The Gear Guy

The summer season provides ideal weather for road trips, drive-ins and, unfortunately, car trouble. Why? Extreme heat can take a toll on your car's most important systems. So, if your summer calendar is filled with travel, call The Gear Guy today to make sure you're well prepared.

Learning the towing capacity of any vehicle is complex. While many think it is simply the weight your vehicle can tow, there are different factors that give your vehicle a certain towing capacity.

If you have an iPhone, you may have a hang of the CarPlay basics, but there's a surprising amount of extra functionality and customization that you can tap to improve your experience.

Simply put, flex fuel, or flexible fuel, is an alternative fuel made from gasoline blended with either methanol or ethanol. Ethanol is usually sourced from plant materials like corn or sugarcane. However, in the United States, corn is the primary source of ethanol. Flex fuel, also known as E85, is a gasoline-ethanol blend containing 51% to 83% ethanol.

Pedestrian safety requires following rules of the road, and avoiding distractions, both as a pedestrian and as a driver.

The restrictions and penalties for left-lane driving vary among the 50 states, but almost every state limits driving in the left lane to passing, merging or exiting. Fines for violations range from $50 to $500. Many states follow the Uniform Vehicle Code, which requires drivers to keep right if they are going slower than the normal speed of traffic.

Two pro sports are wrapping up their seasons. Which one are you most excited to watch?

If you have a vehicle that you want to keep for the long haul, follow these tips and above all else, stay on top of your maintenance routines. Call The Gear Guy today at 830-885-4360 to schedule your next service.

Vehicle costs are still on the rise but here are a few ways to save.

When you are behind the wheel of a car. Whether you are alone or with passengers, driving safely should always be your top concern. We are more distracted than ever, so it is crucial to know the basics of safe driving and practice them every time you are on the road in order to drive responsibly. Here are some defensive driving tips:

The Gear Guy extends a heartfelt thank you this Memorial Day to all of the men and women and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice to secure our freedom.

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Road trip season is here! Stop by or call The Gear Guy today for a pre-trip inspection.

Bad driving habits may be universal, but they're not irreversible. Just a few adjustments can change your behavior.

With vehicle wraps becoming increasingly popular, it's important to understand that wraps do require a more specialized maintenance routine.

Torque and power are what engines produce when you turn the key and press the accelerator. But it's a lot more complicated than that. And which is better? Torque is vital to every engine's operation, but horsepower is what distinguishes a great engine from a good one.

We're a small business and we love supporting our friends and neighbors in Spring Branch. List a few of your favorites in the comments below.

Whatever the reason, The Gear Guy can help! Call 830-885-4360 today for a thorough AC check-up and diagnosis.

With a blowout, you'll hear and feel your tire pop, or the rush of air escaping the tire, then a flapping, flopping as the tire repeatedly hits the road. Although it's easier said than done, try to stay calm. You're going to need a cool head to think through the steps. Even though it sounds counterintuitive, tapping the gas actually helps stabilize your vehicle. And with the drag of the deflated tire, a quick tap won't affect your effort to slow down. In fact, you'll feel like you're dragging a parachute behind you and maybe a strong pull to one side. The urge to jerk the wheel is strong, but it's the worst thing you can do. It could cause you to lose control of the vehicle, or even worse, spin out. Instead, gently ease to the shoulder and get to place where you can safely change your tire or wait for help to arrive.

If you notice these signs of a faulty thermostat, call The Gear Guy at 830-885-4360 today for professional diagnosis and repair.

While safe driving is always paramount, kids can also play a role when it comes to staying safe in a vehicle. Most children are in vehicles every day and should know some simple travel rules to help keep themselves and others safe.

It's gonna be May!

You may choose to equip your vehicle with larger tires to enhance overall traction. While this is a perfectly acceptable reason for considering such modification, you should be prepared to part with a small percentage of your vehicle's fuel economy.

The oil level should be between the two maximum and minimum lines on the dipstick. If the oil level is below the minimum, you will need to add more oil. And if the oil level is above the maximum line, you need to remove some oil.

Virtually every battery killer out there can be put into two basic categories - electrical system problems and simple user error.

Happy Friday!

Like any part, shocks and struts can wear out over time. If it's time for replacements, call the suspension experts at The Gear Guy at 830-885-4360 today.

While it almost always costs less to repair a car than buy a new one, you can prevent and avoid costly repairs by keeping your car maintained at proper intervals at The Gear Guy. When you are ready to purchase a new or used vehicle, we always recommend bringing the into the shop for a pre-purchase inspection.

April showers lead to slick roads, which means this is a good time of year to get those brakes in shape! Call The Gear Guy at 830-885-4360 today to schedule a brake inspection and service.

Have you ever started up the air conditioning in your car, only to be knocked over by a musty smell that is reminiscent of old gym clothes? Start by cleaning out the car and the AC vents. You should also change the cabin air filter. If mold is building up in the air conditioning system, you may need to get professional help to deep clean. Call The Gear Guy today for full AC system inspection and service.