All Tech Automotive: Ballston Spa NY. Local European Specialists

Have you ever been cruising down the road with your car running smoothly, only to find that your steering wheel suddenly starts trembling like a hairless dog on a cold day the moment you hit the brakes? Your immediate thought might be that you've driven onto a quake-prone fault line. That's one possibility, but it's more likely that there's something wrong with your car. Now the question becomes, "What causes a steering wheel to shake when braking?" There are several possible answers -- some more likely than others. Vibrations in the steering column can happen for a number of reasons, such as a busted motor mount, bent rims, bad CV joints or loose lug nuts [source: Distad]. But none of these automotive problems would cause a steering wheel to shake only when the brakes are applied. That's almost always due to a problem with the rotors. "What's a rotor?" Good question. Rotors are discs that your brake pads clamp down on in order to stop your ... read more

When you're driving along the highway on a sunny day with your windows down and your radio volume up, it's easy to forget that you're in a massive chunk of steel and glass hurtling through space at 60-plus miles per hour (97-plus kilometers per hour). At that speed, if you suddenly needed to stop, your vehicle could take approximately the length of a football field (100 yards or 91 meters) to come to a standstill -- and that's only if you've kept one of the most critical safety systems in your car well maintained: your brakes. Brakes may not be the sexiest part of a car, but they're certainly one of the most crucial. Paying attention to the warning signs that indicate a need for service can mean the difference between life and death on the road. Of course, there are some obvious signs that your brakes need servicing, such as the brake light appearing on your car's dashboard or the feeling that your vehicle is taking longer to stop than it should. In either ... read more

Sooner or later, it's bound to happen to most everyone. You're driving along with your mind on the important meeting agenda, and suddenly your car pulls to one side and you hear that dreaded flapping sound of a flat tire. Nowadays, many drivers have roadside assistance services that will come fix your flats, but it's always smart to know how to change a flat yourself. Since it's a fairly common occurrence, car manufacturers have tried to make the tire change process one that virtually anyone can do. Tools You Need to Change a Tire Keep the following tire-changing essentials in your vehicle at all times: Spare tire - Usually located under the floor mat in the trunk. SUVs or trucks may have the spare mounted underneath or on the back of the vehicle. TIP: Check your spare regularly to ensure it's properly inflated. Jack. Lug wrench. Flashlight with working batteries. Flares and reflective triangles. Gloves - Leather is ideal since it works well in a variety of ... read more

You may love the heat of summer, but you need to help your car keep its cool when temperatures rise. An engine that runs too hot can damage the vehicle and threaten your safety. What Can Cause Your Car to Overheat? Hot temperatures alone might not be causing your vehicle to overheat. If your car's cooling systems aren't functioning correctly, it can lead to serious damage to your engine and expensive repairs. Here are a few common engine problems that can cause your car to run hot that you should know about: Coolant: Every car has a cooling system to help keep the temperature of the engine down. If your cooling system has a leak, blockage or pump malfunction, the coolant might not be able to circulate properly. Cooling system malfunctions aren't just problematic when it's hot out; very cool temperatures can cause coolant to freeze and prevent circulation. Thermostat: Another possible issue could be a problem with the thermostat. A vehicle's thermostat is responsi ... read more

An engine oil change is a relatively simple service. It’s widely touted as the single most important part of your car’s maintenance schedule. There is a good reason for this. Nothing will shorten engine life faster than missed oil changes. But how can you tell when you should change your oil?   Advances in technology and increased consumer awareness have created some confusion to how often this needs to happen. The Easy Answer For most of us, all we need to do is follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for oil change intervals. Their guidelines are designed to keep your car in good running condition for a long time. Where can you find your car’s service schedule for oil changes and other recommended maintenance? You can check the owner’s manual that hopefully you have kept in a handy place like your car’s glove box. You might also visit the manufacturer’s website and do a search to download it. Quick lube shops ha ... read more

Based on the NY DMV Guidelines, here are the New York State Vehicle Safety/Emissions Inspection standards for a vehicle to pass. For Cars and Light Trucks The New York State vehicle safety inspection program helps make sure every vehicle registered in this state meets the minimum standards for safe operation on public streets and highways. In addition, most vehicles are subject to an emissions inspection to help reduce air pollution. A properly maintained vehicle is safer, performs better, uses fuel more efficiently and saves the owner money. You can help by doing your own equipment safety checks between annual inspections, and by following a program of regular vehicle maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer. This publication highlights the safety and emissions inspection requirements for cars and light trucks. Other motor vehicles, including motorcycles and trailers, must meet different requirements for annual inspection. NEW YORK STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS: Mot ... read more

While you're traveling with your family this summer, impress them with some of these historical facts about the automobile! Volkswagen Beetle Adolf Hitler ordered Ferdinand Porsche to manufacture a Volkswagen, which literally means 'People's Car' in German. This car went on to become the Volkswagen Beetle. What's also interesting to know is that a surviving sketch from the 1930s - that was allegedly penciled by Hitler himself - looks similar to the production version of the first Beetle. The drawing was said to have been given to Daimler-Benz before being given to Porsche in Nuremberg. The "People's Car" for India In 1971, the cabinet of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi proposed the production of a 'People's Car' for India - the contract of which was given to Sanjay Gandhi. Before contacting Suzuki, Sanjay Gandhi held talks with Volkswagen AG for a possible joint venture, encompassing transfer of technology and joint production of the India ... read more

Summer is here, which means your vehicle is going to be HOT. Check out these misconceptions about pets in the car.  Misconception #1: "I leave the windows cracked" The Reality: Multiple studies have shown that leaving the windows cracked has only a minimal, and overall insignificant protective benefit. One study showed that the average temperature rise of 3.4°F per 5 minutes in an enclosed car was only decreased to 3.1°F per 5 minutes by ‘cracking’ the windows. This equated to a difference of only 3.6°F over the 60-minute study period (40.8°F total heat rise with windows fully closed, compared to 37.2°F rise with windows ‘cracked’). Another study showed only a 2°F difference at the end of the 90-minute study period between a fully enclosed vehicle and one with the windows ‘cracked’. As you can see, while cracking the windows does have some effect on slowing down the temperature rise inside a ... read more

Summer is here, and that means travel and vacation season is upon us! But long drives, especially in extreme heat, can be rough on your vehicle. Before you hit the road for your favorite summer destinations, redeem the special below and allow us to make sure your vehicle is summer ready

If you haven’t already taken advantage of your vacation time this summer, we recommend doing it soon! Summer is down to its last month, and with that being said, it’s time to travel. Take a look at these road trip tips by Travel Channel, plan accordingly, drive safely, and have fun.     Car Safety - Prepping for Your Trip Cellular Security To stay in touch with work and home, as well as handle unexpected events on the road, a cell phone is essential. Before leaving on your trip, ask your service provider about roaming fees and countrywide coverage. Overall Checkup Whether you do it yourself or go to a garage, pre-trip auto maintenance is key to comfortable cruising. Check the wiper blades, all fluid levels (oil, water, etc.), belt and hose connections, tire pressure, turn signals, horn and headlights. If your car is still not instilling confidence, consider an all-out professional inspection. Trunk 101 Exactly how prepared you want to be as far as your in ... read more