Lewisville Auto Repair

We understand it is still August, but the 2021-2022 school year will be here before we know it. Now is the perfect time to make sure your vehicle is suited to handle the carpools, college commutes, and even trips back to the office. Despite where and when your back-to-school season starts, our team of experts at Lorentz Automotive has relevant car maintenance tips to share.   TIP #1: INSPECT YOUR TIRES It would help if you first did something most drivers often overlook: check the tread wear on your tires. The wheels on your automobile are legally required to have a minimum of 2/32 of an inch of wear. However, the industry highly suggests that you have your tires replaced with as little as 4/32 of an inch to ensure the most safety. Tires that are overworn are hazardous for several reasons: Hindered stopping power Higher likelihood of a tire blowout Loss of tire traction in wet weather conditions   TIP #2: CHANGE YOUR OIL Motor oil is the lifeline of every vehicle, whi ... read more

Every vehicle has an internal computer that uses the information to alert you of a problem in pretty much any part of your car. Consequently, none of the warnings are voluntary. The check engine light is one of these warnings that spell trouble and cannot simply be ignored. The issues are stored in a trouble code that can be decoded by an electronic scan tool.   Can I Drive with the Light On? When the 'Check Light' illuminates on your dashboard, you should pay attention to the behavior of the light. If the check engine light flashes for more than several seconds, the problem is pretty major. It would be best if you pulled over to check the car immediately. However, if the light does not flash, you can continue driving if the vehicle is not having operational issues. Regardless of flashing or still light, you will need to take your car to a trusted mechanic sooner or later.   What are Common Reasons for a Check Engine Light To Come On? The check engine light may ... read more

There's nothing more annoying than hopping into your car, putting the key in the ignition, just to be taken aback that your car won't start. This happens to everybody at one point or another in the journey of car ownership. Your first thought should be: is it the battery or alternator? Here are several common reasons why your car won't start (and how to fix the problem).   Battery Issues The first thing that most people blame when their vehicle doesn't start is the battery. While the length of battery life varies from one car to another, most automobile battery makers suggest changing out your car battery every 4-5 years. There are a couple of signs that your battery is on the verge of dying: It has been at least five years since you've had your battery replaced. Your engine is slow to start. You need to jump-start your car every time. You hear a clicking sound when turning your key. Interior/exterior lights do not work when starting the vehicle. Alter ... read more

Summertime is known to be a time of adventures and relaxation, but some of us aren’t ready to take that risk of traveling yet. However, there are still plenty of fun and Covid-free things to do in your car this summer. Here are four fantastic ways to have fun with your car this summer:  Get Ice Cream  Having delicious scoops of ice cream is a quintessential activity that can be done almost anywhere. Choose a local creamery and head on over with the family. Most importantly, don’t forget the sprinkles!  Go Stargazing  If you have a convertible or wide panoramic roof in your car, this activity is perfect for you. Check the local news to scope out when the next meteor shower or celestial event is happening. Additionally, there are also plenty of stargazing apps that can help you map out the sky. Head outside of the bright-lit city and enjoy the beautiful views.  Go to a Drive-In  Drive-in theaters may seem outdated, but there are still plent ... read more

Oxygen sensors have a specific job to do, and that is to check the oxygen levels in your vehicle. They send their findings straight to your vehicle's powertrain control module, and from there important information regarding your exhaust system is processed to detect any potential problems. Your oxygen sensor does its part in modulating these oxygen levels in your exhaust. This helps in detecting issues with the balance between fuel and oxygen inside the exhaust system. When this delicate balance gets disrupted, you'll know. You will start to notice changes right away which signal the need for immediate attention. Yes, it is possible to have too much or too little air inside your exhaust. Too much of it tells you that there is a fuel deficiency, whereas too much of it indicates that your oxygen levels are too low. Either way, the powertrain control module receives this vital information and starts to adjust those levels accordingly. If fuel levels are off, adjustments will be ... read more

