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Q: I have a 2004 Chevy Malibu with 18,000 miles on it. The car died on me and I thought the battery was dead so I got a new one and installed it. It worked for about a week but now it's going crazy. The locks are locking and unlocking by themselves, lights are flickering, and the message board starts going crazy and then the car dies. I tried to start it and now the car is dead. I was told the battery and the alternator were good. - Janice A: Dear Janice,  It sounds like the battery is going de...

Q: How does my alignment keep going off? - Jamaal A: Hi Jamaal,  Don't feel bad if you keep needing an alignment, it doesn't take much. There are many ways for your car to lose its alignment. Wheel alignments can be thrown off by pot holes, hitting curbs, bumping in concrete parkig stalls, or just regular wear and tear as rubber components start cracking or lose their elasticity. Alignment angles are measured in tenths and hundreths of degrees or inches. Over time, a slight misalignment c...

Q: I have a GMC Acadia and my car is making a buzzing noise that gets worse when I steer the car. What could it be? - John A: Dear John,  It sounds like you have a problem with your power steering system. On many GMC Acadia's there is a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) out that recommends all of the old fluid be removed and replaced with updated fluid. This service will very often cure your condition. Please don't delay, everyday you are doing further damage to the steering system. You run the ...

Summer’s going to be here before you know it, and that means time for family road trips!    We know there’s a lot to think about when you’re planning a vacation...money, accommodations, scheduling, keeping the kids occupied in the car...but one thing you definitely should not neglect in those plans is your tires.    Summer road trips are hard on tires. You have to figure you’re in a car that’s likely loaded to the gills, driving for hours and hours to get to your destination i...

Q: I have a 2006 Dodge Ram 1500 and all of a sudden I hear a noise while I'm driving. The best I can describe it is that it's a rhythmic whirring noise. Any thoughts about what it could be? - James A: James,  The first question is does it get louder as you go faster or around a corner? My first thought is you have a wheel bearing that's going bad. Don't delay in getting it looked at, it will only get worse. Most often that bearing can get changed as an entire hub assembly. It's a pretty straigh...

Q: I have a 2006 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4 and I'm having a grumbling noise from my front wheels. I also have an ABS light on. What could be wrong with the vehicle? - Sam A: Sam,  It sounds like the wheel hub bearings are going bad and need to be replaced. The ABS speed sensors are in the hub assemblies, so if your hubs are bad, then the sensors should be changed at the same time. Please bring it in to Tire Pros of Frederick to have it looked at. 

Summer is here, and it’s time to start thinking about your car’s AC system! Nobody likes driving around in a hot, stuffy car, and a car with an AC system which only works marginally is somehow almost even worse than one which doesn’t work at all. Let’s go through a few tips which can help you keep your ride a little more comfortable this summer… Remember a cars AC system is really a heat exchanger which moves hot air out of your vehicle, then replaces it with cold air. One thing you ca...

So your closet has a pair of flip-flops for the summer, a pair of heavy boots for the winter, and a comfortable pair of sneakers for most of the rest of the year. If you live in a climate that doesn’t have harsh winters, you might just be able to wear those sneakers year-round...and all-season tires are the equivalent of your comfortable sneakers. So what makes all-season tires so special? Winter tires are excellent for severe conditions like heavy snow and even ice. They f...

Automotive technology has come a long way since the mid-20th century, and so has motor oil. A 1940s-era car didn’t feature an oil pump or oil filter. Instead, they relied on dippers on the crankshaft’s counterweights, which would then sling oil to coat crucial moving parts. Motor oils in those days weren’t designed with detergents and other additives to help keep the engine clean; even with frequent oil change intervals, many cars would be in need of an engine overhaul by the time they rea...

We often see customers who are a little overwhelmed by the tire buying process. There are so many types of tires for different vehicles and different driving styles, all at different price points. Here are a few things every driver needs to know about tires: ·   A tire is constructed from the inside out, starting at the inner liner. There are 20 to 25 different components in every tire; fabric belts are wrapped around the inner liner, with steel belts, more fabric belts and other materia...