Longview Auto & Tire

If you want your vehicle to get you from point a to point b safely every day, you must do everything you can to properly maintain your vehicle over time. In other words, it means that you need to take your vehicle in for regular tune-ups. It doesn't matter if your car, SUV, or truck is brand new or used; you still need to make sure that it gets inspected by a professional mechanic.    You should be on the lookout for these few symptoms that may indicate you are due for a tune-up. These are problems that you have to address if you want a reliable car. Your Car Doesn't Always Start If you face difficulty starting your vehicle a little too often, you most definitely need a tune-up. There is a long list of potential problems that could be the cause of your vehicle not starting right away. The most common problem we see at Longview Auto & Tire is a weak battery or a malfunctioning fuel pump. Regardless of the situation, we can get to the bottom of the issue at your ... read more

With the extended weekend, who doesn't love a good road trip? Many of us are planning to hit the road for Labor Day Weekend. But with any vacation, the journey there can be the most boring and dreadful part. To make things more fun, here are some of our recommendations:   Play a Road Trip Game You can enjoy a good road trip game at any age! There are the classics: Ispy, 20 Questions, and the License Plate Game. Or you can opt for a more hands-on game like cards.   Take Lots of Photos Bring a camera or use your phone camera, but we guarantee you'll want to look back on these captured moments one day. You can revisit the memories when you're old and think back to this iconic road trip.   Challenge Yourself and Use a Paper Map I know we tend to rely on navigational apps such as Google Maps or Waze to guide us. Change things up by ditching the technology this time around. You and your passengers can work as a team and see if you can navigate a new place ... read more

All vehicles come outfitted with shocks or struts, which make up your suspension system. Both are responsible for giving you a smooth ride. However, most people may not realize that they also significantly contribute to your ability to maintain control and stability of your car while driving. With such an important task, what are the signs to look out for when they stop working?   Listed below are several signs of worn-out shocks and struts: You feel excessive bouncing, rolling, and rocking while driving over rough roads or railroad tracks, requiring you to adjust your steering. Uneven tire wear is another warning sign. Old shocks and struts will disable you from maintaining good contact with the road. Worn shocks can sometimes cause steering wheel vibration or shaking on smooth roads. Your vehicle is pulling in different directions when applying the brakes. You may also have fluid leaks pooling near the shocks and struts. Lastly, you may also try the bounce test. The bounc ... read more

Though a dirty cabin air filter doesn't directly affect whether your car can get you from point a to point b, you should never procrastinate on replacing it. Swapping out your cabin air filter is just as important as getting an oil change or rotating your tires. It is an essential part of routine vehicle maintenance, and ignoring the air filter will lead to horrible driving experiences.   Negative Side Effects of Dirty Air Filter Personal Health  A cabin air filter plays a vital role in keeping the inside of your car free of pollutants. However, if it is old, filthy, or clogged, it will not filter those contaminants. As a result, it will make it difficult for those who suffer from allergies or have breathing impairments to breathe. A new cabin air filter can block pollen from getting into a vehicle and provide fresh, breathable air.   Overworked HVAC System  A dirty air filter will make a vehicle's HVAC system work significantly harder, leading to an ... read more

The best time to buy a new car battery is before you have to. But, how do you know the time to replace it? Fortunately, there are a few signs that indicate that your battery needs replacing. Read on to find out. Battery Leak Leaking of the battery causes corrosion where the positive and negative cables are located. When this happens, you may have problems starting your car, and it is time to replace the battery. The new battery must be of the right type and size and should be of good quality. Slow Engine Crank If you notice that your engine is sluggish and is taking too much time to start, there is a chance that you have a flat battery. The battery may be damaged, needing you to replace it. Old Age Like any other car components, you have to replace your car battery after a while, usually a maximum of three years. You should also have it checked yearly to ensure it is in proper condition. Additionally, if your battery warning light goes on, there is a chance that the battery ... read more