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Whether you prefer to wash your automobile manually or take your vehicle through an automatic car wash, having a clean vehicle is a smart decision. But what makes washing your car so important?

Regardless of where you drive, there are all kinds of materials that can cling to the paint of your automobile. Dirt, rain, and salt are a few threats that love attaching themselves to vehicles. If not washed off of your vehicles, these impurities can start damaging the paint on your car. When driving, it's essential to be aware of your surroundings. 

Even the most efficient vehicle on the market can be made a bit more efficient using some of these simple tips from Acura of the Rio Grande Valley. You don't have to spend tons of money at the fuel pump each week. We can help you make the most of your money.

• People frequently like to hit their accelerator like they're driving in a race. You're likely not going to get anywhere faster, so be light on your accelerator pedal. This is better for your vehicle anyway.
• Continue to use the fuel type that is recommended by…

At Acura of the Rio Grande Valley, we know how important it is to you to feel safe in your vehicle, and that means knowing when something is wrong. When your brake light goes on, that could be a sign that something is wrong with your brakes, but it is not the only sign.

When you can feel your steering wheel or the brake pedal vibrating, that means it's time to have someone take a look at your vehicle. Another possible sign is a new noise, often one that is grinding or screeching. A burning smell coming from your…

Your ability to drive safely matters to us at cura of the Rio Grande Valley, and that includes properly correcting understeer and oversteer situations.

Understeer involves entering a turn too fast for your front wheels to maintain traction and steer your vehicle in the proper direction. Oversteer is also called fishtailing. Usually, you will encounter understeer in a front-wheel-drive vehicles. Meanwhile, oversteer happens to rear-wheel-drive autos.

We urge you to understand how to get yourself out of either situation. In understeer, you need to reinstate your front tires' 

Belts and hoses wear out faster than most mechanisms in your car. Watch for signs of damage and maintain recommended maintenance schedules. Otherwise, you'll find yourself sitting immobile in San Juan traffic, or worse.

Your timing belt is instrumental to crankshaft/camshaft operation. The process involves valves moving in synchronization with pistons. If this belt breaks, the engine goes kaput, followed by major damage. Listen for slapping noises. That's a clear indicator. The drive, or serpentine, belt powers the a/c compressor, cooling fan, pumps and more. 

Drivers might not know about every part and component inside their vehicles. Then, one day, something might go wrong. Why learn about, say, the differential system the hard way. Find out what it does and stay on top of maintenance. This way, you might avoid some potential problems.

The differential allows a car's wheels to rotate at different speeds. Doing so may reduce problems when turning and in other situations. Differences exist with differential systems depending on the vehicle. Front-wheel-drive cars aren't the same as part-time all-wheel-drive vehicles

You have likely been told that you need to change the oil every 3,000 miles. However, that is just one of the myths that need to be debunked. Synthetic oil is designed to help you extend the amount of time that you go without getting the oil changed. You will likely be able to go 5,000 to 7,000 miles without getting the oil changed, but it is a good idea for you to consult with the owner's manual.

Synthetic oil is used more often than conventional oil. You may have been told that synthetic oil can…

Charging of the battery is not as simple as charging your smartphone.it requires you to be careful, especially with lead-acid batteries, which produces explosive hydrogen when charging. It would be best if you took caution because its explosions can cause serious injuries. Below are steps of charging your car battery;

Disconnect the connecting cables
First, Disconnect the cable connected with a negative terminal to prevent a short circuit of positive terminal and ground. After that, disconnect the red cable connected to the positive terminal.

 

Brake issues got you nervous? They should. Brake failure can cause serious injury, damage to your car and even death. So, what are the main signs you should watch for when it comes to diagnosing bad brakes? We're glad you asked.

First, you'll want to take note of any odd behavior when you bring your vehicle to a stop. Does your car shake? Vibrate? Rattle? If so, it could be an indicator of an issue with your rotors. Another common sign that your brakes need attention, is when you you hear noises upon coming to a halt. These…

Your car’s fuel pump is an important component because its job is to help the gas travel from the gas tank to the engine. If your fuel pump is no longer functioning correctly, it will cause your car to stop running. At Acura of the Rio Grande Valley, we want you to be an informed driver who knows what to look for when a part is going bad. We also want to educate you on signs to look for that might indicate a faulty fuel system.

• Temperatures rising could indicate a faulty fuel pump.
• The engine sputters when driving…