News

Q: How can I tell if my battery is getting to be too old? - Sara A: Hi Sara,  For starters, you can check the 4-5 digit code on the cover of your battery case. First look at the letter. A letter is assigned to each month (A-January, B-February, etc.) The number right after that will indicate the year (so 9-2009, 1-2011.) This code tells you when the battery was shipped from the factory. Car batteries last an average of 3-5 years. There are also weak battery signs to look out for like a slow eng...

Q: I went to a different repair shop to get my brakes replaced and they told me that in order to keep my warranty valid I could only replace them with original equipment parts. Is that true? - Jason A: Hey Jason,  Legally, car manufacturers can't specify which parts are used when you service your vehicle. You may use any brand you like. The great thing about Tire Pros of Frederick is that we are also a Napa Auto Care Center. You can have your brakes replaced here with quality after mark...

Q: Does preventative maintenance really pay off in the long run? - Chester A: Hi Chester,  The short answer is yes. Let's take a closer look.  Take oil changes for example.  If your car has 100,000 miles on it, and assuming you got an oil change at the recommended intervals (every 5,000 miles) then you would have gotten 20 oil changes on your car. Now let's say you spent an average of $25 per oil change. That's $500 spent on oil changes.  If you were to go without oil changes during...

Q: Just recently my brake pedal has started vibrating when I'm slowing down from highway speeds. Why is it doing this?  - Jackie A: Hi Jackie,  The most common reason that a brake pedal would vibrate like that is warped rotors. This could be caused by multiple issues such as improper tightening of wheels or wheel hubs, rotors not being cleaned, or a bad hub. Sometimes, the problem won't show up right away - usually the brakes need to heat up enough for the vibration to show up. To fix t...

Q: What is the difference between repairs and preventative maintenance?  - Alec A: Hi Alec,  Repairs are services that are necessary when something is not working properly. Maintenance is a routinely scheduled service, inspection, or replacement that your vehicles manufacturer recommends based on the age or mileage of your vehicle. You can find the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual, or ask one of the Service Advisors at Tire Pros of Frederick. And don't forget, whether you're ...

Q: How can I make sure that my battery has a good electrical connection? - Mason A: Hi Mason,  The easiest way to keep your battery connection in good condition is to have the battery cables and terminals cleaned periodically. Build up on the terminals can cause the connection to become faulty. Here at Tire Pros of Frederick, we can provide you with a thorough clean up and battery inspection, and as always, you'll get one year of FREE roadside assistance. Call us today at 301-663-6334

Q: How do mufflers actually work? - Stacy A: Hey Stacy,  Mufflers and exhaust systems are actually quite sophisticated. A muffler has baffled passages that exhaust gases move through in order to muffle engine sound. If you were to cut away your muffler, you would be able to see tubes with holes in them. While it may seem simple, these elements work together to have the sound waves hit one another. This causes the reduction in noise. If you ever have any questions about your muffler or you...

Q: Another shop told me to replace my serpentine belt. I'm not too sure what that is. - Jackie A: Hi Jackie,  A serpentine belt is one continuous belt that connects itself to multiple components under your hood. One of the primary benefits of a serpentine belt is that in older model vehicles, components such as alternators, air and power steering pumps were all connected by separate belts. This meant that if a belt broke, a driver may not be aware that a component was not functioning. Wit...

Q: What are common signs of brake wear? - Daniel A: Hi Daniel,  There are several noticeable signs that the brakes may be showing signs of wearing. One of the most obvious signs of brake wear is a brake pedal with a spongy or low feeling. This usually indicates that air is present in the hydraulic system. There may be an imbalance in the brake system when the red brake warning light appears. The presence of an amber brake warning light is usually related to a problem with the ABS system. ...

Q: I thought I had a blown fuse, but when I looked none of the fuses appear to be blown. Is it possible for a blown fuse to appear normal? - Jack A: Hi Jack,  Yes, it is possible for a fuse to have blown outside the visible area. Give us a call at 301-663-6334 or stop by Tire Pros of Frederick so one of our ASE certified technicians can use a volt-meter as a quicker and more definitive way to check for a blown fuse.