Ballston Spa Auto Repair

To keep yourself and others on the road safe,  you need to know when it is appropriate to use certain functions on your vehicle, like your headlights. This article comes from the Department of Motor Vehicle website.  When to Use Your Headlights To stay and improve your visibility on the road, it's important to know when and when not to use your headlights. Use this guide to learn more about safe headlight practices and common headlight laws. Headlights During the Day Most state headlights do not require the use of headlights during the day unless poor weather decreases visibility. However, using your headlights during the day regardless of the conditions can improve visibility and safety.  Here are a few instances when using your car headlights during the day can help you decrease chances of an accident: During adverse weather, such as: Rain Snow Sleet Fog Smoke On rural and mountain roads On narrow two-lane highways When road signs indicate a ... read more

When driving during the winter, it is important to take extra precautions and be prepared. All Tech Automotive found this article from the Safe Motorist website.  Preparing for Winter Driving - How to Drive in Snow and Ice The three key elements to safe winter driving are: Stay alert Slow down; and Stay in control Get your vehicle a check-up It is the best to winterize your vehicle before winter strikes. Schedule a maintenance check-up for the vehicle's tire pressure, battery, belts, and hoses, radiator, oil, lights, brakes, exhaust system, heater/defroster, wipers, and ignition system. Keep your gas tank sufficiently full - at least half a tank is recommended. Depending on where you drive, you may consider using winter tires or tire chains.  Tires in the snow  Winter driving conditions such as rain, snow, and ice dramatically affect the braking distance of a vehicle. The driver's capability to ... read more

Some of the most basic things you can do on your car, a lot of people actually don't know how to do, like checking your tire pressure. This article about how to check your tire pressure comes from the DMV website. How To Check Your Tire Pressure Proper tire maintenance keeps you safe and your car running its best. One of the most important - and most often overlooked - regular maintenance you should be doing is checking the pressure of your tires regularly.  Car tires don't have to be punctured to leak air. And unlike your gasoline gauge, most cars don't alert you to check your tire pressure. This guide will walk you through how to properly check the pressure of your tires, and why you should keep it at the top of your routine.  Why Is Tire Pressure Important? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, under-inflated tires have a higher risk of damage and failure. Not only will they wear out faster if under-inflated, but faster deteriorat ... read more

Tires can be a little wacky during the winter and the cold months. Should you under-inflate your tires during the winter? Is that the safest thing to do? This article has your answers. Should You Under-inflate Your Tires in Winter? Under-inflating your tires can give you more traction on snowy roads; but is this a solid strategy, or a tip you can skip? Snow tires, all-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, bags of kitty litter in the trunk - people will do just about anything to gain an edge when driving in snowy, icy, winter weather. For the most part, these strategies are good ideas. After all, winter-slick roads raise the risk of having an accident, and the best way to survive a car accident is to prevent one from happening in the first place. One winter driving trick that some people swear by is under-inflating their tires. Why do people under-inflate their tires? To understand why some people think under-inflating tired in winter is a good idea, you need to know what's happening w ... read more

Have you ever started your car after a cold night and noticed that your tire pressure light was on? Have you ever wondered why your tire pressure light comes on when it is cold outside? This article from How Stuff Works Auto explains just that. Why Does My Tire Pressure Light Come on When It's Cold? If your car is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, you've probably faced the dreaded "low tire pressure" warning light (usually a picture of a horseshoe with an exclamation point in the middle.) Often, drivers see a sudden uptick in notifications when the weather turns chilly. This annoying and often ill-timed occurrence may have you wondering, what gives? And do I need to go fill up my tires? Cold shrinks, warm expands. "For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tire pressure decreases 1-2 PSI," emails Rich White, executive director of the Car Care Council. PSI stands for pounds per inch and is a common unit for measuring pressure ... read more

It probably goes without saying that Black Friday can be a rough time to be on the roads, especially if there are poor weather conditions. All Tech Automotive looked for the perfect article to highlight some key safety tips for those venturing out this Friday. This article comes from Allstate. Top Tips for Driving and Parking on Black Friday While Black Friday shopping may bring the most extreme deals, the traffic and parking situations can be a nightmare. Parking spaces are limited, people always seem to be in a rush to get to the next stop and distractions are aplenty. But with a little planning and smart thinking, you may be able to prevent unnecessary added stress. When you head out to tackle your holiday shopping this year, remember these Black Friday traffic and parking tips. Plan Your Route Before You Go Checking out the sales ads and figuring out where you need to go before leaving your house can keep your day moving smoothly. U.S. News and World Reports suggest planning a d ... read more

Thanksgiving is almost here; get ready for this buy holiday with these safe driving tips that All Tech Automotive found to keep you and your family safe during the holiday rush.  Safe Driving Tips for Thanksgiving Travel Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friends? You won't be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road. Fuel Up Don't head out on a long road trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.  Be Prepared Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit - especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring ... read more

In general, whether you should or shouldn't buy a car is a big decision to make, and whether you should or shouldn't buy a used rental car can be an even bigger decision, factoring in that more than a few people have already used this vehicle before you. All Tech Automotive found this article to give you a little more insight into making this choice. Should You Buy a Used Rental Car? If you've ever rented a car, you might have driven it a little harder than you'd drive your own car. And, chances are, many other customers who rented it were just as "respectful" of that car as you were. So, the thought of owning that car after the rental car company's done with it might be a little scary. If you're shopping for a later-model used car on a budget, though, this is an avenue you might want to consider. Rental car companies rotate their fleets on a regular basis, which means there's a steady supply of older cars they're looking to unload. Many of t ... read more

Winter is coming! All Tech Automotive found this article from the DMV with recommendations on how to prepare your car for the cold and snow that lies ahead.  Winter months can prevent many challenges for your vehicle. While modern vehicles are designed to handle inclement weather conditions, there are some basic steps every driver should take as the days get shorter and the temperature drops. How to Winterize Your Car Replace or refill all fluids The best way to winterize your car is to start by checking your fluid levels. Coolant - It is especially important to have the correct antifreeze/water mixture to prevent fluid from freezing in your radiator. Consult your vehicle's owner's manual for information on this mixture. Pick up a tester at an auto parts store and make sure the fluid is filled to the maximum line. Oil - Some mechanics recommend switching to a thinner oil if you live where temperatures drop below freezing. Your best be ... read more

Some drivers will go their whole life without using the cruise control function on their vehicle, whether it's because they prefer not to use it, don't find it safe, or don't know how to use it. To keep you informed, All Tech Automotive found this article to give you some insight on cruise control. Cruise control is a feature that now comes standard on many models of cars. Many drivers prefer to drive a vehicle that has cruise control installed because of its convenience. If you are a commuter, cruise control will allow you to drive at a constant speed. Cruise control is an electronic device that allows a vehicle's driver to lock the accelerator on a specific speed and take the foot off of the pedal. Cruise control is designed to be used on roadways without frequent stops, turns, or required driving maneuvers. An interstate highway is an ideal location to use your vehicle's cruise control feature. Here's how to apply cruise control: 7-Step Guide to Cruise Contr ... read more