The Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Your Next Ride
NaTasha Brand • August 27, 2025
(And Why Ric Henry is Your Secret Weapon)
So, you’re ready to join the parade of trucks and SUVs cruising down Knickerbocker or heading out to Lake Nasworthy. Buying a new car is a Texas-sized thrill. That new-car smell? It’s the scent of possibility. That flawless paint job? It’s a masterpiece under the West Texas sun.
But hold your horses (or, more appropriately, your horsepower) before you sign on the dotted line. That gleaming beauty on the lot might be hiding a few skeletons in its closet—or, more accurately, in its transmission. A new car is one of the biggest investments you'll make, second only to your house. You wouldn't buy a house without an inspection, right? The same ironclad logic applies to your next vehicle.
Before you invest, arm yourself with these top 5 questions. And more importantly, learn why a pre-purchase inspection from your local experts at Ric Henry's Auto Service is the smartest first stop on your car-buying journey.
1. "What's Your Real-World History?" (Beyond the CarFax)
Anyone can print a CarFax report. But does it show that the previous owner loved curbs more than their own children, leading to hidden alignment issues? Does it detail the subtle whine of a transmission that’s been worked harder than a ranch hand during cattle season? A history report is a good start, but it’s not the whole story. A trained technician gets under the car and reads the real story written in the grease, wear patterns, and slight vibrations.
2. "How Do You Handle a San Angelo Summer?"
We don't just get hot; we get Concho Valley inferno hot. Your cooling system, battery, and AC aren't luxuries here—they are matters of survival. A thorough inspection will stress-test these systems to ensure they can handle the relentless heat that can turn a weak battery into a paperweight and make a struggling AC unit blow air that's as warm as a friendly "howdy."
3. "Are You Hiding Any 'Character'?" (Aka, Costly Repairs)
That slight shudder when braking? The mysterious drip on the pavement? A dealer might call it "character." Our technicians at Ric Henry’s call it "a worn rotor" or "a leaking seal." We use the same advanced tools and equipment the dealerships do to perform a comprehensive bumper-to-bumper health check. We’ll identify not just what’s wrong now, but what’s likely to go wrong down the road, saving you from nasty financial surprises.
4. "What's This Going to Cost Me in 10,000 Miles?"
The purchase price is just the entry fee. The real cost of ownership is in maintenance and repairs. Is it a quirky European import that requires specialty parts that have to be shipped from overseas? Or is it a domestic workhorse with readily available, affordable parts? Our experienced team can give you a realistic forecast of future service needs and costs, helping you budget for the long haul on West Texas highways.
5. "Who's Got My Back After the Sale?"
A dealership's warranty might look good on paper, but what’s the real-world service experience like? Here’s the Ric Henry’s advantage: when we do your pre-purchase inspection, you get to experience our professional, no-nonsense service firsthand. And if you choose us for future care, every service we provide—from an oil change to a major overhaul—comes backed by a robust 3-year/36,000-mile warranty. That’s peace of mind you can take to the bank, and all the way to Sonora and back.
The Ric Henry's Difference: Your Expert Second Opinion
A pre-purchase inspection isn’t about distrust; it’s about due diligence. It’s your negotiating superpower, your financial safeguard, and your guarantee that your new pride and joy won’t become your newest money pit.
Let our team put the vehicle you’re considering on a lift and give it the white-glove treatment. We’ll provide you with a detailed, unbiased report on its true condition, giving you the confidence to walk away or negotiate like a pro.
Don't gamble on your investment. Call Ric Henry's Auto Service today to schedule your pre-purchase inspection. Think of it as a test drive for the parts you can’t see.
After all, the only thing that should be left to chance on a new car is whether you choose the racing red or the beautiful black.
