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

    Driving in rainy conditions can be a challenge, especially when you're faced with hydroplaning. Hydroplaning happens when your car's tires are unable to grip the wet roadway. And causes it to slip and slide around. This can be a dangerous situation, especially at high speeds. So, what can you do to stop your car from hydroplaning? Here are some helpful tips to keep you safe while driving in the rain. Slow down: The first and most important thing you can do to prevent hydroplaning is to slow down. The faster you're driving, the more likely it is for your tires to lose traction. If you notice rain or standing water on the roadway, immediately reduce your speed. This will give your tires more time to grip the road and prevent hydroplaning. Check your tires: Your tires are the only part of your car that comes into contact with the road. That's why it's importan ... read more

  Have you ever experienced your car pulling to one side while driving? This can be a frustrating and even dangerous problem. Pulling can cause premature wear and tear on your tires. This can lead to reduced fuel economy and compromising your driving experience. To ensure a safe and comfortable drive, it is important to understand why your car is pulling to one side. Learn more about the reasons behind this problem and what you can do to to fix them.   Wheel Alignment Issues One of the most common reasons for your car pulling to one side is related to wheel alignment issues. Your car's wheel alignment can be thrown off by several factors such as hitting a curb, potholes, or worn out steering components. When this happens, the alignment of the wheels can become misaligned. This can lead to uneven wear on the tires and pulling to one side. A simple alignment service can help get you back on track in no time.     Uneven Tire Wear Your tires play a critical role ... read more

    Low-profile tires are becoming popular among drivers who want to improve the performance and look of their vehicles. But what exactly are low-profile tires, and why are they so beneficial? Let's take a closer look at what these tires have to offer.     What Are Low Profile Tires? Low-profile tires are sometimes referred to as "low-pro" or "high-performance" tires. They have a short sidewall height compared to other standard tire sizes. This means that the distance between the wheel rim and the tread is shorter than it is on regular tires. This gives the tire a lower profile—hence the name—and makes it appear larger in diameter than it actually is.   What Are The Benefits Of Low Profile Tires? The benefits of having low-profile tires can range from improved performance to better road handling. A ... read more

  When was the last time you checked your spare tire? Does your vehicle even have one? Many people go years without needing to use their spare tire, and some may never use theirs at all. It is important to check the air pressure in your spare along with your other four tires. Learn more about the best ways to care for your spare and keep you safe on the road.     How Long Do Spare Tires Last? Most spare tires last up to ten years. If your spare is stored outside of or underneath your vehicle, you’ll want to check it’s condition more often. Harsh weather and road salt can corrode security bolts making it a challenge to remove the spare. We recommend removing your spare tire at least once a year to ensure it’s accessibility. You’ll also want to inspect the tire for any dry rot or cracking. This can be done when checking the tire pressur ... 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

  Why is my TPMS light on? There is always a level of concern that we feel whenever we are driving down the road and we hear that little “ding” and see that something has lit up on the dashboard. Is it a small, easily fixed problem coming up, or something much worse? One indicator that you might see light up is the TPMS, or tire pressure monitoring system. If you have not seen it before, it looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point in it. When the TPMS light comes on it means one of two things; either your tire pressure is too high, or it is too low in one or more of your tires. Let’s talk about what you should do when this happens.   Check the recommended tire pressure for your car Your car should have a recommended pressure for your front and wheel tires written on the doorjam of the driver’s door. If not, check your vehicle’s manual for the correct numbers. Sometimes, the front tire pressure is meant ... read more