All Star Auto Club/Forum

04/09/2018

12/28/2016

"Today, car companies are all switching from CD players to iPod-integrated infotainment systems, but Lexus was a surprising hold out for the tape deck. The Florida retirement home-spec SC430 came with one standard as late as 2010. The very last car to be able to play cassettes was the Ford Crown Vic, which still had an optional player in 2011."

12/02/2016

Fun Fact: in the early years of 20th century horses were causing so much pollution by pooping on the roads, that the cars were seen as a "greener" solution! ... the more you know

11/23/2016

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

11/23/2016

"Antifreeze, which consists of a mixture of glycol and water, is important to have in your car year round, and is especially important for the winter season. One of the most important reasons is because the glycol part of the antifreeze will prevent it from turning to ice in harsh, cold conditions.
When discussing antifreeze, it is important to know how much water and how much coolant (glycol) to mix for your car. The suggested amount is fifty percent water, fifty percent glycol coolant. This mixture ratio has a lower freezing point, and allows heat to transfer from the engine to the inside of the vehicle. If you use 100% coolant, you are putting your engine at risk of failing. If you use 100% water, it can cause your engine to overheat. This is why It is best to use the 50/50 mixture of coolant and water for optimal performance.
Using antifreeze in your car prevents rust and corrosion from building up on your cooling system. Make sure that you are changing your antifreeze at the recommended intervals from your manufacturer. This is important because rust and dirt particles can build up as the chemicals in the antifreeze are used up." - Autologic

10/08/2016

"When extreme temperatures are near, it is very important to make sure that the cars antifreeze or coolant level is correct. Checking the coolant or antifreeze level is very easy and it might make a big difference on the engine health and proper functioning since failures in this area could seriously damage it.

How to check your coolant

It's essential to correctly identify the expansion tank – check the vehicle handbook for the location of the coolant filler cap, and follow any vehicle-specific advice given (adding antifreeze to the screen wash, brake fluid or power steering reservoir would be a very bad idea.)
The coolant should be between the min/max marks on the side of the expansion tank
Check any hoses that you can see at the same time; wet or white staining is a sign of possible problems to come
If the coolant needs topping up, don't remove the filler cap unless the engine is cold – you could be scalded by a sudden release of pressurised hot water
Make sure you use the right sort of antifreeze – the different types don't mix well
Antifreeze doesn't just protect your engine in winter. It helps stop corrosion and scale build-up all year round
It's not normal for the coolant level to drop; if you see that it has, get a garage to take a look.

09/26/2016

Why switch to Synthetic oil? What are the advantages? Here are some reasons why you should put synthetic oil in your car engine rather than conventional:

Resisting break-down, meaning that it will last longer than mineral oil
Withstanding high temperatures (TEXAS can get hot as we all know)
Flowing in cold temperatures, thus reducing engine wear during frigid startups.

Another good use for synthetic oil is as a salve for older engines prone to sludge buildup. This gunky residue can block oil passages and lead to a quick death of an engine. In the early 2000s, several engines from Chrysler, Toyota, and Volkswagen, among others, were especially prone to sludge buildup. This sludge forms when oil breaks down. Synthetic oil would be beneficial in those engines, as it is less likely to form troublesome sludge. - (CR)

Using synthetic in these situations will prolong your oil life and require fewer changes i.e. changing oil would be every 6000-10000 miles instead of every 3000-5000. That’s a major benefit to the environment, as used motor oil is a major source of toxic waste in water. Your pocketbook will also thank you. - (CR)

09/26/2016

09/23/2016

Did you know? Many new cars fake engine noise through speakers! They are quite otherwise because of well they sound proof cars these days. Talk about reverse engineering!

09/22/2016

Ever wondered why a new car has a specific smell? Every car manufacturer will have different mixtures of "smells" to make theirs unique! The "new car smell" is composed of over 50 volatile organic compounds.