West Babylon Auto Repair

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

While years of driving makes people better drivers, as you age, your muscles and joints become stiff. Your hearing and vision also becomes impaired. Soon, actions that seemed natural, like moving your foot from the gas pedal to the brake, become more difficult. Fortunately, effective tips will keep aging drivers active and safer on the roads. Read on to learn these ideas. Stay on Top of Your Health Health becomes compromised as people age. Therefore, get regular check-ups to keep you in your best driving element, ensure to have your vision and hearing checked once or twice a year. Exercising regularly will also increase your stamina and flexibility to improve your reflexes. Regular exercises will also ease joint pain and stiffness, putting you in a better position to handle your car. Know the Effects of your Medication Certain medications can adversely affect your driving. When getting your prescriptions, ask your doctor to tell you about the possible side effects of your medicati ... read more

Brake maintenance is an auto service that is necessary to protect your and others' safety on the road. When you take good care of your brakes, they'll take care of you by slowing down or stopping when you need to. Below are seven warning signs that point to brake problems:   Brake Light On If the brake light, or ABS light, comes on your dash, it means there is a problem with your anti-lock braking system. It would help if you got repairs soon as this mechanism is vital in preventing your brakes from locking up.   Squeaky Brakes Squealing brakes are most often related to your brake pads. These parts have indicators, or metal pieces, that emit a high-pitched sound when they've worn down. Think of it as a warning or reminder to change your brake pads!   Grinding Sounds Scraping noises is sometimes due to a brake pad/shoe contacting metal contact points. You should have a mechanic check it out just to be sure.   Vibrations or Shakiness While Braki ... read more