Auto Repair Ballston Spa

Many drivers would never choose a vehicle without all-wheel drive. But with today's traction controls and electronic systems, is AWD really necessary? We examined the benefits and disadvantages of AWD for shoppers who may choose the system -- or disregard it -- without thinking twice. Pro: Extra Traction There's no question that AWD improves traction. The reason is it allows all four wheels to spin, which can be helpful if two of them are on a slick or slippery surface. It can also be helpful if two wheels are stuck. That's a reality that many drivers in snowy, northern climates have to face. For that reason, we strongly recommend AWD if you live where you often face this type of weather. Con: Modern Technology? Can modern technology help a 2-wheel-drive car replace an AWD one? Not quite -- but it's getting there. Many modern cars offer traction control and stability control, which help keep you on the road even in difficult conditions. Most can completely cut power ... read more

With an ice storm headed to our area and more winter weather possible for the next few months, we thought we would share this great information found on hankooktire.com.  Remember to think before the storm to avoid rushing anywhere when bad weather hits as this can greatly impact your safety on the roads! Winter tires are made with a different rubber compound that has better grip in cold weather and an optimized tread width. This difference provides extra grip, preventing the car from slipping on snowy or icy roads. Even cars equipped with four-wheel drive need winter tires. For increased safety, be sure to change all four tires to winter tires. Factors to Consider When Driving Under Wintery Roads Always drive with two hands on the steering wheel Before turning a corner, make sure to slow down Do not accelerate while turning a corner. In the case where you accelerate or ... read more

    All passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. starting with the 2012 model year come equipped with electronic stability control, which along with traction control significantly improves road-holding capabilities regardless of the drive wheels. Even so, we have found there are distinct differences in the driving, and traction, characteristics among drive types.   If you’re looking for maximum grip, we've found that all- and four-wheel-drive systems provide superior traction in some slippery conditions.   Here’s how the different systems work:   Front-wheel drive Most passenger vehicles on the road today use front-wheel drive (FWD), where the engine’s power is routed to the front wheels. In fact, all but a handful of SUVs are primarily front-wheel drive vehicles, with additional components that send some power to the rear wheels as the need arises. Front-wheel drive designs are cheaper to manufacture and more space-efficient than rear ... read more

  Don't let cold temperatures wreak havoc on your car.   Keep these five car-care tips in mind as the mercury plummets. You don't want to be stranded by a dead battery or get into an accident because you can't see out your windows. If you haven't taken some of the mechanical preventive-care steps, do them as soon as you can so you're prepared for the next big chill. Keep the battery in good shape Your vehicle's battery is especially hard hit when the mercury plummets. Cold temperatures reduce its cranking power. In fact, at about 0° F, a battery has only about half the cranking power it has at 80° F. To check a conventional battery, remove the plastic caps on the top and check the fluid level. (See your owner's manual.) If the fluid is low, add distilled water. On maintenance-free batteries, check that the window at the top of the battery indicates a fully charged state. If it's more than five years old and shows signs of ... read more