West Babylon Auto Repair

A tune-up is more than your average maintenance. The modern tune-up consists of corrections and adjustments under the hood to enhance your engine’s performance and minimize breakdowns. Some areas of improvement can include the fuel system, ignition system, filters, etc.  If you notice a loss in engine power or notice your check engine light coming on, then it may be due for a tune-up. Below are some of the warning symptoms that suggest it is time for you to get your car, SUV, or truck a tune-up: Check Engine Light Illuminated While a check engine light can mean many things, there’s no doubt that a tune-up should be considered when this signal appears. If you catch this light on your dash, please bring your vehicle to the team at Cosmo’s Service Center in West Babylon soon. Poor Fuel Mileage If your vehicle’s efficiency is not the same way it used to be, a tune-up may be necessary to correct this problem. A dirty filter or bad spark plugs can be the culp ... read more

The timing belt plays an essential role in your engine. It helps your car run smoothly and efficiently while keeping wear and tear to a minimum. Read on to learn more about what this rubbery component can do.   Belts and hoses are some of the inexpensive parts of a motor engine. However, they are complex to get to and replace. Furthermore, if they fail or break, you can be met with extensive engine damage. The timing belt synchronizes the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft so that the valves open and close at the appropriate times. Otherwise, the pistons might strike the valves. The ribbed teeth on the belt help with the consistent timing. When the rubber wears off on the belt, it can affect the timing. It can end up being a disaster for your engine and your wallet.  You may notice the following characteristics on a worn timing belt: Stripped belt Loose and unraveled belt fibers Cracks and breaks in belt Wrong belt tension— too tight or loose Besides physica ... read more

When you run out of windshield washer fluid, you might wonder if it is the only option. The question of whether you can use plain water instead might have crossed your mind severally because of its ease of accessibility and availability. Read on to learn if water can be an option in washing the windshield. Let's begin by explaining why a windshield washer solvent is a preferable fluid before analyzing if water can work as well as the fluid. The windshield washer has numerous ingredients, including methanol and alcohols such as ethylene glycol with traces of ethanol. The components are effective in giving you the best results. In addition, it contains antifreeze components from methylated spirits that make it impossible for water to freeze during icy cold days. Now, can water perform efficiently as the windshield washer solvent? The answer is no. Why? Plain water has no detergents and cleaning solvents to wash your windshield for a streak-free look. Its lack of cleaning power mak ... read more

With summer right around the corner, you will need to check off a list of maintenance items to ensure your car is road-ready. There are preventative things you can do so that your car can meet the summertime demands. As you know, your car can be put under a lot of stress in the warmer weather months. Fortunately, you can turn to the experts at Cosmo's Service Center for help on all your automotive needs this summer. One routine maintenance task that you can't miss out on is your oil and filter change. With more driving done in the summer, your car may use more oil than normal. To keep your engine running smooth, make sure your car has a fresh supply of clean motor oil. It'll keep your engine clean and prevent excess friction. Plus, you may want to change the engine air filter to promote good engine performance. Another summer maintenance must is to have your tires inspected by a professional mechanic. There are many aspects of tires that should be checked. One of them is ... read more

It does not matter where you are or how fast you’re driving, your car may overheat at any moment. If you take good care of your car with proper maintenance, then the cooling system will prevent your engine from overheating. However, incidents happen, and you should know exactly what to do when your car is in trouble. How to Tell if Your Car is Overheating There’s no doubt that you’ll be able to tell when your engine is getting too hot. Below are the red flags of an overheating engine: High-temperature gauge Burning smell Steam coming from under the hood Check engine light or cooling temperature light on When you notice these signs above, it is imperative that you pull over to a safe spot. You can turn on your car heater to draw the heat away from the engine. While it sounds counterintuitive, it works! In fact, having the A/C on can make things worse as it overworks the engine.  Once your engine is shut off and cooled down, you can check the coolant levels ... read more