Blog

Regularly visiting the Acura dealership for service is important, and getting regular preventative maintenance can help you avoid lots of annoying car problems. However, cars are unpredictable and might sometimes require service in between regular visits. Let's explore how you can tell when your car needs a transmission service. 4 Signs Your Acura Needs a Transmission Service at Your Local Acura Dealership 1. Your Gears Won't Switch If you have a car with an automatic transmission that won't shift gears, then your car might be telling you your transmission fluid is contaminated. Dirt can build up in the fluid over time, leading to this problem. You need to visit the dealer for regular transmission fluid flushes to avoid this issue. Your car's failure to switch gears may also be caused by a low transmission fluid level, so stopping by the dealer for top-ups is essential, too. more Sometimes, your gears will switch when you have this issue, but they struggle to. That should signal that it's time to visit the dealer to see what's wrong. 2. Your Gears Slip Slipping gears leads to your engine revving too much when you shift up through the gears. It can also cause your car to shift down a gear later than it should, and the shifts might feel harsh. This makes it harder to control the car, so it could feel like your vehicle won't accelerate. Or, worse, you might feel like your car is wearing a pair of ice skates on an icy road, so you've got no control over it. Your gears will usually only slip when there's a problem with your transmission, so visit the dealer for service before the problem happens again and puts you in danger. 3. Your Car Smells Like It's Burning When you smell something burning in your car, it's usually a sign that something is overheating. It can also be a sign that your transmission fluid is burning up because it's old. Overheated transmission fluid can't protect your transmission properly, and this can lead to premature wear and tear. If you ever smell something burning in the car, pull over to let the vehicle cool down, and get to a dealership as soon as you can. 4. Your Car Kicks and Shakes Gear shifts should go smoothly, but if there's a problem with your transmission, then your car may jolt, kick, or shake when the gears are shifting. You might hear and feel grinding when shifting gears if your car has a manual transmission. Any kind of vibration or unusual sensation at all can signal an issue with the transmission. Is your Acura letting you know it's time for a service? Come get one at Fox Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX.

As a luxury car owner, you doubtless want to keep your Acura in optimal condition for as long as possible. As durable as Acura vehicles are, they require diligent maintenance, a core component of which is regular diagnostic tests. With routine diagnostic testing at your local Acura dealership, you'll keep your car in wonderful shape for its maximum possible lifespan. Diagnostic Precision: Maintaining Your Acura's Health Fine-Tune Your Acura for Optimal Performance When you bring in your car for a diagnostic test, our technicians use computerized tools to interface with your Acura's on-board diagnosis system. These onboard systems are extremely sophisticated in an Acura, allowing us to quickly and precisely ascertain the real-time condition of every component of your car. With this data in hand, we can more easily fine-tune the engine, transmission, brakes, drivetrain, suspension, exhaust system, electrical system, and every other important component. We can thereby maximize your vehicle's performance in every way, including its overall fuel efficiency. more Detect and Resolve Potential Faults Early Another key benefit of diagnostic tests is how they allow us to identify potential problems very early on, long before the fault has started to show obvious symptoms or become hazardous. This means we can remedy minor issues with relatively little fuss, which is far better than noticing the problem weeks or months later when it requires more significant repairs. Furthermore, if you've already noticed strange sounds, vibrations, or other signs of car trouble, diagnostic tests allow us to diagnose the underlying problem much more quickly and accurately. This makes for easier, more affordable repairs. It also means your car will spend less time in the shop. Enhance Your Overall Road Safety Your Acura is packed with highly advanced safety features and has extremely reliable steering and brakes. However, as with any road vehicle, your long-term road safety still depends on proper vehicle maintenance. Diagnostic tests allow us to provide the best possible maintenance to all safety-related systems, ensuring you are always as safe as can be on the road. How Often To Visit Your Acura Dealer for Diagnostic Testing It's advisable to have a full diagnostic test carried out once a year as part of your routine upkeep schedule. On top of this, our technicians may carry out diagnostic tests during other maintenance if they believe it's necessary. And if you're about to embark on a long journey, bring your car in for a tune-up beforehand, which should include a diagnostic test to ensure everything's in tip-top condition. Visit Fox Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX, to have your Acura's performance tested and optimized today. With a mission to develop long-lasting relationships with highly satisfied clients, we provide exceptional customer care to match the luxurious vehicles in our showroom.

