Call Us: (817) 488-5520

When it comes to driving, there are many scenarios no driver wants to find themselves in. One of the worst case scenarios is to find yourself in is to be broken down on the side of the road, unsure of what to do. Luckily, our Grapevine TX auto repair experts at Family Tire & Service offer roadside assistance, meaning you’ll never be without someone to rely on.

Be it a sudden breakdown, an overheated engine, or a dead battery, there are many problems that can occur within our vehicles. A flat tire is one of the most common causes of a stalled vehicles, and even with preventative maintenance, you cannot predict what hazards may lay in the road. A sharp object in the road or uneven terrain can blow a tire, and for those who don’t have a spare or don’t know how to change a tire, this can be extremely problematic.

Even with the essential tune-ups of your vehicle, mistakes still happen. Something as simple as leaving your lights on can drain your battery, leaving you unsure what to do when you place your keys in the ignition. Forgetting to fill up on gas is another common case for roadside assistance, and is an everyday occurrence that can happen to almost anyone.

Thankfully, if you find yourself in one of these standard situations, you can count on our Grapevine roadside assistance company. For semi-trucks and light duty trucks, we offer on-site oil changes, brake services, and light mechanical services. No matter the cause, we will get you right back on the road in no time.

With any comments, questions, or to request roadside assistance, give us a call at 817-488-5520 or visit us online today.

Travel preparations for your summer vacation drive can be strenuous. While car maintenance like oil changes and inspections are easy to remember before you journey down to the coast, the often over looked safety and security item is the spare tire. Your Grapevine car care specialists can help you get your summer car travel preparations together so you can rest easy on your vacation.

It may seem obvious, but first check to see if your vehicle has a spare tire. If you bought a pre-owned car or truck it is especially important to double check. A previously owned car may have already put its spare tire to use and often the spare is not replaced when a new tire is mounted on the vehicle.

Family Tire & Service also recommends you practice removing the spare from the tire’s stow area in your vehicle so you are familiar with the process if you need to change a tire on the side of the road. Also check to make sure you have your jack and tire iron and know how to remove them.

Once you have removed the spare, your local Grapevine Texas tire change experts suggest you check the air and tread on your spare tire. The PSI for your spare should be listed on the outer wall of your tire and you can apply the “penny test” to your tread. Place a penny in the tread of your tires. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, you might consider new tires.

Always remember, you can bring in your vehicle and spare tire to Family Tire & Service if you need a profession to check your spare or if you need assistance in removing the tire. For all your summer car care needs, schedule an appointment with Family Tire & Service, your Grapevine TX car service specialists.

Family Tire and Auto Service in Grapevine, Texas knows that the transmission in your car is one of the most important parts as well as one of the most expensive to repair or replace. Because of this, it is important to keep up proper self-maintenance on your car to assure your transmission lasts as long as possible.

Automatic Transmissions require that the transmission fluid and the filter be replaced either once every two years, or every 24,000 miles. However, if your vehicle is used for hauling trailers or simply gets a lot of use, then every 12,000 miles should be the rule of thumb. To check the fluid level the car must be running, but be sure to have the break applied. A great option for cars that are used often is a transmission fluid cooler so that it won’t overheat.

Manual Transmissions can go a little further without having to be maintenanced. The best time to change out the fluid in these is every 30,000 miles or so. With heavy use or hauling, that number changes to 15,000. Checking fluid in a manual transmission is a lot trickier. Often, these vehicles don’t provide a dipstick. The best way to check your transmission fluid for manuels is to have your Grapevine, TX auto service check during a routine oil change.

Be sure to watch for the two main signs of possible transmission failure. The first is any type of strange noise in between the switiching of the gears. This “slipping” which can also happen if it takes too long to switch gears, is a good sign that you are in the first stages of transmission failure. Another thing to look for is any leaking from your car. Check the ground where you park and be sure there are no wet spots. Even if the transmission fluid itself isn’t leaking, any fluid leak can cause friction that will destroy your transmission.