Electric water pumps boost efficiency but fail in new ways. For San Angelo drivers, trust Ric Henry's Auto Service for expert diagnosis & repair using dealer-level tools, backed by a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Let’s talk about the most misunderstood fluid in your vehicle. No, not the blinker fluid (though we’ve heard that one). It’s your coolant. That vibrant liquid sloshing in your radiator isn’t just “anti-freeze.” It’s a meticulously engineered chemical cocktail, a modern marvel of corrosion inhibition tasked with a Herculean job: protecting your engine’s metallic innards from turning into a costly pile of rust and scale, all while battling the brutal Texas heat. Gone are the days of a simple green ethylene glycol mix. Today’s coolants are a saga of chemistry, and the heroes of this story are corrosion inhibitors: Silicates, Phosphates, and Organic Acids (OAT). Think of them as your engine’s personal anti-rust security detail. The Cast of Chemical Characters: Silicates: The rapid-response team. These compounds form a near-instant, thin protective film on aluminum surfaces. Critical for protecting modern aluminum heads and radiator tanks from corrosive pitting. They’re fast but can be a bit overzealous, sometimes depleting quickly or forming gel-like deposits if not balanced correctly. Phosphates: The foundation builders. Excellent for protecting iron and steel components (think block liners, water pump sleeves). They create a stable protective layer. However, in water with high mineral content (hard water, which we certainly see in West Texas), they can precipitate out and form scale—akin to radiator kidney stones. Organic Acids (OAT): The long-term strategists. Developed for extended-life formulas, OAT compounds work differently. They don’t coat everything preemptively; instead, they remain in solution and only spring into action at sites of actual corrosion, neutralizing the attack. This allows for longer service intervals but requires different metallurgy to be fully effective. The Evolution: From One-Size-Fits-All to a Tailored Suit. The history of coolant is an arms race against corrosion. Early formulas were often silicate and phosphate-heavy. Then, as aluminum became king and global manufacturers sought longer drain intervals, technology splintered. You got OAT-based coolants (common in GM, some Fords), Phosphate-Hybrid OAT (often Honda, Toyota), and Silicate-Hybrid OAT (many Fords, Chrysler, and European specs). The critical takeaway? Your modern vehicle’s cooling system is designed for a specific type of coolant chemistry. Using the wrong one, like pouring an Asian-specific formula into a European car, or vice-versa—can lead to inadequate protection or harmful deposits. It’s not just about color; it’s about the recipe. Symptoms to Watch For: Your Coolant’s Cry for Help In the San Angelo heat, your cooling system works overtime. Stay vigilant for: Discolored Coolant: It should be bright and clear (green, orange, yellow, red, blue). If it’s murky brown, rusty, or has an oily sheen, the inhibitors are exhausted or contamination is present. Visible Sediment or Scale: Grit in the radiator neck or reservoir is a major red flag. Overheating: Often the final act of a system hampered by internal scale or clogged passages. Frequent Low Coolant Levels: (With no visible external leak) Could point to internal corrosion eating away at gaskets or components. Why This Demands a Shop That Evolved with the Science (Like Ours) You can’t properly service a 2020s computer-on-wheels with 1990s knowledge. Coolant service is no longer a “drain and fill.” It requires: 1. Knowledge of the precise OEM specification for your make, model, and year. 2. The Right Tools & Chemistry: We use the same professional-grade diagnostic tools, flush equipment, and approved chemicals the dealerships do. 3. Expertise to correctly diagnose if corrosion has already begun its silent work. At Ric Henry's Auto Service in San Angelo, we’ve evolved right alongside these fluid technologies. Our experienced technicians don’t just change coolant; we perform a comprehensive cooling system service: inspection, testing, correct fluid selection, and a proper exchange. We handle everything from minor fixes to major overhauls, backing all our work with a strong 3-year/36,000-mile warranty for your peace of mind. So, trust the chemical guardians in your coolant. And when it’s time for service, trust your car to the experienced hands at Ric Henry’s Auto Service. After all, in the battle against West Texas heat and metallic decay, you want a pit crew that speaks fluent chemistry.
Struggling with a foggy windshield in San Angelo? Learn how your defrost system works, common issues to watch for, and why regular maintenance at Ric Henry's Auto Service is your key to safe, clear driving.
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