Goodson Acura of Dallas Blog

Installing correct tires to your vehicle is essential to the safety of your car. The type of tire should be compatible to your vehicle model and your driving experience. There are several factors to consider when determining your car's right tire size, for instance, width, speed rating, load index, and diameter.

How to read tire size
Each letter and number on the tire represents width size, load index, aspect ratio. Let's take a look our tire size, for example; p225/70R16 91S

Width size
Tire width refers to the distance 
 

Your belts and hoses are two of the most important parts of your car. The hose transfers antifreeze to the radiator and engine. The belt ensures that your steering wheel, water pump and alternator work properly. It is a good idea to have your engine belt inspected every 3,000 miles or three months. The hose needs to be inspected every 6,000 miles or six months. The professional will look for cracks and fraying in the belts. They will also look for glazing in the belts.

The professional will look for nicks, cracks, blistering and collapsed section on the…

One thing most drivers in Dallas can agree on is that they would like to get better fuel economy out of their vehicle. At Goodson Acura of Dallas, we want to help. Keep in mind the following tips and you might find yourself stopping at the gas station less frequently.

The first thing you can do is go easy on your car. Hitting the gas to try to make that yellow light is burning more fuel than you may think. The same can be said of waiting too long to hit the brakes. Letting your foot off the gas and…

A car jack and spare tire are two of the things that you should have in your roadside emergency kit. You will likely have a flat tire at some point. You can also put some tire sealant and tire inflator inside of your kit. Jumper cables are something else that you will need to have in your kit.

You may accidentally leave your lights on at night, come outside and realize that your battery has been drained. You can use jumper cables to get your car started again. The jumper cables will need to be at least 20 feet long…

If there are any issues that arise with your muffler or exhaust system, then it could result in a decrease in fuel efficiency as well as a decrease in overall motor performance. A common sign that your muffler might need to be replaced is a loud noise from underneath your car while you're driving in Dallas. You could also notice a vibration from under your car.

Your exhaust system could exude odors that aren't pleasant. As soon as you notice these odors, you should contact Goodson Acura of Dallas as the fumes could enter the inside of your…

Your vehicle has two separate ways that it can charge its battery. The alternator is capable of charging it, and you can purchase an external battery charger from Goodson Acura of Dallas. The alternator kicks in anytime that your engine is running. The battery dying completely will require an external charger. Your alternator simply can't charge your battery from that low of a level.

Normal battery use occurs when you are running your radio, air conditioning or dome lights with the engine off. If you're placing too much draw on a battery when the engine is

Goodson Acura of Dallas wants to help you understand the difference between a full-size spare tire and a compact temporary spare tire. Sometimes called a donut, temporary spares are only meant for limited use. Here's a closer look at the limitations of a compact spare.

Donut spare tires are not meant to cover long distances. In the best situations they can be counted on to get you to a service center where a new tire can be obtained. You should not drive on compact spare tires for long periods, and you cannot drive at a high rate of speed…

You’re driving along and suddenly the engine starts sputtering. Perhaps the fuel gauge doesn’t read what you think it should. Do you know what to do or what the problem may be? Our service technicians at Goodson Acura of Dallas have dealt with this kind of problem and want you to be knowledgeable of when your fuel pump needs service or your entire vehicle needs some work.

Here are some signs that might indicate your fuel pump is in need of repair or replacement.

• The vehicle begins to surge or speed down the road.
• The vehicle sputtering at…

If a tire blows out, the result could be a major accident. After all, a driver could lose control of the vehicle without a tire. Blowouts aren’t always unexpected, either. Often, the condition of the tires loudly proclaims the tires are long overdue for replacing.

Cracked side walls and dry rot indicate a tire is at high risk for a blow out soon. The web-like cracks indicate the rubber is ready to tear apart. As the tire expands while the vehicle drives, the cracks could lead to the tire exploding.

Yes, it is very important for Dallas drivers to…

The alternator under the hood of your car, truck, or SUV is one of the most important elements of your vehicle's mechanics. The alternator is the component that provides power to the electrical elements of your vehicle when it is in operation. The alternator also charges the battery.

Due to the important nature of the alternator, you need to be certain that it is in tip-top condition. You can tell that your alternator may be in need of replacement if the GEN or ALT warning light illuminates. Dim lights are also a potential indicator that something is awry with…