Baldwinsville Auto Repair

    Making the decision to repair or replace your car can be tough. On the one hand, you don’t want to sink too much money into an old car – but on the other, you don’t want to spend more than you have to. Before making any decisions, weighing each option’s pros and cons is important. Let’s break it down for customers looking for guidance.   Assessing Your Car’s Condition The first thing to do before deciding whether to fix or get rid of your car is to assess its condition. If your car is newer and still under warranty, many repairs may be covered by the manufacturer. And that makes it easier to decide whether to keep it or not. If it’s an older model, other things need to be taken into account. Consider how much money you have already invested in repairs versus how much longer you think the car will last if fixed again. Inv ... read more

  Owning a car can be a great joy, but it is also important to understand the basics of vehicle maintenance. One component that is often overlooked is the tie rod. This plays an important role in your car’s steering system. Learn more about what a tie rod is and why it is so important for both safety and performance. What Is a Tie Rod? A tie rod is a metal bar that connects two parts of your vehicle’s steering system together. It helps to keep your wheels aligned. And ensures that the movement of one wheel is transferred to the other wheel. This keeps you driving straight or turning in the direction you want. The tie rod also helps to absorb some of the impacts from bumps in the road. Or sudden shifts in weight as passengers get into or out of the ... read more

  Lou’s Car Care is a full-service, independent auto repair shop in Baldwinsville, NY. We repair all makes and models of vehicles including European product lines.  Just like humans, automobiles need checkups from time to time. Our certified auto technicians can complete routine oil changes, new tires, brake and rotor replacements, and alignments. We can also handle more in-depth concerns such as engine diagnostics, heat or a/c malfunctions, and electrical issues. Germany is well known for producing quality vehicles that last a lifetime. Audi, BMW, Mercede ... read more

    Vehicle maintenance at regular intervals helps keep your car in proper working order. And can prevent expensive repairs down the road. Even the most well-maintained cars will experience unexpected service problems. But it is better to be proactive rather than reactive. Keeping detailed service records can also help boost your car’s value when you decide to sell it or trade it in. Failing to follow preventative maintenance guidelines could even void your car’s warranty. Use this guide to learn about common maintenance recommendations.   3,000 – 5,000 miles – Oil Change   An Oil Change is the most standard maintenance service for every car owner. An oil change every 3,000 - 5,000 miles is essential for keeping the key parts of your engine working properly. We recommend having your tires rotated every 5,000 miles to ensu ... read more

  Tires are one of the maintenance items on a car that should be monitored regularly. Driving on worn tires is a safety hazard and could lead to additional complications with your vehicle down the road. If you’re getting ready to buy new tires, follow these 5 tips to find out how to choose tires that will fit your car and won’t break the bank.   Tip #1: Check Your Owner’s Manual Your Owner’s Manual is a treasure trove of information for your vehicle. The manual will tell you the appropriate size and specifications of tires for your car. You can also find this information on a placard on the inside of the driver’s side door. Do not look at the sidewall of your existing tires. They may not be the same size of tire that originally came on your car or truck. Putting the right size tire on your car ensures that the speedometer will be accurate. And the proper loads will be placed on the transmission and other driveline components ... read more

    Many people confuse tire alignment with tire balancing and vice versa. While both services provide a smoother and seamless ride, these two services are not the same. Here's what you need to know about their differences. What is a Tire Alignment? Tire alignments (wheel alignments) are adjustments made to a vehicle's suspension system. This is where the vehicle connects to its wheels. This is not a change to the tires themselves. Our mechanics adjust the wheel angles to make sure the tires are making proper contact with the road.  What are the Signs of Misalignment? Uneven Tread Wear Vehicle Pulling to the Left or Right Steering Wheel is Off-Center When Driving Straight Steering Wheel Vibration Squealing Tires What is Tire Balancing? A tire balancing service ensures the tire has an even weight distribution. And is usually performed along with a tire alignment service. Weight imbalances of just an oun ... read more

Why Do I Have To Rotate and Balance My Tires?   Tire rotations and balancing are often overlooked when it comes to auto maintenance services. While they may seem unimportant, these services are extremely beneficial to the health of your tires. Regularly balanced and rotated tires prevent uneven tire wear and ensure that your tires last longer overall.   WHAT IS A TIRE ROTATION? A tire rotation is when your tires are moved from one position to another. For example, a front tire is moved to the back and vice versa. This helps to ensure that the wear on all of the tires stays even over a period of time.    WHAT IS TIRE BALANCING? Tire balancing adjusts the tire mounting to ensure that all tires are equally balanced so one side of the tire doesn't have more pressure than the other. It is another way to make sure that your tires wear evenly.   These two services can increase the longevit ... read more

  Top Tips To Make Your Used Car Last Sudden and unexpected challenges plagued the new and used car markets over the last few years. Vehicle prices have increased while inventory has diminished. Many car owners are asking themselves, “Should I buy a new car now or wait?”. If buying another car now is not in the cards for you, check out these top tips to make your vehicle last a little longer.   FOLLOW YOUR FACTORY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Sticking to a 30k/60k/90k mile maintenance schedule is key for making your car last for years to come. Routine maintenance is a must as parts and components will wear down and require replacement over time. Lou’s Car Care provides a multi-point, Digital Vehicle Inspection at every visit to keep you informed of all your vehicle’s needs. Our Service Team will work with you to develop a maintenance plan with your budget in mind.   PROPER FLUID MAINTENANCE Your vehic ... read more

What Is The Difference Between Shocks and Struts? Many people describe shocks and struts interchangeably, but they have some major differences, even while serving similar functions. Since they play an integral role in keeping your wheels connected to the road and driving smoothly, it is important to know some of the basics. It can also be helpful to know what could go wrong with these parts.   The Differences Between Shocks and Struts You may have heard these two parts discussed as if they were essentially the same, but they are designed differently. A strut is connected to a vehicle’s suspension system structurally and is a crucial part of the steering system. It also contains its own coil spring, which is part of the reason why a strut is more expensive.   A shock is a hydraulic piston, with liquid or gas inside, that dampens movement. Shocks do not support the weight of the vehicle like struts do and are often used with the rear wh ... 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