Amherst Automotive Services

Holiday road trips always sound fun in theory, but let’s be honest: The irritation level can get pretty high in there about 30 minutes into the drive (especially if you’re traveling with little ones). Make this season’s car rides your most painless and festive yet with these super simple, plan-ahead tips.

Frame swap on a 2014 Silverado. Customer very happy.

With the amount of money we spend on the payments, maintenance, and repair of our cars, you’d think we’d have a better relationship with our vehicles. But understanding our carshow they work, how to care for them, repair costscan be overwhelming.

Pumping gasoline is a routine to which most people give little thought. Just stop at the gas station, pay, fill up and go. But have you ever wondered where the gas you buy actually comes from?

Flying cars may seem futuristic but from commercial jetpacks to personal air taxis, they are already here. Here’s how they could transform the way we commute, work, and live.

One way to avoid a turkey of a Thanksgiving road trip is to make sure the vehicle you will be driving is running well. A 10-minute pre-trip check is a quick and easy way to help avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown many miles away from home, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

Longer days during summer months make dreams of long road trips finally realizable. While long drives get you where you are going, they can be fatiguing.

If you've ever driven west on Interstate 80 through Nebraska, you've seen one of the flattest and emptiest roads in America ... and you probably had some time to ponder life's most important questions. For example, why is the highway called "I-80," anyway? And why do some interstate names have one, two or three digits?

Shorter days, fatigue, compromised night vision, rush hour, and impaired drivers are some of the risks we face when driving at night. These risks become especially pronounced moving into the weekend, with fatal crashes peaking on Saturday nights, according to NSC analysis of NHTSA data.

The last thing any driver needs is a vehicle that breaks down in cold, harsh winter weather. The Car Care Council recommends that car owners follow its Fall Car Care Month checklist and inspect their vehicles before the temperatures drop and severe weather hits.

No one wants to admit to being a distracted driver, but we’ve all texted, talked and eaten while on the road. The truth about distracted driving is that it doesn’t take much for our attention to be diverted.

Car batteries are the strong, silent member of the automotive team. They do their job regardless of heat, cold weather and the drivers who demand so much of them. While a battery that allows a car start at the first turn of the key is a joyful thing, it doesn't last forever.

We're always trying to figure out what the Golden Age of cars was, but the truth is that ever since World War II, we've lived in something of an endless Golden Age.

Standard Motor Products Inc. (SMP) has announced the winners of its SMP Women in Auto Care Scholarship. The inaugural competition has presented two female students with $5,000 each.

An air cabin filter is an important component in any vehicle's heating and cooling system. It helps protect the passengers from contaminants in the air they breathe.

We now offer module flash capabilities for chrysler, gm, ford, mercedes benz, bmw, and many other makes. This includes module reprograming, key fob programming, factory remote start system installation and enabling. call 716-691-5653 for details!

With gas prices remaining low, motorists should take advantage of their savings and invest it back into their vehicles. By spending a little now to increase fuel efficiency, drivers can multiply fuel savings and save more money at the pump, says the Car Care Council.

Driving can be very stressful, particularly if you are stuck in heavy traffic or are an inexperienced driver, and this stress will eventually take its toll on the heart. However, researchers now confirm that there is a simple fix for this problem: listening to the right music while driving.

Back-to-school season is the ideal time to review your ABCs; the ABCs of car care, that is. The Car Care Council recommends that motorists brush up on their auto care knowledge to make sure their vehicle is operating at its most efficient level before the school year commences and the onset of fall and winter weather.

It starts with Hot Wheels and garbage trucks and blossoms into something more. Brett Berk dives into the psychology of why you never stopped loving automobiles.

Brake Safety Awareness Month in August is the perfect time to have your brakes checked to make sure they are in safe working condition before summer ends and the school year starts, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

Only you can protect your family or yourself from defective or noncompliant vehicles or equipment that could pose a threat to your safety.

You may love the heat of summer, but you need to help your car keep its cool when temperatures rise. An engine that runs too hot can damage the vehicle and threaten your safety. Here are some tips we’ve compiled to help prevent your car from overheating:

Summer's arrival means your vehicle's air conditioning system is going to be under a serious strain before long. If you haven't had your system serviced in a while, now's the time.

Summer is the main season for cone zones, road construction where you will likely hit a bump or two, or come across loose stones and other hazards. These rough road conditions can be tough on a vehicle’s steering and suspension system and can throw out the alignment, while loose stones have the potential to damage the vehicle’s exterior or windshield, according to the non-profit Car Care Council.

This is how the combination of an engine, fuel, and air makes your car move, explained in plain English, in case you're not an engineer.

Keeping your vehicle clean inside and out can pay big dividends when it comes to maintaining its long-term value. The non-profit Car Care Council suggests some simple steps to keep your vehicle clean and protect it from the elements so it retains its resale and trade-in value.

We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users. Learn about the dangers of speeding and why faster doesn’t mean safer.

One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up.

We love car facts. Those pieces of knowledge that give extra insight into the story of the car and the industries that surround it, or the sociology of the car and its roll in society.

Would you like to know how your vehicle’s air conditioner works? The system looks complicated, but it's really quite simple.

Most vehicles start out with a new car smell, but there are other specific odors that motorists should never ignore.

Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, thus damaging the internal structure of the battery. That’s why it’s a good idea to check your battery as the seasons change from hotter to cooler or if you’ve been driving in a hot part of the country.

In May 1919, a pair of English astronomers leveraged a rare solar event to confirm Einstein’s predictions how light and time were influenced by gravity. The result was a plethora of new technologies used in modern life every day.

While your home or office might be a priority for the spring cleaning madness, one place you shouldn’t neglect to clean is your car.

