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Q: What are torsion bars? – Alex   A: Alex, Torsion bar suspension systems are common on pick-up trucks and sport utility vehicles. Torsion bars are a type of spring. The vehicle frame attaches to a lever or arm perpendicular to the torsion bar. As the vehicle bounces the bar twists and acts as a spring. Visit tireprosoffrederick.com for more auto repair tips. 

Q: How do worn shocks affect braking distance? – Harold   A: Dear Harold, When your car nose dives, it takes longer to come to a complete stop. A study by the Royal Automotive Club showed that shocks working at 50% efficiency added 12 feet to the stopping distance of a car traveling 60 miles per hour – 117.8 feet versus 104.8 feet. That could be the difference between hitting and missing a hazard in the road. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more auto repair tips. 

Q: What is an oxygen sensor? – Mr. Flemming   A: Mr. Flemming, The oxygen sensor monitors the amount of oxygen in the exhaust. The engine computer in your vehicle can adjust the fuel-to-air mixture for maximum combustion efficiency, decreasing the mount of harmful exhaust even before it reaches the catalytic converter and muffler. 

Q: My car pulls to one side. Could this be a problem with one of my tires? – Mr. Breslyn   A: Mr. Breslyn, Possibly. A very soft tire can cause your car to pull to one side, but this is a very unsafe situation. Your car could also be out of alignment. Stop by Tire Pros of Frederick for assistance. 

Q: My ride is quite rough. What can I do? – Jennifer   A: Jennifer, For a smooth ride, tires must be balanced properly. Also, some tires ride better than others. Every tire is a compromise. Tires with a long tread life have a harder ride. Tires with a softer ride wear faster. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for tire balancing and recommendations on the best replacement tires for your road conditions.

Q: My temperature warning light is on. What should I do? – Lisabeth   A: Lisabeth, Driving with the light on (or temperature gauge in red) risks serious damage to your engine. If you use AAA or some other roadside service, call for assistance. Or, call Tire Pros of Frederick to arrange a tow for you. Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has cooled completely. You could release a cloud of steam and cause severe scalding. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more auto repair tips. 

Q: How important is tire pressure to my fuel economy? – Steve   A: Steve, You can improve fuel economy by up to 5% by keeping your tires inflated to the correct pressure and using the right grade of motor oil. If you drive 12,000 miles per year and gas is $3 per gallon, that’s a savings of $72 per year assuming your car gets 25 miles a gallon. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more tire and auto repair tips. 

Q: Why do my brakes make a squealing noise sometimes when I apply them lightly at low speeds? – Mr. Baldwin   A: Mr. Baldwin, The squealing noise is caused by high-frequency vibration of the brake pads against the rotating brake disc. Vibration is the unavoidable result of friction generated by the pads as the caliper clamps them against the rotating disc. Under average braking conditions, some brake noise is normal and cannot be eliminated. Normally, the shims and the high-temperature...

Q: How often should I replace the fluid in my transmission? – Mr. Murray   A: Mr. Murray, Transmission fluid does break down over time and collects dirt, rust and other contaminants. Fresh transmission fluid ensures smooth and quiet gear changes and maximum transmission life. We would be happy to check the level and condition of your transmission fluid and print out a free copy of the factory maintenance schedule, usually every two years or 30,000 miles. Transmission fluid specificatio...

Q: How can I protect against blow outs? – Penny   A: Dear Penny, The best protection against blowouts is to properly inflate your tires. Don’t let them get too soft; don’t over inflate them. Also, make sure you select a tire that is designed for your driving conditions. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more tire and auto repair tips.