Baldwinsville Auto Repair

  Tires play a critical role in keeping you safe on the road. It is important to maintain your tires and check their levels of wear and tear periodically. Tire tread depth is an essential feature of tire maintenance that every vehicle owner should know. It is the measurement of the space between the top of the tire tread and the bottom of the groove that runs around the circumference of the tire. Learn more about the importance of tire tread depth, and how it impacts your safety on the road. Better Traction and Grip: Tire tread depth plays a crucial role in maintaining traction and grip on the road. The tire tread grooves are designed to channel water, snow, or mud from the tire's contact patch with the road. This helps in maintaining traction, stability, and control while driving. Tires with adequate tread depth provide better grip on wet, slippery, uneven roads ... read more

If your car brakes are sticking, it can make driving a nerve-wracking experience. You press the brake pedal and nothing happens—or worse yet, it takes too long for the brakes to kick in! What’s going on? Let’s take a look at the possible causes of this issue so you can get back on the road with confidence.   What Causes Brake Stickiness? The most common cause of brake stickiness is moisture or debris that has become lodged in the components of your braking system. When moisture accumulates inside your brakes, it can corrode the components and cause your brakes to stick. Debris, such as dirt or rocks, can also accumulate in your braking system and cause your brakes to stick. In some cases, it may be necessary to open up the brake drums or calipers and clean them out to prevent them from sticking again. Another common cause of sticky br ... read more

    For car owners, power steering is an absolute must. It makes driving easier and safer. And also provides extra control when maneuvering tight corners or reversing into a space. But what exactly is power steering and how does it work? Let’s look at the basics of power steering, its benefits, and why it's essential for any car owner.     What Is Power Steering? Power steering is a system that uses hydraulic pressure to aid in the turning of a vehicle’s wheels. This pressure is generated by a pump that is powered by the engine. Which then forces fluid through hoses to the steering gear assembly. This assembly turns the wheels in response to driver input from the steering wheel. In essence, power steering makes turning your car much easier than it would be otherwise. Without power steering, drivers would have to put considerable effort into turni ... read more

    You’ve probably heard of serpentine belts before, but do you know what they actually do? Serpentine belts are an important part of your car's engine. And can drastically impact its performance. Let’s take a look at the purpose of a serpentine belt and why it’s so crucial for your car.   The Basics of Serpentine Belts A serpentine belt is a long, flexible belt that wraps around several components in the engine, such as: The crankshaft pulley Alternator pulley Power steering pump   The belt is driven by the crankshaft pulley, which connects to the engine’s main crankshaft. As the crankshaft spins, it turns the belt, which in turn drives all the other components in the engine.     What Are The Benefits of a Serpentine Belt? The serpentine belt drives many components at once instead of needing separate belts for each com ... read more

    Most people know that cars require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. One of the most important maintenance tasks is getting a tune-up. But what exactly is a tune-up, and how often should you get one? Let’s take a look.   What Is A Tune-Up? A tune-up is like an oil change for your car's engine. It’s an inspection and service of your vehicle's major systems. This includes: Spark Plugs FiltersFluids Fuel Injection System Timing Belt Ignition Wires Hoses   Auto technicians may also adjust settings such as idle speed, valve clearance, and ignition timing. The frequency with which you need to get a tune-up will vary depending on the make and model ... 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

    Whether you’re a car enthusiast or an average driver, it’s essential to understand the importance of brake fluid in your vehicle. Brake fluid is a crucial part of your car’s braking system. It helps ensure that your brakes are working when they need to. Learn more about what brake fluid is and how it works.   What Is Brake Fluid? Brake fluid is a hydraulic liquid found in the hydraulic brake system of cars and other vehicles. It is designed to send force from the brake pedal through the brake lines to the brakes themselves. The pressure created by pressing on the pedal forces the brake fluid through small passages in the brakes. This causes them to clamp down on the discs or drums and stop the car. Without brake fluid, your brakes would not be able to perform as they should.   How Does Brake Fluid Work? Brake fluid works by forcing pressure through lines that run from one end of your vehicle to another. When ... read more

    If you’re in the market for a used car, you want to make sure that you’re getting a good deal. To do that, it’s important to get a pre-purchase vehicle inspection. This is an extensive evaluation of the vehicle before you complete the sale. It checks all major systems of the car. And can be used to determine if there are any problems with the car that could affect its performance or value.   What’s Included in a Pre-Purchase Vehicle Inspection? A pre-purchase vehicle inspection includes a comprehensive evaluation of the car. This includes checking the engine, transmission, brakes, and steering components. As well as the s ... read more

  Timing belts are a common vehicle maintenance item and can wear out over time or break without warning. Your car’s engine relies on the timing belt to stay in sync. The timing belt ensures that everything in your engine operates smoothly and keeps you safe while driving. Find out how your timing belt works and when to replace it. What Is A Timing Belt? Your timing belt is made of rubber and has hard “teeth” that connect with gearwheels in the camshafts and crankshaft. The camshafts and crankshaft on a combustible engine work together to control the intake of fuel and the release of exhaust fumes. The timing belt is responsible for synchronizing the operations of the crankshaft and camshafts. If the engine components do not work in unison, your engine could experience loss of pressure, poor combustion, and power loss. This can result in costly repairs.     Your car may have a timing chain instead of a timing belt, depending on your ... read more

    Washer fluid is especially helpful in Baldwinsville, NY during the winter months. Road salt, dirt and slush spray on to your windshield from vehicles in front of you while driving. Or when pollen coats your windows in the spring. Many of us have been in a pinch after the washer fluid has run out and thought, “Can I use water instead of washer fluid?” The answer depends on your local driving area. Learn more about the pros and cons of water vs. windshield washer fluid. Clear visibility is important for safe driving. While water does clean your windshield, it isn’t as effective as washer fluid. The fluid contains solvents that loosen and clean dirt and debris on your windshield. Water will likely smear the dirt and grime. Water freezes and could cause damage to your tank and fluid lines. Washer fluid has anti-freezing properties that can be used during freezing temperatures. Bacteria and microbes can grow in the washer fluid reservoir if you use water ... read more