The Woodlands Auto Repair

Catalytic Converter Thefts    2020/2021 has provided various challenges for many. Our shop is disheartened to see an increasing number of customers coming in needing a Catalytic Converter. Unfortunately, all these customers had one thing in common, each had their vehicle’s Catalytic Converter cut off and stolen right where their car was parked!   Most Automotive professionals know that Catalytic Converter theft is a wide-spread problem. It’s a billion-dollar black market industry that’s destroying the environment and the lives of so many car owners.    Catalytic Converter theft is not partial to solely Toyota, Dodge, Ford, Chevrolet – this form of theft is a problem with many vehicles today, but Prius has been at the forefront of this issue. On top of that, dealers in many instances are on a national backorder of replacement Catalytic Converters and because of this, repairs are taking much longer.   Metal prices have once ag ... read more

    Schedule a visit with your pet’s veterinarian before your trip so your dog has an updated health and vaccine report. Be sure to ask for a physical copy for quick reference to show to the Kennel, Dog Sitter, Hotel, AirBNB, etc. Minimize the unexpected by calling your hotel, AirBNB beforehand. Make sure you know the pet policy and inquire if they charge a fee for pets. If your dog is not accustomed to road trips, you can get them used to it by slowly introducing them to the vehicle. You can introduce them to traveling in small increments, first drive down the street, next drive around the neighborhood, etc. As your dog gets used to being in the car, you can increase your trips across town and on short day trips before finally taking a long road trip with your dog.  Consider Ordering a Back Seat Dog Protector or seat belt attachment to keep them from attempting to distract you while driving. Exhaustion helps. Make sure your dog is exercised before the road t ... read more

December is here, at last! We’re finally seeing the back of a tumultuous year. 2020 has been mostly fraught with fear, dread, and worry. People will be talking about how bad this year was for generations, from the pandemic to the job losses and homelessness related to COVID19 closings. This year has dragged on and on. We’ve been forced to shelter in isolation, and cancel so many planned outdoor gatherings, reunions, weddings, and family get-togethers. It’s been unfairest to our kids, who had worked so hard at school all year to find themselves sheltered in their homes all summer long. It would be great to be able to finally let a bad year go and look forward to a new year. And despite the worries of a recession to come, and the vaccine for COVID19 not yet being ready, maybe all we can really do in a bad year is set our minds and our energies on a better year, and a better future, for all of us. Dream a Little Dream - We need to keep on dreaming and hoping that the ... read more

November is the season of giving thanks as the year draws to a close… it’s a time to be with our families and celebrate with gratitude for the journey we took together in the past year. And given the events of 2020, it’s an overdue celebration that may still be difficult in some quarters.  The tradition of Thanksgiving began with pilgrims on the Mayflower giving thanks for the end to a rough journey, as they set their eyes for the first time on the shore of Cape Cod. With COVID19 still a daily reality and with some of our family members still highly vulnerable to disease, it’s a coordinated risk just to put the family together for a day. On everyone’s mind this year will be how much they have to be grateful for.  From our jobs managing to reopen after work shut down, to keeping our homes for the people who’s jobs never reopened… to the ones who got sick and managed to pull through, to the ones who managed to stay healthy and safe ... read more

When we think of the care we put into our cars, we sometimes leave an important area alone until it reaches a critical stage: the tires. At Rusty’s Garage, we know the importance of checking your tires. It’s one of the things we keep an eye on every time you come for service. Caring for your tires is obviously very important, because they carry the weight of your car on them. If a tire blows at the wrong moment, you could get into a terrible accident, or flip your car. But they wear at such an even rate over time that we sometimes forget to check them, especially when it’s been awhile between repair services. Rusty’s Garage highly recommends you bring your car by our shop, or at very least, look into these elements yourself, to see if you might need some work on your tires: Check Your Tire Pressure. In most cars, the correct air pressure for your tires and your spare can be found inside the driver’s door frame.  Check Your ... read more