If you love that new car smell, or you prefer driving a vehicle with a spotless cabin, then you may want to check out how the professionals at your Acura dealership shine up showroom cars. The key to excellent Acura detailing at home is using the right tools and products to clean your car. Detailing Perfection: Keeping Your Acura Showroom Fresh The best way to mimic the showroom shine is to use high-quality car cleaning products, such as car shampoo that is gentle on your Acura's paint job, carpet shampoo formulated for your floor mats, and interior upholstery cleaners designed for your seating material. If you have leather seating material or interior trim, you should use a leather cleaner and polisher that hydrates and seals your leather. more It's also important to use proper car cleaning tools, like microfiber cloths and soft sponges. You may choose to invest in a powered buffer that uses a soft sponge to buff polish onto your paint. A handheld vacuum, a detailing brush kit, and a gel or slime cleaner for your air vents are also valuable tools that can help you detail your vehicle. What Is the Best Frequency for Acura Detailing? Ideally, you should wash your car one or two times a month to clean dust, mud, and other debris off your paint job, as well as vacuum the interior. However, detailing your car is essentially a deep cleaning of your car from top to bottom, so you may end up detailing less frequently. You can aim to detail your car like the dealership does a couple of times a season to tackle all the nooks and crannies of your vehicle. When Should You Visit Your Acura Dealership? Aside from visiting the dealership for routine maintenance, you can also drop by your dealership when you notice certain cosmetic flaws or issues that can impact vehicle performance. For example, it's best to visit your dealer for headlight repair and maintenance since your dealership has the correct tools to clean headlight lenses, update bulbs, or even replace lenses that have gotten cloudy or cracked. You may also want to visit your dealership to order accessories for your vehicle that can help you keep your car clean. Genuine Acura cargo area accessories or upgraded floor mats can go a long way to making sure your at-home detailing lasts as long as possible. Your dealership can recommend the accessories that are designed for your model and install accessories once they arrive. Detailing your Acura at home can preserve the value of your vehicle and create a peaceful, clutter-free driving environment. Following the right cleaning steps and using appropriate products can keep your car looking new, even if you have kids or pets. Get in touch with Fox Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX to book service.

Your Acura is a precision machine built to give you a great driving experience year-round. You can help it do that best by getting some Acura seasonal maintenance a few times a year. Acura Seasonal Maintenance Spring Spring has sprung! Now's the time to clean the inside of the car to get rid of any mud and gunk dragged in from the winter. If you drove out of state for the holidays, you might also have road salt and chemicals in there. Now's also the time to bring your Acura to your dealer and have us check a few things. more We'll make sure your wipers aren't in bad shape after the winter, ensure your hoses and belts aren't cracked, and replace the air filters so you (and your engine) are ready for that spring pollen. Now's also the time to have winter tires taken off, if you chose to put them on. That's not always necessary here in El Paso, but if you travel a lot to places with more brutal winter weather, it can make sense. Summer In summer, refill your windshield washer fluid with the stuff that's specially made to get rid of bugs. You should also take a look at your tire pressure regularly as things heat up. Bring your vehicle in to us, and we'll change out the oil (you'll need fresh oil to deal with the heat), align the vehicle if you've had pothole issues in the spring, and take a good look at your brakes. They also need to be in good shape for the heat. Fall Fall is a great time to get a jumpstart on winter by making sure your battery and lights are in great condition. You should also have your suspension looked at as well as the tread of your tires. Both of these have a lot to do with how much control you have. You also want to be sure your heating system is working so you'll be comfortable in the winter. Winter Make sure your coolant is full and you're using the right fluids across the board for your Acura and for the winter weather. We don't often have whole days below 45 degrees even in January, so there's likely not a need to put on winter tires. However, if you frequently drive north through the winter, it's worth asking us about your options. Now is also a good time to replace the windshield wipers (which have probably taken a beating through our summer rains) and the fluid. You won't need the anti-bug stuff now, but some all-weather fluid will perform better when the temperatures do drop. For the best maintenance your Acura can get in any season, come see us at Fox Acura of El Paso, TX!

