News

Q: Why do my brakes make a single “click” noise when I back out of a parking place and once again when I drive forward? – Mrs. Reyes   A: Mrs. Reyes, A clearance between the brake caliper brackets and the ends of the brake pads allows for heat expansion and avoids corrosion between the caliper bracket and the brake pads. That clearance can cause the pads to hit the caliper brackets when you first apply the brakes in a new direction of travel. When you back up and apply the brakes and...

Q: How often does my vehicle’s air conditioner need to be recharged? – Jerry A: Dear Jerry, It depends on the amount of refrigerant and whether your system leaks. It’s not unusual for a car air conditioner to lose 1-2 ounces of refrigerant per year. Some compact cars require 10 ounces, some SUVs require 40 ounces. When your car loses its cool, bring it to Tire Pros of Frederick. We’ll diagnose the problem, repair your unit and recharge the system if necessary. Visit Tire Pros of Frede...

Q: What causes alignment problems? – Richard   A: Dear Richard, Your vehicle can be knocked out of alignment in an accident with front end damage, for example, or by hitting a pothole or curb. Most of the time, though, your vehicle gradually goes out of alignment because of wear, stress, and vibration in the components of your steering and suspension system.

Q: Is it necessary to have my differential fluid drained and replaced? – Alex   A: Alex, Heat, pressure and contaminants cause the special lubricant in the differential gear box to break down. The differential converts engine power to rear axle motion (in rear-wheel drive vehicles) and connects the two rear axles so that they can turn at different speeds on turns. Fresh fluid protects this expensive component and ensures smoother, quieter operation. We recommend a change approximately ...

Q: My tire pressure light is on, what should I do? – Kim   A: Kim, The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) warning light means that at least one of your tires is underinflated by 25%. Check your tires with an accurate tire gauge and fill them to the correct inflation pressure. Tire Pros of Frederick would be happy to do this for free. 

Q: My tires aren’t wearing evenly. What happened? – Mrs. Carter   A: Mrs. Carter, This needs to be determined immediately by getting the tires inspected. If the irregular wear damage is due to inflation problems or mechanical wear such as alignment, the warranty is void. If the bad wear is due to a workmanship or material defect, this can be confirmed by our tire technician and a claim can be filed to compensate you toward the unused portion of the tire. 

Q: What is caster? – Mr. Roderick   A: Mr. Roderick, Caster is the angle between the steering axis and the true vertical. Think of how caster wheels extend from the swivel points on a shopping cart. This setting can affect straight tracking and how “light” or “heavy” your steering feels. As with camber, caster is not adjustable on many front-wheel drive cars. Faulty caster indicates that a part is worn or bent and needs replacement. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more auto repair...

Q: If my car sits for more than a day, it needs a jump start. Should I replace my battery? – Jorge   A: Dear Jorge, Possibly. Because your car turns over and because the battery holds a charge, at least temporarily, this sounds more like a draw on the battery. Check the light switches and other electrical devices in your car. For example, a dome light can run down your battery overnight. If the problem persists, bring your car to Tire Pros of Frederick for a free battery and electrical...

Q: Is it normal for my headlights to dim slightly and then come back to normal while my car is stopped at a light? – Greg   A: Dear Greg, This is a normal characteristic and is caused by variations in the electrical system created by the onboard computer. The computer controls the output of the electrical charging system to improve fuel economy and minimize vehicle vibration. When the engine is at idle, the computer monitors the electrical usage of the car and then controls the electri...

Q: How can I prove that I properly maintain my vehicle? – Katherine   A: Dear Katherine, Keep your maintenance and repair receipts; also, keep the paperwork on any recall notices, modifications, or repairs. This documentation should include your vehicle identification number (VIN), date of service, the mileage at the time of service, a description of the work and replacement parts, and the name and contact information for the repair facility or technician. Keep this information with th...