Manhasset Auto Repair

If it has been a while since your vehicle has been serviced, and your vehicle has over 30,000 miles on it, you may be due for a couple of maintenance items. The following maintenance items are typically ignored but are very important to the overall health of your vehicle. And to your surprise, you may need them now! Maintenance is the best way to ensure that your vehicle lasts throughout the years without major or expensive trouble. If you don't take care of your vehicle, you risk engine damage, transmission problems, and other major repairs occurring and costly you hundreds to fix. By staying on top of the following maintenance items, you'll protect the integrity of your vehicle and your wallet.  Coolant Exchange - coolant does not last forever, and even if your coolant is at the correct level, the corrosion inhibiting chemicals in the antifreeze wear out. This means that corrosion can begin to happen to the radiator, heater core, and other components of the cooling sys ... read more

Whether you’re planning to travel by car this winter season or will just be driving to and from work each day, prepping your car for winter can help you avoid car troubles on the road and keep you safe while driving in winter weather conditions.  Before you hit the road for any type of extended travel, we recommend bringing your vehicle into our shop for a winter car inspection. This will give you peace of mind on the road knowing that an expert took a look at your vehicle and made sure that everything was in working order to stay reliable in the cold weather.  Here are some of the top ways in which you can prep your car for traveling this winter:  Get your car serviced if it is due and inspected for other issues Check your manufacturer’s website for any recalls Inspect your tires to verify they have good tread and are in overall good condition Install new windshield wipers and top-off wiper fluid Check all vital fluids  Be sure to test your vehi ... read more

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Plandome Service Center! We hope that you had a wonderful holiday with friends and family. With all the holidays comes lots of travel, so if you are planning a road trip in the near future, we recommend that you check off some important travel measures before you hit the road.  Be sure to have your vehicle inspected by the experts here at Plandome Service Center before you hit the road. You never want to be caught in a situation where you are stuck without a working vehicle, so guaranteeing that your vehicle is ready for any road trip will keep your family safe and bring you peace of mind on the road.    Pack ample blankets and coats for the road to keep warm if you’re traveling in the cold this winter.    Have an emergency kit on hand in your trunk to help out in cases of emergencies. Some things to make sure you have with you include a spare tire, jack, wrench, flashlight, flares, cell phone charg ... read more

We understand that gas can be expensive, especially with the constant rise and fall of gas prices. While gas is necessary to get where you need to go, understanding ways that you can actually save yourself money on fuel can help relief some of the effect that gas has on your wallet.  The following suggestions can help you save money on fuel:  Driving safer and smoother. If you are constantly hitting the gas pedal, slamming on your brakes, or driving fast - you are using up more fuel than needed. By adjusting your driving habits, such as driving at the speed limit and allowing yourself plenty of time to brake, you’ll end up using less gas and saving yourself some cash.   Use the right fuel grade. Check your owner’s manual to make sure that your vehicle is getting the right grade of fuel at the pump. You may have been pumping premium in your car when you actually don’t need it.    Lighten the load of your vehicle. Having a bunch of items i ... read more

Your vehicle runs on many electrical components, and the spark plugs have the important job of sparking electricity to start the engine. As with all other vehicle parts, your spark plugs will not last forever and will start to wear down over time. When the spark plugs are very worn down, you will notice a lack in overall engine performance.  You should replace your spark plugs when you notice:  Check engine light has turned on Trouble starting your vehicle Lowered fuel efficiency Engine runs rough Lack in acceleration You've reached the mileage that your manufacturer recommends for a spark plug replacement As soon as you notice any of the issues listed above or its time that your vehicle manufacturer recommends a spark plug replacement, bring your vehicle into the experts here at Plandome Service Center for professional service! 

Many car drivers don't often think about their vehicle's headlights unless they notice that one or both have stopped working completely. You may have walked up to your vehicle and noticed how cloudy looking your headlights have become. Cloudy and yellowing headlights is a common thing that happens over time due to sun damage. While it is a common occurrence, this cloudiness and yellowing can actually decrease the effectiveness of your headlights.  A headlight restoration will clean your headlight lenses and ensure proper visibility. This process usually includes sanding down the headlights and waxing them. If the lenses are in really bad shape, they may need to be replaced for optimal performance.  Very dim headlights can be an indication that you need to replace the actual headlight bulbs. Bulbs will naturally dim over time and are usually recommended to be replaced every couple of years. It's also important to check the alignment of your bulbs to be sure that ... read more

With the warmer weather, many vehicle owners will be planning a road trip or a vacation which involves extend lengths of driving. If you're about to head out on your next adventure before the summer ends, make sure that you have your vehicle inspected here at Plandome Service Center first.  The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road or need a major repair mid-way through your vacation. You never know if you car can truly handle the long haul, so having an inspection completed at our shop before you leave will not only ensure that your car is ready for the road, but also give you peace of mind on your vacation.  A pre-summer road trip checklist at our shop will consists of our expert mechanics inspecting the following components of your vehicle:  Battery Belts & Hoses Tires Brakes Fluids & Filters A/C System Once you leave our shop with the clear, you'll be able to relax knowing that your chances of having a car issue on the ... read more