News

Q: Is it ok to be covering my car in the winter? - Diana A: Hi Diana,  It's not suggested to cover cars in the winter because many car covers can trap moisture. This will cause excessive rust to many parts of your car. If you are going to put a cover on it, have a fan blow on the car a few hours a day to get rid of the moisture. If you're afraid that past covering may have rusted parts of your car, stop by Tire Pros of Frederick and we can take a look at it for you. 

Q: I want to keep my car as long as possible. How can I prevent a breakdown? - Shania A: Hi Shania,  The number one cause of breakdowns is not performing the regular scheduled maintenance for your vehicle. The following should  be performed on a regular basis: Vehicle Inspection (or multi-point inspection) Change transmission fluid Periodically chenge belts, hoses, and thermostat Flush the cooling system Inspect brakes and flush brake fluid Replair air filters and fuel filters Replace timing be...

Q: My car won't start but my radio still works. Is this a battery issue? - Sheila  A: Hi Sheila,  The energy required to run your clock, radio and headlights is not nearly as much energy as it takes to start your vehicle. A battery can be too weak to start and run a vehicle, but strong enough to operate the accessories. Have your car towed in to Tire Pros of Frederick and we can perform a battery test on your vehicle for FREE! 

Q: I just got a flat tire on my way home from work. The tires aren't very old, is it safe to repair the tire? - Jackson A: Hi Jackson,  If a tire loses all or most of it's air pressure, it must be removed from the wheel for a complete internal inspection to be sure it is not damaged. Tires that are run for even short distances while flat are often damaged beyond repair. Most punctures, nail holes, or cuts up to 1/4 inch that are confined to the tread may be safely repaired by a trained technici...

Q: My check engine light was on, so I went to a parts store and had my car scanned for codes. What does a "multiple misfire" code mean? - Bob A: Hi Bob,  The most common answer is the spark plugs, but you can also have troubles with the coils or injectors. There could be a number of things, so the best thing to do would be to bring your car to Tire Pros of Frederick so we can inspect the vehicle and tell you what exactly is causing that code. 

Q: Why did this other shop I went to tell me that I have to replace my entire headlight when just one bulb is burned out? - Alicia A: Hi Alicia,  Some auto manufacturers require a brand new headlight kit to be installed rather than just replacing the bulb. If part of your headlight casing is damaged or missing, most manufacturers don't supply individual replacement parts for headlight housing. This is most common with LED lights. Any lights on an LED fixture will require the entire headlight as...

Q: How exactly does motor oil breakdown? - Rodney A: Oil is pretty temperamental. Constant exposure to heat, moisture and air leads to oil oxidation. This results in oil thickening, sludge, deposit formation and corrosive wear. When oil additives are completely exhausted, oil can no longer handle the dirt and metals that are freely floating around, causing more oxidation. This means oil can no longer protect your engine against corrosion and wear when it breaks down. Leaving oil in your eng...

Q: My daughter is going off to college. I have to get her a new set of tires and it's the first time she has to be responsibe for the maintenance of her tires. Is there any tips I can give her on how to check the well being of her tires, or any tires that make it easy for her to maintain? - Mark P. A: Hi Mark,  I would suggest coming in and check out a set of Continental tires for your daughter. Continental has built in indicators that make it easy for anyone to check on the status of the...

Q: How do my brakes work? - Jeanine A: Hey Jeanine,  Your brake system relies on each connected brake part to function successfully and safely. Here's a quick explanation. By pressing down on the brake pedal, you activate the cylinder that delivers brake fluid to the calipers that then engage your brake pads. Your brake pads then apply pressure to the rotors, creating the friction needed to stop your car. All your brake parts work together to perform one important and crucial function: safe and...

Q: Everytime I buy tires for my car my husband tells me I buy bad tires, and that I should invest more money in the tires I put on my car. I don't understand why it is so important what kind of tires I put on my car. Aren't they all the same?  - Lydia A: Hi Lydia,  No matter how good of an engine your car has, in the end it all comes down to the tires and how they can alter your cars performance. Remember, tires are your car's only contact with the road. Here's a few basic things you sh...