Austin Auto Repair

Your annual emissions test can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if you own an older vehicle or if you know you've been slacking on vehicle maintenance. If you fail the examination, you can't drive your car legally until you get the necessary repairs to limit your emissions. Here are some full-proof ways to pass your smog test without a problem: Repair Check Engine Light A check engine light can automatically result in immediate failure of your smog check. If possible, we highly encourage you to fix check engine lights as soon as they come up, so the problem doesn't become urgent when your smog check comes around. Properly Fill Your Tires When your tires aren't adequately inflated, your engine is put under strain, releasing more significant amounts of emissions as a result. Get An Oil Change Who says an oil change can't fix your problems? If your car runs with dirty engine oil, the exhaust smoke will be more concentrated and dirty. It's a safe bet ... read more

Whether you are a car enthusiast or not, everyone must learn how to check their engine oil using the dipstick. If you have a hard time locating the dipstick, please refer to your owner's manual. We highly recommend you take several minutes each month to examine your engine oil closely. Incorporating this into your routine can help you better understand your engine performance and plan your following oil change. Here are the four aspects of your motor oil you should check out! LEVEL First and foremost, you need to ensure you have enough oil in your oil pan. The dipstick has lines on it to show you the ideal range for your vehicle. If it is below the indicated markings, then you should add oil to it right away. It would help if you also had it inspected by a professional to ensure there are no leaks. COLOR Fresh oil should be a light brown/golden color. If your engine oil looks unusual, discolored, or dirty in any way, then it's probably time for an oil change. If it looks mi ... read more

A coolant leak of any sort is super hazardous because your vehicle depends on its coolant to keep the engine at an optimal temperature. When your radiator leaks, your engine is at high risk of overheating. If you notice a leak, please immediately take your BMW, Range Rover, Land Rover, MINI, Mercedes Benz, or Jaguar to Terry Sayther Automotive for an accurate diagnosis and repairs. You may be wondering, "what causes a radiator to leak anyway?".   Poor Quality or Incorrect Coolant Cheap, watery, or even the wrong type of coolant can make your vehicle susceptible to overheating. When you put the bad stuff in your car, your radiator will discharge it. Heater Core The heater core directly affects your engine temperature. When it is malfunctioning, it can cause your engine to blister. On top of that, your heating functions will not work to warm you up in the winter. Thermostat As you can guess, the thermostat is reliable for measuring your engine's temperature. Whe ... read more

Keeping an emergency kit at all times can help you in times of need. Most of these items will come in handy because you never know when you may experience a breakdown or catastrophic car accident.   According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are more than 6 million reported vehicle accidents each year in the United States. This number does not account for unreported accidents and vehicle breakdowns that happen daily to hundreds and thousands of drivers. You can minimize the stress by carrying these items along with you on your daily commute. The essential supplies on our car emergency kit list will have you be prepared, keep you and your loved ones safe, and potentially save lives.   Here is our list that we have prepared for you to organize and collect for your ultimate emergency kit for your vehicle: Flashlight Batteries Compass Jumper Cables Jump Starter - Portable power bank for car, phones, and other electronics First Aid Kit Tire P ... read more

Fuel can be a hefty expense for many of us, particularly those who spend most of our day working on the go. It also doesn't help that the gas prices keep on going up. Some people will have their individual methods on how to maximize their fuel efficiency. Some credit their gains to where they pump their gas, while others make fuel-efficient decisions behind the wheel. All we know is that purchasing behavior, driving habits, and car maintenance all factor into your gas mileage. While there is an endless stream of advice that some people may give, here are some of our tips at Terry Saythers Automotive:   Purchasing Behavior Enroll in a Gas Station Rewards Program  National gasoline chains, such as Shell and Exxon, have rewards programs that can offer you gas at a reduced price. Most of these programs are free of charge, while some might require you to start a credit card. Either way, these programs will yield you savings for years to come.   Compare Gas Prices Be ... read more