All Tech Automotive: Ballston Spa NY. Local European Specialists

Before you head out on your Summer road trip, take a look at these tips to prepare your vehicle that All Tech Automotive found on Mobil.  Car maintenance checklist for road trips The summer road trip is as American as apple pie and Fourth of July fireworks, so don’t fail in your national duty to hit the road this year just because Old Nellie is overdue for some car maintenance.  Those who neglect to do a quick mechanical check-over – even of newer cars – before taking to the highway are begging to be stranded. We’re not talking about rebuilding the cylinder head or performing a line-bore on the crankshaft mains. Below are just a few reminders that may slip your mental checklist in the rush to get bags packed and kids fed. Your family is counting on you to take a few preventative measures before you hurl them into the gauntlet of our national highway system. Engine oil Check your oil levels and the date you’re due for an oil change, preferabl ... read more

If you put the wrong fuel in your car, it can seriously hurt your engine. This article from Jerry Advice talks about what happens when you put the wrong fuel in your car and what to do if it happens.  What Happens if You Put the Wrong Gas in Your Car Everyone makes mistakes, and gassing up your car with the wrong fuel does not have to spell disaster. Stay calm and take immediate action to fix the situation to avoid paying higher repair costs for damage to the engine from running diesel instead of unleaded fuel or vice versa.  However, if you accidentally used a premium version of your usual gas, you're fine to drive normally and just pay closer attention the next time you are at the pumps. Here's what to do after gassing up with the wrong fuel:  Step 1 Do not start your car. You don't want to draw the wrong fuel into your engine, causing costly damage. If you need to move your car away from the gas pumps, ask an attendant or onlooker to help push your car ... read more

We've all been on the road when a flat tire happens and the only solution is to drive on a spare until you can find time in your schedule to get a new tire, but how long can that last? This article that All Tech Automotive wanted to share with you about driving on a spare tire comes from Nationwide.  Tips for Maintaining and Driving on a Spare Tire  While most drivers realize the importance of taking care of their tires, there's one tire that usually gets overlooked - the one in your trunk. But some people assume that because they haven't used a spare, that is can operate like new. Accidents resulting from faulty or poorly maintained spares happen more than most drivers think. Learn how to safely drive on a spare tire, and what precautions you can take to help keep your spare in working condition. How to safely drive on a spare tire When you resort to driving on your spare, it's important to know the limitations of your new tire. Remember the ans ... read more

The Summer is here and hot weather can cause problems with your car if you're not careful. This article that we wanted to share with you comes from Dummies.  What to Do If Your Car Overheats Cars overheat most often in very hot weather. It’s rare with modern vehicles, but even a well-tuned automobile can overheat.  If you find yourself in stop-and-go traffic or climbing a steep grade on an extremely hot day, and your dashboard temperature indicator starts to rise or a malfunction indicator light comes on, here’s how to help your vehicle regain its cool: At the first sign of overheating, shut off your air conditioner and open your windows: Doing so decreases the load on the engine and helps it cool off. If you continue to overheat, turn on the heater and blower: Doing so transfers the heat from the engine to the passenger compartment of the vehicle. (This does wonders for your overheated engine but very little for you!) ... read more

Today’s gas pumps display a potentially confusing array of names, colors and alphanumeric symbols. Gasoline comes in five or more varieties, and that doesn’t account for diesel. Mix them up and the results may result in a ruined engine, corroded fuel lines or, if you’re lucky, no serious damage. This informative article comes from the Allstate Blog. Fuel Functionality: What If You Add the Wrong Fuel To Your Tank? What Happens When You Put Gasoline Into A Diesel Engine? “If you notice (that you’ve filled a diesel car with gasoline) before starting the engine, you just have to clean the whole system,” said Jim Gill, head of product and technology public relations communications for Volkswagen. “This primarily entails draining the fuel tank and refilling with correct diesel fuel.” But if you realize that you’ve put gasoline into your diesel engine, don’t drive it or your engine may suffer serious damage. You’ll need it ... read more

Even though it might not feel like it quite yet, the calendar says it's officially Spring. What better way to prepare for that Spring weather (when it finally gets here) than to do some maintenance on your car? This article comes from Angie's List. Maintenance Tips For Spring Driving  First, make sure your exterior gets a good cleaning. Be especially careful that the undercarriage is washed clear of corrosive road salt. Then, give your car’s systems a thorough review, or take your vehicle to a reliable auto service shop, like All Tech Automotive for a spring checkup. Here are things a checkup should include, according to auto service pros who are highly rated by consumers: Tires Check the pressure on all four and the spare. Make sure tires have sufficient tread for safe travel: Insert a quarter into the tread of a tire that’s not warm from recent driving. Put the quarter upside down so the top of George Washington’s head is in the tread. If you can se ... read more

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

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

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

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