We are only one day away from turkey day and as we all rush around to get the finishing touches done for tomorrow, some of us are just now realizing that we volunteered to bring a dish to this year’s festivities and we still don’t know what we’re going to make! Don’t start stressing, your friends here at Mohawk Auto Center are here to help! Below you will find an arsenal of delicious dishes that are perfect for any Thanksgiving party, and we’re confident everyone will be asking ‘where did you get the recipe?!’ Okay well we’re running out of time so no more talking. Take a peek below and find the perfect dish for your party! Happy Thanksgiving!

Fried Mashed Potato Balls 

• The best way to eat mashed potatoes

• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a22566735/fried-mashed-potato-balls-recipe/

Cheese Stuffed Cornbread 

• Umm, YES PLEASE!

• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a48772/cheese-stuffed-cornbread-recipe/

Bacon Spinach Dip 

• Don’t worry there’s spinach, it’s totally healthy
• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a50161/bacon-spinach-dip-recipe/

Sweet Potato Crescent Bites

• Did you say sweet potatoes? I’m in! 
• https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/a24449743/sweet-potato-crescent-bites-recipe/

Pumpkin Spice Pull-Apart Bread

• Pumpkin spice is my life
• https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/g8/thanksgiving-appetizers/?slide=13

Pretzel Ring Beer Cheese Dip

• Can you say love at first bite 
• https://www.delish.com/holiday-recipes/thanksgiving/g8/thanksgiving-appetizers/?slide=14

Parmesan Crusted Brussels Sprouts

• Brussel sprouts but in a good way! 
• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a55370/parmesan-crusted-brussels-sprouts-recipe/

Bacon Snack Bites

• You had me at bacon
• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a52549/bacon-crack-bites-recipe/

Now that you’ve got the perfect dish, don’t forget to slip behind the wheel of a perfect like-new vehicle for you! With so much to do in the next couple of weeks, you want to be confident your ride can get you where you need to go! Browse our inventory or stop into Mohawk Auto Center today…after you make your Thanksgiving dish of course!

Another month is about to come and go and before we know it we will be in a winter wonderland here in Schenectady, NY. Before that happens, you’re going to want to make sure your vehicle is up-to-date with all of its fall service needs. If you haven’t started your service yet, then this is the perfect opportunity for you to start! This week we wanted to focus on a very important service and that is replacing your old, worn down tires. As you know, your tires are extremely important to your vehicle’s performance and the safety of you and your passengers. During the winter months, this is an even truer statement! When the snow falls and the temperature drops low, ice covers the roads and if your tires are balding, have a low PSI, or have any other damage, you could find yourself slipping and sliding more than driving. We definitely don’t want that to happen, so this week we are offering you a plethora of information to help you ensure that your tires are in good shape for the winter months ahead, or help you decide if they’re not. So take a peek below and if you find your tires could use some TLC, be sure to schedule an appointment with professionals sooner than later! Thinking it’s time for a new vehicle altogether? Shop our inventory now! 

Checking Your Tire Depth:

• Evaluate the tread depth of your tires to make sure you have enough traction to grip the road
• An easy way to check you tire depth is with the Penny Test
• Just place a penny upside down in your tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it may be time for new tires.

Checking Your Tire Pressure:

• Use a tire pressure gauge to make sure your tires are properly inflated and then fill your tires with air as needed
• Your owners manual will have the proper PSI for your tires 
•  To check your pressure, remove the valve stem cap, press the gauge head evenly onto the valve stem, use firm pressure so that the hissing sound stops
• Remove the gauge and read the pressure adjust as needed 

Checking Your Tire’s Condition & Age:

• Look at the tread and sidewalls for any cuts, scrapes, punctures, bulges, bumps or cracks. If you see anything suspicious, have a tire service professional take a closer look.
• You also want to keep an eye on your tire’s age. Depending on how much you drive, your tire’s tread may last for years but just because the tread is not worn out does not mean that your tires don’t need to be replaced
• To determine your tire’s age just look at the DOT stamping on the sidewall
• At the end of the DOT stamp, there is a four-digit code that will tell you when the tire was manufactured. 
• Example: A code that looks like 4719 means the tire was manufactured in the 47th week of 2019

If you’re in the market for a like-new vehicle, then Mohawk Auto Center is the place to be! The professionals at Mohawk Auto want to help match you with the perfect vehicle for you and your family’s needs. Plus, with winter right around the corner, you’re going to want to make sure your vehicle can get you from point A to point B without any issues! 

However, before you settle on your dream ride, be sure to schedule a test drive with us! Test drives are a crucial part of your car buying experience, and although many of us get distracted with new features and technology, there is a lot more you should be looking out for. So what should you be checking for? Let us tell you! Take a peek at our tips below for all the information you’ll need to conquer your next test drive! 

