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Q: My check engine light was on, so I went to a parts store and had my car scanned for codes. What does a "multiple misfire" code mean? - Bob A: Hi Bob,  The most common answer is the spark plugs, but you can also have troubles with the coils or injectors. There could be a number of things, so the best thing to do would be to bring your car to Tire Pros of Frederick so we can inspect the vehicle and tell you what exactly is causing that code. 

If you’re old enough, you probably remember the cars from the late 70s and early 80s that weren’t good for much more than 120,000 miles before they started to develop real problems and were junkyard bound. Today, thanks to improvements in design, metallurgy, manufacturing techniques and machining, those days are over and it’s not at all unusual to see vehicles with well over 200,000 miles on the odometer and still running strong. Here’s a quick rundown of some vehicles to consider which...

Q: Why did this other shop I went to tell me that I have to replace my entire headlight when just one bulb is burned out? - Alicia A: Hi Alicia,  Some auto manufacturers require a brand new headlight kit to be installed rather than just replacing the bulb. If part of your headlight casing is damaged or missing, most manufacturers don't supply individual replacement parts for headlight housing. This is most common with LED lights. Any lights on an LED fixture will require the entire headlight as...

Tires all look sort of the same…round and black…and people tend to think tires don’t change much over the years. That’s really not true, though – engineers and designers are constantly working on advances in tire designs for more miles, better fuel economy and better performance. Here’s a rundown of current trends in tire technology you may not have been aware of: Tall, skinny tires are coming back. If you’ve ever ridden a beach cruiser bike vs. a racing bike, you know th...

Q: How exactly does motor oil breakdown? - Rodney A: Oil is pretty temperamental. Constant exposure to heat, moisture and air leads to oil oxidation. This results in oil thickening, sludge, deposit formation and corrosive wear. When oil additives are completely exhausted, oil can no longer handle the dirt and metals that are freely floating around, causing more oxidation. This means oil can no longer protect your engine against corrosion and wear when it breaks down. Leaving oil in your eng...

If your car has reached the 75,000 mile mark or higher, it usually means at least two things: You’ve probably been taking care of it, so congratulations! Your vehicle now requires a little more tender loving care. High mileage vehicles are pretty common, but without proper maintenance, you may be setting your car up for failure. The car’s parts are getting older and have received a lot of wear and tear. To get the most out of your vehicle, take some of these simple steps to ensu...

So we all know that May is devoted to Mother’s Day. In honor of mothers everywhere, here are a few helpful suggestions for you to show mom just how much you care.     1. Oil Change - Getting Mom’s car an oil change would be a nice way to help her get the most miles out of her car. Regular oil changes keep moving parts lubricated, reducing friction and heat buildup, and prevent deposits of sludge and gunk from building up on internal engine assemblies.    2. Wiper Replacement - Even the best ...

Q: My daughter is going off to college. I have to get her a new set of tires and it's the first time she has to be responsibe for the maintenance of her tires. Is there any tips I can give her on how to check the well being of her tires, or any tires that make it easy for her to maintain? - Mark P. A: Hi Mark,  I would suggest coming in and check out a set of Continental tires for your daughter. Continental has built in indicators that make it easy for anyone to check on the status of the...

If you have ever suffered the panic of a weak or dead car battery, you'll know what a frustration it is. If the battery dies for no obvious reason, it may be time for a replacement. Like any other battery, car batteries need to be replaced when they begin to wear out. Here are some battery facts that may help you decide if you need to replace the battery: The battery is a vital component of all cars. A car without a battery is like a human without a heart. Car batteries are made in d...

The tire category of “All-Season Tires” can be a misleading term and this category gets the most questions out of any tire available. Basically, when you are purchasing All-Season tires, you are getting a very sturdy tire that will work well through various weather conditions as well as varying temperatures or climates. The types of tires that fall under the ‘All-Season’ tire category contain different types of tread compounds, designs, and mileage ratings, and there are some big differen...