Sudden Cold Snap- MY CAR WON'T START! It Doesn't Have to Happen to You

Your car's battery isn't something you spend much time thinking about.  But with upcoming colder temperatures "no starts" are as certain as winter itself.  

By Steve Smith

If you haven't replaced your battery in the last 2 to 3 plus years it is quite possible that one cold morning you will be heading out the door to get the kids to school or yourself to work and when you turn that key to start your vehicle . . . nothing.  Bummer!

How to avoid being stranded:

1.  DON'T WAIT FOR A FAILURE- If you haven't changed your battery within 2 years, have your charging system checked at a certified repair facility. Select a garage with the proper tools and knowledge to truly test the battery and the alternator's ability to charge your battery.  Avoid parts stores when in need of a charging system check.  If your battery fails, replace it.

2.  BE PREPARED- Keep a good quality set of jumper cables in your car.  You can also keep a jump pack in your trunk.  Make sure your jump pack is charged so it will start your vehicle in the case of a dead battery.

3.  TREAT YOUR BATTERY WELL- Nothing is worse for a battery than heavy fluctuation in the level of charge.  Draining and recharging reduce battery life substantially. Don't leave lights on.  Don't use your car's electronics for a long period of time with the engine off.  Unplug phone chargers and other electrical drains when the car is sitting for hours at a time.

4.  MONITOR YOUR GAUGES AND LIGHTS- If your car is equipped with a charging system gauge, keep an eye on it.  If you see a red light come on that looks like a battery or electricity icon get to a shop for a charging system check.

You will avoid frustration and save time and money by being proactive.  Being late to school or work stinks, but paying $89.99 for a tow truck is worse.

Mention this blog post to GET A FREE CHARGING SYSTEM CHECK AT GROOVY AUTOMOTIVE on North Lamar.

5405 North Lamar (Near N. Lamar & Northloop)

512-492-8050

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Groovy Automotive . . . just the repairs you really need at an affordable price.  

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Groovy Automotive in top 3 running for Chronicle's Best of Austin 2017!

Groovy Automotive is an Austin original and has been serving up reliable honest auto repair for nearly 3 decades.  Groovy has built a business on the foundation of honest and friendly service at an affordable price.

Let the world know!  Click the link below, scroll down to Auto Repair and vote for Groovy Automotive as Best of Austin!   CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE

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Groovy Automotive

5405 North Lamar

Austin, TX 78751

512-492-8050

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Your Auto Repair Shop's Integrity and Your Trust

By Steve Smith

Trust is an essential element of the relationship between you and your auto repair shop. 

Over the years some auto repair shops have earned bad reputations and have made it harder for honest repair facilities to gain customer confidence when it comes to transparency in repairs and billing.  At the same time, the people who work in repair shops are human and can make mistakes.  Check your bill, ask for itemized descriptions and account for all charges to be sure that there are no discrepancies or errors, honest or not.  Some say it's a good idea to avoid shops who pay the salesperson at the counter a commission.  Find a shop that has a good vibe and stick with them if they shoot you straight.  It's imperative to find a mechanic that puts you at ease by earning your trust.

At Groovy Automotive, we have policies in place that discourage dishonest recommendations.  Our service associates are not paid commission and earn the same pay regardless of your spending.  Groovy Automotive has spent the last 23 years gaining our customers trust and that's why we are still here and going strong with four locations.

• Our promise to you:

  • We will only recommend what you need to get you back on the road.
  • We will give you the very best price available for the service offered.
  • We will always stand behind our work and if there is a problem, we will make it right.
  • We will always be honest with you.
  • Though as a business we do have to make a reasonable profit, OUR INTEGRITY ISN'T FOR SALE.
  

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Just mention this blog post and ask for the Social Media Discount.

4011 Red River 512-450-0951 * 5405 N Lamar 512-492-8050 * 501 W Slaughter 512-291-8662

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Groovy Automotive, brakes, shocks, timing belts, tune up, spark plugs, service, mechanic, transmission, motor, engine, pads, axle, bearing, wheel, tire, alignment, 4 wheel, rotation, #KeepAustinGroovy

Timing Is Everything When It Comes To Your Car's Timing Belt Service

By Steve Smith

Your Timing belt is very different from your serpentine drive belt(s).  The belt you can see from under the hood, though very important, is not your timing belt.  If your car is equipped with a timing belt rather than a timing chain you need to service the belt every so often as per your manufacturer's specifications.  Often, manufacturers recommend a timing belt be replaced every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

Unlike your regular drive belt, if your timing belt breaks, it can damage your engine and cause far more expense and headache than replacing the timing belt preemptively.

