McKinney & Bonham Auto Repair

Texas can be a little bit unpredictable when it comes to the weather. But it is safe to say that this winter has been a cold one. One of the coldest in quite some time. Although we have had a few cold and icy winters, still, many native Texans are not accustomed to driving in colder conditions, such as on icy roads, or with strong winds. If you are inexperienced in driving in winter conditions, you should definitely take the time to read over some of our winter driving safety tips. And even if you perhaps are somewhat experienced in driving in the cold weather, it is still important that you take a minute to remind yourself of the precautions of operating a vehicle during the winter. #1 Firstly, have your car serviced Take your car over to a nearby McKinney car shop to ensure that your vehicle is in optimal condition. There are various ... read more

If you have a car that takes premium gas, or if you have driven a car that takes premium gas, you may be wondering what exactly would happen if you put regular gas into the car. You may not even drive a car that takes premium gas, but may simply be curious about the matter. Many people wonder if maybe they will save money by using regular gas, or perhaps whether or not using regular gas will end up positively or negatively affecting their gas mileage. Or maybe you have stumbled upon this blog post because you have accidentally put regular gas in your premium car. There’s a variety of reasons people ask the question, but what matters is the answer. So, sit tight, because we’re going to explain to you what happens when you put regular gas into a premium car. What won’t happen If you have found yourself in the situation that you accidentally put the wrong kind of gas in your car (regular gas into a premium gas vehicle), you don’t need to worry to ... read more

It’s important to remember that as the weather changes, so does the environment in which you drive in. Whether it is the traffic, the wind and the rain affecting your visuals, the cold or the heat affecting your tire pressure, or the weather affecting the physical road conditions, you must keep in mind the environmental changes around you and stay aware and cautious while driving when the seasons change. This is especially applicable to the winter months. Here in Texas, many of us are not totally comfortable nor experienced driving on icy roads, so it’s important to be aware and knowledgeable as to how to properly do so.  So, let’s discuss a few driving safety tips for driving during the winter… #1 Slow down It’s important to keep in mind that speed limits are set and based ... read more

It’s still very much winter here in Texas, and it has been a pretty cold one. So, when you get in your car in the morning to head to work, and as you wait for your car to warm up, you may notice that your tire pressure light is on. This may seem peculiar to you if you aren’t’ aware of how the weather and temperature outside can affect the air pressure in your tires. Most cars have tire pressure monitors built into the dashboard area, and whenever the tires are not at the proper level of inflation, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) will sense it and become activated. Whereas hot weather can cause your tires to overinflate, very cold weather can do the opposite, causing your tires to become under-inflated. Either one of these is not good for your car or your safety. Not only is it dangerous to have underinflated tires, but it will negatively affect the gas mileage of your car, or even the steering and alignment if the tire inflation is off centered. It can also cause faster w ... read more

Each and every car service is different and unique to the vehicle, just like each doctor’s visit depends on the person! However, there are a handful of items that should be checked in order to ensure everything is running smoothly with your car. While some cars may require more service than others, all cars are designed and manufactured with a service schedule in mind for the car. By making a point to follow this schedule and bring your car in for a regular full-service checkup when necessary, you will have a much better chance of keeping your car running for many, many years. So, how do you know what type of service your car requires? As mentioned, be sure and check your owner’s manual or manufacturer guidebook, as it will have all the relevant information you need. It is also important to note that how your vehicle is checked and what they look for will likely v ... read more