To ensure optimal performance of your vehicle, you should have the fluids regularly flushed as part of your routine maintenance. As a rule of thumb, you should have a coolant flush every 30,000 miles. The coolant plays a vital role in keeping the engine cool and prevents likely heat damage. Benefits of Getting a Regular Coolant Flush: • A coolant flush helps remove scale deposits and rust that might have accumulated over time. If left unchecked, these deposits may reduce the efficiency of the cooling system, damage it, and lead to overheating, even when there is adequate coolant. • The new coolant brands have an antifreeze that helps lubricate the water pump, thereby extending its life. Regular change helps enhance the lubrication. • The coolant has anti-rust properties that lower the accumulation of rust deposits in the cooling system. A car needs a new supply of coolant every while to prevent rust in the metallic parts. The reason is that the coolant loses these pr ... read more

It has happened to most of us at one time or another. You might be driving around the city just fine only to suddenly discover that your check engine light has come on. Not knowing exactly why that light has come on might trouble you, but you might not notice anything wrong with the vehicle. That is why you might also be wondering if it is ok to just keep driving with the light on. The simple answer is, no, you should not drive with that light on for any longer than is absolutely necessary. The check engine light is a warning system built into the design of your car for exact reasons such as this. What Can Happen if You Keep Driving? To be fair, there are no guarantees that something bad will happen if you keep driving your vehicle when the check engine light has come on. However, the consequences of doing so can be rather severe. To begin with, this could be an indicator of a serious problem with your engine. If that is the case, you will become a hazard to other vehicles while driv ... read more

Spark plugs might be a small part of your vehicle, but they have a large task. Any car has a lot of parts that have to work well together. When one thing goes wrong, even if it's a little thing, it all shuts down. The spark plugs in your vehicle are one of the parts that keep the engine running well. If you don't change them out often enough, the engine can suffer. Spark plugs create the spark that ignites the air and the fuel in the cylinders that engage the engine. There are many signs that will show you that it's time to change out those spark plugs. If you notice your vehicle idling roughly or if it jerks when you try to accelerate, get the spark plugs checked out. If you notice a delay in the engine starting when it cranks or a drop in gas mileage, you should get them changed. Or, if you lose power in the vehicle, even when you are stepping on the gas, the plugs might be the issue. Spark plugs are pretty durable and they don't have to be switched out that often ... read more

The performance of regular and proper maintenance is essential to keep any machine working optimally. Our vehicles also require adequate upkeep services to detect any underlying issues in the system and prevent them from worsening. Due to this reason, most manufacturers recommend scheduled factory maintenance or 30/60/90K vehicle maintenance, which implies that every vehicle must receive proper maintenance services every 30,000 miles to keep it functioning efficiently and safely. Each mileage interval is a milestone requiring maintenance for specific systems or components of the vehicle. Is 30/60/90K Maintenance really Important? Upkeep of your vehicle should never be optional. Preventive maintenance identifies faulty vehicle systems so that they can be fixed early on. Timely maintenance service not only keeps the vehicle in favorable driving conditions but also saves the owner from future expensive and unexpected ... read more

As the winter season commences, it brings about the hazards of snowy highways and slick, slippery roads for drivers in the regions of extreme cold. The risk of a car skidding on an icy road, getting stuck on a snowy ramp, or worse, sliding back from a hilly stop sign can become a reality if your vehicle is not equipped with the proper gear to deal with colder temperatures. Among these gear, the most important are winter tires. How are Winter Tires Different from Regular Tires? Most of the cars are supplied with all-season tires nowadays serving the driving purpose well throughout the year, but it is recommended to switch the regular tires of your vehicle to the winter ones in the colder months. This is because, in comparison with all-season tires, winter tires possess some unique qualities that allow a safe and risk-free driving experience on icy roads. Composition Winter tires are designed for colder climates, so the material used in its composition is made to sustain harsh condit ... read more