FALCONER AUTO REPAIR

Using DIY car air conditioning repair kits or hiring unqualified shops for repairs can potentially cause harm in several ways: Ineffectiveness: Many DIY kits claim to fix common AC problems like leaks or low refrigerant levels. However, these fixes are often temporary and may not address underlying issues. This can lead to ongoing AC problems and is a waste of your time and money. Repair shops sometimes claim to perform AC repairs, but in truth they just use a cheap repair kit with sealant instead of proper testing and repairs. Incorrect diagnosis: Without proper training and diagnostic tools, DIY'ers may misdiagnose AC issues. For example, assuming a refrigerant leak when the problem lies elsewhere can result  potential damage to the AC system and you're still hot under the collar. Safety hazards: Working with refrigerants can be hazardous if not done correctly. DIY'ers may accidentally release refrigerant into the atmosphere which is harmful to the environmen ... read more

When you're heading out the door to work or the store, do you plan your route based on road conditions? If not, then you probably haven’t driven down Second Street in Jamestown! Potholes all run together in strips now, with repair patches on top of patches from last year – they are impossible to miss! That’s the story all over the area… Falconer, Lakewood, Randolph, and Frewsburg. Potholes are a natural occurrence in our region with Winter freeze/thaw cycles, even when we’ve had a mild Winter. Here are 6 types of damage that can occur to your vehicle as a result of potholes and severe road conditions: Suspension Damage: Potholes can impact the suspension system, leading to issues such as misalignment, bent or damaged control arms, and broken shocks or struts. This can result in a rough ride, uneven tire wear, and reduced stability. Tire Damage: Potholes can cause punctures, bulges, or sidewall damage to tires, leading to air leaks or blowouts ... read more

Why not reduce your Holiday season and Winter Break travel with some simple steps? Here we go! Have a trusted vehicle advisor relationship… I’m going to sound “old” for a moment, so bear with me. When I was young, my grandfather was my trusted vehicle advisor. I was a tomboy and had been tagging along to the repair shop with him since I was about 8. I remember getting my first car - A Dodge Charger Daytona SE in two-tone red with leather seats. She was a beauty! Pa helped me to learn how to check my oil levels and he purchased a car care/safety kit to keep in my trunk. I signed up for an evening automotive class at the high school to learn more basics. Fast forward to today and it’s a whole new world! Every year more technology and engineering changes in vehicles make it more difficult for car owners to maintain their own vehicles, and more expensive to just own one. Therefore, it is truly important to have a trusted repair shop you can ... read more

                                                                           Fall auto care is essential to ensure safety and reliability as the seasons change and holiday travel is quickly approaching. Tire Maintenance: As temperatures drop, your tires can lose pressure. You may even see your TPMS light come on! Check your tire pressure regularly and ensure they are properly inflated. Consider switching to winter tires if you need reliable and safe travel in our area with its cold, and snowy winters. Brake Inspection: Have your brakes inspected to make sure they are in good working condition. Fall weather often brings wet and slippery road conditions, so reliable brakes are crucial. Remember to watch for leaves building up on roads - they’re super slippery! Stopping distances will increase ... read more

4 Important Things I’ve Learned About Car Tires – Be Informed! Part 4 – Tire Inspections Rotating tires and having tires inspected at every oil change is a good rule of thumb. If not for this process, my mechanic would not have quickly identified a rear shock that went bad during the covered manufacturer warranty period. I would have had advanced damage to my almost-new tire on that side! How did he know? The left rear tire was wearing unevenly! A trained mechanic can spot things like this during a simple Vehicle Check-up like is performed at every visit, at no charge, for all I-86 Truck & Auto Service customers. A digital Check-Up report will be texted to you by your I-86 Service Advisor, including photos, videos, and tech notes. You should always know the condition and safety status of your vehicle! Thanks for following our 4-part series on tires. Until next time! Ronda Whitford, Owner I-86 Truck & Auto Repair 1739 Lindquist Drive Falcon ... read more

