Baldwinsville Auto Repair

  With the extreme high and low temperatures in New York, having functioning heating and air conditioning in your vehicle is a must. As we head into the summer months in Baldwinsville, NY, it is essential to make sure that your car’s air condition (AC) system is ready to cool you down as temperatures rise. But have you ever wondered how your vehicle’s AC system worked?   HOW DOES A VEHICLE’S AC WORK? There are several types of automotive AC systems but the two most common types used are the orifice tube and expansion valve systems. The five primary components to a vehicle’s AC system are the compressor, condenser, accumulator (or receiver-drier), orifice tube (or expansion valve), and evaporator. Here is the basic operation of an AC system: Refrigerant: The AC system is filled with a refrigerant gas known as Freon or R134A. Refrigerant has the ability to change from gas to liquid during compression. R134A is the ... read more

How Often Should I Wash My Car? Washing your car not only helps to preserve the paint and finish but it also aides in keeping rust and corrosion underneath your vehicle at bay. Car washes are as essential to maintaining your vehicle just as a regular oil change is. But how often you should wash your car depends on a number of factors. Answer the following questions to determine the right number of washes for you: What is your weather like? Without a doubt, cold climates will require you to wash your vehicle more frequently. Irregular dirt like salt buildup and other chemical stains in the winter can cause damage to your vehicle’s paint and corrode the metal components of the undercarriage. Dirt, salt and residue can retain moisture leading to rust around car parts and metal components if you don’t wash your car often. Rust and corrosion are very common factors in major auto repairs (even on newer vehicles) that could have been avoided or de ... read more

  VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS Over time, your vehicle will start to experience wear and tear from driving and display signs and symptoms that need attention. Take note if you hear, see, or feel something that is out of the ordinary such as:​ Are there any dashboard warning lights on? Is the check engine light on? If it is, is the light flashing or steady? Is your car is making a squeaking, thumping, whirring, clanging, dragging, or grinding noise ? Is your vehicle driving rough? Do you feel vibration, pulsation or shaking when driving or braking? Do you experience abnormalities at specific speeds- low speeds, highway speeds or all the time? Do you smell fuel, exhaust, burning, smoke, or mold when you are in your vehicle? The information from these questions are important and should be relayed to your auto technician in Baldwinsville, NY. These notes will help the technician narrow down the possible causes to your issue(s). Be sure to explain when these symptoms oc ... read more

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON’T DRIVE YOUR CAR FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME? The last few years have had the world adjusting to a “new normal”. Many people are now working from home or not driving as much as they once were. We are often asked, “Will not driving my car have a negative impact on the engine, engine oil, battery, brakes and tires?” “What can I do to keep my car running smoothly during this transitional time?” Here are some tips to keep your car in top shape, even if you don’t drive it often.   DO I HAVE TO DRIVE MY CAR EVERYDAY?   It is not necessary to drive your car every day. Driving a few times a week can help keep things moving along and prevent running into issues in the near future.   WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CAR SITS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME?   Vehicles that aren’t driven regularly will drain the battery. There are multiple systems that still draw power as a vehicle sits.  Your car’s battery ... read more

    WHAT SHOULD YOU LOOK FOR IN A RELIABLE AUTO REPAIR SHOP?  There are many things to consider when looking for a reliable auto repair shop. Not all auto repair facilities are equipped with the latest in computerized diagnostic equipment, provide honest communication or offer warranties on their parts and services. Here are some factors to keep in mind when selecting a reliable auto repair shop.   WARRANTY- BACKED SERVICES A professional auto repair center will offer reasonable warranties on their parts and services. These warranties show that the company stands behind their work and offers peace of mind to their customers if a part fails or becomes compromised during the warranty period. We recommend that you ask about any warranties available before approving work on your vehicle and learn what steps to take if you have to replace a part under warranty. Certain conditions may apply for a warranty to be valid. Lou’s Car ... read more

  10-minute instant oil changes are convenient when someone is pressed for time, but it doesn’t allow for a thorough check of a vehicle to be done. These “quick lube services” are exactly that- QUICK. Quantity over quality. They typically have more than one person changing your engine oil and filter, topping off fluids, and checking air pressures in your tires. If you’re lucky enough, an experienced lube technician can alert you to a potential problem with your vehicle. These quick oil change centers are not equipped to complete more complex repairs. And would recommend you go to a full-service auto center to have your vehicle repaired.     So why waste your time with an instant oil change when you can have the same service, plus a Multipoint, Digital Vehicle Inspection on your entire vehicle? All this for less than the price at an Express Instant Oil Change Center. At Lou’s, our 3,000-Mile Semi-Synthetic Oil Change Ser ... read more

    October is Fall Car Care Month, an essential time of year dedicated to reminding drivers to get their vehicles ready for the winter. It is important to inspect vital components of a vehicle that are critical for keeping safe and comfortable in the colder weather.      Here are the 10 Fall Vehicle Maintenance items the Car Care Council recommends that will help make sure your vehicle is ready for the colder months ahead: Check Fluids - This includes engine oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluid, windshield wiper solvent, and coolant. Clean and topped off fluids will help make sure that all systems are running smoothly.  Check Hoses and Belts - All hoses should be checked for corrosion and belts should be examined for obvious wear, tears, or frayed edges. A cracked hose or broken belt can cause serious damage to the inside of you ... read more

    We are asked this question a lot! The All-Season Tire was introduced into the marketplace, providing motorists with better Winter Driving Performance than a Summer Tire. And the opportunity to avoid the cost and inconvenience of the biannual Winter Tire changeover. Even though All-Season Tires can provide safe All-Weather Performance, Winter Tires are more efficient once temperatures start to fall.     Advances in tire tread compound and tread design have improved driving performance across the entire spectrum of tires, but especially with respect to Winter Tires. Modern Winter Tires offer up to 50% or more winter traction than All-Seasons. All Tire rubber will begin to stiffen as the weather gets colder, but the latest generations of Winter Tires maintain their elasticity even at extremely low temperatures approaching -22⁰F and below, thus providing superior traction and grip.     Today’s Winter Tires are not only designed to perform ... read more

    Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) is a liquid that helps prevent your engine from freezing or overheating in extreme temperatures. Believe it or not, Baldwinsville, NY has extreme weather. We experience freezing temperatures in the Winter. And boiling temperatures in the Summer.  Antifreeze and Coolant change the freezing and boiling points of water. When Coolant is mixed with water in the vehicle’s Radiator, the water will no longer freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But rather freeze at temperatures colder than -35 degrees Fahrenheit. The boiling point of water alone is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When antifreeze is mixed with water, the boiling point now increases to 223 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to replace most fluids in your vehicle regularly as they will break down more often in areas with extreme weather.       Engine Coolant will break down over time. And lose the ability to help maintain the Engine’s best tempera ... read more