FALCONER AUTO REPAIR

We've all heard the stories: So-and-so got an unbelievable bargain on a used SUV with only 8,000 miles on it! But all of us probably also know somebody with that less than fairy tale buying experience: Our used car ran incredible for the first week, but then it broke down and we found out it needs thousands of dollars worth of repairs! Purchasing a used car can sometimes feel like a treacherous quest, but with a few nifty tips you can shop with confidence. Assess Your Needs and Decide on a Vehicle Don't start your search without a set idea of what type of car you would like to buy. Consider where and when you will most likely use the car. What type of weather do you usually drive in? Where can you park your vehicle? (Nobody wants to come home with a truck on a lift that can't fit into their garage) Once you have ... read more

A few years ago, car dealers in Falconer began offering "certified pre-owned" (CPO) cars. Some individuals assumed that it was just a fancy new name for "used." It does sound like marketing spin. As it turns out, a certified pre-owned car really is different from a standard used vehicle. The History of the CPO Program When leasing became popular, dealers ended up with a lot of newer automobiles with low mileage. Instead of putting these like-new cars on the auction market, they recognized a lucrative new market. To earn the certification, the automobile must pass a rigorous comprehensive inspection. The standards vary and are usually set by the automobile manufacturers. Then they are reconditioned to like-new status. Carmakers frequently offer a warranty similar to that of a new car. Some CPO w ... read more

1. Strange Vibrations or Sounds This could indicate an issue with your brakes, steering, tires, or suspension. Pull over, call I-86 Truck & Auto Repair at 716-665-2501 and one of our service professionals can guide you on next steps. 2. You Smell Something Burning It may be something inconsequential or a major emergency, but you don't want to take the chance of causing pricey damage to your car or put your passengers in danger. Pull over and investigate. 3. To Search for Something Your iPhone slides between the seat and the console and you think you can pull off an amazing contortionist move and keep driving. Don't count on your yoga/steering multitasking ability. Stop on the side of the road for two minutes and reclaim your phone. 4. Health Issue Heart attac ... read more

Motorists who are cited for speeding often argue that limits are unrealistically low. Conversely, men and women who live near busy streets often argue that local speed limits are too high and, therefore, unsafe. The auto experts at I-86 Truck & Auto Repair decided to explore this issue. We found that some common assumptions about speed limits weren't entirely accurate. Here are some key findings: Reducing a posted speed limit doesn't necessarily cause car owners to slow down. Raising the legal limit 10 mph only increases actual traffic speed 3 mph. Germany—with autobahn sections where you can go as fast as you want—has a much lower rate of crash deaths than the US. Significantly lowering a speed limit can decrease safety due to an increase of dangerous driving behavior. Roads with a speed limit that reflects actua ... read more

Hitching a trailer to your vehicle can be useful in many situations. Moving, taking green waste to the dump, donating an old sofa to Goodwill; all of these errands are possible when you own your own trailer or rent one on occasion. Here are a few towing recommendations that will help you execute your trailer trips safely and efficiently. Loading It's important to load the trailer with the heaviest items up front closest to your car. This will help you have more control over the trailer and avoid fishtailing. While you do want most of the cargo in front of the front axle of the trailer, you should also have some weight behind the axle. This will help alleviate excess pressure on the hitch. Tire Pressure Proper trailer tire pressure is vital and you should monitor it often. Maintain the tire pressure at t ... read more

When it comes to weatherizing your automobile, it seems like cold winter conditions get all the attention. However, there are some critical things drivers can do to help their automobiles make it through the hot summer months. The cooling system needs to be in tip-top shape to keep your auto running when it's hot outside, so frequently check that the coolant reservoir is full. To schedule a cooling system service, call I-86 Truck & Auto Repair at 716-665-2501. If you find yourself in a traffic jam, be sure to leave distance between your car and the car in front of you. Being too close to another car can overburden the cooling system because of the hot exhaust emitted from the auto ahead. The effect of heat on a car adds up, so there are essential systems and parts that need to be monitored periodically during the hot season. Bel ... read more

The cities with the highest rate of vehicle thefts per capita may surprise you. These are the most recent rankings from the National Insurance Crime Bureau. The number in parentheses is the total number of cars stolen. Cities With The Most Vehicle Thefts Per Capita 1. Albuquerque, N.M. (10,011) 2. Pueblo, CO (1,325) 3. Bakersfield, CA (7,176) 4. Modesto, CA (3,820) 5. Riverside/San Bernardino/Ontario, CA (25,708) 6. Anchorage, AK (2,273) 7. Merced, CA (1,605) 8. San Francisco/Oakland/Hayward, CA (29,414) 9. Fresno, CA (5,682) 10. Billings, MT (877) Cities With The Fewest Vehicle Thefts Per Capita Out of 382 ranked by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, here are the safest for your ride: 1. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI (1) Seriously? Only one vehicle stolen! 2. Watertown-Fort Drum, NY (16) 3. Midland, MI ( ... read more

Whether you’re a fan of sports cars, trucks, or any other type of auto; I think that there is one thing we can all agree on and that’s that the automotive brake is an amazing feat of engineering. Think about how little energy it takes to press down the brake pedal yet the mechanism brings 3,000 pounds of hurtling steel and aluminum to a stop. Not only are brakes a brilliant invention, they are probably the most important safety component in a car. Just take a second and imagine if all the car brakes in the world stopped working simultaneously. Not a pretty thought. So let’s talk a little about our life-saving car brakes. A Block of Wood Brakes in automobiles started as simple as you can imagine although they weren’t the most effective. The first brakes were levers that would press a wood block onto the ... read more

Even if you don't live in an area where autonomous vehicles are being tested, you have probably heard a lot about them. With all the publicity—both negative and positive—about autonomous technology, some Americans wonder if their fellow citizens are completely on board. Since it's a frequent topic of conversation, we looked into it. The Public Has Not Embraced Them YetA recent survey by CareId (an automotive marketing company), found that not all Americans are sure about them. We Still Like to Drive Ourselves The survey found 75% of respondents would prefer to drive themselves than be transported in an autonomous car. Furtherm ... read more

Without tires on your vehicle, you wouldn't get very far. They help propel you forward and they support your car’s weight. Properly inflated tires with good tread help keep you and your ride on the road. Unfortunately, tires don’t last forever. Every year roughly 300 million tires need to be replaced. That is about one tire for every American every year. What happens to all of those used tires? Few states allow tires in landfills. This is because they quickly pile up and trap methane which damages landfill liners. When the liners are damaged, the toxins from the tires pollute the groundwater. Lots filled with piles of old tires provide an ideal place for rats and mosquitoes to flourish. Burning tires isn't an option, as the fumes are toxic. Recycling tires is the environmentally-responsible way to deal with old tires. Most likely the location you purchased your tires will recycle them for you. Roughly 110 products use rubber from recycled tires according to the EP ... read more