One critical aspect of maintaining your vehicle's peak performance is ensuring your tires remain in excellent condition. Regular tire service at your Acura dealership helps extend the life of your tires, improve your vehicle's handling, and keep you safe. Today, we're looking at the most important steps to keep your Acura's tires in prime condition. On the Road: Keeping Your Acura's Tires in Prime Condition Check your tire pressure at least once monthly to keep your tires in prime condition. The maximum PSI your tires should be inflated to can be found in your owner's manual or on a sticker on your driver's side door. ​You must release ​air pressure if your tires are overinflated, and you must only measure your tires' pressure when the tires are cold. ​ more Also, get a tire rotation every time you visit your local dealership for an oil change. ​Having your tires rotated every ​5,000 ​to 8,000 miles is vital because uneven tire wear decreases traction. This can make cornering, hard braking, and driving on slick roads dangerous. ​Regular tire rotation mitigates the risk of uneven tire wear. Even tire wear ​also ​helps you maintain your fuel efficiency and extend your suspension system's lifespan. The Importance of Proper Tire Alignment You also must keep your tires aligned to keep them in prime condition. ​By getting a tire alignment, you can enjoy a better driving experience, improved safety, a longer tire life, and fewer ​expensive repairs over your vehicle's life. You're ​less likely to need repairs if you keep your tires aligned properly because your steering and suspension systems won't be put under as much strain. Proper tire alignment ​extends your tires' lifespan by reducing the rate at which they wear. You will be safer when you drive because your vehicle won't ​reduce your maneuverability by pulling to one side. ​Your driving experience will be more enjoyable because you won't have to adjust your steering wheel constantly to compensate for your vehicle pulling. Why You Should Get Tire Service at Your Acura Dealership You should visit your local dealership for tire work because we have the knowledge and hands-on experience to take great care of your car. You can trust our Acura-certified technicians to diagnose and repair tire problems quickly when possible. If a tire replacement is necessary, we'll help you select the tire type, tread pattern, and size you need. Keeping your Acura's tires in prime condition is vital for your safety, your car's performance, and the useful life of your tires. If it's been a while since your trusted dealership has rotated your tires, schedule a service appointment with us now at Fox Acura of El Paso in El Paso, TX.

If vehicle longevity is important to you, you'll want to take good care of your car. In this article, we'll outline the key practices for keeping a car in optimal condition for as long as possible. The technicians at your local Acura dealership can then help you with each vital Acura maintenance service and offer further advice if you need it. Follow the Recommended Service Schedule First and foremost, take the time to study the owner's manual for your car. Find out the recommended interval for each check, change, and tune-up, and stick to that schedule like glue. No one knows your car better than the engineers who designed and built it, and the manufacturer stipulates each necessary service for good reason: to maximize vehicle performance, safety, and lifespan. more Respond Promptly To Nascent Problems Another key to car longevity is quick responses to minor vehicle problems. No matter how busy you are, never ignore strange sounds, smells, vibrations, vehicle behavior, or dashboard warning lights. By responding promptly to nascent faults, you'll avoid larger malfunctions and repairs down the road. Avoid Bad Driving Habits Excessive use of either the gas or brake pedal is bad for vehicle longevity. Take care of both your car and yourself with cautious, responsible driving at all times. Change Your Motor Oil and Filter For the sake of your engine's health, motor oil should be kept fresh at all times. This means never missing a scheduled oil change, which should be twice a year for most drivers. Keep All Your Vehicle's Fluids Fresh Likewise, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid should also be kept fresh and topped up. Follow your owner's manual for precise guidance on how to care for each of these essential vehicle fluids. Pay Close Attention to Your Tires Your tires are the only point of contact between your car and the road. As such, they undergo an enormous amount of pressure and should be cared for with monthly air pressure checks, biannual rotations, and periodical realignment and balancing. Have Your Brakes Inspected Frequently Brakes are another crucial component for your safety and also the lifespan of your car; nothing impacts a vehicle's longevity quicker than a collision because of bad brakes. With this in mind, have your brakes inspected twice a year and always replace worn-out brake pads and rotors when required. Ask Your Acura Dealer for Guidance Several more practices and maintenance services affect vehicle longevity. The technicians at your local dealership can help you plan a comprehensive schedule for car care that suits your lifestyle and driving habits. Visit Fox Acura El Paso in El Paso, TX, today to have your car serviced by experienced professionals.

