Ballston Spa Auto Repair

Your brake warning lights are on... now what? Most cars have one or two brake warning lights on the dashboard. When you first start your car, all of the lights on the dashboard should light up. This is the bulb check; they should go out in a few seconds. If a light doesn't go out, then your car is alerting you of a problem. If a light does not light during the bulb check, it tells you that you need to replace the bulb. Your car illuminates the BRAKE light­ to indicate one of two things: that your emergency brake is on. Release it to solve the problem. that you have lost brake pressure in half of the brake system (see How a Combination Valve Works for details). Brake Fluid and Pressure Problems If releasing the emergency brake doesn't make the light go off, you should slowly and calmly pull over and stop. If the brake system has completely failed, you will have to use the emergency brake for braking. If the light stays on, it means that the pressure on one side of the br ... read more

Owning a working set of jumper cables -- and knowing how to use them -- is a must for drivers.  Since using jumper cables incorrectly can be dangerous, follow every step precisely. Most jumper cables have an instruction card or label so you can make sure you're connecting them the right way. Find a car to serve as the boosting car. Park the two cars -- the dead car and the boosting car -- close to one another, making sure that they're not touching each other. Make sure both cars' engines are turned off, and both cars are in park. Clamp the red jumper cable (i.e. the positive cable) to the dead car's positive battery terminal, which is marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery. Clamp the other end of the red jumper cable to the booster car's positive battery terminal, also marked with a "+." Make sure that the clamp is firmly connected to the battery. Clamp the black jumper cable (i.e. the negative c ... read more

Would you ever willfully perform an unnatural act? That's what you're doing when you drive at night.  People are diurnal, versus nocturnal, and we weren't meant to be traipsing around in the darkness, at the same time the wild things are. Even though we humans are at the top of the food chain today (usually), our bodies have failed to keep up with the radical changes we've made in our lifestyles. Nearly 90-percent of your reaction ability while driving relies on sight, yet the ability to see goes down dramatically at night. Your depth perception, color recognition and peripheral vision all take a nosedive when the sun goes down [source: Risk Control Services]. Also, we're naturally less alert at night. As a result, nighttime driving is one of the most dangerous activities you can do, statistically speaking. Of all fatal car accidents, 49-percent occur at night, despite there being fewer drivers on the road. In fact, night driving has a fatality rate per mile ... read more

Back in, or pull in front first? Experts argue that one method clearly reduces the probability of accidents upon departure.  Whether it's cooking an egg, skinning a cat, or building an underground bunker to prepare for end times, there is usually more than one way to do most things. When it comes to driving a car, for example, motorists tend to have some wildly varying ideas about how to best get from Point A to Point B. That's not to mention timeless driving debates over how to occupy the far left lane on a highway, when to turn on your lights, if you should pull over for a funeral procession ... and whether beef jerky or peanut M&Ms is the optimal snack for a long drive. Then there's the question of what to do when you want to stop driving and leave your car somewhere. Many motorists are united in their strict aversion to parallel parking, but how to navigate other spots is still a source of some debate. Is it better to turn headfirst into a parking space? Or to ... read more

Teenagers should take these steps to drive away with a great deal Teens might love the freedom a first car can bring, but it also brings a lot of responsibility. They need to be ready for significant expenses even after figuring out how to pay for the car. There's fuel, maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes and more. Here are some strategies for getting behind the wheel as painlessly as possible. And because an important element of driving includes sharing the road responsibly, you should read our guide to teen driving safety. What Can You Afford? It’s critical for teens and their parents to establish a reasonable budget. Money available for a down payment and for making monthly installments on a loan will determine the range of car choices.  One key consideration is whether the car is meant to see a teen through high school or college and beyond. That will determine how new and reliable it needs to be. The best way to save money is to buy used. A new car loses alm ... read more

Halloween is a holiday that children and adults alike can enjoy. Who doesn't love costumes, candy, and scary stories? But Halloween can also be a very dangerous time to be a driver and a pedestrian.  If you have to drive this Halloween, follow these driving safety tips. 1. Use your headlights. Even in the daytime, trick-or-treaters are much more likely to see you if you are shining your headlights (not your brights – you don’t want to blind anyone). Especially important in residential areas. 2. Don’t drive distracted. It’s a good idea anyway to avoid distractions while driving, as distracted driving is the largest cause of motor vehicle accidents. Put your cell phone away, don’t reach for anything until you’re safely stopped, and save your snacks for your destination. 3. Turn the radio down. We all love to jam out in the car, but Halloween is a time when it’s vitally important to be able to hear what’s going on around ... read more

This month is Car Care Month, and All Tech Automotive wants to share some important information with you. This article we found on AAA.com highlights the main points you should always check to prepare your car for the cooler months. October is Car Care Month, an ideal time to remind motorists as the weather cools, motorists should complete a seasonal vehicle checkup to maintain safety and maximize efficiency. Winter Car Care Checklist Battery and Charging System Have the battery and charging system tested by a trained technician. A fully charged battery in good condition is required to start an engine in cold weather. AAA members can request a visit from a AAA Mobile Battery Service technician who will test their battery and replace it on-site, if necessary. AAA Approved Auto Repair shops can also test and replace weak batteries. Battery Cables and Terminals Make sure the battery termin ... read more

New Saturday Hours Coming Soon Starting October 7th, 2017, All Tech Automotive is pleased to announce that we will be open on Saturdays, ready to assist you and your vehicle needs. Saturday Hours: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Call us today at (518) 885 - 0880 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to seeing our customers soon

Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall... How often should I wash my car? Have you ever parked your car at the office or grocery store only to come back and find that a ‘helpful’ citizen has written ‘please wash me’ across the back? It’s quite funny when that message is on someone else’s car, but it’s extremely disheartening when that mud-caked dust-adorned vehicle belongs to you. But with a busy schedule and seemingly more important things to do, washing your car often falls by the wayside- I understand, I’ve been there. All of this begs the question, how often should you wash your car, really? How many times do you need to take a bucket of water and a cloth to your car’s exterior in order to feel like a good car owner? Well, we’ll answer that question below in full detail. So if you’re banging your head on the wall and asking yourself ‘how often should I wash my car?’ this comprehensive guide is for you. Why Shou ... read more

Keeping Your Car in Good Running Order While You're Away There are a number of times when people need to store a vehicle for an extended period of time. Maybe you have a convertible that you love to drive in the summer, but winter is on the way. Or perhaps you're going to leave town for a job or an extended vacation. Maybe you are in the military and are being deployed overseas. Whatever the reason for your time away from the vehicle, you'll need to put it in storage. If you simply let your vehicle sit on the street or in a garage for an extended period of time, you may return to a dead battery or — worse yet — a damaged engine, ruined tires and a rat's nest under your hood. Here are important steps to take before you store a vehicle. They will preserve the life of the engine and ensure that your car starts when you return to it. Keep It Covered A garage is the ideal place to store a vehicle. This will protect it from the elements and keep it at a temper ... read more