News

Q: Do I really need to replace all 4 tires at the same time for an all wheel drive vehicle? - Mr. Bowman   A: Dear Mr. Bowman, Vehicles with all wheel drive systems need all 4 tires replaced at the same time because the differential and the computer work together to send the right amount of torque to each wheel to minimize slippage and maximize control. Even if only 1 of the 4 tires is the wrong size the computer will take an incorrect reading and the differential will work too hard and...

Q: I have a question concerning my vehicle. When I am driving straight or turning right I have no problems or noises, but when I turn left to make a full left turn I hear a loud clicking and grinding noise coming from my front end. I can't see anything noticeably wrong when looking at it. I am worried because it just began two weeks ago, so I know it's not normal. Do you have any idea what causes this? - Wes   A: Dear Wes,  Here at Tire Pros, we are a full service shop and can diagnose ...

Q: My oil pressure light is on. What do I do? – Mr. Davis   A: Mr. Davis First of all, don’t ignore it. It could mean that you are dangerously low on oil. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes. Then check the oil level. If your car is more than two quarts low, even if no oil shows on the dipstick, adding oil might resolve the issue. Low oil pressure also can mean a faulty oil pump, plugged screens or filters, leaking or burning oil, or a failed oil pressure sending unit. If addin...

Q: A store near my house has off brand tires on sale where you get 4 for $199. I'm short on cash and this seems like a great deal. Is there really that much of a difference between store brand tires and name brand tires? - Danielle   A: Danielle,  Let's take a closer look...  Cheap import, no name tires cost $40-$45 each. You receive no warranty. You can expect maybe 20,000 - 25,000 miles of life from them. You often can't match it if you need a new tire due to a flat or damage, and a...

Q: I recently got an email from a different tire store saying they had a sale going on where I could buy 3 tires and get 1 for free. Is that a good deal? Does Tire Pros ever run specials like that? - Erik   A: Dear Erik,  No, and here's why. It's not really free. In fact, it's more expensive. Here's the catch. You must buy their premium installation package at an over priced amount, and you must buy Road Hazard Insurance. If you want the best value, make sure you compare the bottom line...

Q: What do I need to do to keep my warranty in effect? – Mrs. Hanover   A: Mrs. Hanover, You are responsible for operation and maintenance of your vehicle according to the instructions in your owner’s manual. Tire Pros of Frederick can print you a copy of the service schedule for any make and model vehicle. Your tires, and in some cases even the oil in your engine, can have separate warranties with additional requirements. 

Q: I have a 2008 Pontiac G5 and all my power is out and the key is locked in the ignition. What could be the problem and how do I get my key out? - Ashley   A: Dear Ashley,  You need to jump start the battery and let the vehicle charge. Once you do that the ignition will release the key. Make sure to bring your car by Tire Pros where we will check your battery and charging system for free to see why it died, because it could be more than a battery.

Q: I was wondering if you could help me figure out why my brake light keeps going on and off. I've checked my brake fluid, and my brakes were just placed last month all the way around. The vehicle drives and stops just fine, so what could be the issue? - Greg A: Dear Greg, Here at Tire Pros of Frederick, we are a full service shop and we would love to help you resolve this issue. Although there could be many things causing this to happen, a lot of the time it is caused by the emergency br...

Q: Why does my brake pedal sometimes feel like it sinks when I’m holding my car stopped at a light? – Jordan   A: Dear Jordan, This change in brake pedal height is caused by an increase in engine vacuum. The “power brakes” system in most modern vehicles uses engine vacuum to boost the amount of force applied to the brake pedal by the driver of the car. The device that does this, called the brake “booster”, makes it easier for the driver to stop the vehicle. Engine vacuum is affect...

Q: What do the sidewall markings on my tire mean? – Mr. Brennan   A: Mr. Brennan, The side wall markings on a tire provide descriptive information about the tire’s design. The following refers to the tire illustration below with the sidewall marking of 225/50R16: 225 – This number specifies the width in millimeters (i.e. 225 millimeters) 50 – This number is the Aspect Ratio, the ratio of sidewall height to width R – Radial 16 – This number designates the tire’s diameter i...