Baldwinsville Auto Repair

When you’re looking for a vehicle or researching engine types, you might ask yourself, "What’s the difference between gasoline and diesel engines?" Both gasoline and diesel engines power vehicles, but they work in very different ways. Let’s break down the key differences to help you decide which is better for your needs, especially when it comes to fuel efficiency, maintenance, and performance.     1. Fuel Type The first major difference is the type of fuel they use. Gasoline engines run on gasoline, which is a lighter fuel that ignites at a lower temperature. Diesel engines use diesel fuel, which is denser, contains more energy per gallon, and ignites through compression rather than a spark. 2. Ignition Process The way each engine ignites the fuel is different. Gasoline engines use spark plugs to ignite the air-fuel mixture ... 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

    An EVAP test is like a checkup for your car to make sure it's not letting out bad stuff into the air. Understanding what it is and how it works is important.  What's the EVAP System?  EVAP stands for Evaporative Emissions Control System. This keeps gas fumes from escaping your car's gas tank. During an EVAP test, a mechanic looks for any holes or leaks in this system.  How Does the EVAP Test Work?  The mechanic first makes sure your gas cap is on tight and then tests your car's fuel system. They even use a machine that blows smoke into your fuel system to find leaks.      Tips to Pass the EVAP Test  To make sure you pass the EVAP test:  1. Always seal your gas cap tightly.  2. Don't drive your car with an almost empty gas tank.  ... read more

    Is your car ready for a New York State (NYS) inspection? It's important to do this for a few good reasons. These inspections help keep our roads safe and lower the harmful stuff that cars put into the air. Let's talk about why you should get an NYS inspection and what goes on when your car gets checked.   It's the law Every car registered in New York has to go through a checkup every year. This makes sure that all cars driving around meet the least amount of safety and clean air rules made by the DMV.     More safety Getting your car inspected in NYS can help make sure you and the people with you are safe. This check looks at really important parts of your car like the brakes, lights, and tires. If something's not working right, they can tell you an ... read more

    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

    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

  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

  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

    Your car will show you which areas of your vehicle need attention through the lights on your dashboard. If your tire pressure is low, the TPMS light will come on. The gas tank light comes on when you’re almost out of gas.  But sometimes, it is not obvious what these lights are trying to tell us. A check engine light can appear on your dash for a variety of reasons. It could mean something simple like a loose gas cap or more complex like your engine is misfiring. So what should you do when your check engine light is on?       Do Not Ignore Any Check Engine Light Clearly, something is a miss if the check engine light is on. Driving with a compromised engine could cause serious damage to different engine components if not assessed in a timely manner. If the check engine light is on steady and not flashing, you can keep driving it a ... read more