Houston, TX Vehicle General Maintenance

Today's Vehicles Need General Maintenance Services

The classic tune-up was once the heart of the automotive business and contrary to some beliefs, today's vehicles still need tune-ups to keep them performing at the most efficient levels.

As technology has advanced, the procedures required to perform a traditional tune-up changed dramatically. With today's sophisticated ignition and fuel systems, most mechanics use onboard computers to control engines and transmissions.

Little Shop of Motors LLC specializes in maintenance for today's models. We'll inspect your car's battery, engine, mechanical powertrain control (including onboard diagnostic checks), fuel ignition, and emissions.

Seasonal Maintenance

The last thing you want is for your car not to start in the winter. We'll check the following or make sure these are ready for the winter.

• Engine
• Fuel
• Oil
• Cooling system
• Wipers
• Heater/defroster
• Battery
• Lights
• Tires
• Emergency gear
  

Prepare Your Car for the Summer

Summer can also be rough on your car. Let us check the following or you can make sure these are ready for the summer.

• Air conditioning
• Cooling system
• Oil
• Engine performance
• Wipers
• Lights
• Tires
• Brakes
• Battery
• Emergency supplies
  

Environmentally-Friendly Car Tips

• Keep your engine tuned. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency by as much as 30%.
• Follow the service schedules listed in your owner's manual. Replace filters and fluids as recommended.
• Check your tires for proper inflation. Underinflation wastes fuel - your engine has to work harder to push the vehicle.
• Wheels that are out-of-line (as evidenced by uneven tread wear or vehicle pulling) make the engine work harder, too. Properly maintained tires will last longer, meaning fewer scrap tires have to be disposed of.
• Observe speed limits. Mileage decreases sharply above 60 mph.
• Drive gently. Avoid sudden acceleration and jerky stop-and-go. Use cruise control on open highways to keep your speed as steady as possible.
• Avoid excessive idling. Shut off the engine while waiting for friends and family.
• Today's vehicles warm up fast, so forget about those 5-minute warm-ups on cold winter mornings.
• Remove excess items from the vehicle. Less weight means better mileage.
• Store luggage/cargo in the trunk rather than on the roof to reduce air drag.
• Consolidate your daily errands to eliminate unnecessary driving. Travel when traffic is light to avoid stop-and-go conditions.
• Join a carpool.