Your alternator has a mighty job to do. It keeps your vehicle running by converting energy from mechanical to electrical. It's impossible to drive when your alternator is malfunctioning, so getting an alternator repair from your El Paso, TX Acura dealer is a must if you experience one of the problems discussed below. 1. Warning Light If your vehicle was made in the last decade, then you likely have a warning light that tells you if something is wrong with your alternator. The light is usually battery-shaped, but occasionally it will say "GEN" or "ALT" instead. Call us as soon as this light comes on – we’ll repair your alternator swiftly. more 2. Dim Headlights As your alternator is responsible for supplying electrical power, your electrical accessories will start failing when the alternator needs a repair. Your headlights are included in the list of electric accessories that can fail. Thankfully, most modern vehicles have a priority list programmed into them. This means your headlights will be one of the last components to be affected by your alternator issues. However, if your vehicle was made more than 10 years ago, then your headlights may be one of the first parts to fail. 3. Malfunctioning Accessories Vehicles made within the last decade will stop powering the electrical accessories sufficiently when the alternator is having problems. Your power windows may start sticking, your radio might not switch on, or perhaps your sunroof refuses to open. All of these components are powered by electrical energy, and electrical energy is scarce when your alternator is having problems. Your accessories can malfunction on their own, so this won't always be an alternator issue. However, if more than one accessory fails at once, then it's definitely a problem with either your alternator or your battery. You should have an Acura expert examine both of these components. 4. Headlights Flickering Your vehicle tries its best to keep everything running smoothly, even when it's having problems. Your alternator may try to power your lights, but it'll fail every time as the need for repairs increases. This will lead to flickering headlights. Your headlights may also be dimmer than usual while they flicker on and off. 5. Dead Battery If your alternator fails, then so does your battery, eventually. Sometimes your battery will die of its own accord, though, so you'll need to jump-start your vehicle to figure out whether you have an alternator issue or a truly dead battery. A vehicle that stays on after being jumpstarted has a faulty battery. You can go and drive as normal today, but you'll need to stop by your dealer for a battery checkup as soon as you can. On the other hand, a vehicle that shuts down after being jumpstarted has a faulty alternator. The alternator can't charge the battery, so you'll remain unable to drive until your alternator is repaired. Our technicians are highly qualified, and they're ready to make any repairs you need. Stop by FOX Acura of El Paso today! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