For all your transmission needs contact Family Tire and Auto Service in Grapevine

817-488-5520

As summer heats up and gas prices aren’t falling, drivers search for every possible way to save on fuel costs. In many ways, auto maintenance plays a big part in conserving fuel and money, making the car run more efficiently so that you get better gas mileage. Taking steps to maintain a more efficient car can make sure you have the pocket cash you need to enjoy summer affairs.

Things you can do on your own include parking in the shade or a garage to minimize the evaporation of emissions in the heat of the sun, as well as avoiding topping off (a waste of excess gas) and filling up with premium fuels. Unless your car requires higher octane gas, you won’t find a difference in performance with lower octane fuel, and you’ll save a bundle.

You may also want to check with Dallas car repair specialists for several internal systems, including your air filter and oil. Replacing your engine’s air filter keeps it from getting too clogged with dirt and dust, which can lead to lower gas mileage because the engine has to work harder for the same results. Using the correct oil (what is recommended by the manufacturer) can improve your gas mileage significantly over time. These can be checked at the same time, with a recommended change every three months.

Keep your tires pumped up, and check the tire pressure at least once a month. Maintaining the manufacturer’s recommendation for tire pressure keeps your tires from wearing more quickly and unevenly so that you get better gas mileage overall.

Most importantly, don’t ignore recommended auto maintenance, especially in the summer. Making sure your car is properly tuned up and in good condition is vital to saving on fuel, as a car that is left in poorer condition uses a greater amount of fuel to get the job done. If you have questions about proper maintenance for your car and how to save more money on gas in the current economy, check with your local Dallas auto technicians, who are more than willing to help make your car more efficient through the summer.

Taking simple precautions to enhance your summer driving experience will keep you off the side of the road on your vacation or while running the kids around town. Your Grapevine car care specialists can help you get your summer car maintenance in order.

Before driving around in the summer heat, always check your automobile’s air conditioning system. If you’re A/C unit is having trouble sustaining cooler temperatures, your car may be leaking a low level refrigerant. Checking for leaks is best handled by your Grapevine air conditioning repair experts, Family Tire & Service.

Summer heat can overcharge and evaporate internal battery fluid. Cleaning your car battery can prolong its life and keep it reliable. Detach and wipe down your battery cables and terminal heads on the car battery.

Do a quick check of the coolant and radiator fluid levels. The summer months will inevitably raise the normal temperature of your vehicle and put pressure on your cars cooling system to perform.  Schedule an appointment with your Grapevine TX oil change specialist to make sure your fluid levels are high.

Other scheduled maintenance action items for the summer include checking your hoses, belts, brakes, air filter, windshield wipers and tires. For all your summer car care needs, schedule an appointment with Family Tire & Service, your Grapevine TX car service specialists.

Making sure your car has a professional fuel injector system cleaning periodically is a major factor in ensuring the peak performance of your automobile. It is best to check with your mechanic or your owner’s manual to determine when scheduled services need to take place.

Many individuals see the commercials on TV and believe that store-bought fuel system cleaners – the ones that go directly into your gas tank – will suffice. These will help relatively clean fuel injectors, but they are no help to the fuel injectors that need a more efficient cleaning. Major removal of particles and gunk that can effect a fuel injector will need to be the job of a professional.

Your automobile’s fuel system starts with your air filter and works with the engine. As parts of the fuel injector get dirty over driving time, your performance can decrease, as well as fuel economy.

A clean fuel injector system will help improve overall running ability as well as gas mileage, a plus as gas prices have make an unwanted increase. It also will prevent the hard starts, stuttering and hesitating that could make life frustrating for you and your ride.

Most cars on the road now have fuel injectors. Older-model cars use carburetors, but it is rare to not find a car with a fuel injector. These systems have fewer problems with carburetors, requiring less maintenance and adjustment. Nevertheless, fuel injector systems are still very important in regards to upkeep.