Before You Go To The Dealership: 

• Do your research. Find a handful of vehicles that you are interested in, match your budget, and meet your criteria
• Remember to bring in your driver’s license and proof of insurance so that you don’t need to come back another day 
• Research financing options or get pre-approved using our easy to use online application 

How To Test Drive A Car: 

• The test drive starts before you take the car out on the road, keep an eye out for dents, cracks, rust, nicks, cracks, etc. especially when test driving a used vehicle 
• Check the tires for remaining tread and signs of uneven wear  (checking for poor alignment) 
• Tryout the turning signals and brake lights 

Once You Start The Car: 

• Don’t hit the gas just yet! Idle for a minute or two to listen to the engine. Be sure to listen for troubling noises like rattling, clicking, whining 
• Turn the radio on and play around with the volume, buttons, and don’t be afraid to ask for assistance with setup. Or have them walk through all the functions with you. 
• Check other features like the heat and A/C
• Keep an eye on the dashboard to ensure all the gauges are working properly as the car warms up
• Also, pay attention to your comfort. Are the seats comfortable for long drives? Do you like the material?

Once You Hit The Gas: 

• Pay attention to how the vehicle drives in stop and go traffic
• Be sure to ask about the MPG and other driving features 
• Don’t be afraid to handle rough road to see how the vehicle handles
• Ask to hit the highway to see if the vehicle slows and speeds up smoothly 
• Listen carefully when you’re driving on the highway. Hear any squeaks, whines or rattles behind the sound of the engine?
• If possible, drive up and down a hill to verify that the car upshifts and downshifts appropriately

Now that you’ve got the tips you need, make sure we have the car you want! Browse our available inventory, now! And remember to schedule your test drive today so you can take on your next adventure sooner! 

Pulling out of your driveway in the morning and noticing a large spot where your vehicle was sitting can be very unsettling. Within seconds your morning goes from good to awful thanks to all of the possible scenarios you are creating in your head. That’s why this week we want to help calm your nerves and help you figure out what the issue might be. Many of you might not know that different fluids have different colors and many times you can distinguish what the issue is just the color and texture of the fluid leaking from your vehicle. So this week we have your color guide to all you need to know about your vehicle fluids. So sit back, relax, and solve the mystery of the puddle under your vehicle. 

LIght brown to black: 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a brownish/black color, chances are its motor oil. This can leak from various spots of your vehicle, but if it is leaking from the center and the odor smells like rotten eggs, the culprit could be a lube oil leak. 
• This won’t stop your vehicle dead, but it means that there is an ongoing issue and you should bring your vehicle in for a professional examination

Light yellow to dark brown:

• Brake fluid stars out as a clear/yellow color and as it ages it becomes dark brown, similar to motor oil. An easy way to distinguish is simple, just feel the fluid. If the fluid feel slippery, it’s likely brake fluid. If this is the case, your vehicle not safe to drive and you’re going to want to bring it in for repair as soon as possible. 

Red(ish): 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle is a red or reddish color, it’s generally power steering fluid. Power steering fluid will leak from under the front part of your car and is thin in texture. If this is the case, there is an issue with the power steering pump. 

Orange: 

• If the leak is from the center of your vehicle and the fluid is an orange/reddish-brown color, it could be transmission fluid. However, rust from your radiator mixing with an antifreeze leak can appear orange-ish as well. However, antifreeze will be thin and can leak from anywhere, which could help you determine the difference. 

Yellow, Green, or Pink:

• These leaks will be the easiest to spot, and typically the simplest to diagnose. More times than not, the cause of such bright puddles is a simple coolant leak. In these cases, your vehicle’s age comes into play. Older vehicles tend to blow off a bit of coolant when the engine gets too hot, so a few little spots are nothing to worry about.
• If your vehicle is newer, this coolant shouldn’t be dripping any excess liquids so it might be a good idea to bring it in for a look.

Clear: 

• If the fluid leaking from your vehicle looks like water, it probably is water. The air conditioning can build up excess condensation and result in puddles of water underneath your vehicle. This occurs in properly running cars, only be worried if it becomes constant and a lot.

We all love a good DIY project, I mean who wouldn’t? For those of you thinking “what is DIY?” DIY stands for ‘Do It Yourself.’ Do it yourself projects have become all the rage and for those of us who know a thing or two about the guts of a vehicle, it could be a fun way to save a couple of bucks on service. However, if you don’t know that much about the inside of your vehicle, or service in general, DIY might not be the root to go. Now we’re not saying you can’t try DIY service, but if you don’t know much about vehicles you might make a costly mistake that cost you more money than scheduling service in the first place!

