Clifton Park Auto Repair

With the various fluids constantly flowing throughout your vehicle, you should always be on the lookout for leaks. While leaks aren't as common in newer vehicles as they are in older cars, they are still possible. Once a fluid leaks, it can not only cause trouble within its designated system, but it can flow and mix with other liquids as well. The big question we will dive into today is: what happens if coolant mixes with motor oil?   If there is engine oil in your coolant or vice versa, it typically means there is damage to one or more of your engine's gaskets or seals. Your motor is designed to work closely but separately from the cooling system. The head gasket is the piece of your engine that prevents coolant or oil from meeting each other. And oil and coolant mix due to a damaged head gasket, which usually happens when your engine overheats.   As you can probably guess, having your coolant and oil combined is terrible for the health of your vehicle. Your car ... read more

Once we get tires for our cars, many of us put them off to the side until something goes wrong. That is never how you should treat your vehicle's tires. It's important for you to check your tires regularly to make sure they are properly inflated so that they can last you a long time. Another thing you should periodically check is tire tread. Driving on bald or almost bald tires is extremely dangerous. If you're forced to brake abruptly, your car may not stop in time and cause an accident.   There are many different factors to consider when it comes to retiring your tires.  Cracks, bulges, or any other damage in the sidewalls Vibrations when driving Uneven tread wear (often consequences of under-or-over inflation, misaligned wheels, or suspension issues)  Less than 2/32 inch left on the tread or bare tires An effective way to measure tread is by using a quarter or penny. All you have to do is place the coin with the head upside down between the treads. I ... read more