Dripping Springs Auto Repair

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

Are You Guilty Of Neglecting Your Car? It's Easy To Forget About Routine Car Maintenance When You Have About A Billion Other Things Going On In Your Life. The Truth Is, If Keep Up With A Maintenance Schedule, You Avoid Unexpected Breakdowns Early On Its Life. We've All Heard Of Cars That Have Lasted 200,000 Or Even Up To 500,000 (Gasp!). You Could Join That Club Too! Here Are A Few Easy Tips You Should Adhere To In Order To Extend The Life Of Your Car. 1. Check The Oil Hey, you knew this was going to be the first one, but you still need to be told! Keeping up with the proper amount of oil in your machine will keep your car running smoothly. Oil's job is to lubricate your engine and carry heat away. Oil changes are necessary because as it moves through the engine it picks up dirt and debris; once it become too dirty, it's no longer effective. If you neglect to change your oil, you can bet you ... read more

There You Are Driving To Work When You Hear Your Car Start To Make A Weird Clunking Noise. Or Maybe You're Picking Up The Kids From School When The Steering Wheel Becomes More Difficult To Turn. Whatever The Case May Be, It's A Good Idea To Get Your Car Checked Out Immediately. Here Are Three Questions To Ask Your Mechanic BEFORE Your Car Is Repaired. 1. Can You Explain The Details Of The Repairs My Car Needs? It goes without saying, you should be asking about the details of the repair BEFORE it gets done. A good mechanic should be able to break it down for you, and explain why these repairs are necessary. If there is any hesitation, you should reconsider where you get your car repaired. 2. Will You Provide A Written Estimate? It's important to have a written estimate of the repair before they get to work! The estimate should contain everything from the necessary parts to ... read more

Your Car's Electrical System Deals With Many Components Of Your Vehicle From The Controls That Operate Your Window To Starting Your Engine. If Your Vehicle Is Having An Electrical Issue, It May Be Difficult To Pinpoint The Problem. Here Are Three Warning Signs To Start Looking Out For. 1. Trouble Cranking Engine While you might immediately assume it's the battery if your car isn't starting, it could be a component of the electrical system. If there is a defective component, it can drain your battery and stop the starter from cranking the engine. Especially be aware of this potential issue if you drive an older car. There is a higher possibility the rotating electrical parts could be taking a turn for the worse if you have more miles on your car. 2. Dim Headlights Weak headlights are a sign of issues involving the electrical system. While it may just be a bad bulb, it also m ... read more

As The Christmas Season Rolls Around, So Do The Cold Weather Car Issues. Don't Have Any Holiday Breakdowns This Year, Watch Out For These Common Cold Weather Auto Issues. 1. Dead Battery It's important to get your battery tested when you notice the cooler temperatures. Extreme cold weather can pull voltage from the battery, which makes starting your car a lot more difficult. In addition, your car is powering more components during the winter, including the heater and increased headlight time. Nothing is worse than going out to your car in the cold only to find out that it has died. Don't let it happen to you! 2. Lower Tire Pressure For every 10°F drop in the temperature, expect your tires to lose one psi. This loss in pressure could lead to bald tires, and bald tires do not perform well in winter. It can make driving on icy roads incredibly dangero ... read more

Finding A Mechanic You Can Trust Can Be A Huge Hassle. With These Easy Tips, You Can Find Your Go-To Mechanic In Dripping Springs. Certification Matters Finding a competent auto technician in Dripping Springs does not need to be a matter of chance. Much of the guesswork has been eliminated, thanks to the national program conducted by the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE tests and certifies automotive professionals in all major technical areas of repair and service. With more than 300,000 currently certified professionals, the ASE program is national in scope and has industry-wide acceptance and recognition. Ask The Right Questions To weed out the mechanics who might be trying to swindle you, it's a good idea to ask a few questions before you get started on any repairs. Below are a list of questions you need to ask first. A few to get to ... read more