Whether you know your way around your vehicle or not, there are still a handful of services that you should leave to the professionals. What are they? Good question! Below you will see a list of service that you should leave to a certified professional because these are considered major maintenance or have to do with the engine/transmission. So before you pull out your toolbox, take a peek at the list below and make sure that it’s DIY safe.

5 things you shouldn’t try to fix yourself:

Timing-belt replacement: When it comes to many cars the timing-belt replacement is part of a major maintenance visit ever 60,000-100,000 miles and is one of the biggest repair bills you’ll end up seeing for your car. Even though it might be tempting to save your money and DIY, DON’T. The potential for damaging your engine is huge!

Transmission maintenance or repair: The automatic transmissions contain thousands of small parts and narrow passageways for hydraulic fluid and one grain of sand could wipe out your transmission, so leave this to the professionals.

Overheating: With some level of training you could do some cooling-system maintenance but if the engine is already overheated, forget about it!

Drivability problems and error codes: When your car doesn’t start, or you have drivability issues like stalling, hesitation, or surging, home mechanics simply don’t have the training to diagnose and troubleshoot. Leave this to the professionals and save yourself money on possible damages.

Replacing suspension components: It’s impractical and cost-prohibitive for a home mechanic to own some of the specialty equipment needed to get the job done right, while labor costs aren’t all that high for typical suspension repairs, so you might as well leave them to the pros

Have you ever pulled up to the gas pump, gotten out, paid and went to grab the gas pump and asked yourself “hmm, what’s so different about these other two options?” I’m sure we all have, it’s only normal! Many of us probably use regular gasoline, aka the cheapest choice. I mean why would you want to spend even more money on gas if you don’t have to! Well, it all depends on your ride’s engine and if you use the wrong gas you could do some serious damage to your engine. So if you’re thinking about switching to a vehicle that needs premium gasoline or you just want to know more about what those numbers mean, check it all out below!

The real difference between fuel types:

• The most obvious difference between fuel types is the price point that comes along with them. When you pull up you’ll notice that “premium” fuel is more expensive and it’s a pretty obvious difference. In fact, premium fuel usually runs about 20 cents higher than regular fuel.
• In addition to those price tags, premium fuel has a higher octane level. The numbers you see, 92, 83 and 87, indicate how much octane is in the fuel. So in order to differentiate the octane levels, premium is a higher number and regular gas has a lower number.

What is octane?

Great question! Octane is how much compression fuel can withstand before igniting within your engine. A higher octane fuel will not pre-ignite or explode as quickly as lower octane gas. So, it’s important to fill up with the right fuel especially if your vehicle requires premium fuel.

The right fuel matters and here’s why:

Every vehicle on the road today is designed differently and designed specifically to run on a certain type of fuel. And while it might seem like a great idea to fill up with a cheaper fuel option, it could leave you with a damaged vehicle and a hefty repair bill. If you choose to fill up with lower levels, combustion will occur faster and could lead to issues like your engine to make knocking noises, reducing your car’s power and fuel economy, and potentially causing engine damage.

Let’s reverse the roles, shall we? If you choose to use a higher octane fuel when you usually use regular, the risk isn’t as great. But it also won’t give you any real benefits. So, what’s the point? Well, there is none! Just fill up the tank with the recommended fuel level. And if you’re not sure what that may be, take a look in your owner’s manual or give us a call today!

Can you believe that May is almost over and that summer is just around the corner? With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, the unofficial start of summer is closer than you might think. Thankfully that means that the weather has been warming up, something us locals in Upstate New York can appreciate! But with warm weather comes lots of humidity here New York, and that means we might be experiencing some summer storms sooner than later. Summer storms are pretty cool to watch from your porch, but if you get stuck driving in one it might be scarier than anything else. But don’t panic, this week we have some pretty helpful tips for driving on flooded roads. If you feel unsafe, the best idea is to pull over and wait out the storm. If you are in need of assistance getting out of your vehicle, contact your local authorities. So check out our helpful tips below and allow us to help you make it home safe this summer!

Pay attention to barricades:

They can be easily ignored but don’t ignore them! They are there for your safety!

Do not drive through standing water on roads or in parking lots:

• It’s easy to think we can just drive through standing water if we go slow, but the truth is the average automobile can be swept off the road in 12 inches of moving water!
• Driving through water can also stall your engine which could cause damage if you try to restart the engine.
• If you come along a flooded road or lot, try to find an alternative route to your destination!

