Clifton Park Auto Repair

As the manual transmission fades into obscurity, many drivers prefer the convenience of an automatic version. Clearly, automatic transmissions have many advantages over their manual counterparts, which is why manuals are quickly becoming obsolete. The advantages are obvious: drivers can concentrate more on the road, drive with one hand, there is no need for constant shifting in stop-and-go traffic, and a plethora of other benefits. As your vehicle ages, so does its transmission; and like any other component requires service, or it will eventually stop working properly. But how can you tell if your automatic transmission is about to fail? Here are four easy and noticeable ways you can spot a transmission going bad: 1. Slower Shifting Automatic transmissions should shift seamlessly and quickly; a gap or slowdown between gears should be felt. Over time, you get used to the exact moments it shifts, but what happens if it suddenly starts acting slow and weird? Well, the answer is a visit ... read more

We’ve all been there – head against the steering wheel wondering, “why did my car battery have to die at this moment?”. If you find that your vehicle won’t start, your next best option is to jump-start your vehicle. And most of the time, you can’t do this alone. You will need jumper cables, another vehicle with a working battery, and possibly a pair of gloves. Read on to learn the proper way of jump-starting a car.  The Correct Way to Jump Start a Car Positioning is everything. Make sure the other vehicle is in close proximity to your vehicle. Both cars should be completely turned off and parked. Open the hoods to locate the car batteries. Remove any battery covers if necessary.  Find the positive and negative terminals. Make sure they are free of corrosion. Grab the jumper cables and familiarize yourself with the positive and negative clamps.  Attach the red/positive clamp to the positive terminal on the dead battery. Attach the ... read more

Winter driving means you need to take extra precautions to stay safe. Here are some winter driving tips to keep in mind: Keep your vehicle in good condition. Make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition before the winter season starts. Keep the gas tank at least half full to help prevent the fuel line from freezing. Check your tires to ensure they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread. Consider using winter tires, which are specifically designed for cold weather and provide better traction on ice and snow. Clear snow and ice from your vehicle. Before you start driving, clear all snow and ice from your vehicle, including the hood, roof, windows, and lights. This will help you see better and ensure that other drivers can see you. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles. Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, particularly when driving on icy or slippery roads. It takes longer to stop on slippery roads, so you need to allow for more space between your vehicl ... read more

Oil changes are the most important maintenance you can get for your vehicle. While you’ve probably gotten them here and there over time, you should always follow a regular oil change schedule. Often, we notice motorists put off or skip their oil changes altogether. Doing so can wreak havoc on your engine, so make sure you’re always on the lookout for the signs of bad or ineffective oil.  Signs That Indicate It Is Time for an Oil Change Dark and Gritty Oil Not only should you be changing your oil on time, but you have the ultimate responsibility to check your oil often. All you have to do is pop open the trunk and use the dipstick. Pull out the stick, wipe it off, reinsert the dipstick, and remove it once more to get an accurate reading. If the oil levels are correct and the oil isn’t dark or has an odd texture, you should be good. If oil levels are low and the oil has turned a different color, be sure to bring your vehicle in for an oil change ASAP. Engine K ... read more

An overheating car is a serious issue that should never be ignored. If your vehicle engine gets too hot, it might warp and crack, leading to serious, expensive, and sometimes irreplaceable damages. Even worse, you might not understand why your car is overheating unless you are an expert. Here are some of the common causes of an overheating vehicle. A Failing Thermostat The thermostat prevents the coolant from getting into the engine until it is well warmed up. This allows your vehicle to reach the operating temperature much faster. The thermostat valve will open, allowing the coolant to flow throughout the engine. If your car's thermostat fails, the valves might not open to let in the coolant, leading to the engine overheating. Contaminated or Low Coolant If your cooling system is low on coolant, it will not be enough to cool the engine. Similarly, if the coolant is contaminated, it will not be efficient in absorbing the heat from the engine, which might lead to the engine ove ... read more