Houston Auto Repair

When your vehicle’s transmission is on its way out, you may have to consider one of two options: rebuilding it or replacing it.  Why Might You Choose Rebuilding over Replacing? A transmission rebuild is a process of taking apart the transmission and only replacing or repairing those parts that are damaged. Most of the time, you have the choice of choosing between new or refurbished parts. Overall, a transmission rebuild is more cost-effective than a complete replacement. It is the preferable choice when certain parts of your transmission are salvageable. Whereas, a transmission replacement is way more expensive and could require a longer amount of time to get done. Either way, transmission repairs, rebuilds, and replacements are not easy jobs to get done. They require special tools, quality parts, and extensive knowledge and expertise.  If your vehicle’s transmission is malfunctioning, you will need to get one of the repair options we mentioned above. The tra ... read more

The starting and charging systems in your car, SUV, or truck are crucial to the overall performance of your vehicle. It consists of many wires, relays, circuits, and fuse boxes. More importantly, there is the starter, battery, and alternator. Therefore, it is a huge advantage for drivers to be able to tell when these systems go bad early to avoid a headache later. Here are the top 4 most common starting/charging system issues: #1 - Dead Battery A battery that is drained or can’t hold a proper charge is one of the most widespread problems across all automobiles. When your car simply won’t start, it can be frustrating. In some cases, you can get away with a jump start and by cleaning off the corrosion on the battery. But, it could also be the end of the battery’s life.  #2 - Bad Alternator The alternator is what makes up the charging system. As you can probably guess, it is responsible for recharging the battery with juice. Additionally, it also supplies elect ... read more

Your car needs regular care and servicing to remain in acceptable condition for use. Because it comprises many parts, it only makes sense to take care of individual parts and systems for better results. One of these systems is the brake system. It is one of the most vital to the vehicle's functioning, so you must pay special attention to it by replacing and maintaining it often. In most vehicles, the front brake pads will wear out faster than the rear ones because they handle more weight. This is unless your car is used for carrying heavy loads at the back regularly, in which case the brake pads will at the back wear off faster. How to Make the Brakes Last Longer. Reduce Weight and Unnecessary Braking. The best way to ensure your brakes last longer is by reducing the car's weight and minimizing unnecessary heavy braking. The less your brakes are used, the longer they are likely to last. Choose Your Roads Wisely. Brake pads will last longer ... read more

Simply put, brake pads and brake shoes are not the same things. Their differences are important for every driver to know. While they both support similar functions, their structures and locations are distinct. Typically, a vehicle can have one or the other or both.  Brake Pads Brake pads are a part of a disc brake system. Therefore, the brake pads get pressed together against a rotor disc to create the friction necessary to stop your vehicle. And brake calipers are responsible for squeezing the brake pads. Most front-wheel automobiles have a disc brake system.  Brake Shoes Brake shoes are a part of a drum brake system, the original design for vehicle braking systems. The shoes are shaped like crescents, and they rely on the hydraulic pressure of brake fluid to generate friction to stop the car. The shoes themselves are housed inside of a drum.    All-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive cars, SUVs, and trucks have the drum-cylinder system with brake shoes. Whereas ... read more

With summer coming to a close soon, there’s nothing better than taking your sweetheart out for a spin. And no – we aren’t just talking about your car. Many people love to get out and enjoy the sun this time of year. The team at Auto Doc has created this list of fun date ideas that you and your partner can do. Watch the Sunset Together Nothing screams a romantic date night like watching the beautiful sunset together. The Houston skies can be firey bright with red, orange, pink, or purple hues around sunset. So we recommend finding an outlook to get an awesome view. Don’t forget to take a camera because you’ll want to capture the moment. View a Movie at a Drive-In Theater The summer has some of the most anticipated and fun movie releases throughout the year. While drive-in theaters are more difficult to find, there are several throughout the Houston area still in business. Bring your sweet ride and your sweetheart to a local drive-in for an unforgettable ... read more