Take extra precautions if you’re forced to drive through water:

• Do your best to estimate the depth of the water (if other cars are driving through, take note of how deep the water is).
• Drive slowly and steadily through the water.
• Avoid driving in water that downed electrical or power lines have fallen in — electric current passes through water easily.
• Watch for items traveling downstream — they can trap or crush you if you’re in their path.
• If you have driven through water up to the wheel rims or higher, test your brakes on a clear patch of road at low speed. If they are wet and not stopping the vehicle as they should, dry them by pressing gently on the brake pedal with your left foot while maintaining speed with your right foot.
• Stay off the telephone unless you must report severe injuries.
• If your vehicle stalls in the deep water, you may need to restart the engine to make it to safety. Keep in mind that restarting may cause irreparable damage to the engine.
• If you can’t restart your vehicle and you become trapped in rising water, immediately abandon it for higher ground. Try to open the door or roll down the window to get out of the vehicle. If you are unable to get out safely, call 911 or get the attention of a passerby or someone standing on higher ground so that they may call for help.

April showers bring May flowers! And we have sure gotten our fair share of rain so far. Although rain might not be our favorite weather, it’s still better than snow, right? Well, only if your wiper blades are working properly! You might be thinking “what do you mean if they’re working?” Well, your wiper blades are not working properly if they are leaving smudge marks, screeching, or falling apart…if all they are doing is getting rain off your window and not really making your view better, then this week’s blog is for you!

Windshield wipers are made to help wipe away anything that might block our view to the road, like rain, snow, mud, dirt, etc. However, if your wipers are falling apart they probably aren’t doing you much help. So, as part of your spring cleaning this year, we want you to take a look at your wiper blades and see if it’s time to give them a change. But what should you look for? Great question! Check out all of our helpful tips below and see what you should keep an eye out for and how to prolong the lifespan of your wipers!

What to look for:

• Broken frame: detachment from frame arms
• Metal corrosion: specifically at joints and claws
• Cracks, tears, or missing pieces in the rubber
• Check squeegee’s wiping edge, if it is rounded the wiper blade will be unable to make strong contact with the windshield

Maintenance tips:

• Wiper blades should be checked at least every six months and changed out once a year. Weather conditions play a vital role in the life of your wiper blades and can sometimes cause them to deteriorate at a quickened pace.
• Check over both the squeegee and the metal frames to avoid common problems like streaking, skipping, splitting, and clattering. By doing this you will avoid reduced visibility when weather strikes.

These tips can help your blades:

• Clean your windshield each time you fill up your gas tank
• Gently wipe off any dirt or oil with a damp towel that has built up on the rubber squeegee.

Spring has sprung (kind of) here in the Capital Region and that means that our future holds between…at least we hope! But we all know that saying “April showers bring May flowers,” which means that before we get to the really nice weather we have a few rain storms coming our way. We know that the rain is needed to make everything green and pretty again, but we have to remind drivers that rain can be just as dangerous as snow when it comes to driving.

Many drivers don’t slow when it’s raining, even though the roads are most slippery when it first rains, now just imagine how little driver’s slow down when it’s nice out! Yeah, not a lot! Although in the spring we don’t tend to see snow anymore, we have to remember every season brings new weather and road conditions. So we ask that you take a peek at a couple of reminders before you hit the road this spring and if you have any questions about how your vehicle handle in the rain, feel free to give us a call!

Be On The Lookout For Potholes: Winter weather takes a big toll on our roadways, which leads to some pretty nasty potholes. If your speeding down the road and don’t slow down in time and hit a pothole, then chances are that your vehicle is gonna have some damage, serious damage. Damage can include a punctured tire, bent rim, suspension damage, poor alignment, and exhaust system damage.

Slow Down For Spring Showers: Did you know that roads are most slippery when it first starts to rain? This is caused by the rainwater mixing with contaminants on the road, such as oil and grease. Make sure to increase your following distance to allow for proper braking.

Watch For Animals On The Move: Animal activity is up when the weather starts getting nicer. That means keep an eye out and drive slow especially for animals like deer that are known to be out at dusk and dawn.

Watch For Pedestrians: Similar to animals, people tend to be out and about more when the weather starts getting warmer. Whether that means there are more walkers, cyclists or kids play hopscotch. Be sure to slow down especially in residential neighborhoods and busy streets.

Share The Road With Motorcycles: Spring is when the motorcycle riders come out, and because of their speed and size, they may come in and out of your blind spots quickly. Be sure to listen to the sound of their bike and take a few extra seconds before switching lanes. If you are following a motorcycle, remember to leave a good amount of space in between.

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: During the winter months, your tires lose air due to the cold temperatures, this cause your tire to be under-deflated. Vice-versa, warm weather will cause them to be over-inflated. Each situation can lead to increased wear and poor handling.

