Baldwinsville Auto Repair

    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

  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

Windshield wipers help you see while driving in adverse conditions. They remove water, snow, dust, and other debris from your windshield. Replacing your wipers regularly is an important step in your vehicle maintenance process. How often you should change your wiper blades depends on many factors. The general, industry recommendation is to replace your wiper blades every 6 to 12 months. Areas with extreme temperatures can alter how often you change your wipers. Find out how you can drive safer and prevent damaging your windshield glass. How Often Should I Change My Wiper Blades? Most wiper blade makers recommend replacing your wipers every 6-12 months. AAA advises that it should be done at least once a year. Your windshield wiper blades are made of thin rubber which will break down over time. At Lou’s Car Care, your wiper blades are inspected at every oil change service. Our technicians keep an eye on the cond ... 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

  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

    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