You should visit your local El Paso, TX Acura dealership as soon as you notice that you need a brake repair. Driving with faulty brakes is one of the most dangerous things that you can do in a vehicle, so never, ever take a risk with your brakes. Visit us soon as you notice any signs below. 1. There's a Metallic Scraping Sound Your brake pads are equipped with a built-in system that lets you know when it's time for your brake pads to be replaced. The brake pads wear away, and a sharp metal component is exposed. This metal component scrapes against your rotor, and in doing so, it creates a high-pitched metallic squealing sound. more You'll hear this sound while you're driving, and at first, it's very faint. You should always take a moment on every journey to drive with your windows rolled up and the radio off, as that will ensure you hear this sound. 2. There's a Clicking Noise Occurring Some vehicles have their brake pads held in place with pins, bolts, or clips. This ensures your brake pads don't wobble around. However, the pens, bolts, or clips holding the brake pads can become loose, and when they do, you'll hear a clicking sound. You'll hear this sound when you use the brake pedal, so always listen extra closely when it's time to brake. 3. It's Taking Longer Than Usual to Brake If you notice that it's taking longer than usual to brake, then you may have an issue called a "brake fade". If you apply pressure to the brake pedal over a vast distance but you don't fully stop your vehicle, then it takes a toll on your braking system. Don't worry, you did nothing wrong — you usually only do this maneuver when it's necessary, for example, when you're driving downhill. Unfortunately, sometimes necessary maneuvers can damage your vehicle. You should get a brake service more frequently if you live in an area with lots of hills, as you'll most likely be using your brakes without bringing your vehicle to a full stop frequently. Doing this will damage the brakes, so you'll need to get them checked out and repaired more often. If you get a regular check-up for your brakes, then you should have no issues. 4. Your Brakes Feel Spongy If you notice that your brake pedal feels strange when you press it, then something's wrong. Most of the time, you'll notice that your brake pedal feels squishy or sponge-like, and it may take more pressure to get your vehicle to stop. Visit your dealership as soon as you notice this problem occurring, as it can easily get worse. Eventually, your brake pedal may become fully unresponsive, and you don't need us to tell you how dangerous that is. Call a tow truck immediately, as you really don't want to drive when your brakes aren't working at full capacity. Visit FOX Acura of El Paso to get your brakes fixed. We'll get to the bottom of your problem and get you back on the road as quickly as possible! Image via pixabay.com | Licensed under Pixabay License

Your local Acura dealer is more than just a place for you to purchase a fantastic new or pre-owned Acura. There are many services and courtesies you can benefit from that simply aren't available in other car lots and mechanic shops. Keep reading to learn why you are in good hands when you're with Acura. A Warm and Knowledgeable Team Clients of Acura know that a visit to an authorized dealership ensures they are met with courtesy and respect. This doesn't just apply to a friendly sales team. All levels of management and staff are there to help you with whatever needs you have and answer all of your questions promptly and professionally. more Technicians Dedicated to Knowing Your Vehicle When you bring your Acura in for service at an authorized dealership, you have a team of technicians trained and certified to know your car inside and out. There is no better team of experts in the industry to handle whatever your Acura needs. Furthermore, your dealership understands how important your vehicle is to you and this is reflected by the care and efficiency that is applied whenever you bring your car in for service. Comfort and Convenience While You Wait Should you need to bring your car in for repairs, rest assured that every step of the process will be comfortable and convenient. You'll be promptly informed of how long the process of repairing your car will take. A VIP lobby will be available to you along with coffee, HDTV's, comfortable seating, and other amenities. If the process of repairing your Acura is expected to take a little longer, you have the option of borrowing a car, so you can continue with your day while your car is in perfect hands. Speedy Oil Changes When you need an oil change on the go, your authorized dealership will get the job done properly and quickly! The on-site experts will work diligently to change your oil so you can enjoy a smooth and dependable ride as soon as possible. A record will be kept of your visit so the technicians can have all the information they need about your vehicle and make professional suggestions to help your car run better. Certified Quality Parts All great vehicles need new parts once in a while and if that situation arises, there is one place Acura owners know and trust to put the best parts on the market into their car. An official dealership certifies and stands behind all the parts they have. If a part is out of stock, the dealer will find one for you as soon as possible. Great New or Pre-Owned Vehicles Visiting an authorized dealership guarantees you'll have the opportunity to browse a broad selection of new or certified pre-owned vehicles, all of which offer the dependability that Acura clients have come to know. If you're ready to join this fantastic community of Acura owners, visit Fox Acura of El Paso today and take a look at the amazing selection of vehicles we have for you!