Automotive Tips - Paine's Garage, LLC

At Paine's Garage, LLC in Sinton, we know how annoying a dead battery can be. Here’s some information on the subject, that will hopefully help you understand your battery issues a little better.

If you’ve owned a vehicle long, particularly one with a few miles on it, you have probably encountered a peculiar smell that grabbed your attention. Scents that you encounter while driving (emanating from your vehicle, not the horse farm down the road) are indicators of your vehicle's health and often the first warning that something may be wrong. Paine's Garage, LLC in Sinton has assembled this list to prepare for you for the next time you smell something odd, so you’ll know what’s going on next time you notice a funny smell.

Obviously, your brakes are essential. However, it’s easy to neglect or ignore brake issues, and even miss them altogether; as long as the car, truck, or SUV still stops, many people don’t see the need to have their brakes serviced. From Paine's Garage, LLC in Sinton, here are some common brake issues, and why you should fix them.

mechanic working on the suspension of a vehicle on a lift

The steering and suspension systems are key safety-related systems that largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Have these systems checked regularly, at least once a year, and usually with a wheel alignment.

As cars become more technologically advanced, the importance of your vehicle’s battery becomes more important. In the old days, a car battery essentially worked, or it didn’t; if it was good enough to start the car, it was good enough. Moderns vehicles are a different story. A faulty battery can cause a variety of issues, including engine codes, sensor failures, irregular transmission behavior, and the list goes on.

Battery failure often causes issues that are commonly misdiagnosed, and in the hands of the wrong auto repair shop, a mechanic may spend hundreds of your hard-earned dollars chasing problems that don’t exist. At Paine's Garage, LLC in Sinton, TX, our mechanics are familiar with modern vehicles and the problems that accompany them.

Your air conditioning system uses refrigerant to create cold air. The most common reason auto owners lose their cold air is because of the lack of refrigerant. Refrigerant is a gas in the system and very small holes in a hose, seal or coupler can allow enough to leak out to prevent the creation of cold air.

Another potential problem for our auto owners here in Sinton is contamination. Over time the inside of the rubber hoses can deteriorate and little bits of rubber can clog up various filters and other critical parts of the family car A/C system, preventing proper circulation of the refrigerant. So the first step for our customers who can't cool their family car is a thorough air conditioning inspection, looking for leaks and worn parts. In fact, Federal law requires an inspection before adding refrigerant. Some states do not allow topping off a leaking system.

Once any vital repairs are made, the refrigerant is added. At the same time, a special oil is added to the system. This oil cools and lubricates various components as it circulates along with the refrigerant. If you have a refrigerant leak, you also have an oil leak – and it's important that both be replenished for proper function and protection of your A/C system.

Another factor that is often overlooked by drivers is the serpentine belts. A worn serpentine belt can lead to belt slippage, which will put additional strain on the compressor. Replacing your serpentine belt and belt tensioner on the schedule will extend the life of your A/C compressor and other critical belt-driven accessories.

If you have any questions about your vehicle's air conditioning system stop by the shop here in Sinton, TX and talk with our automotive technicians today. We would love the chance to earn your service!

To some drivers, picking out the right tire is just as important – and just as much fun – as finding the right shoes is to a runner. For many people, they have found that shopping for tires is overwhelming because there are just so many choices. AT Paine's Garage, LLC IN Sinton, TX, our technicians are ready to help you make that decision.

Your vehicle's cooling system is one of the most important systems in your vehicle. Inside your engine, spark plugs ignite the fuel within the cylinders to produce small explosions that propel your vehicle down the road. With small explosions comes scorching temperatures that can destroy your engine if not controlled. There are two types of cooling systems - liquid-cooled and air-cooled.