When temperatures drop, your car has to work harder. Cold weather can thicken fluids, weaken batteries, and affect overall performance and safety. In Houston and surrounding areas, sudden cold fronts and chilly overnight lows are common and they can cause…
Read MoreWhen is it time to replace your vehicle’s brakes?
The best way to save money on brake repairs and replacements is to get them fixed before damage occurs. If you didn’t know, there’s actually a variety of symptoms to let you know when it’s time for new brakes. However,…
Read MoreHoliday Road Trip Vehicle Safety Maintenance
Driving in Houston is pretty straight-forward. Everything is flat, it rarely snows and the most dangerous things Houstonians usually have to worry about on the road are rain and unexpected traffic back-ups at Shipley’s Donuts. But during the holidays, a…
Read MoreWhy doesn’t my car’s air conditioning work?
Why doesn’t my car’s air conditioning work? When it comes to summer driving in Houston, air conditioning is a necessity. It’s easy to take it for granted until you don’t have it. The last thing you want as a Houston…
Read MoreAddressing Pothole Damage to Your Car
Worried about potential pothole damage to your car? Unfortunately, pothole damage is just one of the joys that come with living in and around Houston, aka pothole center of the universe. We’ve all been there: You’re driving along the road…
Read MoreDealing with a Cracked Serpentine Belt
Whether you know what a cracked serpentine belt is when you see one or you have no idea what a serpentine belt is at all—cracked or otherwise—just hearing the phrase “cracked serpentine belt” is sure to make any car owner…
Read MoreWhat Color Should Transmission Fluid Be?
What color should transmission fluid be? Well, typically, new transmission fluid is dyed a translucent red color. However, there is more to this red fluid than first meets the eye. Knowing what to look for in your transmission fluid can…
Read MoreWhat is Included in a Tune-Up?
If your vehicle is not performing the way it should, then you might be wondering, “What is included in a tune-up, and does my vehicle need one?” Regular vehicle maintenance is one of the best ways to protect your investment…
Read MoreWhat is a Tie Rod on a Car?
What is a tie rod on a car, and how can you tell if it’s broken? A vehicle’s steering and suspension systems help provide a safe and comfortable ride. Multiple parts are responsible for a car’s steering and suspension, with…
Read MoreCar Key Stuck in Ignition? We Can Help.
Car key stuck in the ignition? Don’t use brute-force to attempt to remove it, as this could cause damage to other components. Take a deep breath and skim through the list below to get answers to why you can’t remove…
Read More3 Common Symptoms of Low Transmission Fluid in Automobiles
It’s important to understand the symptoms of low transmission fluid in automobiles. Why? Because if you’re able to answer the question, “How do you know if your car needs transmission fluid?” confidently, then you can potentially avoid some pretty expensive…
Read MoreWhy is My Car Leaking Oil When Parked?
When someone reverses out of their garage and sees a stain, one of the first questions they ask is, “Why is my car leaking oil when parked?” This question is then quickly followed up by others, including, “Can you drive…
Read MoreHow Often Do You Replace Spark Plugs?
If you’ve had trouble accelerating or if your car has been idling rougher than normal lately, you might be wondering, How often should I have my spark plugs replaced? The short answer to questions like this one is always: check…
Read MoreYour Top 10 Automotive Alignment Questions, Answered
Sure, you’ve heard of automotive alignment, but do you know exactly what it is and why you should care about it? Subtle changes in your automotive alignment can affect the way your car drives and create unnecessary tire wear. Get…
Read MoreHow to Clean Corroded Battery Cables: An Unintimidating, Step-By-Step Guide
People are taught (or teach themselves) how to change a tire or check their oil, but not as many people know how to clean corroded battery cables. Getting under the hood can be intimidating and, if you’re busy, too time-consuming…
Read MoreWorn Clutch Symptoms to Watch Out For
Your clutch is a complicated, multi-part mechanism that plays a crucial role in your car’s ability to change gears. A failed or worn clutch can leave you stranded on the side of the road or with an unexpected and rather…
Read MoreHow to Know if a Wheel Bearing is Bad: Understanding the Signs
Wheel bearings allow your wheel/tire to rotate around the hub assembly. So when wheel bearings start to go bad, you’re in for a bumpy ride. If you live in the greater Houston area, we know that the last thing you…
Read MoreHot Weather Car Tips: Beat the Heat
Is hot weather bad for cars? It certainly can be, but driving in hot weather doesn’t have to damage your car. You can have a car that functions properly even if the temperature outside is unbearable. Here are a few…
Read MoreColony One Auto Center’s Printable Road Trip Car Checklist
Print me out. Have no doubt. Concerned about what you should check on your car before a road trip? This checklist, built from our original road trip checklist, covers all the basics. Air filter Replace the air filter every 15,000…
Read MoreHow to Diagnose the Smoke Coming from Your Exhaust Pipe
When you look in your rearview mirror and see smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, alarm bells might start going off in your head. Car owners are trained to anticipate the worst when their car starts smoking; however, while smoke…
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