Posted on 11/29/2020
Hey WINDSOR LOCKS! Let's talk about one of our CT summertime must-haves: your car A/C. It's real easy for WINDSOR LOCKS drivers to take their car's air conditioner for granted. Just push the right buttons and out comes cool, dry, clean air. But your air conditioning system needs attention from time to time to help it keep its cool. Do you hear loud noises under the hood when you turn on your air conditioner? Do you only get cool air sporadically? If so, it is time to get your air conditioner checked at Scata's Auto & Truck Repair in WINDSOR LOCKS. When most WINDSOR LOCKS folks hear the words "air conditioning problems." it sends a shiver up their spine. That is because the air conditioning system is fairly complex. It has a lot of parts and when it's broken, it's hard to repair.What things can WINDSOR LOCKS drivers do to prevent air conditioning breakdowns?A common cause of air condition ... read more
Posted on 11/22/2020
Everyone in WINDSOR LOCKS, CT eventually replaces their tires, whether it's because they're worn out or they're just looking for something different. There are so many great tire choices in WINDSOR LOCKS, it can be difficult to sort them out. Let's group the broad spectrum into several categories that will help in the selection process.One category is often referred to as "summer tires". Summer tires are designed to be driven on the road when temperatures are generally above 45 degrees F (7 degrees C). Their tread design is optimized for traction on dry roads around CT and they're also able to effectively displace water on rainy roads.So if you live where its summer all year round, these tires will work well for you. If you like maximum performance in warm weather, but still live where it gets cold and snowy, you'll want to change your summer tires for winter tires as the weather starts to change.There's a range of tires within the winter tire category. If you live where there's a lot ... read more
Posted on 11/15/2020
Whether or not your exterior light bulbs are all working probably is not at the top of your list when you think about your vehicle. But those exterior lights are more important than you think, and they're vital to your safety and that of other drivers near you. Headlights are important. Not only do they help you see safely down the road at night, they also help oncoming drivers know that the vehicle they're approaching is not a motorcycle. Both headlights should be working properly and aimed so that they don't blind other drivers. Taillights are also important for a few reasons. They tell drivers what your intentions are (changing lanes, turning, stopping). So, the bulbs back there must be all in working order for maximum safety. Ditto for the front turn signal lights. They alert oncoming drivers to your lane changes or turns (if you use your turn signals!). Some side mirrors also have turn signal bulbs in them. There are a few other important ... read more
Posted on 11/8/2020
Recently, Nissan introduced the latest version of its Leaf, the company's electric car. It has many new features, including something called e-Pedal. It allows the driver to let up on the accelerator and, unlike a gasoline engine car, the Leaf doesn't just slowly lose speed; letting off the throttle pedal brakes the car in a very controlled way, using regenerative and sometimes friction brakes. With practice, a driver can go for a fairly long time without touching the brake pedal. Another system, similar to those found in self-driving vehicles, can steer the car to keep it in the center of the lane using a camera and radar. It literally watches the lane markers and, of course, doesn't work well in snow that obliterates those markers. But the technology is impressive and can greatly reduce fatigue on long trips. In fact, much of this technology has "trickled down" from research on autonomous vehicles, such as adaptive cruise control that slows down your vehicle (even to a stop) if the v ... read more
Posted on 11/1/2020
WINDSOR LOCKS drivers have probably noticed that the government mandates a lot of equipment on cars: emission devices and control computers, safety equipment like airbags and crash worthiness requirements. All of this is great for the motoring public in the WINDSOR LOCKS area, but it does add quite a bit to the price of a new car.Because new cars are more expensive, WINDSOR LOCKS residents are driving their old cars longer. The average car is now over nine years old. 68% of vehicles on the road have more than 75,000 miles/120,000 kilometers. As cars age, their performance drops, they have difficulty idling for long periods and are more sensitive to weather extremes. Fortunately today's cars are up to the challenge - but they need a little help to keep on going.Some owner's manuals don't outline service requirements and schedules at higher mileage. Of course, that doesn't mean it doesn't have to be done. In fact, it's more important than ever for WINDSOR LOCKS drivers t ... read more