Posted on 9/1/2023
One of the most critical components of your car is the water pump. But what exactly is a water pump, and why is it so essential for your car? A water pump circulates coolant throughout the engine and transfers heat from the engine to the radiator. It maintains a consistent temperature throughout the engine. A water pump consists of a rotor, a housing, and an impeller. The rotor is connected to the engine's crankshaft via a belt. It rotates the impeller inside the housing, which pumps coolant through the engine. Due to a lot of mechanical wear and tear, water pumps tend to fail over time. The most common sign of a failing water pump is visible coolant leakage underneath your car. If you notice a leak, you sho ... read more
Posted on 7/6/2023
A common problem many drivers face is overheating. Serious engine and transmission damage can occur when a vehicle over heats. Learn more about what causes a car to overheat and how to avoid it. Low Coolant Level: Coolant or antifreeze helps keep the engine cool by circulating throughout the engine block and radiator. If there is not enough coolant, the system cannot dissipate heat. This causes the engine to overheat. Check the coolant level often and add more if necessary. Broken Thermostat: The thermostat controls the temperature of the engine. It can cause the engine to overheat or run too cold if it fails. A thermostat can break for reasons, such as corrosion, wear, or a mechanical failure. Have a mechanic replace your thermostat if you think it may be broken. Radiator Problems: The radiator dissipates heat from the engine that the coolant has absorbed. If the radiator is clog ... read more
Posted on 1/17/2023
Regular fluid exchanges are one of the most important types of maintenance items for your vehicle. Clean, specialized liquids are needed to help lubricate and cool parts of your vehicle while driving. Contaminated fluids can cause performance issues and part failures. The different types of fluids in your vehicle will have different maintenance schedules. Learn more about these fluids and when they should be changed. MOTOR OILOil changes are the most common type of fluid exchange on a vehicle. Engine oil lubricates, cleans, and cools engine parts. It can also hold abrasive particles and chemical contaminants in suspension. Regular oil changes are neces ... read more
Posted on 12/13/2022
It’s a crisp winter morning and there’s frost on your car. You climb inside, start the car, and let it warm up. But after a few minutes the heater is still blowing cold air! As frustrating as this may be, this issue is not uncommon. Read on to learn more about the reasons why your car heater could be blowing cold air. How Does My Heater Work? Believe it or not, your heater is part of the cooling system. The cooling system protects your vehicle from overheating. Most cars and trucks have water-cooled engines. Water and a coolant mixture are circulated through a radiator. This helps to transfer heat away from the engine. However, before the hot coolant reaches your radiator, it goes through the heater core. Your car’s heater core is a smaller version of your radiator and is located behind the ... read more
Posted on 10/20/2022
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
Posted on 9/27/2022
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
Posted on 4/27/2022
The Cooling System in your vehicle protects your engine from overheating. The radiator helps to transfer heat away from the engine. And allows the coolant to continue circulating throughout the rest of the system. The coolant helps to lubricate parts and absorb heat. As the coolant circulates through the system, it also picks up dirt and grime. A radiator flush will help rid your car of those contaminants. Our mechanics remove the old coolant and anti-freeze from the system, first. Then, cleaning solutions added to the system remove dirt and impurities. Finally, we add a new and fresh coolant mixture back into the system. If your engine's temperature gauge is higher than normal you may be due for a radiator flush. A broken radiator can leave you stranded. Preventative maintenance will protect your vehicle from having major issues on the road. Lou's ... read more
Posted on 2/9/2019
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) is a liquid that helps prevent your engine from freezing or overheating in extreme temperatures. Believe it or not, Baldwinsville, NY has extreme weather. We experience freezing temperatures in the Winter. And boiling temperatures in the Summer. Antifreeze and Coolant change the freezing and boiling points of water. When Coolant is mixed with water in the vehicle’s Radiator, the water will no longer freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But rather freeze at temperatures colder than -35 degrees Fahrenheit. The boiling point of water alone is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When antifreeze is mixed with water, the boiling point now increases to 223 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important to replace most fluids in your vehicle regularly as they will break down more often in areas with extreme weather. Engine Coolant will break down over time. And lose the ability to help maintain the Engine’s best tempera ... read more