Baldwinsville Auto Repair

  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

  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

  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

    With today’s changing automotive environment, many people question repairing their vehicles. Your car’s exhaust system does so much more than keep your vehicle quiet. It helps your engine run, reduces emissions, and directs exhaust fumes away from the cabin. The exhaust system is closer to the ground and more vulnerable to moisture and debris from the road.  Repair costs on damaged or worn-out exhaust components vary. But waiting too long to make these repairs can be very expensive in the long run. Here are some items to keep in mind if you think your car, truck, or SUV is experiencing exhaust issues.   RUST When any type of water or vapor sits in your exhaust system for too long, it causes a corrosive effect. Water reacts with the iron in steel and creates iron oxide called rust. If you often make short trips in your car, the moisture in the exhaust system cannot get hot enough to vaporize. The standing water in your exhaust sys ... read more

  Out of all the buttons, levers, and switches in your vehicle, the parking brake is the feature that you most likely commonly overlook. The parking brake is also known as the emergency brake, e-brake, or handbrake. And is more important than you think. Find out how often you should be engaging your e-brake and why. How Does The Parking Brake Work? The parking brake is part of your vehicle’s overall braking system. It is a vital part of keeping your car from moving after you’ve parked it. The emergency brake was originally designed to be the secondary braking mechanism that would stop your vehicle if your main braking system failed. The parking brake will press against your rear brakes with less force than the primary braking system. Many people use the parking brake to keep their car in place when parked, especially on hills or steep inclines. When you shift your car into “Park”, you engage a device called the parking pawl. The pawl is a ... read more

  Technology is advancing every day, especially in the automotive industry. By staying ahead of the curve, we are able to provide you with exceptional automotive service. That is why we offer Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVI). The DVI is like a report card for your vehicle. It shows you the complete condition of your car. The DVI also includes photos, so you can see what we see. And keep you informed every step of the way. We want to educate you on the inner workings of your car so you can make informed decisions on the repairs that may need to be done. Our highly skilled technicians use tablets to digitally inspect your vehicle. They visually look for areas that may need to be repaired or replaced. The technicians are able to take pictures, recommend work that may need to be done and add detailed notes to explain their findings. Some photos ... read more

  , A clunking, rattling, or squeaking noise from your front end while driving can be annoying and unnerving. Oftentimes, this noisy symptom means there is a problem with your vehicle’s suspension system. These sounds typically occur when driving over uneven surfaces, bumps, or potholes. Here are some of the potential causes for the clunking noises you hear while driving. Loose Control Arms Control arms connect the frame of the vehicle to the wheel hub assembly or steering knuckle. They move up and down with a spring when your car hits a bump or road irregularity. Control arms are part of the suspension system. They allow the tires to maintain full contact with the road at all times. One of the earliest signs of a loose or damaged control arm is hearing a clunking or popping sound when you drive over uneven roads. This sound can also be heard when you speed up or slow down while driving.   Worn Ball Joints Ball joints are one of t ... read more

  Regular oil changes and scheduled maintenance are important in keeping your car, truck, or SUV in top shape. But do you know what the consequences are when you don’t keep up with your oil changes? Here are the top 3 signs your vehicle may have an oil leak. Motor oil moves through a running engine and allows all the parts and components to work together smoothly. Your engine oil becomes dirty and filled with contaminants over time. This contaminated oil will begin to cause the engine parts to rub together and wear down. Motor oil will eventually make its way through any pockets, holes, and broken seals caused by the friction of the dirty oil. And will begin leaking out.     Signs Of An Oil LeakDark Brown/ Black Puddles Under Your Car Dark fluid dripping from un ... read more

    One of the most common transmission issues you can have is a slipping transmission. Slipping occurs when the transmission tries to change gear but falls back into the gear it was previously in. Or drops into neutral. Slipping doesn’t necessarily mean that your transmission is about to fail. But it is a sign that it is in serious need of service or repair.  Schedule an appointment as soon as you can with a mechanic who can look into your issue. Symptoms of A Slipping Transmission The source of a transmission slip can be caused by various reasons. Diagnosing the issue can be a challenge, but here are some common signs to look for: Automatic Transmission Transmission tries to upshift, then falls back into a lower gear Transmission refuses to upshift Hard/rough gear changes Unusual noises when shifting Engine RPMs increase when stepping on the gas, but the vehicle speed doesn’t Check Engine Light is on Manual ... read more