Inspect Your Tires: Spring will bring the showers and when that happens making sure your tire tread is in shape is important to the quality of your driving. Just like snow, rain makes the road slippery and having good tires will make or break your driving experience. Remember to use easy tricks the penny test to check your tire tread and regularly check your tire pressure if your vehicle doesn’t display it for you.

Pay Attention In Construction Zones: When the snow washes away and the spring days are here to stay, construction will start up again. One thing to keep in mind is that construction zones ask you to slow down for a reason, do it. Remember to…

• Be attentive. Construction workers and equipment may suddenly enter the roadway. Traffic patterns can change daily to accommodate the work being done.
• Understand and follow the signs
• Make safe lane changes. Solid lines in construction zones mean that you should stay in your lane.
• Slow down. Fines may be doubled in construction zones. In addition, slowing down can save a life

Lots of own own vehicles, but a majority of us don’t know much about how vehicles work. And that’s okay that’s why we have professionals that do the work for us. But paying someone else to do the work for us can sometimes be more expensive than we hoped. So then we see how long we can go ignoring the issue, but the truth is that doing this can actually cost us more money than just going in right away. Now many of us might not ask questions about our vehicles because we don’t want to hear the answer…that it could cost us a lot of money or that you might be out of a car for a couple of days. But some of us might not ask because we don’t want to sound stupid. But you don’t have to worry about! If you don’t have someone that you feel comfortable asking question to, feel free to ask us! We have a friendly and helpful staff that are very knowledgable about all things car related. So this week we put together some FAQs that most car owners have and we took the time to answer them to help you get a better understanding without having to go outside your comfort zone! So take a few minutes and check out answers below and if you have any other question feel free to give us a call!

#10 How Often Should I Check My Tire Pressure?

• Most new vehicles allow you to check your tire pressure right from the driver’s seat but if your vehicle doesn’t do this, a good rule of thumb is to check it at least once a month.

#9 When Should I Change My Transmission Fluid?

• Every 30,000 – 60,000 miles but be sure to check your owners manual for more information specific to your vehicle

#8 Why Do Signal Lights Blink Faster Sometimes?

• This simply means that the bulb has burned out
• When the bulb burns out, the voltage drops which makes it easier for the circuit to do its job
• Just like most things, the easier something is, the faster it gets done…Hence the fast blinking
• Just replace the bulb and it will blinker normal

#7 What’s the Difference between Over and Understeer?

• Oversteer is when you can turn your car more than you intended
• Understeer is when your car turns less than what you intended

#6 When Should I Replace My Timing Belt?

• It is recommended to change your timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles, but be sure to check your owners manual for information for your specific vehicle!

#5 Can I Switch to Synthetic Oil or a Different Grade?

• This is when your owners manual comes in handy
• Check the manual to see which oil grade you use, we suggest sticking with that type and not switching to another grade
• When it comes to switching to synthetic oil, it’s usually problem-free, but when it comes to older vehicles this could be a bad idea!
• If your vehicle is a synthetic oil vehicle NEVER go to conventional oil…this could damage your engine big time!

#4 What Do the Sounds My Brakes Make Mean?

• Your brakes are made of pads and rotating components that are always moving
• Like anything,  over time these components begin to wear down and vibrate, and you can hear when this happens
• If the noise is high pitched squeaking, that means your brake pads need to be replaced
• When you hear a grinding noise, this is a more serious issue… This means your brake pads have been so worn down that it is now metal on metal and you could damage your rotors

#3 How Can I Save Money on Gas?

• Smartphone apps that help you find the cheapest gas stations in your area
• Loyalty programs at grocery stores sometimes help gain points toward gas
• Filling up earlier or later in the day can sometimes mean cheaper gas
• Avoid gas stations along the highway, they tend to have inflated prices

#2 What is the Difference between a Two-Stroke and a Four-Stroke Engine?

• A stroke is the maximum amount of movement a piston can make in one direction
• A two-stroke engine can complete two strokes in a single fuel injection
• A two-stroke engine is louder, less efficient, can cost less, produces high power for a short period of time, and requires oil in the fuel
• A four-stroke engine can complete a four strokes in a single fuel injection.
• A Four-stroke engine is quiet, more efficient, more expensive, produces lower power for a long period of time, and doesn’t require oil in the fuel

#1 Why Does My Car Hydroplane?

• This happens when tires come in contact with more water than it can dispell
• Water is pushed under the front tires creating a barrier between the road and the wheel
• The leads to no traction, resulting in sliding or hydroplaning on water…similar to sliding on ice