Is It Time to Replace Your Catalytic Converter?
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. Read the rest of this entry »
Summer Travel in Maryland: 4 Hot Spots to Visit
Maryland offers travelers a bit of everything from historic destinations and waterfront cities to untouched islands and picturesque lakes. Go on an adventurous trip from Frederick, MD, in a fuel-efficient pre-owned Ford Fusion, Honda Pilot, or Hyundai Elantra, and discover the top summer travel spots in the state.
Summer Travel in Maryland: 4 Hot Spots to Visit From Frederick, MD
1. Annapolis
Annapolis lies on the Chesapeake Bay, one of the world’s largest estuaries. It’s the capital of Maryland and one of the most prominent historical cities in the United States. The vibrant city, one of the oldest in the country, has the finest 17th and 18th-century architecture, some of the state’s best museums and historical attractions, and a lively arts district and theater scene.
The Historic District is designated a National Historic Landmark District and includes the Maryland State House, Sands House, William Paca House, and St. Anne’s Church.
2. Assateague Island
The beautiful uninhabited 37-mile-long barrier island of Assateague lies off the coast about eight miles southwest of Ocean City. People spend time on the island to admire the breathtaking scenery, stroll down miles of sandy beaches, swim in the ocean, and observe the bird and animal life.
One of the biggest attractions is the hundreds of wild ponies running across the shoreline dunes. The island has miles of hiking and biking trails, excellent fishing spots, and camping right on the beach.
3. Ocean City
Ocean City stretches along Maryland’s eastern shore, boasting ten miles of sandy white beaches and an impressive three-mile historic boardwalk, one of the state’s biggest seaside, all-American beachside attractions. The colorful entrance gates arch over the old wooden boardwalk, lined with miles of hotels, bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, arcades, and amusement parks.
Browse through the many shops, watch live performances, pop in at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum, and buy tasty crab cakes, caramel popcorn, funnel cakes, and buckets of cheese-topped French fries from the food stalls along the way. Hop on one of the carousels, play carnival games, take an adrenaline-pumping roller coaster ride, and admire the views of the city and the bright carnival lights on the Ferris wheels.
4. Deep Creek Lake
The beautiful 3,900-acre Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland’s Garrett County is Maryland’s largest freshwater lake and a top getaway that offers a multitude of adventures and outdoor recreational activities. The shimmering lake has 65 miles of shoreline and is ideal for fishing, boating, paddling, waterskiing, and the surrounding woodlands for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Deep Creek Lake State Park has a fantastic swimming beach and rents kayaks, paddleboards, and tubes. The bustling McHenry Cove at the northern tip of the lake is the place to be during the summer to enjoy delicious cuisine and fun entertainment on the waterfront.
The state is packed with fantastic places to see and thrilling stuff to do. Swing by DARCARS Used Car and Service Center of Frederick today and check out the massive inventory of top-quality pre-owned vehicles to find a fuel-efficient ride to go on an exciting summer adventure across the state.
Have a car with too many miles, or are you looking to switch things up? A used Honda vehicle can be a great, affordable option when you’re looking to upgrade your current car. With so many makes and models to choose from, we put together a list of 4 popular models to help you narrow down your search.
1. Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is a great model for couples and families. The 2021 Civic seats five and gets up to 42 mpg on the highway. There’s plenty of horsepower in this little car. Scoring an 82 on the J.D. Power reliability score, this is a used car that will keep on going. The 2022 Honda Civic LX scored 5/5 on most safety tests.
2. Honda Accord
Pull up in style with a Honda Accord. This vehicle has sleeker edges than the Civic but about the same passenger space and fuel economy. The 2021 model has numerous safety features, including an anti-lock braking system, a multi-angle rearview camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. With 7 different trim levels available, you’ll have many options when looking for a used car. Read the rest of this entry »
The idea of cold air filling the cabin will be fantastic when the temperatures rise on a sweltering summer’s day. Your car AC not working under these circumstances can be a big issue. In Frederick, MD, we can help you if your AC isn’t working as it should. These are some of the signs that your AC needs to be repaired.
