Ballston Spa Auto Repair

    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

Winter, and the associated snow, ice, cold and climatic nastiness that goes with it, will be with us Canadians shortly. You know that winter tires will make your ride safer if you’re driving in winter. You know that you should probably install a set, because they’re a good idea. If you ask someone you know who owns winter tires, they’ll tell you they make a big difference for grip, handling, traction and all-around confidence. They’ll tell you, as well, that winter tires pay for themselves the first time you stop clear of an accident situation, rather than winding up in it. Here’s a look at a few key benefits you can expect by installing a set, especially on your newer car, truck or SUV model. Compromise-free: Winter tires have both a flexible rubber compound and unique tread design that’s made exclusively for use on snow, slush and ice and in cold temperatures. With no compromises made for other seasons, drivers will bene ... read more

Winter is just around the corner. For many drivers, that also means the challenges of winter car ownership are just around the corner, too, like salted streets, icy roads, freezing temperatures and heavy snow. How can you make sure your car is well cared for during the difficult winter months? We've listed eight simple car care tips that can go a long way toward making sure your car stays in great shape all winter long. Lighting One major hazard with winter driving is that the sun sets earlier in the day, which means there's less daylight, especially on your commute home. As a result, you'll want to do everything you possibly can to make sure all of your vehicle's lights are in excellent shape, providing the brightest possible illumination they can. If a bulb is out, fix it before winter starts, and if there's snow covering any exterior light, make sure you remove it before setting off to drive anywhere. If your headlights are foggy or yellow, consider replacing t ... read more

What’s the condition behind the almost universal attraction for drivers to watch snow blow off their cars and trucks as they head out on winter roads?  Is it something akin to a child’s fondness for splashing in mud puddles or sticking their tongues to frozen metal gate posts?  Is it laziness or from being rushed? No matter what the reason, we’ve all seen vehicles on the road covered in snow with barely a porthole-sized section of unfrosted glass through which we see the driver huddled down, chin on the steering wheel, desperately trying to navigate his or her course, and sometimes, more than we’d care to admit, it’s us behind that wheel. If you haven’t been given enough reasons to take the few minutes required to clear your vehicle of snow and ice before pulling out of your parking spot, here are a few you might not have considered. It’s illegal Police services have quite a few tools in their fine-books to address ... read more

Although the whole, “Jetsons,” thing hasn’t seemed to pan out just yet, there are some pretty spectacular technology trends to hit the auto market next year. See which top five are invading 2017’s auto industry! 1. Apple and Google Takeover There’s been a lot of debate within the auto industry about whether or not Apple and Google are about to take over our cars as well. Rumors are swirling that Apple is working under the guise of “Project Titan,” in order to create a new Apple car. Can you imagine the pressure to fit in? You’d need to buy the latest model of an Apple car every year and a half, which almost looks identical to the one you already have. My anxiety over this is almost the equivalent to Eli Manning watching Petyon win the Superbowl. We’ll have to wait a little later than 2017 to fi ... read more

  Fall is in full swing, and rainy weather is the norm in many parts of the country. Though many of us drive in the rain on a fairly regular basis, and like to think of ourselves as expert drivers, driving in heavy rain can be tricky and even dangerous. We would all benefit from brushing up on our wet weather driving skills every once in awhile. Here are some useful tips for driving in the rain. TRY TO PLAN AHEAD This might seem easier said than done at times, but the best advice for driving heavy rain is to simply avoid it if possible. Only take necessary journeys, and if public transport is an option, take it. If you must go out in your car, try to plan your journey so as to avoid the most hazardous and congested highways if possible. SLOW DOWN Vision is poor, reaction times are slower, and the slick road means that it can be harder to stop. This is why, to prevent accidents, you should drive slower than you would usually, 10 or even 20 miles per hour below the usual li ... read more

AAA Expert William Van Tassel, Ph.D., provides five tips on staying safe on snowy roads. No matter if you grew up in the blistering cold of Western New York winters or on the sunny coast of Southern California, driving in snow, sleet, and ice can be dangerous to even for the most experienced fleet driver. Automotive Fleet reached out to one of the experts at AAA, William Van Tassel, Ph.D., to find out the top five winter driving mistakes to keep in mind when traveling down the highways, byways, country roads, and city streets during this wintery season.   Mistake No. 1: Not Adjusting Speed to Conditions The speed limit is just a start; drivers need to adjust their speed to match their immediate driving conditions. The three factors that should always be considered are visibility, traffic, and traction. Solution: If visibility is minimized or if the road is wet, snowy, or icy, you should slow down significantly. This will give you ... read more

When looking for great car tips we stumbled upon this article written by Bryan Black for itstactical.com.  We think he has some really great tips that can be helpful to our readers! As I type this, an “arctic air invasion” is pushing its way south to us in Texas, leaving much of the country feeling as cold as a mid-winter’s day. While I’m sitting here thinking of the precautions and preparations I’ll take for the impending cold spell, I wanted to share a list of the most important items I carry with me and how those correspond to preparing for cold weather. During an emergency is a lousy time to think of all the things you should have been carrying. The important thing is not to wait until the last minute to prepare. 1. Keep Your Vehicle Serviced This is a pretty comprehensive step, but extremely important, nonetheless. Keeping your vehicle serviced includes ensuring your fluids are changed at the proper intervals and topped off where applicab ... read more

There's no getting around winter. Instead of dreading it, prepare for it. The changing of the seasons is a great time to check out what your car needs to gear up for cold, wet, winter driving conditions. Do this before the first flake falls because small problems you ignored during warmer months could grow worse, leaving you stranded when the temperature plummets. A few simple tips could keep your car running all winter long. Take your car to a mechanic and check out the following: battery, antifreeze level, thermostat, heater, brakes, and defroster. Check to make sure your tires have adequate tread. If the treads are worn, replace them. Better yet, exchange them for a set of snow tires which have treads that provide better traction and are equipped to handle extreme winter driving conditions. Make a visual inspection of your vehicle's lights. Make sure the front and rear lights are operational, especially the car's flashing hazard lights. Often in the winter, the wind ... read more