Longview Auto Repair

Car thieves are on the lookout for unattended vehicles left and right. While location and area can make your car more susceptible, there are other noticeable patterns to be aware of. Being aware of what makes a vehicle likely to be stolen can help you stay a few steps ahead of the situation. Awareness allows you to prepare and adapt to safety precautions. What are some elements stolen cars have in common? They’re Older Models While a new car can also be stolen, car thieves are looking for simplicity. Older vehicles are less likely to come with flashy alarms, bells, and whistles that a new car has. If your vehicle is older, it may appeal to a thief who’s in a hurry to jimmy the engine’s lock and hot wire. Silver Cars While most people assume red cars are more likely to be stolen, studies show that silver vehicles are stolen the most. The psychology behind why this hasn’t been thoroughly explored, but silver cars are more common ... read more

You’re on a long road trip, and a wave of fatigue hits you like a sack of bricks. You blast the A/C to wake you up, but the cold air reminds you of the peaceful hum of the fan you sleep under at home. There isn’t any rest stop. With a few restaurants several miles ahead, you consider pulling over for a quick cat nap. There currently aren’t any nationwide laws that make sleeping in your car illegal, but you can suffer some extreme consequences depending on where you are. Car cat nap regulations are left up to each state. Sometimes a city may have specific laws in place to prevent dozing off in your car. No matter how many extra preparations we make, getting tired or fatigue is a normal phenomenon. There isn’t enough coffee in the world that can substitute a decent amount of sleep. If you don’t have expressed permission to sleep on private property (outside of your own), many cities have options. There are rest areas, campgrounds, 24-hour retailers, and tru ... read more

To tow or not to tow – that is the question. Here at Longview Auto & Tire, we’re firm believers in the power of preventative maintenance. However, sometimes unexpected problems happen on the road and you have to decide: do I have my car towed or try to make it to the shop? While some car problems will allow you to drive your vehicle safely to the shop, others will cause further damage to your car if you attempt to drive while the problem is happening. We’ll go over several common car problems, and help you decide if it’s time to call a tow truck. FLAT TIRE A flat tire is likely to be the most common problem that you’ll encounter on the road. Only drive as far as necessary to get into a safe position. If you get a flat tire on an interstate highway, get over to the right and onto the grass if needed. You may want to consider getting out of your car and away from the road, as there have been many cases where a stranded vehicle has been hit by moving traffic. Your ... 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