Dripping Springs Auto Repair

If you’ve spent time behind the wheel, you’ll recognize the dreaded maintenance indicator light, aka oil change light, when it illuminates your dash. A frequent question we answer for drivers is, “how important is this light?” A perfect example came into the shop last week. This particular vehicle came in because it was running “weird” and the check engine light (alerts the driver when there is a problem with the way the engine is working) had turned on and off at different times. After gathering more information about the vehicle’s symptoms, we learned that the check engine light had been coming on for a few weeks and the driver would notice a lack of power / engine performance when the light was present. After looking a little deeper into the concern, we found the vehicle had 48,524 miles on the odometer and the 45,000 mile service had not been performed. The maintenance indicator (alerts the driver that vehicle maint ... read more

The Cub Scout Pinewood Derby is a beloved tradition that has been fostering creativity, craftsmanship, and friendly competition since 1953. Don Murphy, a Cub Scout leader from Manhattan Beach, California, was inspired by his own experiences with his son. He had been unable to participate in a traditional soapbox derby because of his young age. Murphy wanted to devise an alternative race that was accessible to all boys, no matter their age or resources. In his effort to bring the idea to life, he enlisted the help of his son’s Cub Scout pack, and together they designed the first-ever Pinewood Derby. His goal was clear: "I wanted to devise a wholesome, constructive activity that would foster a closer father-son relationship and promote craftsmanship and good sportsmanship through competition." Since its inception, the Pinewood Derby has grown into one of the most iconic events in the world of Cub Scouts. Each year, thousands of boys and their families participate in loca ... read more

If you’ve joined the electric vehicle (EV) revolution in Dripping Springs, Texas, you might be wondering: “Where on earth do I charge this thing?” Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s break down the different types of EV charging stations and where you can find them near Dripping Springs. Types of EV Charging Stations: Charging 101 Level 1: The Slowpoke Level 1 chargers plug into any standard 120-volt household outlet, which is great if you have all the time in the world. Full charging might take anywhere from 8 to 20 hours, not ideal for quick pit stops! Level 2: The Overachiever Need a faster charge? Level 2 chargers are the workhorses of the EV world. Operating at 240 volts, they’ll fill up your battery in about 4 to 6 hours. That’s perfect for an afternoon of shopping or a long coffee break at a local café while your car gets its much-needed power-up. DC Fast Chargers: The Speedster For those who can&r ... read more

The last time you were at an auto repair shop you may have been offered an EFI service.  If you don’t have a trusting relationship with your auto shop, you may feel like they were trying to sell you snake oil.  Let’s look at what EFI is and why these services are essential to keeping a healthy engine. First, what is EFI?  EFI stands for Electronically controlled Fuel System.  This system is responsible for delivering gasoline from a vehicle’s fuel tank to the engine’s combustion chamber in the proper amount and at the proper time.  Unlike older fuel systems that used mechanical devices to deliver fuel, electronic controlled systems use sensors to gather information and deliver it to the engine control module.  This module then commands fuel injectors to operate, thereby delivering fuel to the engine.  Today’s engines use two different types of EFI systems, Multi-Port Injection (MPI) and Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) ... read more

We all know the image of an old “shade tree” Mechanic.  A burley face half covered by greasy scruff, a ball cap, stained coveralls, a red rag in the back pocket, and beat up hands the size of bear paws.  Although vehicles of that time were much more rudimentary, he always had an answer.  Today’s Technicians have a new image and are faced with new challenges brought about by the ever-evolving world of automotive technology.  Master Technicians today need to know how to interpret electrical circuits and communication diagrams, program a network of modules, and still be able to perform the same mechanical repairs of yesterday.  This raises the question, how competent is the guy working on my car? Unlike other professions, there is not a required certification process to become a Automotive Technician.  Anyone with a box of tools and a little bit of know-how can work on cars, but sometimes this leads to trouble.  This is where the Natio ... read more

Growing up, one of the fundamental values my parents instilled in me was the importance of service.  They were members of several service organizations and would let me tag along during service projects and other club events.  After graduating from college, I returned to my hometown of Dripping Springs, ready to enter the workforce.  I also began searching for an outlet to serve the community.  There were several civic organizations to choose from, but the Rotary Club of Dripping Springs was the outlet I chose.  I was excited to have found a way to give back to the community that had given me so much.  Rotary’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.  On a global and national level Rotary promotes sustainable projects to aid people in need in all areas from literacy and peace to water and health. &nbs ... read more

Inner Workings of an A/C Can you remember a time when all we had was cold iced tea and a pair of vent windows to keep us cool as we drove into Austin?  If you were lucky enough to have A/C in your car, you had to move the switches/levers on the dash to manually control the different parts of the A/C system.  Unlike modern vehicles, these A/C systems were very basic.  Today, vehicles are easier to keep cool while cruising down the road, but also much more complex!  The modern A/C system affords the occupants the luxury of automatic cooling functions and different vent temperatures throughout the vehicle.  Here is a little information to help you understand how an A/C system works and why they are so expensive to fix.  To begin, an A/C system is composed of 3 separate systems that work together as one.  These systems are the A/C control unit (AKA, the computer), the ventilation system, and the refrigerant system. The A/C control unit is one of many c ... read more

Passing the Torch Father’s Day is upon us and what better way to celebrate than highlighting the relationship between a father and his son. This month we bring you two very special individuals who are incredible community members, Ed Taddia and his son, Ryan. The Taddia family moved to Dripping Springs in 1990 because it brought them close to their family in Austin while having the advantages of a quiet, small town, in the rural Texas Hill Country. Some of Ryan’s earliest childhood memories are of his father coming home from work.  Ed’s hands and clothes often carried the distinct smell of the shop: a combination of hard work and petroleum products, something Ryan will always remember. Ed would get home right before dinner and usually return to the shop once the kids were on their way to bed.  On the weekends, he would bring Ryan to work where he passed the time sweeping floors, cleaning tools, and looking over his dad’s shoulder with a flashlight ... read more

Why Does My Car Shake?  Why does my car shake?  This is a question I often get asked.  With everything going on under the car this question can be hard to answer without additional information.    Some vibrations can cause safety concerns, others can be just an annoyance.  That’s why it’s important to have your vehicle inspected by an ASE certified repair center to confirm the cause.   Driving vibrations occur when there is a worn /lose component or when there is an imbalance in a rotating part.  Determining how and when the symptom occurs can tell us a little about the vibration and narrow down the possible causes.  Here are a few symptoms to consider and some possible causes associated with each.  Why does my car shake when I hit the brakes?  This is called brake pulsation.  In most cases it occurs when there is a warped brake rotor or brake drum.  When the wheel ... read more

POWER Wheels! CAUTION!  This article could potentially create a safety hazard and get you in trouble with your significant other, although your kids will love it!  Replacing the 8 volt battery on a Power Wheels with an 18 volt power tool battery will turn a kid’s toy into an 11+ mph plastic go-cart! I’d heard about swapping the battery on a Power Wheels, but never gave it much thought until I inherited one with a dead battery.  After a little research, I decided to upgrade the battery and see what happened.  This is my experience… Working in the automotive industry and being a “do-it-yourselfer” I have several battery powered tools.  For me, it was much easier replacing and charging a lithium tool battery than waiting 18 – 24 hours for the original 8 volt lead-acid battery to charge.  Aside from quicker charge times, when the battery dies you can easily change it out and keep f ... read more