Our Grapevine TX mechanics can assist you with your next fuel injector system cleaning. Call our Grapevine auto shop today, or contact us online for more information.

When it comes to critical safety features of your automobile, some experts feel the proper condition of your tires is one of the most important. While it is important, it also is overlooked by many drivers.

Maintaining proper air pressure and manually checking the condition of your tires will have a positive effect on mileage and on-road safety. From a tread-checking standpoint, the penny test can tell you when your tires’ tread is low. When you place a penny sideways into the grooves of your tires, you should not be able to see the top of Abe Lincoln’s head. If you can see his head, it’s time to purchase new tires.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to check the surface of your tire for any bumps or punctures on a consistent basis. Road construction often leaves tiny objects lying on the road, any of which can become lodged in your tire. Leaving something in your tire for an extended period of time can lead to flat tires or dangerous blowouts.

Failure to purchase new tires at the right time result in major consequences. Let our Grapevine TX auto shop assist you with your tires and their maintenance. Contact our Grapevine mechanics today, or visit us online for details.

A stain on your driveway can be a sure-fire sign of a major problem within your automobile’s system. Many people automatically assume the worst when their car or truck leaks fluid, but these stains can easily be determined by noticing the color.

If you notice a red tint in a stain, then that could be an indication of a transmission leak, which is one of the worst leaks an automobile can have. If you notice a stain with a yellowish color, you may have a brake fluid leak, which also is a high-priority issue. Notice of these stains should result in an immediate trip to one of our Grapevine TX mechanics.

If you happen to notice a leak that is dark brown or off-black in color, it could be a variety of things. There’s a chance you could be leaking motor oil. There’s also a chance it could be sludge, particularly if you drove during a storm or light rain. If you notice the stain, do not take any chances, as an untreated problem could result in a major issue down the road.

Our Grapevine TX auto care company want to make sure your car is safe at all times, and we will provide quality service for any car and truck that is in need. Give our Grapevine mechanics at Family Tire & Service a call today, or contact us online for details about fluid leak detection.

One of the few things you want to see from your car is an overheated engine. This is basically the pulse of your automobile, and your car goes as the engine goes.

Engine overheat can be caused by a variety of things, but all symptoms can play back to how an engine is treated. It requires routine maintenance and special care from an individual and/or a mechanic to continue proper functionality. Diagnosing problems should be left to the professionals, such as our Grapevine TX mechanics at Family Tire & Service.

Engine overheat can be caused by anything specific from a loose radiator cap to failure with a properly functioning water pump. Here are three things to look for that may be signs of overheating.

• Low coolant levels: The proper mix of water and antifreeze keep the temperature in your car regulated. A low amount of coolant could be a sure sign of overheating.
• Failed thermostat gauge: Your car’s thermostat, much like the home or office thermostat, monitors the temperature of the engine. If the temperature gauge fails, this can be detrimental.
• Faulty sensors: If you don’t have a sensor to tell you that your engine may be failing, how would you know if it is overheating? Make sure all sensors are working properly.

There are plenty other tell-tale signs of engine overheat, and our Grapevine TX car care specialists are more than happy to assist you.  Call us today, or visit us online for information.

Keeping your fleet in excellent shape is critical not only for drivers but also for those who brave the roads around them.

Our Grapevine TX mechanics want to make sure your fleet – whether it’s a small stable or a large army – functions with the best service possible. We offer a full-service location, and we deal with both private and commercial fleets.

Our mechanics make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition for whatever the trip.  Among the services we offer are:

• Improving the intake and output system, assisting in gas coming in and exhaust moving out for improved gas mileage
• Keeping tires inflated and rotated and wheels aligned
• Reducing engine friction by using high-quality motor oil (synthetic motor oil also an option)
• Changing all filters and aiding in a clean fuel injector system
• Providing regular tune-up and check-ups that will serve as preventative maintenance

Our Grapevine TX fleet experts are here to make your transportation as efficient as possible. Call our Grapevine auto care specialists today, or contact us online for details.