Car AC Not Working? Your DARCARS Used Car Dealer Can Repair It
No Cold Air
Your AC should provide cold air whenever you switch it on. If you only get outside temperature air blowing through the vent, your AC isn’t working correctly. The AC depends on refrigerant to reduce even the hottest air to pleasantly cold air. The lack of cold air is due to a lack of refrigerant, which means there’s a leak somewhere in the AC system.
Refrigerant can leak from damaged hoses, a loose connection, a damaged compressor, or a hole in the condenser. The hole doesn’t have to be significant, and refrigerant will rapidly escape, especially if it’s in gaseous form. Unlike oil, coolant, or other leaks, refrigerant evaporates when exposed to air.
Cool Not Cold Air
Your AC isn’t a fan. When you turn it on, you want cold, not cool air. As we saw above, a lack of refrigerant means your AC system will only provide air at the same temperature as the outside world. If your AC blows cool air, your system may lack refrigerant. As the level of refrigerant in the system drops, the pressure in the system drops, and the air will warm up. Read the rest of this entry »
If you live in Frederick, MD, you know the importance of learning how and being willing to parallel park when necessary, but that doesn’t make the process any less intimidating. Parallel parking can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. When you take your time, employ the proper techniques, and practice, you’ll become an expert before you know it.
Driving in Frederick, MD: Five Keys to Stress-Free Parallel Parking
1. Find the Right Spot
It’s harder to parallel park when trying to fit in a spot that’s too small for your vehicle. Take extra time to drive the area until you find a large enough spot to fit your car, with enough space for you to feel comfortable parking. Doing so will make all the difference in your confidence in the process and your successful ability to park.
2. Take Your Time
Once you find the right spot, take your time. Don’t rush it. Slowly maneuver your vehicle in the necessary direction to parallel park. Don’t feel concerned about oncoming traffic or cars that have to wait for you to park because rushing will only compromise the quality of the parking job. Other vehicles can wait, so focus on what you’re doing, and do it right. Read the rest of this entry »
Does Your Car Need a New Muffler?
Do you suspect muffler problems on your ride? Read on to find telltale signs that you might need a new muffler.
Symptoms of a Bad Muffler
The muffler is an integral part of your auto’s exhaust system. It helps funnel gas from the engine and reduces (or muffles) the loud sounds your system would otherwise make. Due to its location on the vehicle’s underside, the muffler is vulnerable to bad road conditions such as potholes and excessive salt.
Some un-recommended customization to this area can also cause problems, such as holes or clogging. In addition, old age can facilitate rusting and corrosion to the muffler. Most mufflers do not have a life span that exceeds seven years. If any of these circumstances apply to your vehicle, you may have a broken or otherwise damaged muffler. The following effects may alert you to a potential issue that needs fixing.
Loud Noises
A malfunctioning muffler will lead to significantly increased noise from the exhaust system. This effect occurs because waste gas causes vibrations as the engine expels it. The muffler silences these vibrations, but when damaged, the gas will leak from it before noise suppression can occur. The noise may sound like thumping or clinking. Read the rest of this entry »
For Maryland drivers, autos are among their most valuable commodities. Protect your ride with these tips to prevent car theft in Frederick, MD, and beyond.
4 Things Drivers Can Do to Help Prevent Car Theft in Frederick, MD
1. Stay Attentive
Car thieves will usually opt for the easiest mark. If you engage in careless behaviors, you increase your odds of being the target of auto theft. For one, always lock your doors. And never, no matter how short your time away from your vehicle, leave your keys inside. If you have a spare key, don’t leave it anywhere on your vehicle or in an obvious place outside your home, such as under a doormat.
