5 Signs Your Car Is Due for New Tires
While maintaining their cars, many drivers forget to pay close attention to their tires. But it’s dangerous to do so, as too much reduction in tire grip can cause a loss of control and skidding. Other unnoticed damage to the rubber may even lead to blowouts. To avoid such risks, let’s look at 5 good indicators that your car might need new tires.
Diminished Tread Depth
The key to a tire’s ability to firmly grip asphalt and tarmac is the depth of its tread. This means the depth of the gaps between the tread lugs will usually be around 10/32 to 11/32 of an inch when your tire is brand new. This tread depth naturally wears down over time, at a slower or faster pace depending on your driving style, the quality of your roads, and how well you’re inflating your tires.
The minimum legal tread depth is 2/32 of an inch, but it’s generally recommended that you replace your tires long before they wear that thin. With icy road surfaces, you shouldn’t be going under 5/32 of an inch in the winter months. Check out your tread depths today to see if they still have a decent depth for safe driving. Read the rest of this entry »
Fried rice, noodles, stir-fry vegetables, sweet and sour, and dumplings are all staples of Chinese food. This cuisine is extremely popular among people of all ethnicities! In Frederick, MD, several restaurants are worth visiting to satisfy the palate when you’re craving Chinese food.
1. Hunan Gourmet
Taking its name from a province in China, this restaurant serves various Asian dishes incorporating Chinese and Thai cuisines in its menu. You’ll find fried rice, noodles, chicken, and many choices of other meat and vegetable dishes being offered alongside typical Thai offerings like Pad Thai or Thai-style curry. This reasonably priced restaurant offers vegetarian options and does not cook with flavor enhancers like MSG.
2. Beijing Restaurant
This restaurant opened in 1995 and touts itself as the first Chinese buffet in the city. Some of its specialties are General Tso’s Chicken, Shrimp with Cabbage, Chow Mei Fun, Spring Egg Rolls, and Fried Crab Meat and Cheese Wonton. Beijing offers lunch and dinner specials and party trays to serve 20 people. Read the rest of this entry »
4 Signs Your Car Needs to Replace a Car Belt
The alternator or serpentine belt is one of the most essential belts in your car. It snakes through numerous components in your engine, and it connects to the crankshaft. When your vehicle moves, the crankshaft turns, and this causes the alternator belt to run. As the belt runs, it spins various pulleys, and as these pulleys spin, they provide energy to the attached devices. If your car belt fails, it can cause severe problems for your vehicle.
1. AC Doesn’t Work
If you turn on your AC and nothing happens, this can signify that your alternator belt is failing. The alternator belt runs over one of the pulleys that control your car’s AC. The spinning pulley powers the compressor that allows the AC system to work. The pulley itself can jam due to damage or corrosion, which will stop the AC from working.
2. Overheating Engine
Your engine is in a humid environment. To prevent your engine from overheating, your car has a cooling system. When the engine temperature rises too high, the thermostat opens and releases coolant. This coolant absorbs the heat from your engine and enters the radiator. In your radiator, air movement through the grille cools the coolant. The coolant flow is constant until your engine temperature returns to its average operating level.
The coolant is pumped through the system by the water pump, and the water pump is connected to one of the pulleys the alternator belt runs over. The water pump will shut down if your alternator belt is loose or snaps. Without coolant, your engine temperature will soar. Read the rest of this entry »
Anyone who has driven in the winters that Frederick, MD, sees, knows about the hazards that inclement weather can bring. But the proper driving habits can help keep you safe through these testing conditions. Here are some tips for driving in snow or ice that any driver can benefit from.
1. Going Out for Frivolous Reasons
The only surefire way to avoid an accident caused by winter weather is to avoid driving through winter weather in the first place. Before going out during inclement weather, ask yourself if the reason for your travel is an absolute emergency. If it isn’t, you’re probably better off waiting until conditions clear up.
