Longview Auto & Tire

Something’s leaking from your car. How do you tell what it is? How do you know if it’s a dangerous leak or not? Check out our vehicle fluid guide to determine what’s leaking from your car by the color of the fluid. RED FLUID: If you’ve got red fluid leaking from your car, this usually means that you’ve got a leak in your transmission or power steering system. This problem could be a result of a faulty transmission seal or a hole in the return line that feeds the fluid between systems. ORANGE FLUID: There are a few different problems that will cause an orange fluid leak. If rust gets in your radiator, this can cause an antifreeze leak or make condensation appear orange. Transmission fluid can also look orange, depending on how old it is. YELLOW FLUID: A yellow fluid leak is usually radiator coolant. This problem could be the result of a loose hose clamp or damaged o-ring. Check your vehicle manufacturer’s specificati ... read more

Have you ever ended up on the side of the road, miles from home, with no cell service – mentally kicking yourself for not being properly prepared for your road trip? We’ve been there too, and can perfectly remember that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. Luckily, situations like this are easy to avoid if you follow a few simple steps to make sure you’re properly prepared! Before you take on that open road, be sure to: Have a trusted mechanic inspect your car before you leave. You want to make sure your vehicle is in great shape before you leave on a road trip. If you’re car-savvy, you might be able to do this yourself. If you’re not car savvy, we offer pre-road trip inspections at Longview Auto & Tire that include a safety inspection, top-off of all major fluids, battery test, and A/C performance test. Stop by or call us to schedule your inspection today. Prep an ... read more

There’s so much to love about wintertime. From snow-covered winter wonderlands to sports like skiing and ice skating, it’s a whole ‘nother world out there. However, this new season also brings a new set of rules for drivers. Snow, ice, freezing rain, and sleet can quickly create hazardous roads and scary driving conditions. Some of you have probably experienced that heart-stopping feeling of your car skidding on ice or snow, especially if you’re skidding off the road or into oncoming traffic. Check out these tips for safe driving in winter weather, so you can help prevent ever having to experience that again. DRIVE SMOOTHLY Just by driving smoothly on winter roads, you’ll have made your winter driving trips much safer. When we say “driving smoothly”, what we mean is not making any sudden movements, turns, or jerks of the steering wheel, or any other sudden action that could cause you to loose control. In general, the smoother you drive on winter ... read more