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Q:   If my winter tires are designed to have so much traction and control during wet/snow/slushy conditions, Why wouldn't i just run these tires year round? A:  Your Winter tires are made with a rubber compund that is designed to stay flexible in colder conditions, in the warmer and hot weather your rubber will get very soft and wear out extremely fast. Always best to switch your winter tires for Summer or ALL Season tires after winter. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more auto repair advi...

    Congratulations! You’ve taken the first step in winter safety and decided to invest in a set of winter tires. There are a few things you are going to want to remember about your winter tires, especially if this is your first time making the transition. A few things you may want to know:    Depending on the kind of tires you select, you may notice a change in the feel/sound of your commute. Because winter tires have more of a grip on the road, they might sound louder dependin...

This year you might resolve to fix your house, work out more, eat healthier, or go for that goal you’ve had your eye on for years. This year should also be the year that you resolve to fix or maintain your vehicle, lower your repair costs, lower your gas usage, and add a few years onto your trusted vehicle. With a few simple resolutions, you can keep your vehicle as happy and healthy as you strive to be this year.      This year, resolve to:      Keep up on your oil changes!...

When your car's "Check Engine" light comes on, it's usually accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could mean a costly problem, like a bad catalytic converter, or it could be something minor, like a loose gas cap. But in many cases, it means at minimum that you'll be visiting your mechanic to locate the malfunction and get the light turned off. The Check Engine light, more formally known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), is a signal from the car's engi...

Q: How do I clean dirty battery terminals? - Diana A: Dear Diana, First disconnect both terminal cables and then apply a baking soda paste that is three parts baking soda and one part water. This will clean corrosion built-up from battery terminals without the need for using a wire brush. The baking soda paste will neutralize corrosion. After reconnecting the clamps to the terminals, wipe them with petroleum jelly to help prevent future corrosion. Remember, at Tire Pros of Frederick, au...

Q: My car is older, so it seems to make more noise. How do I know when mufflers go bad? - Zack A: Dear Zack, Your car’s exhaust system is pretty complex. Excess noise could be from cracks or holes in manifolds or gaskets. Or on your muffler itself, excessive rust on a muffler, or holes in a muffler can cause a louder ride. Bad mufflers may also lead to increased pollution and even a rough idle. If you’re not sure, stop by. At Tire Pros of Frederick auto repair advice is always FREE! 

Q: My car stalled and a friend told me it sounds like vapor lock. What is vapor lock? - Andrew A: Andrew, The additives in today's gasoline have raised its volatility, which is the ability to change from a liquid to a vapor. During hot weather, gasoline may actually boil, causing it to stop flowing. The result is vapor lock; the engine is deprived of fuel and lets you know with symptoms such as rough running, loss of power, and in some instances, stalling. Modern electric fuel pumps loc...

Q: How much extra fuel is burned when using air conditioning? – Mr. Anderson A: Mr. Anderson, It is estimated that the use of air conditioning in a typical car reduces fuel economy by one to two miles per gallon. For larger cars, or when traveling in extreme heat, air conditioning cuts fuel economy up to four miles per gallon. Visit Tire Pros of Frederick for more auto repair tips. 

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.