Houston Auto Repair

The holidays are now here, and it's important to save money where you can – especially when it comes to your vehicle. Most drivers try to cut cost by deciding against replacing their vehicle's air filter. Neglecting the air filter can have an impact on performance. It's a less than desirable move when there are other ways to save money on vehicle and maintenance that don't involve impacting performance. Depending on driving habits and the environment, the air filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles or once a year. If you're in doubt, check your vehicle's owner's manual. Below are a few ways to determine whether your car's air filter needs to be replaced.  The cabin filter prevents you from breathing in dust, debris, dirt, and pollen by filtering out before entering the HVAC system. It helps provide healthy, clean air for you and your engine. Over time the filter will become caked with pollutants and need to be replaced if the cabin air f ... read more

Responsible car care doesn’t stop at oil changes and fluid top-offs. Proper maintenance also includes tire servicing. Tire rotations are essential in increasing their lifespan and efficiency. During a tire rotation, the tires are repositioned either front to back to side to side every 5,000 miles. Rotating the tires allows your tires to wear evenly across all four tires; this maximizes the available tread. There are various signs that your vehicle is due for an alignment. If one of your tires loses pressure faster than the others or there’s vibrating and uneven tire wear, it’s time to schedule an inspection. A tire rotation isn’t a service to stress about because it provides many benefits that outweigh the minor time commitment. Below are three primary reasons you shouldn’t skip a tire rotation service. The tires wire evenly.   Rotating your tires moves them in a different vehicle position over time, allowing them to wear evenly. The tires on t ... read more

Cars are wonderful because they open several new worlds by way of travel. However, the expense of owning a vehicle can become overwhelming. A driver can find the additional cost burning through their pockets from the car purchase itself to regularly scheduled maintenance. Fuel doesn’t have to be another significant expense. Below are five tips to keep gas expenses low and its usage more efficient. Vehicle Weight Don’t stuff your vehicle up to its weight capacity. Whether it’s carried in the cabin or the trunk, additional weight forces the car to work harder. If the engine has to work harder to move, more fuel will be used.  Tire Pressure Tire pressure is easy to maintain since there are air tanks and tire gauges at most gas stations. If checking your tire pressure makes you uncomfortable, most automotive repair shops will inspect the tire pressure and fill them up for you quickly and usually free of charge. If the tire pressure is too low ... read more

A vehicle is a major financial investment for most individuals, so it's essential to keep it in top-notch condition. Regular vehicle maintenance sets your vehicle on the path to operate efficiently for an extended period of time. Spending on automotive service isn't fun; there are many other cool gadgets to spend on. However, spending a little now helps prevent the bigger, costlier repairs in the future. Maintenance not only promotes longevity, but it saves time and money later down the road. Below are a few preventative maintenance services worth considering.  Rotate the Tires  The tires should be rotated at every oil change. Rotating the tires keep them in prime condition to safely take on various road and weather conditions. As you drive, tires become worn. Tire rotations ensure that there's a balance in tire wear and it extends their life cycle.  Transmission Fluid Make sure there is a sufficient amount of transmission fluid. Trans ... read more

Oil is a crucial aspect of your vehicle because it decreases friction inside the engine. High quality, clean oil expands your vehicle’s lifespan by reducing corrosion. It also prevents critical engine components from rubbing together.   Your engine oil becomes dirty and contaminated over time. With regular wear and tear, the oil becomes less effective. If it’s not fixed, with time, significant engine damage and other mechanical failings will occur. While changing your engine oil is one of the most straightforward maintenance tasks, some drivers may still procrastinate or forget to do them. Below are five significant signs you need an oil change: Your motor oil is dark and dirty. If you pop the hood and remove your dipstick, the engine oil should be a bright amber color. If your oil is black, it’s time to get an oil change. You notice a strong smell of burnt oil. A burnt oil smell inside your car cabin is a major indicati ... read more

Cleaning and maintaining a sanitized car is more important than ever with the current state of the country. Washing hands and disinfecting high-touched surfaces are two of the best ways to defend against spreading germs. Your car should also receive special treatment. It doesn’t take much for dust and dirt to accumulate every time you drive your vehicle. Frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, the steering wheel, the shift lever, and any buttons carry bacteria. Find a suitable area for a car wash that allows you to give your vehicle the bit of elbow grease it deserves. Below are a few suggestions to adapt to your next cleaning regimen to defend against spreading illness-causing germs:  According to the CDC, alcohol-based solutions that contain at least 70 percent of alcohol are effective against COVID-19. Household cleaners that kill coronaviruses on hard surfaces at home are suitable cleaning agents for your car’s insides without damaging its interior.  ... read more

Summer is here, and it feels like a sauna outside - the last thing you need is more hot air blasting from your car vents. Is your A/C ready to take on summer temperatures? It’s best to learn what you can do to help if your air conditioner can’t blow an icy chill to offset the sweltering heat.  Don’t rush to turn on “Max A/C” No one wants to wait for their A/C to get cold before they start their dive. It can be tempting to press the “Max A/C” button right away, but this isn’t the most effective. Temperatures inside your car can reach up to 200° degrees; this makes the air inside your vehicle warmer than outside. When the air is hotter inside your car, “Max A/C” works harder and takes longer to cool your vehicle down. It’s best to turn the fan on and set it to “outside” mode to force some of the hot air out. After a few minutes, turn on the A/C and set it to “recirculate&rdquo ... read more

Your vehicle's cooling system is a vital system that is responsible for ensuring that your engine runs at optimal temperature. The engine has so many working parts and works diligently while your vehicle runs, and consequently emits a ton of heat. The job of the cooling system is to keep your engine's temperature regulated and cool.  An overheating engine is never a good thing. Overheating can cause your engine to become damage, corroded, and can lead to engine failure. When the engine fails, your vehicle won't run and you'll be looking at some pretty extensive repairs. This is why ensuring the cooling system always works as its best is vital to the overall health fo your vehicle - and your wallet. An issue with the cooling system can be detrimental to the engine, which is why you should always value cooling system maintenance. Let's look at some of the most important cooling system maintenance items:  Ensure that your cooling system is regularly inspec ... read more

When it comes to your car’s safety, brakes are one of the most important that need to be monitored. Although it may seem like a brake problem would be blatantly obvious, there are some signs of brake problems that you may not recognize immediately without understanding the true signs of brake problems.  We always recommend that brakes are inspected at least once a year to ensure that everything works properly. A problem with a major brake component, such as the brake line, can cause sudden brake failure and is definitely something that we all want to avoid. Regular brake maintenance will help you avoid these dangerous and scary situations and keep you safe on the road.  If you notice any of the following symptoms, bring your vehicle into our shop as soon as possible for a brake inspection:  Brake warning light is on Noticeable decrease in brake power Vibrating while braking Brake pedal feels spongy Brake pedal goes to the floor Brake pedal feels hard to pre ... read more

At Elite Auto Experts, we want you to know that we are constantly monitoring updates by the CDC regarding COVID-19 and are adjusting our services to accommodate our customers and keep everyone safe in the process. Our shop is remaining open during this time while keeping the health and safety of our staff members and customers a top priority.  Our shop is continuing to provide a clean and safe environment to serve you in. You can count on us at a time like this, especially if you need our help. Given Houston and Harris County’s emergency health declaration regarding COVID-19 and Elite Auto Experts' commitment to the safety of our customers and staff, we will begin implementing the following measures: We have reduced our hours of operation:  Monday-Friday: 9am- 5pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed   We are closing our waiting area to customers to protect our employees and everyone's health   Upon arrival we ask for you to call us at ... read more