FALCONER AUTO REPAIR

The cooling system keeps New York vehicle's engines from overheating while they are driving around Falconer. Its job is to move heat away from the engine. Let's talk about the various components of the system and how they make this happen.The radiator is the part most Falconer drivers associate with the cooling system. Coolant flows through the radiator which has fine cooling fins that draw the heat out of the coolant and dissipate it into the air. To make sure there's enough airflow over the radiator, a fan pulls air over the cooling fins even when the vehicle is idling.In some vehicles, the fan is powered by the serpentine belt. On others, an electric motor runs the fan. Electric fans turn on and off as needed. You may have heard the fan kick on shortly after you turn your vehicle off. The sensor has determined that the engine needs a little help cooling down to a safe temperature.A hose connects the radiator to the water pump. The w ... read more

Many Falconer drivers have been hearing about technological advances in power steering, specifically electric power steering. Some very high-end cars have been featuring electric power steering. Power steering fluid has the necessary hydraulic properties and the ability to lubricate the internal parts. The power steering fluid also protects vehicle components from rust and corrosion.Falconer car owners should be aware that vehicle manufacturers recommend that the fluid be replaced on schedule. At I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service, the old fluid is drained and the system cleaned thoroughly. Fresh fluid is then installed.Unfortunately, many Falconer drivers don't realize how important it is to service their power steering, and some may not even know that it's necessary in the first place. A neglected power steering system can develop leaks that will shorten the life of the pump.Falconer drivers ... read more

The median age for cars in the Falconer, New York area was over nine years. And two-thirds had over 75,000 miles. At I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service we hear reports that those numbers continue to rise. If you have a high-mileage vehicle in the Falconer area, bring it into I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service for high-mileage maintenance.1739 Lindquist DriveFalconer, New York 14733716-665-2501 Many people in New York are keeping their vehicles longer. The economy has influenced that, but the fact that modern vehicles are more durable and reliable means that owning a high mileage vehicle doesn't have to be a painful experience.Local car owners in Falconer with over 100,000 miles on their vehicles often ask which service intervals they should follow. Let's start with the special needs of the older vehicle...The reality is that time and mileage will take its toll. The engine and transmission will have more sludge. The fuel, steering and brake systems will hav ... read more

When I was a kid, my dad always made sure he took the cars in for Spring and Fall checkups. I was telling a friend that it's about time to get into I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service for a checkup and he said that he read on the internet that modern cars don't need seasonal service.My friend is (technically) right about some things, but from a practical standpoint, a seasonal check up still makes sense.Back when my dad was teaching me about how to take care of the family vehicle, most of them used a different weight of oil in the winter and in the summer. But most of today's modern engines run the same oil year round. High-tech engines and high-tech motor oils are better able to handle the seasonal changes.Your owner's manual or Falconer service advisor at I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service can tell you the right oil to use.Of course, you're concerned about the coolant or antifreeze. You don't want to overheat in the ... read more

One might say the most challenging part of being an automotive service technician at I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service is diagnosing a problem before it can be fixed.Cars are made up of a bunch of complex systems. There usually could be a number of reasons for any given symptom. So, it's challenging to track down the actual cause of the problem. And it can be frustrating for the vehicle owner because it can take time and money to get to the bottom of a problem. If it's not something obvious, it's easy for the customer to focus on the fixing and not the diagnosing.Let us at I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service introduce you to something we'll call 'Customer Detective Work' –  helping your technician find clues to what's wrong.We start with the detective basics: What, Where and When. Play along with me; You come in to I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service and your car is making a funny sound... Q: Where's the sound? A: Around the right front wheel. Q: What kind of ... read more

There are a surprising number of small, inexpensive parts that can lead to expensive engine damage when they fail. It doesn't seem right.Fortunately a lot of those things can be taken care of in routine maintenance. They may not be easy to remember because it is a long list, but your service center at I-86 Truck Repair & Auto Service can help you know what's scheduled to be taken care of.Some of us in Falconer, New York, really don't look forward to going in for an oil change and then getting a list of the other things the manufacturer recommends.But automotive maintenance is all about prevention and addressing small problems before they get big. Let's take the fuel filter for example.You may not know this but the median age for private vehicles on our Falconer, New York, roads is over nine years. When vehicles get older, five years or so, they've accumulated a lot of dirt and rust in their gas tanks. If that dirt gets into the engine it can ... read more

Most Falconer residents have experienced a flat tire. You know it's inconvenient and a pain. Our tires are important. Keeping them in good working order isn't just a big safety issue for Falconer drivers – it also has a financial impact. With high New York gas prices, we've all heard about the importance of keeping proper tire pressure to save on gas. In addition, proper inflation promotes even tread wear so your tires last longer.  There's another danger with under-inflated tires for Falconer residents. Low tire pressure puts added stress on the structure of the tire itself, causing it to break down prematurely. Also, under-inflated tires generate more heat which also reduces tire life. So get those slow leaks fixed quickly – don't just keep adding air every few days. You want to avoid tire damage. Falconer residents should only hire qualified tire professionals to perform repairs - we have a whole team of them at I-86 Truck Re ... read more

The hottest Falconer news story may be different everyday, but there’s one topic that seems to come up over and over again – the price of gas in Falconer. But we’ve found several basic things that any Falconer vehicle owner can do to greatly reduce their gas consumption, save money, and help the Jamestown environment. You can really impact your fuel economy by how you drive – but first, here’s a review of things you can do for your car that’ll save gas no matter how you drive. The first one is keeping your tires properly inflated. That can save two miles per gallon. Driving on low tires is like driving through sand – your car just has to work harder. Most Falconer service centers will fill up your tires for free, so just ask your service advisor. Also, make a habit of checking your tire pressure whenever you get g ... read more

All new cars and light trucks in Falconer, New York, since 2008 have come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system, or 'TPMS'. The TPMS system detects when a tire becomes under-inflated and lights up a warning light on the dash.So what's the big deal for Falconer drivers? Well, underinflated tires can be a real safety concern for in New York. First of all, they don't handle properly and that can lead to an accident. Second, underinflated tires can overheat and cause the tire to come apart, which can also lead to an accident.Government regulations requiring TPMS systems aim to reduce accidents in New York and save lives, a very worthy goal. There are also positive environmental effects because underinflated tires are fuel wasters – lose 1 percent of their fuel economy for every 3 pounds of pressure below ideal. So proper tire inflation can save you a tank of gas a year. And your tires last longer so you won't have to replace ... read more

Many Falconer drivers want to accessorize their vehicle - you know, make it theirs. One of the easiest ways to get a custom look is to get some new wheels. There are thousands of wheel designs at Falconer area tire shops to get you the look you want. And for many Falconer drivers, that look includes bigger wheels. It used to be that cars came from the factory with 15 or 16 inch wheels. Now 16, 17 and even 18 inchers are standard. And the factories are offering optional wheel packages up to 20 inches or more. So let's talk about what to consider when you want to upsize your wheels. It's not exactly a DIY project, so you need to know a thing or two before you get started. The most important term to know is rolling diameter. The rolling diameter is simply the overall height of your tire. Unless you want to modify your vehicle suspension, you'll want to keep your rolling diameter the same when you upsize your wheels.Let's think about those three golden doughnuts in front of you. They ... read more