Further, do not leave any valuables inside your car, especially if they are within view of anyone who may look through the windows. And about those windows: do not leave them rolled down. Thieves look for even a slightly cracked window, giving them instant and easy access to get your door open. Leaving your proof of ownership (your title) anywhere in the car is also not a good idea. Keep your registration in the car. Keep the title at home with other valuable documents, like passports, birth certificates, etc. Read the rest of this entry »
How to Know When You Should Get New Brake Pads?
Every driver knows that a car needs to be maintained. But how often should you visit your mechanic? And what types of repairs can you expect in the first few years of car ownership? If you want to keep your vehicle in great shape, you should visit your local DARCARS center at least once a year. At that time, you can ask the mechanic to inspect your brakes and check whether you need to replace your brake pads.
How Often Does Your Car Need New Brake Pads?
Most cars need their brakes examined once every 10,000 to 20,000 miles, which might correspond to every 12-18 months for an average driver. At that time, the pads will need to be replaced, and the fluid needs to be topped up or exchanged. Your brakes also contain rotors that should be replaced periodically but are a bit more durable. You can expect to have new rotors fitted once every 50,000 to 70,000 miles.
How Do You Know Your Pads Are Worn Down?
If you haven’t had your car serviced in over a year, you should come to the service center at your earliest convenience because it’s time for a safety inspection. However, you should also contact us if you’ve noticed any changes to how your car brakes. Several symptoms could indicate a problem with the pads. The easiest sign to spot is intermittent screeching.
If your car emits a high-pitched noise when you press the brake to slow down, you should see a mechanic about a brake pad replacement. Another telltale sign is a vibrating steering wheel when trying to slow down your car. This could indicate that your rotors are exposed to too much heat. Finally, a grinding noise tells you that your pads have worn down completely, and service is urgently necessary. Read the rest of this entry »
5 of the Best Used Nissan Models You Can Find
With so many reliable, good-value used vehicles on the market nowadays, it can be an overwhelming experience knowing where to start your hunt for the perfect used car! We know this to be true personally, so we decided to put together a quick list of 5 of the best used Nissans drivers can buy to help you get started on your hunt for the perfect used car.
1. Nissan Altima: Nissan’s Best-Selling Sedan
The Nissan Altima is one of America’s favorite family sedans for a reason: The Altima delivers great specs, top-of-the-line fuel economy, and sleek styling, all at a very affordable price! With various engines available depending on the year and trim level, the Altima is also known for its great performance, strong acceleration, and for finding the sweet spot between a functional family sedan and a car capable of turning heads on the street.
2. Nissan Rogue: A Perfect Blend of Capacity and Performance
The Nissan Rogue is one of America’s best-selling compact SUVs for a reason! Think about a used Rogue if you’re looking for a perfect blend of cargo-carrying capacity and a ride that handles like a much smaller car when navigating city streets and traffic. Certain years also saw the Rogue offering a unique third row of seating, so for those looking to bring as many people as possible on their next adventure; this could be the perfect SUV for you! Read the rest of this entry »
5 Items to Keep in Your Car Emergency Kit
Being prepared for anything when you’re a driver is always important. An emergency can happen even with the best vehicle maintained to the highest level. While we hope this never happens to you, we’d advise you to keep a car emergency kit in your trunk should you need it. We’ve listed a variety of items that will help deal with many different situations that may occur.
Jumper Cables
A car battery can potentially let you down, and you’ll need jumper cables to be on the move again. There are a wide variety of cables available, but we recommend choosing a high-quality set of heavy-duty cables. Good quality cables may seem expensive, but they won’t let you down when needed. We also recommend choosing 16′ cables, as these will even allow you to get a charge from a vehicle parked behind you.
Flashlight
Emergencies can happen anytime, and a flashlight is essential to help you see in the dark. You may be in a rural area with poor lighting, or you might need to see something up close, and this additional light source will be of immense help. We advise choosing a good quality LED flashlight, as it will last a long time, and you don’t have to worry about replacing a blown bulb. Read the rest of this entry »
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