Crystal Lake and Barrington Auto Repair

Winter snows have already started in the Chicago area and careful driving is more important than ever. Do your tires stand up to the challenge? Most drivers today use all-season tires, which do give a smoother, quieter ride than winter tires, also called snow tires. But if you do a lot of driving in heavy snow and ice, a winter tire may be a better choice for you.  Winter tires are manufactured to specifically for cold driving conditions below 45 degrees. Their tread is made to grip the road better with more grooves than all-season tires. The tread is shaped to channel snow, ice and slush away from the tire, giving you more traction and making your vehicle less likely to slide. You’ll also be able to stop better when you put on the brakes. Winter tire treads are designed to operate when the temperature drops below 45 degrees.  Winter tires also help cars with ABS brakes to grip the road better because ABS brakes do not improve traction. It’s important to have ... read more

Traditionally, buying a car meant putting 20 percent down. However, the cost of new vehicles has risen dramatically over the years. In fact, according to automotive resource Edmunds, car buyers today put only about 12 percent down. But should you put any money down at all when buying a vehicle? Putting as much as possible down on a new or used vehicle has important advantages. It makes your monthly payments smaller, and, if you’re buying new, it can offset the depreciation that takes place when you drive off the lot, adds Edmunds. - a full 20 percent in the first year alone. If you put down very little or no down payment at all, you’ll owe more on your car than it’s worth, you’ll have higher monthly payments and higher finance charges. Simply put, it’s better to put money down when buying a car, but your down payment should be one you can reasonably afford. Depending on the condition of your current car, your trade-in can be your down payment, or at leas ... read more