If you've ever taken a close look at your tires, you may have noticed different tread wear patterns. But what do these various tire tread wear patterns mean? There are a few things that can cause various tire tread wear patterns. For example, if your tires are misaligned, they will tend to wear unevenly. Keep reading to learn what various tire tread wear patterns mean. Center Tread Wear The center tread wear is a condition where the tread in the center of the tire wears down more quickly than the tread on the sides of the tire. This can be caused by tire over-inflation. If you notice that your tires are beginning to show signs of wear at the center, it's important to have them checked out by a professional. In some cases, the condition can be corrected by simply adjusting the tire pressure. However, in other cases, it may be necessary to replace the tires. Edge Tread Wear Edge wear is when the edge of the tire wears down faster than the rest of the tire. This can cause prob ... read more

The meaning of a tune-up has changed over the years, and today it is simply a maintenance process that involves checking and adjusting all of the systems and parts relating to the combustion process. Each vehicle is different and requires maintenance at different times. In other words, some cars may need tune-ups more frequently than others. Typically, older vehicles need it more often than newer cars with advanced fuel injection and ignition systems. Whether you are running a newer or older vehicle model, the experts at The Auto Doc can help keep your car running in peak condition!  4 Signs Your Car is Due for a Tune-Up  Poor Fuel Mileage - MPG can be difficult to measure if your car doesn’t have an indicator. However, if you are having to fill up a lot more frequently, you should consider a tune-up. Our technicians can run tests and diagnostics to determine what is causing the poor efficiency. New, Odd Noises - If you’ve heard weird sounds while you drive, i ... read more

If you are stumped on what to get your mother for Mother's Day, how about a little something special for her car? Our moms are constantly on the move day in and day out to support us. They’ve used their car to run errands, provide carpools, and work to support us. Now is time to give back and show her how much you care.   Your mother's vehicle is her home away from home, so why not make it safer and more comfortable with some enhancements? Below are some of our top car gifts for Mother's Day: Seat covers, wheel covers, and floor mats - These are essential for all the moms out there, who have kids who are likely to make a mess. Covers and mats are easy to clean and prevent stains from depreciating the value of your car. Security devices - These items include remote keyless entry or advanced alarm systems and they can protect your mother's safety. Car organizers - If your mother likes her car neat and tidy ... read more

Is one of your dashboard warning lights on, but you have no clue what it could be? If yes, then a computer diagnostics service is precisely what you're looking for. The Auto Doc is the number one trusted source for diagnostics testing in Houston, TX.   What Is Computer Diagnostics? Computer diagnostics is a service we offer, where one of our technicians connects our state-of-the-art equipment to your vehicle. The technology scans your vehicle's computer for error codes that helps us look in the right direction of the problem. A car diagnostic requires good quality tools and special knowledge to accurately pinpoint the problem. It can detect anything from ignition timing issues, poor fuel injector performance, alarming engine rpm levels, buildup in the engine, motor temperature, and more. Once we analyze the codes, our technicians will proceed to carefully inspect the problem area to determine what repairs need to be done. Computer diagnostic scans are the first and most ... read more

Your car battery and alternator work together to provide electrical energy throughout your vehicle. You can't have one working without the other (or at least not for long). Specifically, the alternator charges your battery and powers your electrical accessories. Once your car battery uses up the energy to start the car, it needs to be replenished. And the alternator does so whenever your engine is running.   While vehicle batteries can last most drivers between 3-5 years, how long does the alternator last? An alternator can last longer, up to 100,000 miles in fair conditions. Whenever the alternator grows weak, you may notice your electrical accessories malfunctioning (ex., flickering headlights, dim lighting, and problems starting the car). Below are some tell-tale symptoms that you should have your electrical components tested: Bad Odor – A burning scent coming from under the hood could mean many things, including an overworked electrical system. Weakened or Drain ... read more