Car care guides for NYC drivers
Straight answers to the problems we see every day in Long Island City: what a warning means, what is urgent, what you can check yourself, and how we handle it in the shop.
- Guide · Urgent
Car won’t start? How to tell if it’s the battery, starter or alternator
The sound the car makes usually tells you where to look.
Read the guide → - Guide · Urgent
Car overheating? What to do right now, and why it happens
If the temperature gauge climbs toward hot, turn off the air conditioning and turn the heater to full hot with the fan on high: it pulls heat away from the engine.
Read the guide → - Guide · Urgent
Steering wheel shaking or car pulling to one side? What it means
When the shaking happens tells you a lot.
Read the guide → - Guide · Diagnostics
Check engine light on? What it means and what to do
A solid check engine light means the car’s computer found a problem and stored a trouble code.
Read the guide → - Guide · Brakes
Brakes squealing or grinding? What each sound means
A high-pitched squeal when you brake is often the built-in wear indicator telling you the pads are getting thin.
Read the guide → - Guide · TLC drivers
TLC inspection prep: a checklist for NYC rideshare drivers
TLC inspects for-hire vehicles at its Safety & Emissions facility at 24-55 BQE West in Woodside, Queens.
Read the guide → - Guide · NYS inspection
Why your car failed NYS inspection, and how to pass the re-test
Most cars fail New York State inspection for one of three reasons: the check engine light is on, the OBD-II "readiness monitors" are not ready, or a safety item such as brakes, tires or lights is out of spec.
Read the guide → - Guide · NYC driving
Hit a pothole? What to check, and how to claim from the City
After a hard pothole hit, check the tire sidewall and rim right away, then watch for pulling, vibration or new noises over the next few days.
Read the guide →