Looking for a Used Jeep? 6 Models to Check Out

Ask any long-term car owner in Frederick, MD, and they'll tell you preventative maintenance is the key to a long, healthy car life. It's like preventive medicine for your vehicle, but instead of taking vitamins and getting regular checkups, vehicle maintenance is servicing your car to keep it running smoothly. Learn Why Preventative Maintenance Is Important Cost savings is one of the biggest benefits of regular car maintenance. Following a regular service schedule, you can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in car repairs. This includes oil and filter changes, checking the brakes and suspension system, and inspecting tires. It's also important to remember that catching issues early means you're less likely to have expensive problems with your vehicle down the road. For example, if you notice a vibration in the steering wheel, it could be a sign of worn-out brake pads that could eventually turn into a warped rotor if not addressed early. more Enjoy a More Reliable Car Reliability is a big thing in the automotive industry, but it doesn't always come with purchasing a new car. You have to throw in regular maintenance to ensure your vehicle is running like it should and can keep up with regular wear and tear. Even if you don't drive a lot, your vehicle is subject to environmental hazards, like extreme temperatures. So you may have an issue like corrosion on certain components of your car, which can lead to structural issues that are expensive to repair. Protect the Warranty If you have a warranty on your vehicle, it is important to follow the recommended service schedule that comes with it. Failing to do so can void your warranty and leave you without legal recourse if something goes wrong. The issue is that some warranties require specific services to be completed within certain time frames. If the dealership finds any recommended service was not done, you could be stuck footing the bill for repairs and parts. This could leave you in debt and without your car until you can make the repairs. Preserve the Resale Value of Your Car in Frederick, MD When it comes time to part with your vehicle, a well-maintained car will be more attractive to potential buyers and will likely fetch a higher price. A car maintenance plan can help preserve the resale value of your vehicle by documenting all the service work you've done throughout ownership. Ultimately, preventive maintenance is essential to keeping your vehicle running in tip-top condition. Contact DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick today. We'll fix any current issues and arm you with the knowledge to keep your car on the road until the next upgrade.

Your car's ignition coil is a crucial component in its ignition system, as it converts the relatively small amount of power that your battery creates into a charge big enough to fire the cylinders of your engine. Because of its crucial position in your car's ignition system, a faulty ignition coil can cause various problems in your car. Here's a quick list of a few different signs that might point to trouble brewing in your car's ignition coils. Read on to find out more! 5 Signs of a Defective Ignition Coil 1.    A Loss of Power While Driving One of the first (and most dramatic) signs of a failing ignition coil is a sudden loss of power while driving your vehicle. You may experience this as your car feeling slower than usual when you put the pedal down or a sudden, jarring loss of acceleration. This is a definite sign that you should get your vehicle's ignition coils checked out! 2.    Hard Starts and a Stalling Car Ignition coils that are worn can prevent your vehicle from starting correctly when you try to turn it on, making it difficult to start the engine when you need to. This could also result in your vehicle stalling and turning off when you come to a stop. Definitely not an ideal thing to have to happen at rush hour! more 3.    Diminished Fuel Economy If your ignition system is not functioning effectively, you're going to notice that your vehicle's fuel economy will start to worsen. If you're noticing that your fuel economy is suddenly significantly worse than it has been, it's a good idea to have that checked out by a mechanic. 4.    A Backfiring Engine When your ignition coils are faulty, it can result in unused fuel ending up in the combustion cylinders. When that unused fuel explodes, it creates a loud "bang," known as a backfire. A consistently backfiring engine can damage your vehicle's combustion system, so best get this looked into! 5.    A Misfiring Engine Misfiring engines can be pretty alarming when you're not expecting them! A misfiring engine means that your cylinders are not firing correctly (or at all) when you accelerate, which can result in your vehicle losing power and permanent damage to your catalytic converter.   As you can see, a failing ignition coil can cause a multitude of frustrating and potentially dangerous symptoms in your car. If left unchecked, it can also lead to expensive damage to your engine and catalytic converter. If you're experiencing any of these signs or just want a routine inspection to ensure things are as they should be, come on and see our service team at DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick today!

A catalytic converter has been attached to every vehicle manufactured in the U.S. since 1975. They're designed and engineered to reduce pollution by converting dangerous chemicals into less harmful ones. Over time, your converter can get blocked or damaged, and you'll need a replacement. These are some of the signs that your converter has a problem. Signs You Need a New Catalytic Converter Sulfur Smell The strong rotten egg smell of sulfur is a sign that your converter is failing. Hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of combustion. The sulfide and other chemicals are dumped into the exhaust system by the cylinders. In the cylinders, hydrogen sulfide is converted into harmless sulfur dioxide by combining heat, pressure, and chemical reactions.   The excessive amount of sulfur is caused by a high fuel-air mix in your engine. A high fuel-air mix in the engine means that most fuel won't burn. Unburnt fuel will be forced into the exhaust system, where it can damage the converter. A damaged converter won't be able to convert the hydrogen sulfide, which you'll smell as it seeps from the exhaust. more Check Engine Light The check engine light on your dash is connected to a multitude of sensors. These sensors are attached throughout your car and monitor components for signs of problems or failures. If a problem is detected, the check engine light will respond. Several problems with the converter can cause this light to come on.   If the converter becomes blocked due to carbon buildup, the engine gas that should flow out of the exhaust will be drawn back into the engine. In the engine, these gases will create a wasteful high fuel-air mix. Sensors will register the decreased amount of oxygen in your engine and the increased amount of fuel. The backflow of gases also raises the heat and pressure in your engine, which will also register. The Converter Is Blue You can examine the converter to get an idea of its condition. Most of the converter isn't visible, but you'll be able to check its color. If the converter is blue, it has been subjected to excessively high temperatures and is damaged. A blocked air filter or a bad oxygen sensor can lead to a fuel-rich environment in your engine.   As we've seen, much of the engine's fuel doesn't burn in a fuel-rich environment. The hot, unburnt fuel is dumped into the converter. The heat in the converter can cause the unburnt fuel to burn, creating additional damage to the converter.   If you're having problems with your converter, see us at DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick.