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Q: What should you do if the engine temperature gauge begins rising during rush-hour traffic? - Becca A: Dear Becca, Don't panic. Give the car a little gas to let it rid itself of some engine heat. Turn on the heater, which will draw heat from the engine. If the gauge is firmly in the danger zone, pull to the side of the road and let the motor cool. Most cars shouldn't overheat--have the cooling system checked. The problem could be anything from a clogged radiator core to low engine coo...

Q: How long should you warm up an engine before winter driving? – Mr. Zemil A: Mr. Zemil, An engine shouldn't idle for more than 15 to 30 seconds in any season, especially if it's fuel-injected. One exception: The engine of a vehicle about to pull a heavy load such as a trailer should be allowed to idle for five minutes or so to allow the oil to become adequately warm. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more valuable auto repair tips. 

Q: I have a 1998 Toyota Camry and my heat isn't working, it's just blowing out cold air. What could be the problem? - Jared A: Hi Jared,  Your heat not working could be a number of issues. It could be that your car is low on coolant, or there is a coolant leak. Or it could be that an actuator door is not opening to let warm air inside the vehicle. Another scenario would be that the heater core is plugged, so hot water is unable to circulate within the vehicle. To know for sure, bring it b...

Q: How do I know which types of brakes are the best? The last shop I went to asked me if I wanted Premium, Economy, or Ceramic. - Julie A: Hi Julie,  Each kind of brake has its pros and cons. Premium brake pads are made out of top quality materials. They are good at delivering the shortest braking distances, are less likely to wear under hard braking, and offer the longest possible brake life; howver, they can sometimes be noisy. Economy brake pads are made of softer materials, so they ar...

Q: How should you care for cars not driven for extended periods of time? - Alex A: Alex, Make sure someone you trust starts the car every three weeks--or preferably drives it until it is warmed up to prevent items such as gaskets from drying up. Move the car backward and forward in the garage if you don't want to take it on roads. Getting everything to operating temperature on dry, salt free roads at least once a month is best. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more auto repair tips. 

Q: There is a leak leaving a puddle under my car. What could it be coming from? - Patrick A: Dear Patrick,  You can normally tell what is leaking by what color the puddle is. Green, light blue, or bright orange usually indicate an overheated engine or an antifreeze leak. This could be caused by a bad hose or water pump, or a leaking radiator. Dark brown or black liquid is an oil leak, which could be caused by a bad seal or gasket. A red spot usually indicates a transmission fluid or power...

Q: I have a 2011 Kia Soul and I was thinking about buying new tires. A friend of mine told me to make sure I get Road Hazard when I buy the tires. What exactly is Road Hazard and do I really need it? - Chuck A: Hi Chuck,  Road Hazard isn't required but it certainly can come in handy! Think of Road Hazard as insurance. You pay a small fee of 10% of the cost of your tires (so if each tire is $80, you pay an extra $8 a tire) and if anything happens to your tire that is not covered under the ...

Q: How often should I change my wiper blades? – Mrs. Sage   A: Mrs. Sage, How often you should change your vehicle’s wiper blades depends on how much time your car spends indoors. If your car is kept mostly inside, then you should plan on changing your wiper blades once a year. However, if your vehicle is mostly outdoors, then it is important to change your wiper blades at least two times throughout the year. Properly maintained wiper blades guarantee clearer vision and safer driving....

Q: Can I drive normally on my spare tire? - Bob   A: Bob, Many newer vehicles come equipped with a temporary spare. These tires are usually much smaller than the other tires on your car. It is important to realize that these spares have far more limitations than a typical tire, including speed and recommended driving distance. No more than 50mph and no longer than 50 miles per trip.

Q: I have a fuse burned out that I need to replace. What should I do? - Ethan A: Hello Ethan,  If you are going to replace the fuse yourself, make sure you replace it with a fuse with the same amperage. You will find that printed on the fuse. If the fuse continues to blow, bring it in to Tire Pros of Frederick to have the circuit checked by one of our technicians to check for defects.