Car Care Tips

  • Extending the Life of Your Engine

    Mechanic taking apart of an engine out from under the hood

    An engine can last anywhere from 50 to 500,000 miles depending mostly on how well you maintain it. While some engines are certainly more reliable than others, all of them depend on maintenance to fulfill their greatest potential. Autoworks in Ithaca, NY has provided for you some of the determining factors of engine lifespan, to help you make sure your engine lasts as long as it possibly can.

  • Factors Affecting Fuel Economy

    mechanic giving advice

    Fuel economy isn't far from the minds of our Ithaca drivers and we hear these questions daily such as: Why can certain cars zip along at close to 40 mpg while others are lucky to get anywhere near 20? As it turns out, there are as many factors that go into how well your ride does at the pumps! Here are the 10 factors that have the greatest impact on fuel consumption that we would like to share with you. 

  • Factors That Affect Your Fuel Economy

    Person pumping gas into their car

    Fuel economy isn't far from the minds of vehicle owners everywhere. Why can certain cars zip along at close to 40 mpg while others are lucky to get anywhere near 20? As it turns out, there are as many factors that go into how well your ride does at the pumps! Here are the 10 factors that have the greatest impact on fuel consumption.

  • Facts About The First Car

    very old rusty car

    Who created the world’s first car is actually a matter of debate; since the invention of the engine, people had been installing them on horse carriages to make them self-propelled. Even when automobiles specifically designed for engines came around, they were hardly recognizable as a car by today’s standards. However, the first patented automobile, a vehicle specifically designed to be propelled by an engine, was built by Karl Benz and completed in 1885.

  • Feels Like Trouble (Is your vehicle driving right?)

    Nobody knows your vehicle better than you; if you suspect it isn’t driving the way it used to, there’s a good chance you’re correct. The truth of the matter is there are countless reasons and remedies for such a broad subject, but Autoworks in Ithaca, NY has compiled a list of a few common problems that can cause a vehicle to drive poorly.

  • Feels Like Trouble (Is your vehicle driving right?)

    Nobody knows your vehicle better than you; if you suspect it isn’t driving the way it used to, there’s a good chance you’re correct. The truth of the matter is there are countless reasons and remedies for such a broad subject, but Autoworks in Ithaca, NY has compiled a list of a few common problems that can cause a vehicle to drive poorly.

  • Fix Foggy or Cloudy Headlights

    headlight

    Foggy headlights are a problem that has arisen in the past couple of decades, as we have moved away from glass sealed beam bulbs and into an era of plastic lenses with bulbs inside. While modern headlights are superior to the sealed beam headlights of years ago, they do tend to fog up after years of use. It’s a good trade for far better illumination and easier replacement, but an issue nonetheless. Hours and hours of heat, sunlight, and age eventually cause them to cloud up, which can reduce visibility at night in addition to worsening the appearance of your car, truck, or SUV. From Autoworks in Ithaca, NY, here are some tips on taking care of your foggy or cloudy headlight issue.

  • Gas Cap Malfunctions? Yes, It's A Thing

    gas cap

    At Autoworks in Ithaca, we know that some of the most elusive issues with any car, truck, or SUV are often caused by the simplest of malfunctions. While you might consider a gas cap fairly innocuous, it can actually malfunction too, prompting a check engine light on your dashboard.

  • Gas Mileage and How To Increase It

    dashboard

    Good gas mileage is something we all want. In fact, many drivers purchase certain cars solely for gas mileage, and almost all of us at least take it into consideration when purchasing a vehicle. While it is true that gas mileage is by and large determined simply by the type of car, there are actually a variety of things you can do to increase the gas mileage of any automobile. The tips Autoworks in Ithaca want to provide you here are simple and effective steps you can take to increase your gas mileage, often more considerably than you think.

  • Have an Off Track Window in Your Vehicle? Here's What to Do

    Car windows

    Automotive windows are one of those things that you take for granted, until something goes wrong. One of the more irritating issues a window can develop, is dislocating from its track while attempting to roll it up or down. Why does this happen, and how do you fix it? At Autoworks in Ithaca, NY, we’ve got answers to your questions and solutions to your problems.

