Buying a used car or truck is a great way to save money, but sometimes you end up paying for other people’s poor maintenance and driving habits. To avoid potential issues with purchasing a used car, it is essential that you bring your car to a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection.  While a mechanic will be able to check the current condition of the car, it is also helpful to know the car’s history. There are many public resources available that you can use to find a detailed history about the car you are about to purchase. The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System The National ..read more

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, we tend to see most people wait until they’re brake system starts to fail before having their vehicle inspected or repaired.  As brakes are arguably one of the most important aspects to road safety, we’ve gathered some precautionary signs for you:  High Pitch Squealing or Squeaking The number one indicator for an issue with the braking system is sque ..read more

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 lot of folks hit the road to be with their families, and it’s always a good idea to be prepared for driving outside of your comfort zone. Prepare Your Car It’s important to get your car serviced and inspected before a road trip. Topping off fluids, having the brakes and tires inspected, and getting an oil change are all good ways to prevent veh ..read more

For most car buyers, used cars are a practical option when it’s time to upgrade or replace their old vehicle. While most major dealerships and used car specialty stores like CarMax have trustworthy used vehicle programs, buyers should still take certain precautions to avoid a used car disaster! 1. Do Your Research If you see a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Research the seller, the specific make and model, and compare prices with other reputable sellers before you respond to any listing. It’s always easier to just avoid a sketchy sales situation than it is to back out mid ..read more

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 driver is to be stuck in traffic with a vehicle’s air conditioning only blowing hot air or worse, no air at all.  It’s not just uncomfortable to go without air conditioning, it can be dangerous how quickly and how hot it can cause a vehicle to get.  Like most things under the hood of a vehicle, things can stop working for numerous reasons.  To put into perspective what may cause your vehicle’s air ..read more

As you may know already, every year your vehicle must pass an annual inspection to renew your vehicle registration. However, what many don’t know is what all is covered in the inspection. In order to pass the inspection, your vehicle will be inspected from the inside, outside, and under the hood. To save you time and money, we recommend that you do a brief self-assessment of your vehicle before taking your vehicle in for inspection. Below we’ve listed some of the common ways vehicles fail the Texas State Vehicle Inspection. Check Engine Light A fairly common cause of a vehicle failing it’s ins ..read more

The anti-lock braking system, more commonly known as the ABS, is designed to keep your vehicle’s tires from locking up when applying pressure to the brakes.  It is possible to drive your vehicle without ABS, however, we highly recommend not doing so.  Without the ABS, the braking system can lock up in emergency situations, cause skidding, and a loss of control while braking.   When Should the Light Be On? It is normal for your vehicle’s ABS light to turn on for a few seconds or so when it is first starting up.  This is when the vehicle’s ABS is checking itself to make ..read more

Knowing what things to check when buying a used car can be the difference between purchasing a clunker in disguise and purchasing a car that will serve you for years to come. While it may be tempting to purchase a car on its looks and the word of the seller alone, we wouldn’t recommend it. The good news is that you don’t have to be an auto mechanic to set yourself up for success in this regard. Armed with a good checklist, you are more likely to find potential issues, make informed choices, and be able to negotiate a price with the seller. So, without further ado, let’s get into Colony One’s l ..read more

How long do headlights last on average? The standard response to the question about when to replace headlights is there is no standard response to the question.  Headlights go out for a myriad of reasons. One must take into account advances in lighting technology, and the amount of time a person spends driving with the headlights on. The best way to know when to replace headlights is obviously when one has gone out.  Let’s go over some tips for how you can be a little more proactive. Taking care of some car maintenance at home? These articles may help: When Should Brake Fluid Be Cha ..read more

What are your car’s brakes are trying to tell you when they squeak, shake, and go spongy? Because of the important role your brakes play in keeping you and other drivers safe on the road, even common brake problems can be dangerous. That’s why it’s important to be able to notice the symptoms of common brake problems and to be able to identify what those symptoms may mean.  So, let’s discuss what causes brakes to not work well. We’ll cover what causes your brakes to slip, what causes a sinking brake pedal, what causes your brakes to squeal, and so much more.  If troubleshooting brake ..read more