Houston Auto Repair

Your vehicle's brake system is one of the most critical components when it comes to ensuring your safety on the road. One of the key components of this system is the brake fluid, which is responsible for transmitting the pressure from your foot to the brakes. That's why it's essential to understand the importance of brake fluid maintenance and whether or not you need to change it. What Is Brake Fluid Brake fluid is a high-temperature hydraulic fluid used to transmit force into pressure. It is a specially formulated mixture of glycols. It is essential to the proper operation of your vehicle's braking system, providing the necessary pressure to engage the brakes and stop the vehicle. Why Change Brake Fluid Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means that it takes in moisture from the air over time. The moisture in the brake fluid can cause a variety of problems, including corrosion of the brake system components, reduced boiling point, and decreased braking performance ... read more

"How Often do I Need to Take my Car to Maintenance" Vehicles that are Newly Made Models have a Maintenance reminder system on the Dashboard that shows you when services are needed Oil Changes, Filter Replacement, and fluid level checks. Tracking mileage, and the conditions under which your car is being operated to give a more accurate picture of what service is needed and when.  It’s essential to consult your owner’s manual for your car’s specific needs because service schedules vary from each vehicle range, here we offer a list of the common mileage services: Change Oil and Rotate Tires every 6,000 miles Replace the Battery and Timing Belt every five years Flush the Steering System and Fuel filter every 30,000 miles Change the fluid and the filter every 60,000 miles in with Automatic transmission Change Spark plugs every 40,000 miles Replace the Air filter every 15,000 to 20,000 miles Go to your Auto Repair Near Me or ... read more

To help your tires perform properly, help them last longer, and keep your vehicle from pulling in one direction or vibrating on the road are some reasons to make a tire or wheel alignment. Wheels could come out of alignment with even a minor accident or with something so simple as hitting potholes or even bumping a curb. Not performing a wheel alignment can lead your tires to uneven tire wear, and diminish your suspension quality. In addition to this, there is more risk to you as a driver and to others around you. Wheels alignment needs to be made periodically. It is recommended to schedule an alignment every other oil change, or approximately every 6,000 miles. When the alignment it’s being performed, your vehicle is put on a rack and the wheels are rotated and adjusted, so they're properly aligned to fit your vehicle and the manufacturer's recommendations. The wheels can have camber, caster, and toe adjustments with the alignments. The staff at Elite Auto Experts w ... read more

If when stopping or slowing down you hear grinding noises, your brake pads are most likely the issue. Over time your brake pads lose their thickness and you'll hear a grinding noise as they wear down further, the squealing noise also called “brake scrubbing”.  This is because of the lack of pad material in the brakes making the rotor disc and caliper rub against one another. The rotors and pads become metal to metal. This friction can result in serious damage if not resolved immediately.  If you hear your brakes grinding when traveling at a steady speed that may be due to rocks between the caliper and the rotor. This is most common when traveling off-road.  You can still drive when your brakes are grinding, but it is not safe and it could make the issue worse and increase the cost of repair.  To resolve this problem you will need to have your brake pads replaced, but you may also need to replace both your discs or rotors at this point.  The ... read more

Different components work together and create the friction necessary to stop your car safely and quickly.  As these parts wear down from use over time, they become less effective at stopping. These parts include Brake lines. Most cars have a hydraulic system pressure. This system uses brake fluid to apply pressure onto your brake calipers when pressing the brake pedal. Brake pads. This is a component of the disc brakes made from different metals with friction material attached to the surface, the brake pads work by pressing against the rotor and creating the friction necessary to slow and stop the car. Rotors. They are bowl-shaped and attached to the wheel. When you step on your brake pedal, your vehicle's brake pads are compressed against the rotor creating friction.  Calipers. The brake caliper houses your car's brake pads and pistons. They squeeze the brake pads against the rotors to slow and stop the car.  Signs your brakes and rotors need replaci ... read more

Did you know that your tires can lose air pressure without you even noticing? You could be cutting down on your car's performance If you're not checking your tire pressure regularly. Check the pressure every two to four weeks, and always before traveling or if you're carrying additional loads. Tires without the right amount of pressure in them tend to wear out faster. Could also lead to collisions, crashes, and a general loss of control over your vehicle. There are several reasons you need to check the pressure in your tires. Some of the most important are: Optimize tire performance and fuel economy  Enhance durability and performance  Bypass sidewall flexing and tire squirm Evade heat and rolling hazards Responsiveness, traction, and handling Checking your air pressure is easy; all you need is a tire gauge. When you close the valve of the tire, the gauge will display the Pounds per Square Inch (PSI).  The proper PSI is usually slightly different f ... read more

Headlights are an essential component of your car. As it helps you see outside it also helps alert other drivers of your presence on the road. If your headlights seem dim, there may be an underlying problem that needs to be corrected. Below are 5 reasons why your headlight might be dim. 1. Bad Bulb: A bad bulb is the first cause of a dim headlight to be considered. Headlights don’t blow out, they dim over time, and rarely do both headlights dim at the same rate. 2. Bad Alternator: A common explanation for faint lights in your vehicle is a weak alternator. A damaged alternator will only cause the lights to dim or flicker when the car is on. This is because the alternator charges the battery, and if it stops charging while driving, the battery will drain. If you notice that the lights brighten and dim as the engine revs up and down, the alternator should be checked immediately.  3. Bad Ground: A bad ground can result in lower than required voltage being delivered to your ... read more

Power steering allows the driver to steer the car without applying a lot of force, some vehicles use hydraulic power, and others use electric motors. An electric power steering system deals with sensors and electronic control units, so it needs calibration and programming. After the physical inspection of the electric power steering system, the auto repair shop needs to implement a new diagnosis process including using the scan tool and troubleshooting the electrical components for the power steering system.   Symptoms for electric power steering failure: Vibration and pulsation when turning the steering wheel. EPS Warning lights are on. Hard to steer left or right. Whining noise coming from the power steering motor. Vehicle pulling in one direction.   Causes for electric power steering failure: Damage to electronic power steering control unit. Bad sensors like steering angle sensors and vehicle speed sensors. Failing electric motor. The system needs calibration ... read more

Finding the best auto repair shop for your car or truck for car maintenance or repair there is no single clue to what makes a good auto repair shop, but there are some things you should look for. Ask for recommendation for the best auto repair shop in the area by asking friends, family member, neighbors. Look on the internet for a local mechanic with great customer feedback and reviews. Auto repair shops should be certified by the Automotive Service Excellence, and have Professional mechanics. After you have chosen the right auto repair shop, allow the mechanics to handle minor repairs. If you continue to be satisfied with their services and professionalism, trust them with more complex jobs.  

The rugged and jagged roads can tear up the shocks and struts on your vehicle’s suspension system over time. Although your vehicle is built to absorb these impacts through these suspension components, shocks and struts will inevitably wear out. After every 50,000 miles, shocks and struts may start to show signs of wear and tear. You may feel a little uneasy or shaky in your car at first. However, your drives will feel more unstable if you neglect to replace your shocks and struts. Here are the top signs that indicate your vehicle is ready for suspension repairs: Drifting or Veering - This is a clear sign of bad suspension because it means that your suspension parts are no longer strong enough to hold the body of your car, especially against the force of a turn. If your vehicle drifts, please have your tires and suspension checked to pinpoint the issue. Bumpy or Rough Rides - Many problems can cause your drive to feel uneasy, including bad sh ... read more