Are you a Safe Driver?

Rash driving is not simply hazardous to you and others on the road but speeding, rapid acceleration and breaking violently wastes gas and lowers your gas mileage.

Here is a step-by-step checklist of things you should reflect upon to judge if you are a safe driver:

1. Adjusting the seat for effective control and adjusting all three mirrors for being alert of your surroundings at all times.

2. Wearing your seatbelt.

3. Indicating properly and well in time on curbs, while changing lanes and on roundabouts.

4. Looking in the rearview mirror when braking.

5. Slowing down at intersections and looking for other cars even if you have right of way.

6. Avoid changing lanes. Doing a head check by turning around in case of changing lanes and  in  blind spots. 

7. Stopping completely at stop signs.

8. Not exceeding your speed limit.

9. Leaving space when you stop behind a car.

10. Keeping your car will tuned so that it is completely in your control

Sensible driving is not just safer for your car’s passengers, pedestrians and other vehicles on the road but you also end up saving gas. It is sensible to follow the above checklist so that your car also stays in prime condition so that you can avoid automobile repair costs.

However, automobile servicing is something a safe driver never overlooks. For regular scheduled and preventive maintenance of your car, drive into Mission Car Care, Katy, Tx where the ASE certified mechanics and technicians value safe drivers.

Read more »

Posted by Mission car Care Katy

Servicing the Serpentine Belt

It might just look like an innocuous, long winding belt but it is responsible for transporting power to the vital automotive components of your car.It is the serpentine belt, which drives the accessories including power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor and water pump in your car.

Without a properly functioning serpentine belt, your car can end up with a dead battery, and may even over heat. And knowing the Texan heat, the AC is something we surely can’t do without!

When you drive your car into Clay Road at Mission Car Care, Katy, Tx, for an oil change, our team will carry out a preventive maintenance check where the serpentine belt will also be inspected thoroughly.

The serpentine belt needs to be changed not only when it breaks completely but when you can see it cracking along the pulley or making a noise. Tears on the belt may mean that it is rubbing a pulley flange or bolt as it moves and may just require a professional mechanic to file a pulley flange or bend something out of the way.Small cracks at intervals do not necessarily mean that you should have your serpentine belt changed immediately but if cracks are observed 3 mm apart all along the belt then our team will replace the belt.

Even if there are other issues with the car, like a leaking water pump or oil leaking onto the belt and contaminating it, the ASE certified team at Mission Car Care, Katy, Tx will recommend whether the belt can survive longer or will need replacing.

We like to keep our customers informed that even though the serpentine belt does not require periodic adjustment but it, too, cannot last forever. This is the reason why Mission Car Care, Katy, Tx keeps a look out for every small detail so that you will never be stranded in your car.

Read more »

Posted by Mission car Care Katy

What kind of Spark Plugs Does Your Car Need?

Small yet significant, spark plugs are the insulated plugs that are screwed into an internal combustion engine's cylinder head to deliver the spark that ignites the mixture of air and fuel in the combustion chamber. They also transfer heat away from the combustion chamber.

How Spark Plugs Work:

The spark plugs are found at the top of the cylinder head. The piston first travels down the cylinder, draws up the mixture of fuel and air and runs back up toward the spark plug, compressing the mixture. Right at the top, the spark plug sparks and ignites the mixture. The piston is forced back down to create power for the vehicle, then pushed back up again to clear out the exhaust. This procedure is repeated again and again.

Standard versus Premium Spark Plugs:

Standard spark plugs in modern engines have a copper center electrode core surrounded by a nickel alloy, which you can see at the tip of the plug. Premium spark plugs are fashioned from precious metals, like platinum or iridium, in place of the nickel alloy. These are expensive and have higher melting points.

Hot versus Cold Plugs:

With regards to temperatures, spark plugs come in two basic varieties. Cold plugs are recommended for high-horsepower high-compression engines while hot plugs have more insulation and used in most standard engines.

Spark plugs usually need to be changed every 30,000 miles and if you don’t drive into Mission Car Care, Katy, Tx to do so your car will end up with dirty, carbon-fouled, misfiring spark plugs. Old and damaged spark plugs are sure to lower a car's fuel economy so you must let our ASE certified team replace them with shiny, new plugs to improve fuel economy.

Read more »

Posted by Mission car Care Katy

What to do after a Car Accident

Every driver shudders at the thought of an automobile accident. The fear of the car accident being fatal or crippling tops the list. However, even if you have been fortunate enough to have escaped the episode without many bruises, there is the cost of having your damaged car repaired as well as the inconvenience of not having a set of wheels at your disposal for your everyday needs.

The one bright spot in cars these days is that because they are built better and are safer than in the days of yore, fatal car crashes have reduced. But all said and done, even if you are the most cautious driver then too there is a chance you will meet with an accident. It might be because of some other driver’s callousness or just because you were fated to be in the wrong place at the wrong time but you will end up paying a price for it too.

Here are a few things every driver should keep in mind in case you are ever in an accident:

1. Be prepared:

Not that we promote being a pessimist but there is no harm in being prepared for an accident. You should always have an emergency phone number of a friend or family member (ICE- In Case of Emergency) stored away in your mobile phone. You can even carry relevant medical information for you and your family. Experts also advise carrying a set of cones, warning triangles, or emergency flares in your trunk to help alert traffic.

2. Try to remain calm:

Not the easiest thing to do in the world after an accident but try taking a deep breath and stay calm. Don’t start yelling at the person in the other vehicle and avoid causing a scene. Being in control will help you check for injuries and move the car away from traffic if you are in a position to do so. Turn on your car’s hazard lights and place the cones, warning triangles, or emergency flares for safety.

3. Make that phone call:

In case of any kind of injury do not hesitate to call an ambulance. Call 911 to report the accident. The wisest thing would be to call the police too as well as a loved one to inform them as to what has happened and where you are. If you don't get a police report documenting your wreck, what proof do you have that it even happened?

Do not leave the site of the accident before the police arrive. When questioned state the facts and that too only to the police and your insurance agent.

4. Stay right there:

Do not leave the site of the accident before the police arrive. In Texas driving away after an accident even if it is minor is a misdemeanor offense and could land you a charge of failure to stop and render aid. More so, if someone is injured or killed, you could be charged with felony.

5. Note the damage:

Observe and note what damage has been done to your car as well as the other vehicles involved. Get the right insurance information from the other motorist. You will require the other driver's name, address, insurance company name and policy number. Also note the make, model and color of vehicle they were driving as well. Don't forget to write down the other vehicle's license plate number. You can even take names and contacts of witnesses if they are any. Do not sign any document unless it's for the police or your insurance agent.

You can bring your car into Mission Car Care on Clay Road, Katy, Tx for all kinds of quality auto repairs to your car as well as preventive maintenance. Simply call us on 281-579-8526 or drive in between Monday to Friday 7 am to 6 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm.

Read more »

Posted by Mission car Care Katy