Baldwinsville Auto Repair

  Car insurance is designed to protect you financially in the event of an accident or other damage to your vehicle, but understanding when repairs are covered can be confusing. Not all repairs fall under the umbrella of your insurance policy. Knowing what is covered and what isn’t can help you avoid surprises when you need to file a claim. Understanding the Different Types of Car Insurance Before diving into what repairs are covered, it’s essential to understand the different types of car insurance policies and what each one typically covers: Liability Insurance: Covers damage you cause to other people or property. It doesn’t cover repairs to your own vehicle. Collision Insurance: Covers damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision, regardless of who is at fault Comprehensive Insurance: Covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, fire, or natural disasters Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage ... read more

    Ever wondered what to do when your car starts acting up, making weird noises, or just not driving like it used to? Well, the usual move is to head to the mechanic, right? But what if, even after the mechanic's thorough check, the problem isn't clear? That's where drivability diagnostics steps in. Let's break down what drivability diagnostics really are and how they come to the rescue. Drivability diagnostics is basically a fancy term for a process that figures out what's going wonky with your car's performance. Picture this: there are special tools involved, kind of like the car doctor's toolkit, used to figure out problems in key areas like the engine, transmission, and fuel system.     Now, t ... read more

    Making the decision to repair or replace your car can be tough. On the one hand, you don’t want to sink too much money into an old car – but on the other, you don’t want to spend more than you have to. Before making any decisions, weighing each option’s pros and cons is important. Let’s break it down for customers looking for guidance.   Assessing Your Car’s Condition The first thing to do before deciding whether to fix or get rid of your car is to assess its condition. If your car is newer and still under warranty, many repairs may be covered by the manufacturer. And that makes it easier to decide whether to keep it or not. If it’s an older model, other things need to be taken into account. Consider how much money you have already invested in repairs versus how much longer you think the car will last if fixed again. Inv ... read more

  If your vehicle is shaking or vibrating when idling, it could be due to a variety of reasons. In some cases, the issue may be minor, such as a loose part or an engine misfire. It is important to look into this issue as soon as possible as it could indicate a more serious problem. Let’s take a look at some of the potential causes and why they are problematic.   Common Causes of a Vehicle Shaking When Idling Worn Spark Plugs Worn spark plugs can lead to decreased fuel efficiency or increased exhaust emissions. Sometimes power loss. This is due to inadequate combustion in the engine cylinders.   Engine Misfire An engine misfire can also be caused by worn spark plugs where only some of the cylinders fire correctly. This leads to an uneven running engine that shakes at idle. A misfiring cylinder can also cause poor fuel economy and increased emissions. Loose Parts Another common cause of vibration while idling is due to loose parts. This includes ... read more

    Take Advantage Of These Tire Rebates! New Year, New Tires… right?!  Save money when you buy four select tires from these manufacturers:       GOODYEAR SPECIAL OFFER - EXPIRES 6/30/23:   CONTINENTAL SPECIAL OFFER - EXPIRES 6/30/23:   BRIDGESTONE SPECIAL OFFER - EXPIRES 7/6/23:   COOPER TIRES SPECIAL OFFER - EXPIRES 7/31/23:   HANKOOK TIRE SPECIAL OFFER - EXPIRES 6/30/23:   Need new tires? We can help! Lou’s Car Care is the right choice for your all-season tire needs. Proudly serving the Baldwinsville, NY, and surrounding communities since 1976. Call us or schedule your next appointment online today!   ... 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

  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

    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