To help you become a fully informed car owner, we want to talk today about motor oil myths. In our business, we encounter many of these myths. Let's debunk two of them now.

One common myth insists that black oil requires an immediate oil change. If you find black oil on your vehicle's dipstick, do not overreact. Oil must lubricate and clean engines, so it darkens as it absorbs contaminants. This color change does not indicate viscosity decline. Change your oil at the odometer readings recommended by your car's manufacturer. 

There's nothing like breaking down on the road, but if you have a roadside emergency kit, then you can handle the situation until help arrives. Jumper cables are a good thing to have in your vehicle because there could be battery issues that you are unaware of when you start your car and get on the road, not being able to get your car started again after stopping.

Another component you want to have in your kit is a road flare. This should be used at night so that other people know you're on the side of the…

As a driver, there are many responsibilities that come with ensuring your safety on the road, as well as the safety of other drivers. It comes with the many advantages of driving. Therefore, when you determine that one of your car headlights needs to be replaced, it’s important to schedule a headlight replacement as soon as possible.

Your headlights play a vital role in both nighttime driving and daytime driving. It is recommended that drivers keep their headlights on while it’s raining in order to help with their driving visibility, as well as to be seen by other…

If you notice that your tire doesn't have sufficient tread remaining, it may be time to get new tires. The same is true if you notice that there is an object in the tire or that it has stubbornly low air pressure. This is because damaged or under-inflated tires will not make proper contact with the road.

Therefore, you could experience an uncomfortable ride or a dangerous one as damaged tires can't stop your vehicle in a timely manner. If you notice a bulge in the tire or that it has a cracked sidewall, be sure to have…

In order to easily jump another car, you'll need to grab a few safety items first. In addition to the jumper cables, you'll need a wire brush, safety glasses, and a pair of good work gloves. Bring the cars head-to-head, turn off the car lights and engine and open the hood to both vehicles. Use the wire brush to clean off the terminals to each battery to create a better contact point.

Take the red jumper cable and attach one end to the positive on the good then bad battery. Take the black cable and place on good…

A timing belt is somewhat of a mystery to car owners. They don't exactly know what it does, but they do know that they never want to hear that theirs has broken and needs to be replaced. That is why we here at Land Rover Southwest Houston want to give you the basics so you can be a more informed vehicle owner.

The goal of a timing belt is to ensure that all of the valves in your engine open and close at exactly the right time. It does this by working with the camshafts in your car as…

A car's muffler and exhaust system is designed to both reduce noise and reduce the amount of harmful emissions that it produces. Reducing emissions may make the air easier for you and everyone else to breathe. If your muffler or exhaust system isn't working properly, your vehicle may not be able to pass inspection. It may also annoy the neighbors when you start it up first thing in the morning.

In addition to a quieter vehicle, your car generally runs better when the exhaust system and muffler are working properly. 

Just like our bodies, cars must periodically undergo checkups to make sure that all parts are up-to-date and working as they should be. Eventually, parts will go bad and need to be replaced or repaired. Tires are a great example.

Failure to change tires when they are damaged from wear can lead to many car problems. That is why a visual check on them is crucial to maintaining normal automobile efficiency. Since tread wear alone will not be enough for some motorists to consider an immediate tire change, it is suggested that a thorough and detailed examination be performed. 

The service technician at the corner auto shop says to change your oil every 3,000 miles, but your owners manual says 7,500. Who should you trust in this situation? For a while, everyone recommended 3,000-mile oil service from technicians.

Automakers have tested these recommendations and they report their overall findings in your owners manual with regard to oil changes. Unless the driver is going off-road or taking routine trips less than 10 miles, they don’t need that 3-month service oil change.