$10 Off Oil Change! $50 Off Brake Work! $200 Off Repairs At Groovy Automotive!

For regular freebies and preferred customer savings specials FOLLOW US ON TWITTER at @groovyautoATX

Save $10 on your next oil change by simply following us on Twitter!  Click the link above, follow us and save on your next visit.

Preferred customers enjoy savings on services that include free tire rotations, free brake checks, $50 off brake work, up to $200 off repairs an more!  

Good at Groovy Automotive on North Lamar.  Call anytime 512-492-8050

What Do the Warning Lights on my Dash Mean?

By Steve Smith

What is your car trying to tell you with all the warning light icons on your dash?

There are many different messages that you will find in the instrument cluster of your vehicle.  Some are obvious and others are a mystery.  Here is a bite-sized post that can hopefully clear up the mystery and inform you as to what you should do when the all too familiar glow from the dashboard shows up.

One of the most common is the dreaded CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. (As seen above)  This can mean many different things. If you've just put gas in the tank and it suddenly comes on it could be as simple as a loose gas cap.  That would likely show up as an EVAP leak.  

This light illuminates when your car's computer finds a sensor taking a reading that falls outside of specifications, or if something occurs during operation that shouldn't have.  If the light blinks stop driving and call a shop.  It is possible to damage a car driving with blinking CEL.  

Another common light is your maintenance light.  Sometimes it blinks.  This light is most often a reminder that it's time for an oil change. 

MENTION THIS BLOG AND GET $10 OFF AN OIL CHANGE AT GROOVY AUTOMOTIVE ON NORTH LAMAR.

Tire pressure light- This light means that your TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) senses a problem.  Usually, you need air in your tires.  However, it could mean that you have a tire sensor malfunctioning as well.

Charging system problem- This light means that your vehicles' charging system has a problem.  If your alternator isn't putting out enough electricity to properly charge your car battery this light will come on.  If your battery isn't able to take and hold a charge from your alternator, this light will come on.  You could also have a poor battery cable connection.  Get a charging system check immediately to avoid being stranded.

Avoid auto parts store for this service.  They are seldom accurate.

ENGINE COOLANT PROBLEM- Don't mess around with this light! (or any RED warning light for that matter) Pull over immediately, open the hood, look for obvious signs of a coolant leak. Let the engine cool off before trying to open a radiator cap.  YOU MUST HAVE WATER OR ANTIFREEZE in your car or YOU WILL DESTROY THE MOTOR.  It's better to pay for a tow than to ruin your motor.

 OIL LIGHT- Another potentially serious warning light.  It could be just a sensor, or it could also be that your car is starved of oil, which will also cost you a motor if proper oil levels are not restored to the engine ASAP.  Do not drive your car like this.  Try to get to the nearest place where you can buy motor oil, put it in and go get an oil change and general check out.  IF YOUR CAR BEGINS SOUND STRANGE AND THIS LIGHT IS ON, TURN OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY! 

If you have questions about your car or warning lights feel free to give us a call at Groovy Automotive located at 5405 North Lamar Blvd.  512-492-8050   We will gladly help in any way we can.

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NEED A TOW?  CALL CHOTE'S TOWING AT 512-832-1692

Everyday Things You Can Do To Reduce Repair Costs

There are many easy to form and follow habits that can promote a longer lifespan of your vehicle's components.  By reducing unnecessary wear on your car parts they will last longer and you will experience fewer repairs.

1.  When your gas tank is 1/2 full, consider that your "empty" and fill up.  Most modern autos have a fuel pump that is submerged in the gas tank.  When you have too little fuel in the tank to keep the fuel pump submerged the fuel pump gets much hotter as the fuel actually serves to keep the pump cool.  Having plenty of gas in the tank makes the fuel pump operate at a cooler temperature and keeps it from having to work harder than necessary, thereby helping it last longer.

2.  Slow down.  Try to reduce how often and how hard you have to brake.  This will certainly reduce wear on your brakes, but also your shocks and suspension.  It will also promote better gas mileage.

3.  Rotate your tires at every or every other oil change.  This will spread wear out evenly making tires last longer, as well as alert you to potential problems with your steering, suspension or alignment.  Early detection of existing problems generally means repairs will often cost less.

4.  Turn your A/C off before you turn your car off.  With the A/C compressor turned off when you start the vehicle it's one less component that requires energy to engage.

5.  Don't let yourself get behind on oil changes.

6.  Keep the proper air pressure in your tires.  This will promote even wear and better gas mileage.

7.  At least once a year do a maintenance check on your vehicle. See what your manufacturer recommends by the mileage of your car as well as what should be done by wear.  Example:  Spark plugs may not be due by the mileage, but if they are in bad shape then you would do well to replace them anyway.  Same thing for the filter, etc.

Groovy Automotive offers a Ready Check which generates a 3 priority tier report for your auto.  Things that need attention now, things that can wait a while and things that should be done periodically.  MENTION THIS ARTICLE AND GET A FREE OIL CHANGE WITH PURCHASE OF A READY CHECK.

www.groovyautomotive.com

For regular freebies and preferred customer specials FOLLOW US ON TWITTER at @groovyautoATX

Keeping Brake Repairs LESS EXPENSIVE! $50 Off Brakes

Putting off a brake job is almost sure to increase the cost of the repair.  Once the brake pads have worn completely away, your brakes are now metal to metal.  Metal to metal means that the metal backing of the brake pad, or what's left of it, is now grinding into your rotors.  This most often results in damaging the rotors beyond reuse and requires replacement of a part prematurely, turning a normal brake job into an expensive one.  

                                    

Have your brakes checked regularly and if you begin to hear brake noise have them checked ASAP.  Visit Groovy Automotive at 5405 North Lamar AND GET A FREE BRAKE CHECK by mentioning our blog! 512-492-8050

MENTION THIS BLOG AND GET $50 OFF A BRAKE REPAIR AT GROOVY AUTOMOTIVE ON NORTH LAMAR.

For regular freebies and preferred customer specials FOLLOW US ON Instagram @groovyautomotive

512-492-8050

www.groovyautomotive.com

Know the Condition of Your Car & GET A FREE OIL CHANGE!

Know your car's condition from bumper to bumper.  Know what needs attention now and what can wait with the Groovy Automotive Ready Check!  PLUS mention our blog and get a FREE OIL CHANGE with purchase of Ready Check.

(only good at Groovy Automotive located at 5405 N. Lamar) 

512-492-8050

For regular freebies and preferred customer specials FOLLOW US ON TWITTER at @groovyautoATX

Visit our website www.groovyautomotive.com