Spring and Houston Auto Repair

It’s almost that time of year….Cold temperatures and warm fires, sweaters, hats, and gloves. Those rough mornings that we have to get up from our cozy, warm beds and go outside to get into our cold, cold cars. And then…click….click…the car battery is dead. Problems with car batteries are high on the annual lists of the top 10 most common breakdown faults. Not that they need to be. Thanks to newer technologies, modern car batteries provide much better cold starting performance and longer life than ever before. But, the danger is still real, and it happens to the best of us. Heat is Tough on Car Batteries Last month’s article was about how HEAT is a battery culprit, so we know that the summer months start the breakdown process. [When temps outside reach 90 degrees, the temperature under the hood of your car can reach 140 degrees, wreaking havoc on the battery. Each time the thermometer gets that high, your car’s battery fluid evaporates faster & corrosion accelerates too ... read more

Squealing, squawking, and squeaking brakes can not only be annoying; these noises can indicate a potentially serious problem with your braking system. Squeaky brakes can panic a driver, as they are arguably the most important safety feature in every automobile. Sometimes the concern is warranted, as the brakes are going bad. Other times, there may be nothing wrong at all. Be safe, take your car to the professionals at either Ripley's Muffler & Brakes location for a free brake check, and let them determine if there is cause for concern. Common Causes of Squealing Brakes Squeaky brakes are common. With multitudes of moving parts, weird noises of some sort or another are heard on a daily basis. There are many reasons that can cause your brakes to squeal or grind. Here are a few of the most common: Worn Out Brake Pads & Shoes -- Worn out brake pads is the most common reason for squea ... read more

Global warming may be questionable, but Texas summers are hotter than ever! Heat is the number one enemy of most vehicles...especially your A/C, battery, & engine cooling components. Why Do Auto A/C’s Always Break Down In The Heat? It is common to hear car owners screaming in exasperation in 100 degree temps: “Why does the AC always break down now?” Well, it’s not just bad luck; there are many reasons for it. The air conditioning system relies on many parts that all work together to keep your car cool. The A/C system uses a refrigerant to lower air temperature and carry away heat, which cools and dehumidifies the air flowing into the interior. For the system to work properly, several key components, including the compressor, condenser, evaporator, valves, and hoses need to be in tip-top shape. Expert A/C Repairs At Rayford Road Location Although air conditioning systems are typically very reliable, they can break down. It’s quite clear that car ai ... read more

There's nothing spectacular or unusual about the appearance of Ripley's Muffler & Brake Shop at the intersection of FM 1960 and Kuykendahl. But for General Manager Tommy Ripley, his mother Joan Ripley and Tommy's 10 brothers and sisters, the place holds a lifetime of memories and is indeed special. Read the full article, clipped from the Houston Chronical, Wednesday March