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Archive for January 2023The Turn Signal Mystery (Turn Signal Problems)Posted January 29, 2023 11:35 AMSome problems are easy to diagnose on a vehicle; others aren't. Figuring out what's wrong with a malfunctioning turn signal sometimes fits into both categories. By the way, if your tempted to just leave your broken blinker broken, remember you can get a ticket for not using them, not to mention you are missing a great chance to communicate your intentions to other drivers on the road. There can be lots of signals that your signals are on the blink. Does only the driver's side signal not work or the passenger's side? Do your hazard signals work? Do the lights illuminate but not flash? Can you see the indicators on the dash blinking? Do your turn signals turn off after you've finished your turn or do they stay on? These are all great clues for the technician. Here's one common symptom to take note of. Your signal all of a sudden starts blinking much more quickly than it used to. It could be a simple as a burned out bulb. But there are many different parts that go into the turn signal system. There are fuses that blow, switches that can fail, flasher modules that go bad and light bulb sockets that can simply get corroded or dirty. When that happens, it's possible there's no contact between the bulb and the socket. So it's understandable how tracking down the source of the problem can involve some detective work. Your service facility has equipment that can nail down the cause of your problems. They may also consult the repair manual. One thing to be aware of: if your vehicle has airbags, they may have to be disabled so they don't accidentally go off. You can make sure your turn signals are working correctly by having them checked by a trained technician. Other drivers will thank you for showing them the courtesy of signaling your intentions. It's a courteous and considerate thing to do, not to mention it makes the road a safer place. Westside Automotive When Do My Shocks Need to Be Replaced?Posted January 22, 2023 8:38 AMA good suspension system gives a vehicle a smooth, even ride while providing Houston drivers with good handling and control. But like any system on your vehicle, parts of the suspension system can wear out, leading to a lower ride quality and safety concerns. So it's a good idea for drivers in Houston to remember their suspension system in their schedule of preventive maintenance. Springs do most of the work of the suspension system. The most common types of springs are coil and leaf, but air springs and torsion bars are becoming more common. The body of the vehicle is “suspended” by the springs. Westside Automotive
Houston Tire RepairPosted January 15, 2023 9:38 AMMost Houston residents have experienced a flat tire. You know it's inconvenient and a pain. Our tires are important. Keeping them in good working order isn't just a big safety issue for Houston drivers – it also has a financial impact. With high TX gas prices, we've all heard about the importance of keeping proper tire pressure to save on gas. In addition, proper inflation promotes even tread wear so your tires last longer. There's another danger with under-inflated tires for Houston residents. Low tire pressure puts added stress on the structure of the tire itself, causing it to break down prematurely. Also, under-inflated tires generate more heat which also reduces tire life. So get those slow leaks fixed quickly – don't just keep adding air every few days. You want to avoid tire damage. Houston residents should only hire qualified tire professionals to perform repairs - we have a whole team of them at Westside Automotive. Houston folks can buy self-repair kits, but we advise you to save those for emergencies, like when you're off-roading and need a quick fix so you can hobble back to civilization and get professional help. If you need to use a repair-in-a-can product, remember it's a temporary measure only and your tire needs to be properly repaired as soon as possible. Westside Automotive Battery Basics for HoustonPosted January 8, 2023 11:31 AMIt's important for Houston drivers to know battery basics. First, let's talk about which is harder on a battery – hot or cold TX weather. Most Houston area drivers think it's cold weather because that's when we call on our batteries to have enough power to start a cold vehicle engine. However, heat does more damage to a battery than cold. Truth is, our batteries start to die a little from day one. Keeping a full charge slows the process, which is hard with short Houston trips because the alternator doesn't have time to fully recharge the battery from starting the engine. Houston drivers can top off the charge with a computer controlled battery charger – say, once a month in the summer and every three months during the winter.
Keep Your Cool in HoustonPosted January 1, 2023 12:06 PMHouston drivers rely on their vehicle's coolant system to keep their engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your vehicle engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it's cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the coolant/water mix circulates back through the engine to absorb more heat. Westside Automotive | ||
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Testimonials
Kim H, 04/18/2024
Justin took great care us and was quick to resolve the issues. Thank you so much!