With a majority of vehicle owners living in areas of the country that have stay-at-home orders, many vehicles may be sitting idle for days or weeks at a time. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends starting your car at least once a week and keeping up with routine auto care to help prevent potential maintenance issues.

National Car Care Month in April is the perfect time for simple driveway car care to make sure your vehicle is operating safely and dependably for essential trips during this trying time, says the Car Care Council.

You need clean air to breathe and so does your car, and a vehicle’s air filters make that possible. The non-profit Car Care Council reminds car owners to have the engine and cabin air filters inspected and changed regularly to ensure vehicle longevity and interior comfort.

Potholes appear and they are a major pitfall of springtime driving. While hitting one can give you a jolt, it can also seriously damage your vehicle.

Your vehicle was designed to send out signals when it’s time for basic maintenance. Listening for warnings about brake safety makes the difference between brake pad replacement and expensive brake system repair.

If you love your car as much as most people do, you’ll want to take care of it. Here are a few basic maintenance and cleaning tips to keep your car in good shape.

You may not see them, or know much about them, but engine belts are always working to keep your vehicle moving. Losing a belt can mean immediate trouble for the engine and a breakdown for you.

As you prep for the big Heart Day, why not consider sharing the love with your trusty vehicle? It works hard for you daily and rarely complains, even after you slam the brakes, blare the horn, and pound the steering wheel. Plus, it puts up with your singing reason alone to shower it with affection.

Motor vehicles are the primary mode of transportation for most of us, and often an indispensable part of our lives. But what would happen if your vehicle suddenly disappeared?

A regular service schedule can help keep your car running at it’s best. For your convenience, the Car Care Council developed a Service Interval Schedule to help you keep track of regular maintenance.

Turns out that the SEMA Show isn’t the only automotive showcase that annually overflows the Las Vegas Convention Center. This past week, the convention center’s North Hall has been the epicenter of the automotive world as automakers, their suppliers and even some newcomers displayed their visions for our drive into the future.

The Car Care Council has a number of tips for commuters to help ensure their trips to and from work are as enjoyable and worry-free as possible.

2020 has arrived and many are carefully selecting New Year’s Resolutions. Establishing challenging yet achievable goals is the essence of New Year’s Resolutions, a tradition that dates back 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians.

It's something a majority of us do daily; in fact, most people text 5 times, 10 times, if not more on a daily basis. So, what's the harm in doing it while driving?

The holidays are a popular time for travelers. However, the wintery weather and extensive travel time can present certain safety hazards that you should be aware of before taking your trip.

While modern cars are more reliable than ever, they still need regular maintenance and many motorists don’t notice a needed repair until something changes, particularly how the car sounds.

It’s not just paranoia: Driving at night is actually more dangerous. Fatal accidents are three times more likely at night compared with the daytime, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While you’re busy preparing for another holiday season, don’t let car care take a back seat. Neglected auto care almost always means much higher costs down the road in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value.

When something goes wrong with your car or if a feature you should know about gets activated, a signal funnels through the electrical system and into the dashboard.

Visual and mental attention is key to safe driving, yet many in-vehicle technologies can cause drivers to lose sight and focus of the road ahead. Hands-free, voice-command features and other interactive technologies increasingly common in new vehicles may create visual and mental distractions that unintentionally provide motorists with a false sense of security about their safety behind the wheel.

Help protect trick-or-treaters by following these driving safety tips on Halloween, or on the night your community hosts Halloween activities.

Often, we don’t think about what we need in an emergency situation until we’re in one. Whether you have a flat tire or another roadside emergency, you should have the following items in your car.

Here are a few tips on how to deal with aggressive drivers, plus helpful hints to reduce your own stress while driving.

October is Fall Car Care Month, the ideal time of the year to pay special attention to that vehicle you depend on so much to get you where you are going, says the Car Care Council.

Car smells are a clear indicator that’s something wrong, says Trotta. So you never want to ignore a strange smell when you’re driving. Here are some of the most common car odors, she says, and what to do if you pick up their scent.

Fall is a time for hay rides, leaf peeping and pumpkin picking. It's also a time when road and weather conditions make getting there a little tougher. Stay safe on the road this season with these smart driving tips.

Are you a severe driver? Normal driving is defined as steady driving in non-extreme weather or environments, so for most motorists today, being a severe driver is more the rule than the exception.

One of the things that car owners dread is finding out that they cannot start their vehicles when they are rushing for an appointment. While there can be a host of issues as to why the engine doesn’t want to turn over, one of the most common culprits is a dead battery.

The average age of vehicles on the road is rising, and as cars get older, they need more service and repair. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends that motorists who own an older car, truck or SUV become more diligent about preventative maintenance.

We’ve all heard a handful of funny laws that make you wonder the backstory of its creation. For instance, did you know it’s illegal to stick an ice cream cone in your back post in Alabama and Georgia? This was to prevent thieves from luring away other people’s horses.

It’s back-to-school time and the Car Care Council wants to help families get their vehicles ready for car pools, playdates, soccer games and more. An informative new video from the non-profit organization provides motorists a with a five-point checklist to be performed before the start of the school year.

You’re driving along in your car or truck and suddenly a yellow light illuminates on your dash telling you to check or service your engine. If you’re like most car owners, you have little idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react.

Seeing your child off to college is an emotional transition, especially if they are going far away from home. Sending them away in the family vehicle can create even more worry and stress. A little advance planning and a well-maintained vehicle can offer peace-of-mind to parents, says the non-profit Car Care Council.

While getting a drivers license is an exciting rite-of-passage for teens, it can make a parent franticwith good reason.