Austin Auto Repair

Coolant fluid is an essential component in the functioning of your vehicle's engine and cooling system. This liquid helps regulate the temperature of your engine and prevent overheating, which can cause serious damage and costly repairs. Here's what you need to know about coolant fluid: What is Coolant Fluid? Coolant fluid is a mixture of water and a special chemical that is designed to absorb and transfer heat away from the engine. It circulates through the engine and the radiator, helping to maintain the proper operating temperature for a combustion engine. What Does Coolant Fluid Do? Coolant fluid helps regulate the temperature of your engine by absorbing heat and transferring it to the radiator, where it can be dissipated. This helps prevent overheating, which can cause damage to your engine and other components. Coolant fluid also helps prevent corrosion and rust from forming in your engine and cooling system. Types of Coolant Fluid There are two main types of coolan ... read more

Shocks ensure that your tires properly touch the road, so you can operate your vehicle safely and easily. The vehicle’s suspension is made up of many parts including shocks, coil springs, leaf springs, and more. The springs support your vehicle during acceleration and deceleration on both smooth and bumpy roads. When your shocks and suspension are no longer performing their role, it can lead to excessive acceleration, rear-end squatting, brake diving, and excessive wheel bounce. Due to the loss in traction, your car tires may wear unevenly. How to Put Your Shocks to the Test Shock absorber service is not an easy task – it requires specific tools and knowledge. However, you can do your part by performing a shock test to identify whether your vehicle's instability is due to worn suspension parts. You can identify whether you have good or bad shocks by taking your vehicle for a test run. First, you can accelerate hard and then brake abruptly. If the rear end of your c ... read more

The alternator makes up your vehicle’s electrical charging system. It is responsible for charging your car battery as well as powering many accessories. When your alternator gives out, your car will eventually die and stay dead until it gets fixed. The good news is that you can sometimes tell when the alternator is about to die.  When your battery is dead or not working like it used to, please do not skip the step of looking at your alternator. If the alternator is the culprit, your vehicle will not be able to provide the spark plugs with enough power to start your engine and keep it running. Below are all the signs that indicate your alternator is at the fault of your starting problems: Dashboard Warning Light On Some cars have an ALT or GEN light that comes on when the alternator is faulty. In other cars, it may simply be the light that looks like a battery. Either way, please bring your car to our auto repair shop to have your dashboard warning light diagnosed.  ... read more

Like other filters in your car, the fuel filter serves to keep dirt, debris, and other harmful particles out of your vehicle's critical systems. It allows your gas or fuel to pass through the pump and eventually injectors cleanly. Unfortunately, fuel filters will be dirty over time. As a result, you will allow the harmful contaminants to pass the filter and clog up the injectors and harm the fuel-burning process. To save you from frequent fill-ups and expensive repairs down the line here is how to be on the lookout for a dirty fuel filter. Trouble Driving at Lower Speeds Rough Idling - due to fuel flow restriction and inconsistent delivery of fuel. Stalling - the engine may cut off altogether if the blockage in the fuel system is severe enough. Problems Starting - if you can't get your engine to start, consider checking out the fuel filter. Most of the time, it is due to the inability ... read more

Your vehicle's brake pedal should be firm and sturdy when you press down on it. So, if it feels spongy and soft, there must be a problem. This component plays a crucial role in controlling your vehicle, so the unnerving sensation can compromise your vehicle's overall performance and safety. You must therefore have your car checked immediately and the issue resolved before getting back on the road. Here are some of the common symptoms of spongy brake pedals: The brake pedal is always sinking You have to constantly pump your pedal to prevent it from creeping ahead The brakes warning light comes on Causes of Spongy Brakes Air is a Major Culprit It is not unusual for air to find its way into the brake lines interfering with the smooth flow of the brake fluid. Besides, your vehicle's brake fluid might have absorbed moisture with time, especially when your bleeder valve loosens. In such a case, a mechanical technician will perform brake bleeding (flushing the brakes) to elim ... read more