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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

Although it is not the end result for soft tires, in a pinch, Fix-a-Flat can a great option to help plug a hole until you're able to get your car to a mechanic. This article about how to use Fix-a-Flat comes from ThoughtCo. How to Use Fix-a-Flat There is nothing exciting about getting a flat tire. In fact, it can be the immediate end to an otherwise enjoyable time. Is that aerosol can a true emergency flat tire repair tool or would it be better used to flag down a trucker via his windshield? Roadside tire sealants are a constant source for debate amongst car people. Classic car drivers often don't even have room for a proper spare tire in their vehicles, so one of these products is the only chance they have on the side of the road outside of calling for the flatbed hauler to scoop them up. Remember, if an auto repair product seems too good to be true, it probably is. Now forget you ever heard that for a minute. Fix-a-Flat is the real deal, and it's the original roadside fl ... 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

This helpful article that All Tech Automotive wanted to share with you comes from How Stuff Works Auto. 5 Warning Signs You Need New Tires Just as your feet are sore after a long walk, the tires on your car take a beating every time you drive. This isn't a sign of bad driving --well, not usually -- but rather an inevitable fact of life. Tires get old and worn down. And because a tire failure while you're driving can be catastrophic, causing your car to go out of control or leaving you stranded in the middle of nowhere without any easy way to get home, you want to know when your tires are in bad shape so you can get new ones before something goes wrong. Of course, if you have a mechanic look at your car periodically, he or she will probably tell you if the tires need to be changed, but there are several things you can do yourself short of a visit to your local auto center to make sure your tires are in good shape. 1. Tread Depth The tread on your tires should never fall below ... 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

Are you looking for ways to help the planet? Check out these tips.  We as commuters understand what responsible driving means as it relates to safety: Don’t speed, do obey traffic laws, stay alert and cautious in poor conditions… we know this. BUT do you consider yourself a responsible driver in terms of earth-friendliness? We realize that the act of driving inherently poses environmental risks – in today’s fast-paced world we have to travel, so let’s discuss the ways to get around while keeping the health of our planet in mind. Biodiversity, alternative energy, microplastics and recyclables – all are carefully considered and included in Nokian’s longstanding sustainability efforts. Studies have shown that proper equipment and conscientious driving can significantly reduce each vehicle’s carbon footprint. As drivers, we must make informed decisions to affect positive change. So, what can ... read more

Do you know how tires are made?  Do you know what tires are made of (besides rubber)?  What is the process of tire production?  These are just a few of the questions that we get asked daily.  Luckily one of the brands that we love has the answers to these questions!  We turned to Nokian Tires to find the answer to how tires are made.  Here is the article that Nokian orginally published on their site nokiantires.com.   Raw materials The main raw materials of a tire are natural rubber, synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil. The share of rubber compounds in the total weight of a tire is more than 80%. The rest consists of various kinds of reinforcing materials.   Approximately half of the rubber is natural rubber from a rubber tree. Rubber trees are grown in the tropics, in countries like Malaysia and Indonesia. Most of the synthetic, oil-based rubbers ... read more