Baldwinsville Auto Repair

    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

    It is an incredible honor to announce that Lou’s Car Care Center, Inc. has won AAA’s 2021 Top Shop Award. This marks Lou’s Car Care’s 15th Top Shop award for Outstanding Performance in Total Customer Satisfaction over the last 20 years. Every day, the team at Lou’s Car Care strives to provide their customers with safe, reliable and trustworthy auto care. AAA has been an amazing resource over the years and our team is so proud to be affiliated with such a prestigious organization.       AAA (American Automobile Association) is the cornerstone of excellence in the automotive industry. It was founded in 1902 in response to the lack of suitable roads for automobiles. 1,500 members from nine motor clubs assembled together to form AAA. Many people know Triple A as the “knights in shining armor” who help you in times of motor vehicle needs. But did you know that Triple A has a program that partners with qualifying auto ... read more

    All states have window tint percentage laws. These window tint laws were created to help protect law enforcement. Having tinted windows in New York is not illegal, however, there are specific rules for different types of vehicles. Learn more about the window tint laws and see if your vehicle’s tint is lawful.     Why Do People Tint Their Car Windows? You have probably seen window tints on most cars and trucks, whether your are on your way to work, school or the grocery store. Some vehicles come with tinted windows right from the factory and others are put on by the current owner (aftermarket). Factory tinted glass contains pigments and dyes that are mixed into the glass during manufacturing. This darkens the glass and prevents a percentage of visible light from passing through. Aftermarket window tint is a film, made from multiple layers of polyester, that is applied to windows. This film contains metal particles, dyes and pigments to co ... 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

    Your car, truck, or SUV is likely one of the most expensive items you own. Routine maintenance is important in prolonging the life of your vehicle. And protecting your investment. Air filters are common maintenance items that are often overlooked. However, they are necessary in order to keep your vehicle performing at its best. Do you know the four main filters to change in your car? Learn more about these filters and why they are essential to the long-term health of your vehicle. All vehicles have four, main filters that should be replaced regularly. The air filter, cabin filter, oil filter, and fuel filter catch impurities and contaminants within the systems they are located. When one or more of these filters becomes clogged, it can cause issues with your vehicle and affect its performance. What Is An Oil Filter?     Oil filters trap contaminants such as dirt, metallic particles, and oxidized oil that can become suspended in the motor oil ... 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 maintenance services performed on a vehicle is an oil change. Typically, you’d get an oil change every 3,000 - 5,000 miles. But do you know if your car takes Full Synthetic or Synthetic Blend Oil? Here’s what you need to know about the two types of motor oils. Motor oil pumps through a running engine via small passages called galleries. It lubricates, cleans, and cools engine parts. It also holds abrasive particles and chemical contaminants in suspension. Regular oil changes are necessary to keep your engine running smoothly. Synthetic Blend Oil Synthetic Blend motor oil is a mixture of synthetic and conventional base oils. Synthetic blends offer better performance and protection than you would get with a conventional oil alone. This type of oil also offers extra protection against changing temperatures. And is not as susceptible to evaporation as conventional oils. Ful ... read more

    Wheel locks are locking lug nuts on each wheel that contain theft-deterring sockets. They are just like standard lug nuts but require a wheel lock key to be removed. Each set of wheel locks has its own key.     Wheel lock keys are unique sockets that match the pattern on your wheel locks. Your tire, rim, and wheel cannot be easily removed without the wheel lock key. These locks are used to deter criminals from stealing your wheels only- not your car. What Happens If You Lose Your Wheel Lock Key? A dealer or manufacturer can replace the key if you have the code to your wheel lock key. Sometimes, you can order a replacement online if you have the brand, make, or model of your wheel locks. If all else fails, you will have to pay a professional to have your wheel locks removed.     Some wheel locks can be removed without a key. By using special sockets that dig into the metal grip on the outside of the wheel lock, they then can be twist ... read more