Baldwinsville Auto Repair

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

    One of the most common transmission issues you can have is a slipping transmission. Slipping occurs when the transmission tries to change gear but falls back into the gear it was previously in. Or drops into neutral. Slipping doesn’t necessarily mean that your transmission is about to fail. But it is a sign that it is in serious need of service or repair.  Schedule an appointment as soon as you can with a mechanic who can look into your issue. Symptoms of A Slipping Transmission The source of a transmission slip can be caused by various reasons. Diagnosing the issue can be a challenge, but here are some common signs to look for: Automatic Transmission Transmission tries to upshift, then falls back into a lower gear Transmission refuses to upshift Hard/rough gear changes Unusual noises when shifting Engine RPMs increase when stepping on the gas, but the vehicle speed doesn’t Check Engine Light is on Manual ... read more

      A wheel bearing is an important part of a vehicle’s braking, steering, and suspension systems. It is the component that connects the wheel to the axle and allows the wheel to turn. A wheel bearing is a set of steel ball bearings or tapers that are tightly packed in a grease-filled metal ring. They are engineered to support the entire weight of the vehicle and enable the wheel to rotate smoothly with minimum friction.   Why Do Wheel Bearings Fail?     Wheel bearings can fail for a variety of reasons and can also be damaged. They are especially vulnerable if you hit a tall curb, pothole, or speed bump at a high speed. If water, road salt, or mud gets past the waterproof seal and touches the bearings, it will contaminate the grease and cause the bearings to wear down and break prematurely.           Top Warning Signs Your Wheel Bearings Need ReplacementNoise While Driving ... 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

    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

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

    Why Won't My Car Start? You never realize just how important your vehicle is until it doesn't start. You use it constantly to drive to work, pick up the kids from soccer practice, get groceries, and so much more. So when your vehicle suddenly stops working- you PANIC! "Why Won't My Car Turn On?", you shout! There are a lot of reasons why your car won't turn over, but some are more common than others. Here are the top 3 reasons why your car may not start.   Dead Battery     A Dead Battery is the most common reason why a vehicle won't start. The battery is responsible for providing electrical power to your entire vehicle and its electrical components such as the lights, radio, and so on. The alternator charges your battery while your car is running. If your battery is not adequately charged, you will not be able to start your car. So ... read more

Why Do I Have To Rotate and Balance My Tires?   Tire rotations and balancing are often overlooked when it comes to auto maintenance services. While they may seem unimportant, these services are extremely beneficial to the health of your tires. Regularly balanced and rotated tires prevent uneven tire wear and ensure that your tires last longer overall.   WHAT IS A TIRE ROTATION? A tire rotation is when your tires are moved from one position to another. For example, a front tire is moved to the back and vice versa. This helps to ensure that the wear on all of the tires stays even over a period of time.    WHAT IS TIRE BALANCING? Tire balancing adjusts the tire mounting to ensure that all tires are equally balanced so one side of the tire doesn't have more pressure than the other. It is another way to make sure that your tires wear evenly.   These two services can increase the longevit ... read more

  Top Tips To Make Your Used Car Last Sudden and unexpected challenges plagued the new and used car markets over the last few years. Vehicle prices have increased while inventory has diminished. Many car owners are asking themselves, “Should I buy a new car now or wait?”. If buying another car now is not in the cards for you, check out these top tips to make your vehicle last a little longer.   FOLLOW YOUR FACTORY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE Sticking to a 30k/60k/90k mile maintenance schedule is key for making your car last for years to come. Routine maintenance is a must as parts and components will wear down and require replacement over time. Lou’s Car Care provides a multi-point, Digital Vehicle Inspection at every visit to keep you informed of all your vehicle’s needs. Our Service Team will work with you to develop a maintenance plan with your budget in mind.   PROPER FLUID MAINTENANCE Your vehic ... read more

How Do I Save Money On Gas?Let’s improve your fuel economy. Gas prices have risen significantly in recent months, along with inflation. We are all familiar with that feeling of shock as we watch the numbers on the pump climb higher and higher. That leaves many of us wondering, “How can I avoid the gas station for as long as possible?” Luckily, there are simple ways to improve your fuel economy and prolong the life of gas in your vehicle. These tips fall under two main categories; maintenance and driving practices. Maintenance tips to improve fuel economy Preventing wear and tear on your vehicle can have a positive effect on its efficiency. If you want to avoid wasting gas and throwing money away at the pump, pay attention to the following factors. Tire maintenance The condition of your tires is a strong indicator of fuel efficiency. First, you want to be sure that your tires are the perfect fit f ... read more