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Q: I have a 2009 Volkswagon Passat sedan and I'm getting a slight hissing noise from my brake pedal, but it seems to go away when pressed in. What could it be? - Jeff A: Jeff,  With a Volkswagon Passat, the hissing noise is usually caused by a bad diaphragm in the master cylinder and you will most likely need a brake master cylinder. Bring it by Tire Pros of Frederick so we can be certain that is the problem before you replace the wrong parts. 

Q: Hi Mr. Ellingson,  I have a transmission fluttering, shuttering, bucking... I'm not really sure how to describe it. My car is a 2012 Honda Accord and has 42,000 miles on it. The dealer reports no problem found when I take it there. It's frustrating and expensive. This is the 3rd time I have taken it there. I need my car and I still have 5 years of payments but my factory warranty runs out at 60,000 miles. I need a pros advice. What should I do? - Maria A: Maria,  Thank you for your q...

As Halloween quickly approaches, the spookiest time of the year is right around the corner with plenty of goblins and ghosts to frighten even the most cheerful souls. However, nothing is more frightening than unwanted vehicle malfunctions or foreseeable failures. Prevent excessive auto repair situations with useful tips on Halloween driver safety coupled with careful driving habits to keep any vehicle rolling through this season. Through proper maintenance and inspections, auto repair does no...

Q: I don't know much about cars, much less what things like struts, hoses, belts, coolant, etc. is. How am I supposed to know what all of this stuff is much less know when it needs to be repaired or replaced? - Kim A: Dear Kim, With the help of our ASE Certified Mechanics, you don't have to be an auto expert. From our preventative maintenance services to our courtesy multipoint inspection, we'll help you become more comfortable with your vehicle's factory scheduled maintenance needs as we...

Prepare for the end of Daylight Saving Time with proper maintenance of vehicle lighting to ensure safety. After November 2nd, clocks “fall back” which causes most drivers’ commutes to be in darker lighting, being that dusk will occur during peak hours of evening traffic hours. As winter quickly approaches, vehicle lighting should be inspected to ensure optimum visibility for drivers in dim or inclement conditions that command top quality operations of both lighting and windshield wipers. ...

Q: I have a 2009 Honda Civic and I finally paid it off, so I want to keep it as long as I can, but I also don't want to put a lot of money in to it that isn't necessary. Is there any maintenance that is more important than others? - Kenny A: Hi Kenny,  Regular maintenance on your car is important. It's hard to tell you changing your oil is more important that changing a worn belt. You can run into high costs if you ignore both. For most people, their car is their second biggest investment...

1. Tires: Ensure tire pressure is properly serviced and maintained for both lengthy travels and everyday driving. Underinflation of tires can cause unnecessary wear and hardship to tire tread, causing tire failure or malfunctions. If not properly inflated, fuel economy can be severely decreased, causing drivers to lose about .6 miles per gallon due to improper tire conditions. Whether over or under inflated, tires can easily lose traction that could lead to an accident if not addressed. Servi...

Q: I have a 2012 Mazda 3 and there is a loud squeaking noise come from under the hood. Any suggestions on what it could be? - Bradley   A: Dear Bradley, To start, we would recommend that you check your car's service records to see when or if the belt has ever been changed. It may be time for a new belt, or one of the many drive pulleys. Because there are so many different reasons the engine could be making that noise, here at Tire Pros of Frederick, we will check it for free.

Q: I have a 2008 Chrysler 300 and I had to drive my car through about a foot of snow to get home from work last weekend. Now my check engine light is on and also a red lightning bolt light. and it started vibrating in idle. I waited a few days and tried driving it again. At first it seemed ok then sitting in line at McDonald's it started again.  - Harold A: Harold,  It is very possible that you may have some broken wires or unplugged or broken sensors from going through such deep snow. It...

Q: I just bought new tires and the shop I bought them from told me I needed an alignment. Do I really need one when I put new tires on my car? - John   A: John,  Most vehicles need an alignment after getting new tires. Because of bumps in the road, pot holes, and curbs, you want to make sure the alignment is correct. A proper alignment will ensure even wear on your tires to keep them lasting longer, and will make sure your vehicle drives straight. Here at Tire Pros of Frederick we alway...