Baldwinsville Auto Repair

    What Does It Mean To Be a AAA Approved Auto Repair Shop? We are so grateful to have won the 2020 AAA Top Shop Award for Outstanding Performance in Total Customer Satisfaction. Lou’s Car Care has earned 14 Top Shop Awards over the last two decades and we are committed to providing our loyal customers with quality auto repair while delivering best-in-class customer service. As a AAA Approved Auto Repair Shop, we can assure you that we have met the strict guidelines set in place by AAA in order to provide you with top-notch automotive services.   Why Being a AAA Approved Auto Shop Matters It is important to find an auto repair shop that provides honest and reliable service. The Automobile Association of America (AAA) is a leader in the travel safety and security industry. AAA doesn’t certify just any shop- the repair facility must meet specific standards and requirements for AAA’s approval. Here is list of qualific ... read more

WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY BRAKES? We all want to take care of ourselves and our families when we hit the road. The functionality of your brakes is critical when it comes to vehicle safety, so it is important to know about the potential issues that you might face with your braking system. Some damage is the result of normal wear and tear over time, but it can also result from poor driving habits.  Here are a few things to watch out for while driving your car to be sure that your brakes are performing optimally and keeping everyone in the vehicle safe.   SCREECHING OR GRATING SOUNDS WHILE BRAKING Over the course of your vehicle’s lifetime, the brake pads will become worn down. The easiest way to identify this problem is a loud and often high-pitched screeching that occurs whenever you apply the brakes. The sound is a result of the metal-on-metal friction that the pads protect against when slowing down. It’s time to bring your car in t ... read more

WHY ARE MY HEADLIGHTS HAZY? Most vehicle’s on the road today have polycarbonate plastic headlights. This strong plastic is made to handle tough road conditions without breaking. Overtime, exposure to UV light from the sun oxidizes the clear top coat on the headlight lens causing them to become hazy and turn yellow. Dirt, chemicals, and debris, like road salt, can also scratch and wear down the top coat, dulling the lens. Condensation can also form inside the headlight if there is a break or tear in the watertight seal around the lens or if the lens is cracked. However, unlike burned-out bulbs, cloudy headlights don’t always need to be replaced. Skilled auto detailers can restore hazy headlights to like-new condition.   HOW CAN I KEEP MY HEADLIGHTS FROM TURNING YELLOW? Regular car washes are recommended to clean off dirt and chemicals that can promote fogging on the headlight lens. Wash the headlights well with automotive soap to remove ... read more

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 common ... 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