Burnt Hills Auto Repair

Most people know the importance of changing the oil regularly to keep their vehicles running smoothly. However, few think of the coolant system, the water pump, and their role in keeping them safe on the road. The water pump ensures that the coolant runs consistently through the hoses, engine block, and radiator, ensuring that each is kept at a safe temperature. Unfortunately, if the water pump is not working right, the engine will overheat in summer or freeze during winter. This damages cylinder heads, gaskets, and pistons and, eventually, the death of the entire engine. Here are some signs that a pump is failing: Leaking Coolant: If you find a puddle of the coolant where you have parked your car, this may point to a faulty water pump. Various seals and gaskets in the water pump may break, crack or dry out, letting the coolant out of the pump. If you see a puddle of pink, orange, blue, or green liquid on the spot you had parked the car, take it to a repair shop. Dust buildup on the ... read more

Taking proper care of your car means taking it in for routine maintenance every now and then. If this is your first car or you're just not sure what maintenance services are most important to keep on top of, here is a reference for you: Oil Checking your oil every month is an essential part of maintaining your vehicle. you should find out what type of motor oil is best for your car. You can ask a mechanic for this information. Tires You need to check the air pressure in your tires. If they don't have enough air in them, it increases the likelihood of a blowout but if they're too inflated, they have less traction. You also need to rotate them to get the most use out of them in the long run. Fluids There are several fluids that you should check for leaks and refill, if necessary: Brake fluid Oil Power steering fluid Coolant/antifreeze Transmission fluid Air Filter Your air filter might get wet and harbor bacteria or mold that will spray into the car when you turn ... read more

Driving your car through a low transmission fluid level is dangerous to you and the vehicle. Failure to top up the fluid is a hazard that might cause extreme damage to the transmission, the engine, and essential components that keep the car running. What is Transmission Fluid Most people have no idea what transmission fluid is and how it functions. The transmission fluid is the fluid that lubricates the transmission, the gears, the bearings, and metal parts of a manual or automatic gearbox. It keeps the parts from grinding down during movement, ensuring they don't eat away and tear. In an automatic transmission, the transmission fluid causes lubrication to the moving parts and provides hydraulic pressure making internal parts function better. It allows a vehicle to shift gears with ease and without wearing out important parts. Whether your vehicle's transmission is automatic or manual, you use different transmission fluid types according to the vehicle's manual. The tr ... read more

The catalytic converter on your vehicle is a component that works hard to reduce the amount of emissions that your vehicle puts out into the environment. It will help to convert the vehicle's output into gases that are less harmful. When it goes bad, there are several symptoms that can tell you what's going on. 1. Reduced Engine Performance The first thing you might notice is that your engine isn't working as well. You might have a lower fuel efficiency, which will send you to the gas pumps a lot more often than normal. You don't want to engine performing less than efficiently because that can cause damage to that system, and many other components. Plus, it costs you more to run the vehicle. 2. A Rattling Noise You know what your car normally sounds like and when you hear something rattling, that's not a good sign. The converter might be damaged on the inside, which can cause it to break apart and rattle. That rattle will likely only worsen over time if you ... read more

Shock absorbers are an integral component of your car's suspension. They help with controlling the up-and-down movements of your car's springs. Without the shock absorbers, your vehicle would continue hopping up and down until the spring's kinetic energy is completely dissipated. However, these devices do not last the lifetime of a car, and they need to be replaced from time to time. But how long can you expect them to last, and when should you replace them? How Many Years Can Shock Absorbers Serve You? The lifespan of shock absorbers depends on a wide variety of factors, including how far a car has been driven, the kinds of roads it is often driven on, and the behavior of the driver, among others. For instance, the shock absorbers of a car that is driven on paved roads may outlast those of a car that is driven on rough roads. Similarly, shock absorbers of a car that is driven by a reckless driver may not serve as long as those of a car driven by a mindful driver. Unfortu ... read more