Posted on 12/13/2020
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
Posted on 11/30/2020
Whether you’re planning to travel by car this winter season or will just be driving to and from work each day, prepping your car for winter can help you avoid car troubles on the road and keep you safe while driving in winter weather conditions. Before you hit the road for any type of extended travel, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop for a winter car inspection. This will give you peace of mind on the road knowing that an expert took a look at your vehicle and made sure that everything was in working order to stay reliable in the cold weather. Here are some of the top ways in which you can prep your car for traveling this winter: Get your car serviced if it is due and inspected for other issues Check your manufacturer’s website for any recalls Inspect your tires to verify they have good tread and are in overall good condition Install new windshield wipers and top-off wiper fluid Check all vital fluids Be sure to test your vehi ... read more
Posted on 10/30/2020
While looking at your vehicle's recommended list of services, you may have noticed that it recommends a timing belt replacement at a certain mileage interval. You may have even been recommended to have your vehicle's timing belt replaced recently while visiting an auto repair shop. Your vehicle's engine is extremely complex with many different working parts, so not understand what a timing belt is or when it needs to be replaced is common. Let us break it down and explain what this part is and why it is important. What is the timing belt? The timing belt is an internal combustion engine component that synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft to ensure that the engine's valves open and closes at the correct times during each cylinder's intake and exhaust strokes. It is an essential part of your vehicle's engine and is necessary for proper function. When does it need to be replaced? The best way to understand when your vehicle ... read more
Posted on 9/29/2020
The fall season is one that many people cherish. It is filled with cozy weather, changing leaves, and stunning views. Plus, it brings the excitement of many holidays to come and the end of the year. With the change of season from summer to fall comes the need for certain vehicle maintenance. The summer takes a toll on your vehicle's health, and getting it back into shape for the fall season will ensure your safety on the road. A critical part of fall vehicle maintenance is tires. When you think about fall, you typically think about the rainfall that is sure to begin soon. With wetter roads, your vehicle's condition becomes extremely important to your safety. Have you ever been on the road and experienced hydroplaning? This is a scary occurrence that happens when your tires can't make traction with the road, which is usually caused by low tread. You basically have no control over your vehicle in these moments, and it can put you at risk for an accident. So, in ... read more
Posted on 8/25/2020
Brake bleed - not the most pleasant sounding service, and it might not be one that you are super familiar with. While brake bleeding sounds more like a medical procedure, it's actually a common maintenance item performed on brake systems for a specific purpose. Let's look at what exactly a brake bleed is and when it is needed. Your vehicle's brake system is hydraulic, meaning that it uses a high amount of pressure and fluid in order to create the force needed to slow or stop your vehicle. Over time, air can get into the fluid system, which can decrease the effectiveness of the hydraulic power and cause problems when it comes to your brakes. If too much air gets into the system, it can actually lead to complete brake failure. When one of our mechanics bleeds your brakes, it's basically a service that removes the air from the system. We bleed out the fluid until no air bubbles are visible in the brake bleeder. When should I have a brake bleed performe ... read more
Posted on 7/30/2020
Your vehicle's brakes are important to your safety on the road. Many people will wait until they run into brake issues to actually have their brakes inspected and serviced. However, this can be risky and put you in a scary situation on the road. The best way to go about brake maintenance is to have your brake system regularly inspected and serviced and to understand the symptoms of failing brakes so you can address any problems quickly. Brake pads are components that will need to be replaced periodically, considering that they undergo a ton of heat on a daily basis and are the most used component of the brake system. When you press down on the brake pedal, the calipers close down which squeezes the rotors on either side. This causes friction which causes your wheels to slow down or stop. The pads at the components that make contact with the rotors during this process and the friction does cause them to wear down over time. How do you know when your brake pads need to ... read more
Posted on 6/30/2020
July 4th is a special day when it comes to celebrating our Independence Day here in the United States and gathering with loved ones for a good time. Even know our July 4th celebrations have changed due to the current pandemic, you may still be able to have a good time with your household and enjoy some fireworks. You may even be planning to light up the grill and get a BBQ going. Our Independence Day is notorious for having an increase in vehicles on the road and more people out and about, so if you are planning on having fun this weekend it is important to remember certain safety tips. Here are some ways in which you can remain safe while celebrating July 4th this year: If you're planning on traveling anywhere, make sure that your vehicle is in good condition before you leave. You don't want to find yourself stranded with car trouble along the way. Here at Lorentz Automotive, we can provide a vehicle inspection before your long trip to verify that ... read more
Posted on 5/30/2020
We understand that dreadful feeling when you notice that a warning light has illuminated on your vehicle’s dashboard. Although some lights can indicate a specific problem area, such as the battery or TPMS light, the check engine light can turn on based on a number of different issues. As soon as you notice a warning light turn on, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our experts here at Lorentz Automotive in Lewisville, TX, as soon as possible. The check engine light is an indication that there is a problem with a major component in your vehicle. Aside from the check engine light turning on, have you noticed any issues with your vehicle, such as a strange noise, weird smell, or a lack in performance? When you come into our shop, be sure to note any symptoms that you may be experiencing. Our team will evaluate those symptoms and determine what the problem may be. Your vehicle has a complex computer system that is connected to sensors throughout your vehicle. When your v ... read more
Posted on 4/29/2020
The catalytic converter is a vital component of your vehicle's emissions system. It helps to reduce the amount of pollution that our vehicles are emitting into the atmosphere and makes our vehicles safer to operate overall. It works using a chemical catalyst which helps to convert toxic gases from the engine into less harmful ones before they leave your vehicle. Before the catalytic converter was installed into vehicles, our cars were emitting mass amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. This change in modern vehicles has made our cars safer and less harmful to our world. If this component isn't working properly, the entire emissions system isn't doing its job. More importantly, this can affect your safety as well. You and your passengers could be breathing in harmful gases, which can be detrimental to your health. So, how do you know if your catalytic converter is failing? Here are some of the most common symptoms that can indicate a failing catalytic conve ... read more
Posted on 3/27/2020
We know that our nation is going through a tough time with the sudden and rapid outbreak of COVID-19. We want the valued customers of Lorentz Automotive to know that we remain open and available to assist you with your vehicle's needs. Many members of our society work in essential industries and still require a reliable car to get to work. Many are also relying on their vehicles to get them to the stores for supplies for their families. We need our vehicles to remain working now more than ever! With many current uncertainties, we want you to know that one thing is certain - that Lorentz Automotive and our employees are here and committed to keeping our staff, our customers, and our customer's vehicles as safe as possible. Your vehicle is an important part of you, your life and livelihood. In this special time, we are faced with many uncertainties, but one thing is certain...Lorentz Automotive and its employees are here and committed to keeping ourselves, you ... read more