Baldwinsville Auto Repair

    Is your car ready for a New York State (NYS) inspection? It's important to do this for a few good reasons. These inspections help keep our roads safe and lower the harmful stuff that cars put into the air. Let's talk about why you should get an NYS inspection and what goes on when your car gets checked.   It's the law Every car registered in New York has to go through a checkup every year. This makes sure that all cars driving around meet the least amount of safety and clean air rules made by the DMV.     More safety Getting your car inspected in NYS can help make sure you and the people with you are safe. This check looks at really important parts of your car like the brakes, lights, and tires. If something's not working right, they can tell you an ... read more

    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

  Fall Car Care is important as the colder weather rolls into Baldwinsville and Central New York. Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on your vehicle’s battery. The cold temperatures weaken the battery by slowing down the chemical reactions inside it. This can make your battery harder to run. Frigid temperatures will also put strain your battery while trying to warm up a cold engine. Here are a few tips to help you maintain you car’s battery through the holiday and winter seasons. 1. Watch For Signs Of A Bad Battery Slow engine cranking  Having to jump start your car frequently Dimming lights (headlights or interior lights) A Check Engine Light or Battery Light on your Dashboard 2. Have Your Battery Tested At Lou’s Car Care, we can help you with the most accurate way to te ... 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

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

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

  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