  • Have you checked your battery? If it looks like this - It's bad!

    corrosive battery in car image

    When you are having trouble with your car or truck starting and you open the hood up to take a peek to see this....you'll see what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals.  If you are like 99% of normal Ithaca drivers, you don't check your oil or your battery so you don't keep an eye on the amount of corrosion that's building up on your car or truck battery.  Here at Autoworks, we do and there are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. Way before it gets to this point, we will be suggesting you consider replacing the battery. 

  • Have you checked your battery? If it looks like this - It's bad!

    corrosive battery in car image

    When you are having trouble with your car or truck starting and you open the hood up to take a peek to see this....you'll see what an overly corroded battery looks like. This happens naturally over time on vehicle battery terminals.  If you are like 99% of normal Ithaca drivers, you don't check your oil or your battery so you don't keep an eye on the amount of corrosion that's building up on your car or truck battery.  Here at Autoworks, we do and there are solvents that we can use here in the shop during a battery maintenance service that will help slow the corrosion process but nothing that can prevent it 100%. Way before it gets to this point, we will be suggesting you consider replacing the battery. 

  • Hints Your Transmission Is Failing

    transmission in car

    At Autoworks in Ithaca, NY, we know that transmissions are witchcraft to most people. More often than not, if major damage has occurred, it’s a lot more time and cost-effective to just replace the entire unit and get a fresh start. Our trained technicians at Autoworks want to keep you informed so you are aware of what to look out for.

  • Hints Your Transmission Is Failing

    transmission in car

    At Autoworks in Ithaca, NY, we know that transmissions are witchcraft to most people. More often than not, if major damage has occurred, it’s a lot more time and cost-effective to just replace the entire unit and get a fresh start. Our trained technicians at Autoworks want to keep you informed so you are aware of what to look out for.

  • Hot Car - Suggestions to Cool it Down

    cars parked under tree

    We all love the sunshine but getting into that HOT car isn't always so wonderful even when you have a remote start it will take the breath out of you when the temperatures are soaring. Makes you want to pack your lunch instead of meeting friends for lunch! We decided that you should meet friends for lunch! So we got together and found some quick ideas for you. It isn't much but enjoy the sunshine on us here at Autoworks here in Ithaca! Call it our fun day fact!

  • How are your transmission mounts?

    transmission

    Your transmission mounts keep your transmission in place and suppress vibrations coming from the drivetrain. How do you know when to replace them or when they’re going bad. At Autoworks in Ithaca, NY, our goal is to educate you about your vehicle so that you can drive it safely and prolong its life. 

  • How are your transmission mounts?

    transmission

    Your transmission mounts keep your transmission in place and suppress vibrations coming from the drivetrain. How do you know when to replace them or when they’re going bad. At Autoworks in Ithaca, NY, our goal is to educate you about your vehicle so that you can drive it safely and prolong its life. 

  • How Do I Keep My Transmission In Top Shape?

    mechanic with gloves on holding transmission parts

    Transmissions are complex pieces of equipment. Systems and components rely heavily on one another, and everything needs to be in working order for proper function. When one thing fails, there’s a snowball effect, and malfunctions and damages begin to occur. What can you do to make sure you keep it working? At Autoworks in Ithaca, NY, we want to help when you need it, but we also want to teach you how to maintain your vehicle on your own. Good maintenance is the single largest contributing factor to how long your transmission will last and how well it will continue to work. Here are a few key points on maintenance from the Autoworks technicians.

  • How Do You Know When to Get a Tire Rotation & Wheel Balancing?

    Tire in automotive shop

    The interval for the tire rotation could depend on a recommendation from either the tire manufacturer or the vehicle maker. The interval is typically around 5,000 miles but could range from 3,000 to 8,000 miles. So why do tires need to be rotated and how do you know when the right time is for your vehicle?

  • How Do You Know When to Get a Tire Rotation & Wheel Balancing?

    Tire in automotive shop

    The interval for the tire rotation could depend on a recommendation from either the tire manufacturer or the vehicle maker. The interval is typically around 5,000 miles but could range from 3,000 to 8,000 miles. So why do tires need to be rotated and how do you know when the right time is for your vehicle?

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