Spring and Houston Auto Repair

After March 1, 2015 Texans will be begin seeing fewer vehicles with two stickers on the windshield. This will be due to a new law that is eliminating inspection stickers. “Two Steps, One Sticker” refers to this new law, but it does not mean that you will no longer have to get your vehicle inspected, nor does it mean you’ll no longer have to shell out nearly $40 (as of the date of this article) to get your vehicle inspected. Passing vehicle inspections are still going to be required to keep your car on the road in the state of Texas, and the fee to do so is not being changed by the new one sticker law. The law is simply requiring you to have a passing inspection before you can renew your vehicle registration. Then your registration sticker will serve as proof of both your registration and your passing vehicle inspection. “Two Steps One Sticker”: What are the two steps? Step 1: From March 1, 2015 through February 29, 2016: If your vehicle has a current and passing inspe ... read more

Tire Tread, Tire Pressure and Battery Houston is known for its typical hot weather throughout most of the year. However, a few months out of the year, we need to adapt and prepare ourselves and our cars for when it actually gets cold down here in the Bayou City. This article will help you understand some of the important fundamentals of preparing your car for winter. Battery Your battery can die at any time of the year, but there usually seems to be a high spike in dead batteries during the winter seasons. It’s already bad enough when your car stalls on the road, but to be stuck on the road with a dead battery is even worse. One of the more common problems that cause dead batteries is having corrosion around your battery and the battery terminals. When a strong connection is not made with your battery, you have a higher chance of your car not starting. If you haven’t inspected your battery and its terminals in the past six months, you’ll want to bring your car ... read more

Winter Special: Up to $30 Off Alignments for Limited Time What is an Alignment? Over time you car’s wheels and tires will get out of alignment, which means they are no longer parallel to each other. You may notice your car "pulling" to the left or right when you're trying to drive straight. When this happens, bring your car in Ripley’s for an alignment. An alignment is a procedure to readjust your wheels and tires so they are once again parallel with each other. An alignment can be performed on your front or back end, or both. A vehicle alignment involves computer-aided precision adjustments to your caster, camber, toe, and ride height, which are also a part of your suspension. The better aligned your vehicle’s wheels are to each other, the better quality driving you’ll experience. Why tire alignment is important Many of us know that changing our car’s oil is an important task that should be done regularly. However, it is also important why your tire alignment ... read more

OBD-II is the new standard of Onboard Diagnostic Systems and are in most cars and trucks on the road today. The OBD-II is a diagnostic computer that is hooked up to your car to control engine functions and diagnose problems. If there is a problem with a component of the vehicle, a trouble code will be given. Here some of the most common trouble codes, what they mean, what symptoms to look for, and some solutions to solving the problem, from the OBD Codes.com trouble code database. P0440 What Does it Mean? P0440 is the trouble code given when the evaporative emission control system has malfunctioned. The EVAP system contains the gas cap, fuel lines, carbon canister, purge valve, and other hoses within the car. The EVAP emission control system prevents fuel vapors from escaping from the fuel system of a vehicle Symptoms: Th ... read more

Catalytic converters are being stolen at malls, shopping centers, company parking lots, and even in driveways – and replacements can cost $1,400. Because converters are under the car, most people do not notice anything strange until they start the vehicle and hear the deafening roar of a cut off muffler. Catalytic converter thefts cost individuals and businesses all over Houston a fortune in replacements and repairs. According to the Insurance Services Office (ISO), the number of catalytic converter thefts in 2008 was well over 3,000% higher than in 2007 - more thefts than in 2004 through 2007 combined. What Is A Catalytic Converter? Every vehicle made after 1975 has a catalytic converter. A catalytic converter is a component of your vehicle’s exhaust system which chemically converts harmful exhaust gases into carbon dioxide and water vapor. Catalytic converters have been required on all cars produced since 1975 to meet strict emissions regulations. Learn more about ... read more

It’s almost that time of year….Cold temperatures and warm fires, sweaters, hats, and gloves. Those rough mornings that we have to get up from our cozy, warm beds and go outside to get into our cold, cold cars. And then…click….click…the car battery is dead. Problems with car batteries are high on the annual lists of the top 10 most common breakdown faults. Not that they need to be. Thanks to newer technologies, modern car batteries provide much better cold starting performance and longer life than ever before. But, the danger is still real, and it happens to the best of us. Heat is Tough on Car Batteries Last month’s article was about how HEAT is a battery culprit, so we know that the summer months start the breakdown process. [When temps outside reach 90 degrees, the temperature under the hood of your car can reach 140 degrees, wreaking havoc on the battery. Each time the thermometer gets that high, your car’s battery fluid evaporates faster & corrosion accelerates too ... read more

Squealing, squawking, and squeaking brakes can not only be annoying; these noises can indicate a potentially serious problem with your braking system. Squeaky brakes can panic a driver, as they are arguably the most important safety feature in every automobile. Sometimes the concern is warranted, as the brakes are going bad. Other times, there may be nothing wrong at all. Be safe, take your car to the professionals at either Ripley's Muffler & Brakes location for a free brake check, and let them determine if there is cause for concern. Common Causes of Squealing Brakes Squeaky brakes are common. With multitudes of moving parts, weird noises of some sort or another are heard on a daily basis. There are many reasons that can cause your brakes to squeal or grind. Here are a few of the most common: Worn Out Brake Pads & Shoes -- Worn out brake pads is the most common reason for squea ... read more

Global warming may be questionable, but Texas summers are hotter than ever! Heat is the number one enemy of most vehicles...especially your A/C, battery, & engine cooling components. Why Do Auto A/C’s Always Break Down In The Heat? It is common to hear car owners screaming in exasperation in 100 degree temps: “Why does the AC always break down now?” Well, it’s not just bad luck; there are many reasons for it. The air conditioning system relies on many parts that all work together to keep your car cool. The A/C system uses a refrigerant to lower air temperature and carry away heat, which cools and dehumidifies the air flowing into the interior. For the system to work properly, several key components, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, valves, and hoses need to be in tip-top shape. Expert A/C Repairs At Rayford Road Location Although air conditioning systems are typically very reliable, they can break down. It’s quite clear that car ai ... read more

There's nothing spectacular or unusual about the appearance of Ripley's Muffler & Brake Shop at the intersection of FM 1960 and Kuykendahl. But for General Manager Tommy Ripley, his mother Joan Ripley and Tommy's 10 brothers and sisters, the place holds a lifetime of memories and is indeed special. Read the full article, clipped from the Houston Chronical, Wednesday March