As we enter September, seasonal changes are going to occur and it will affect our driving.  Kids are returning to the school year, regardless if they’re home-schooling, attending online classes, or reporting in-person and on campus.  The weather also starts to change, bringing cooler temperatures, rain, and delayed traffic. Before too long, the sun will set sooner and trick-or-treaters will be navigating the collection of free candy during the COVID era. Then, the November, December, and end of year holidays will soon follow. Because September is the gateway month to all of these changes, the Rusty’s Garage auto repair team wants to offer some helpful driving safety tips. We know that COVID-19 has reduced many drivers’ commutes. Because so many folks aren’t driving as often, we thought it would be smart to remind everyone of some common driving safety tips: Things NOT TO DO While Driving: Do not text and drive. Do not drive dis ... read more

Summer is here, and with it comes some genuinely brutal weather. Even days that feel sunny and fair can be harsh to your car. Just like with the cold, the heat can be very unkind to your car's performance and stability. But you can combat the weather itself by keeping an eye on some of the major issues for your car and responding quickly to problems as you identify them. Plus, preventative measures ensure you are doing the most you can for the life of your vehicle. The Major IssuesGet a sunshade cover for your windscreen and use it when spending long periods away from the car. This will eliminate many of the issues in the cabin quickly and efficiently. The only real problem you'll have are the hot-fingers as you put it away, but once you do, it's as if you've had hours of shade. Remember to have your cooling system regularly flushed. This part of your car may be easily neglected and overlooked, but you're helpl ... read more

We believe we are surrounded by real-life superheroes here in The Woodlands. These superheroes are everyday people who live among us and serve on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.  As a tribute, Rusty’s Garage has put together a Superhero Spotlight of four individuals who are working hard to keep our community healthy and safe. Allow us to introduce you to them: Dr. Jim Mathis is an orthopedic surgeon who has been serving The Woodlands and Tomball communities for 17 years. Dr. Mathis says that fortunately, the medical staff in our geographic area are not lacking protective gear or equipment needed to fight the Coronavirus. He urges us to be smart, take care of others within our community, and be good about washing your hands. Thoughts and prayers are always welcomed, but Dr. Mathis says the best way to support the community overall is to support local businesses as much as you can.   Chris Mitcham is a Lieutenant with The Woodlands Fire Department. As a firefigh ... read more

We all appreciate knowing that we have a good auto mechanic to turn to when our car or truck acts up. What is it that makes our auto mechanic so good at what they do? With all the different makes and models of vehicles, there are so many variations to each service and repair. Do you ever get curious about what it takes to become a good mechanic? Here is a list of traits that each auto mechanic needs to have to be good at their job. Good problem-solving skills To be a good auto mechanic, the first thing a tech needs is curiosity. What is causing this issue, and why are good questions that often run through your auto mechanics mind as they think of your vehicle's issue. A good tech needs to be able to look at a problem from many angles to provide the best possible solution and to accurately diagnose and repair your car. Perseverance We all get frustrated from time to time. However, a good auto mechanic can not give up when the going gets tough. Eve ... read more

It seems that all our news and information is inundated with the coronavirus. To stay true to ourselves, we feel it necessary to share what we at Rusty’s Garage is doing to help curb the current epidemic and keep you safe. We are monitoring the latest news and updates to ensure that we are well informed as to how to flatten the curve. We want to assure you that our team at Rusty’s Garage is monitored to ensure that every member is healthy, and by keeping up with the latest in technology, we are all electronic from start to finish.  What does all electronic mean to you and the coronavirus? Well, it means that as part of our effort in social distancing, we no longer have to touch the same surfaces. By way of cell phone and computer, we offer touch-free service and after-hours key drop. We have added additional safety measures such as increased surface cleaning schedules and a rigorous sanitizing checklist for car focusing on your steering wheel, dash, and door handles ... read more