pulling Hard to One Side If your vehicle is drifting more than usual during turns or pulls hard to one side when you drive straight on the highway, you may have a suspension. This problem is worth getting checked out ASAP, as it could also mean you need a wheel alignment. Uneven Treads Harshly irregular tire treads are another symptom of bad suspension (or wheel alignment problem). You need to rotate your tires regularly to even them out over time.  Bumpy Ride If it seems ... read more

Criminals have targeted catalytic converters for as long as we can remember. However, rates of theft have drastically increased in the past couple of years in the US. The National Insurance Crime Bureau claimed that there were an average of 2,347 thefts in December 2020. You might be wondering, "why are they so special." Catalytic converters contain precious metals such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. There was a slowdown in the mining industry due to the COVID pandemic. As a result, the value of these metals has significantly increased.     Catalytic converter theft is costly for both vehicle owners and businesses, but its most damaging effect is on the environment. Catalytic converters are in charge of controlling the emissions that come out of your exhaust. More specifically, the cat transforms toxic gases into less dangerous vapors to improve our air quality. Without this mechanism, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, and nitrogen oxides would be released ... read more

Now that it's cooler outside, you may be prone to see some fog. Whether it looks just like a thin mist or a dense cloud, fog can significantly impact the visibility of your road and surroundings. In fact, fog causes more than 38,000 vehicle accidents every year. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to navigate comfortably through foggy weather: Turn Your Headlights On You should always ensure your headlights are on, no matter what time of day it is. Your headlights are intended to make you see better. However, you should NEVER use your high beams in fog. It may seem like a good option at first, as they are brighter lights. But your high beams will cause an intense glare with the water molecules. This would make it even more challenging for you to see, so stick with your low beams (and fog lights if you have them). Maintain A Safe Speed Your reaction time will not be as good as it is in normal conditions, so it's crucial to lower your speed and maintain extra distance ... read more

Brakes are all around the most critical safety feature on your car, which is why it is essential to pay close attention to what the pedal feels like from time to time. One indication that your brakes are not working as well as they used to is when the brake pedal starts to feel spongy, mushy, or soft. You should have this knowledge, especially if you have an older vehicle since it may not be equipped with emergency sensors that can display on your dash. Here are several reasons that may explain why your brake pedal is mush-like or not engaging as quick as it used to: The most common reason behind sponge-like brakes is air in your brake line, which could result from low brake fluid or a hole in the braking system. When air escapes into the line, you will need to have your brakes professionally flushed or bled to resolve the issue. If you suspect this problem with your brakes, our technicians at Ripley's Total Car Care can take care of the problem for you. Damaged brake lines or ca ... read more

Commuting is a customary practice for pretty much all Americans. With some roughly 300 million drivers in the US, you are bound to encounter congested traffic. We are here to remind you that it doesn't have to be stressful. Here are some of our suggestions on how to calm your nerves and chill behind the wheel. #1: Time Management You should see what you can get done the night before work, like packing lunch, taking out the garbage, picking out your outfit, or presetting your coffee machine, so you don't spend your morning juggling multiple chores. You will feel more relaxed once you've crossed those items off your to-do list. #2: Listen to Relaxing Music Listening to chill music can make your drive much more delightful. Choose genres like lofi and classical to lower your blood pressure and anxiety levels.  #3: Play a Podcast or Audiobook Audiobooks and podcasts are great sources to listen to pass the time in traffic. Think of your wait time in traffic as a time f ... read more

Today, most vehicles have modernized cooling systems equipped with multiple heat sensors and electric fans designed to keep your engine running smoothly. However, the reality is overheating can still occur. If you notice smoke-like vapor emitting from the hood or your temperature gauge spiking to the big "H," then you are experiencing an overheating engine. In instances like these, do NOT panic whatsoever. Instead, do the following to keep yourself safe and prevent further damage to your motor:    1) Turn On The Heater It might seem a little odd, but turning on your heater can help when your vehicle is overheating. Blasting the heat draws warm air away from the engine and into the cabin, lessening the strain on the engine's cooling system. In certain circumstances, this step may be enough to reverse the overheating. You'll know if this method works if the warning light goes off or the temperature gauge returns to its regular position.   2) Pull Ove ... read more

  Do you refer to the extension pipe out of the vehicle's backside as the muffler or the exhaust? The muffler and the exhaust are common confusions most people have, considering they are located in the same spot. We are here to explain to you the complexities of the vehicle's exhaust system and answer the following questions: What is our car's exhaust system? What are the parts? And what do they do?    The engine usually ejects the right amount of gases from the combustion chamber that needs to be converted to safe, breathable gases before releasing them into the air. The gas conversion is the exhaust's job, whereas the muffler plays a different role in dampening the engine's sound.    As mentioned previously, the exhaust's role is to make sure toxic gases such as carbon monoxide do not escape the engine. The overall system has multiple pipes that work harmoniously to minimize the output of harmful emissions. The parts involved in t ... read more

We have looked into the consequences of ignoring your low tire pressure warning light and allowing your tires over time to deflate. Carry on reading to find out more about what happens when you ignore low tire pressure warnings! What is the aim of a low tire pressure warning light? The purpose of the tire pressure monitoring system is to make the driver aware of when the tire pressure is low, and as a result, the car has become unsafe to drive. When the light is turned on and illuminated, this indicates that your tire is not sufficiently inflated and your tire pressure is now too low. What are the main negatives effects of low tire pressure? We have come up with a list of reasons behind why low tire pressure is so unsafe for drivers, and why low tire pressure warnings should certainly by no means be ignored. Poor delayed braking and extended braking distances in wet conditions. The danger of understeering or oversteering the car. Elevated risk of tire punctures, or further tire ... read more