Some vehicles use the timing belt to turn the water pump.  In this case, you should most definitely do the water pump at the same time.  Doing the water pump while servicing the timing belt usually only adds a small amount to the cost of the timing belt service. If you do not do the water pump when the timing belt is done and the pump goes out you will end up paying the same labor for doing a timing belt all over again.  It's much cheaper, in the long run, to include the water pump when applicable.

What happens when the timing belt brakes?  The pistons and valves can collide causing damage to your motor in varying degrees.  The moral of the story . . . service your car's timing belt just like you would any other component.

Mention this article at any Groovy Automotive and get $100 off your next timing belt service.

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Great Things In Store For YOU!

By Steve Smith

As we wrap up another year and prepare to start off a new season, it's a good time to reflect on where we've been and what we've learned and experienced in the outgoing year and where we could be going and accomplish in the new one.  

Visualize YOU
We can visualize a version of ourselves, our businesses or our families that we would like to come to fruition and begin to imagine the steps that would have to occur for that version of us to come to pass.  It could seem insurmountable, but it most likely isn't.  The best way to accomplish something is to start- take step #1.

Write it down 
We've all heard it said that people who commit their goals to paper are actually more likely to accomplish them.  When you visualize the goal or accomplishment that you want to come to pass, write the overall concept down and then begin to formulate the various steps required to get there and write those down too.

Make the steps bite-sized and manageable
We are far more likely to complete small goals on a checklist when we break them down into manageable tasks.  If it takes more than a year it doesn't matter as you will have grown and progressed.

Believe in YOU
Give yourself credit for being capable.  Examine those small sub goals that once they are completed will bring forth the big picture accomplishment and imagine yourself actually doing them.  Can you do that one thing?  Can you do that next thing?  Of course, you can!

Live in gratitude
It's no happy people who are thankful, it's thankful people who are happy.  Be grateful for life.  Focus on the good and deal with the bad.  Life is like a Pizza with some things on it you don't like.  The pizza can still be very good, just pick off, ignore or deal with the stuff you don't like.  Don't let a few things that you don't like make your pizza suck!

Speaking of being thankful . . .
We at Groovy Automotive want to thank you all for being great customers.  It is such an honor to serve each of you.  We so greatly appreciate your business and look forward to being YOUR neighborhood garage.

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Groovy Automotive
5405 North Lamar
512-492-8050
www.groovyautomotive.com

It's New To Me! The Groovy Guide to Buying a used car

By Steve Smith

Buying a used car can be a daunting task.  It's hard to know what you are REALLY buying.  Here are a couple of facts and opinions about used car buying.

Do your homework!

It is the buyer's responsibility to thoroughly inspect a vehicle before buying.  In Texas, any repairs that a dealer of used cars does after the sale is out of the goodness of their own heart.  There is no legal recourse if you buy one that has catastrophic issues that are or aren't visible a the time of purchase.  Drive the car, listen to the car, smell the car after it has heated up.  Does the car look like it was owned by someone who was proud of it and took good care of it?  If a seller has a problem with you having a certified mechanic shop of your choice check out the prospective auto prior to the purchase then leave and do not buy from them.

There are warranties available, but beware!  Many dealers will throw in a warranty with the purchase.  In most cases, these warranties only cover the drive train and will be honored only if the motor, transmission or differential fails within the specified time frame.  Some of these warranty companies will use trickery to get out of paying a claim.  You have to be very careful when calling in a claim for a failed component.  It is always best to have a shop with experience in dealing with these warranty companies to make that call on your behalf.

Don't buy cars that cost a ton to work on.

Unless you are ready to pay big money for repairs and upkeep don't buy luxury European cars.  If you by Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes,  Audi, etc. then you are signing up for costly repairs in the future.  Most every repair will be much more costly.

We at groovy find there are some common makes that cost more to fix as well as some that tend to cost less to fix.We find that most Nissan cost more to repair.  We find that Honda tends to lower repair costs.

All cars will last longer and have a lower lifetime repair cost if they are well maintained. 

Groovy Automotive offers a buyers check.  The way we work this program is that you pay for the first one, then if that car isn't for you the second one is 1/2 off and the third one is free!

Mention this blog post and get a buyers check for $79.99!

Where do I buy a used car?

There are many dealers as well as craigslist.  One company that we have had good experiences with and can recommend is Texas Auto Center.  They have several locations in Austin and offer financing and free oil changes in some cases!  Call them at (512) 490-0088.  

Groovy Automotive

5405 N Lamar

512-492-8050

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Groovy Automotive recommends Two Brothers Hand Wash & Detailing!

TWO BROTHERS HAND WASH AND DETAILING

When customers require a wash or detail we recommend Two Brothers Hand Wash and Detailing at 201 53rd St.  These guys truly know what the word "detail" means!  Great prices, great service, and a great wash!  The manager is Chuck and he will hook you up!  Bring a receipt from Two Brothers to Groovy Automotive on North Lamar and get $5.00 off of any service. 

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