4 Important Things I’ve Learned About Car Tires – Be Informed! Part 3 – Tires have a “shelf life” Are you a low-mileage driver or do you own multiple vehicles? Here’s something you should be aware of for tire safety!  Vehicle manufacturers recommend tire replacement at 6 years, and tire manufacturers say tire life should be limited to no more than 10 years – regardless of mileage on them. How do you know the age of a tire? The US DOT NHTSA requires the full Tire Identification Number be stamped on one sidewall of a tire. Look for the letters DOT, followed by eight to thirteen letters and/or numbers that identify: the manufacturing location, tire size and manufacturer's code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured. Find the last 4 digits of the ID number on your tire. The first two are the week number of the year, and the last two are the year. Stay tuned for our final part in this ser ... read more

4 Important Things I’ve Learned About Car Tires – Be Informed! Part 2 – Are New Car Tires Winter Worthy? Don’t assume that your new car is outfitted with tires that are suited for our Winters, no matter how much tread they have. Coming home thru Ohio with my brand-new Ford Escape on a late Fall trip, I felt confident that the half inch of snow and slush we came into would be no problem. Wrong! The new all-season tires on my SUV did not have the proper tread for even the slightest amount of Winter traction, we were all over the road! All season tires are designed for a smooth, quiet ride on most dry and wet conditions. Specifically designed Winter tires improve traction, handling, and control on snow, slush and ice. That was a hairy ride the rest of the way home, but you can bet I got new tires immediately when we got back. I-86 Truck & Auto Repair can help you with tire needs, just ask when scheduling your next appointment! Stay tuned for ... read more

4 Important Things I’ve Learned About Car Tires – Be Informed! A 4-part Series… Part 1 – Tire Pressure and Temperature Fluctuations If you notice your car’s tire pressure sensor (TPMS) light come on, it doesn’t always mean your tire is going flat. Certain times of the year our daily temperatures can swing 40 degrees or more! Tire pressure sensors are very sensitive and temperature fluctuation will increase or decrease the volume of air in your tires. If your TPMS light comes on, visually check to see if you have a flat tire, check your tire pressure with a gauge, and adjust your tire pressure accordingly. You may need to add a pound or two of air for colder weather temps so that the sensors don’t continue to trigger the dash light. But never ignore the TPMS light, it’s trying to tell you something! Customers at I-86 Truck & Auto Repair can receive this simple tire pressure service free of charge without an appointme ... read more

In case you haven’t flipped your calendar to next month yet to look ahead, Spring Break travel dates are just around the corner!! I know that feeling all too well… “Wow, there’s SO MUCH on that checklist!” and panic sets in. One of the biggest things for travel is peace of mind, right? You want your trip to be smooth sailing, with your family arriving at your destination and back home safely. Examples of good surprises you’d be excited about might be: a huge whale pops up near your sightseeing boat… the storm holds off and you get the amazing photo of the sunset you dreamed of. And then there are surprises that can ruin your whole experience: the check engine light you’ve been ignoring suddenly strands you along the side of a busy interstate miles from anywhere… the exhaust leak you hadn’t noticed is now allowing dangerous fumes into your vehicle as you sit in traffic. If you travel any amount at all, you may have already ... read more

5 Things You Should Do in Winter Months – Car Maintenance 101   As we are in the throws of Winter right now, I’m reminded to take good care of my own vehicle - a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek – so I thought I’d share these 5 important tips: We live in the rust belt, and one of our customers asked us just the other day – “How can we keep rust at bay?” The short answer is, you can’t. But you can slow it down with some simple steps. Don’t give up on exterior maintenance in the Winter. My excuse personally was that it will just be messy an hour later because it’s wet and sloppy. This year I’ve got a new car and want it staying nice for as long as possible so I’ve promised myself I will get car washes when it’s warm enough to do so. It removes the build-up of salt and mud, giving your car a fighting chance. I always look for a car wash that has an undercarriage wash! I also prefer a car wash where ... read more