2. Driving at Too Fast a Speed
Slippery conditions that snow causes make it easier for your vehicle to lose traction on the road, causing you to lose control of the car. Account for this additional risk by driving at a slower speed than you normally would when going through the snow. Read the rest of this entry »
Maryland is a beautiful state with exceptional scenery for a road trip, though you’ll encounter frequent temperature changes during the colder season. It’s essential to be prepared for winter weather and changing road conditions when you drive in and around Frederick, MD, and throughout the state.
Protect Your Car’s Windshield from Frost
If you park your vehicle outdoors, you’ll likely need to remove frost from the windshield often, which can become a repetitive and time-consuming task. When you cover this area with a towel when your vehicle is parked, you’ll prevent icy residue from forming on the glass. You can fasten the towel by securing the fabric beneath the windshield wipers. This practice protects your windshield glass, prevents condensation from freezing on the glass, and keeps your window in good condition.
Park in a Garage or Use a Car Shelter
Ideally, it’s best to park your vehicle in a garage or indoor space. If you’re unable to park inside, you may find a covered outdoor space, or you can purchase a car shelter. These shelters are designed to protect your vehicle from melted snow and rain and help to keep snowfall from building up on your car. Car shelters are made of waterproof, durable materials that can withstand snow and water to keep your vehicle clear year-round. Read the rest of this entry »
Today’s car buyers aren’t looking just for fuel efficiency and affordability anymore. They also want to know they’ll be safe on the road. Luckily, safety options are more advanced than ever, and you don’t even have to pay sticker price if you buy used! You might be wondering which features will keep you and your loved ones the most protected. Keep reading to learn the top 5 car safety features you should look for when shopping for a used car!
1. Blind-Spot Monitoring
The first modern safety feature to seek is “blind-spot monitoring,” which can come in both active and passive versions. This feature alerts you when another vehicle is in your blind spot, and it uses sensors on the bumper and/or side mirrors to detect them. This safety feature will warn you with a light on the side-view mirror and/or a sound. It’s especially great at notifying you of cars in adjacent lanes that you might miss while changing lanes.
2. Lane-Departure Warning
Another safety feature to look for is “lane-departure warning.” Cameras on your vehicle detect your current lane lines and use those as guidelines to ensure you’re driving safely within your lane. This system is also smart enough to understand when you’re intentionally exiting your lane for lane changes and turns. This feature is perfect for highway driving and windy roads and provides a second pair of eyes when you’re distracted! Read the rest of this entry »
4 of the Best Used Hyundai Models You Can Buy
Hyundai’s lineup of vehicles has earned a reputation for excellent value and reliability. They’re primarily known for iconic SUVs like the Santa Fe and great performing commuters such as the Sonata or the Elantra. When searching for a used Hyundai that’s perfect for you, here are a few models that you’ll want to consider!
1. 2020 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra has become one of the go-to automobiles for drivers who desire efficiency, dependable performance, and a lot of bang for the buck. This handsome compact sedan offers some of the best fuel economies in its class with an EPA-rated 41 mpg highway from the Eco model’s turbocharged 1.4L engine. Its available 7-speed automatic transmission features a dual-clutch system that makes gear changes swift and enjoyable.
Despite the car being one of the most affordable in its class, its interior features a sophisticated design and superior technology like an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity. The Elantra even offers wireless charging and driver assists like forward collision detection and lane-keeping. Read the rest of this entry »
Getting a driver’s license requires practice and preparation because with one wrong move or without the proper documents or a safe and reliable vehicle, you will be asked to reschedule your test and be sent home. If you live in Frederick, MD, and have scheduled your driver’s test, there are some specific ways you can prepare and practice so that you can ace the test and begin your life as a licensed driver.
1. Practice
The most obvious way to prepare for a driving test is by practicing. There are different aspects of driving that you need to have down to pass the test, and they’re not all the easiest. For that reason, you will need to practice.
Practice parallel parking, backing into small areas and spaces, performing two and three-point turns, and mastering them. When you spend time practicing the most challenging aspects of driving, you will feel far more confident when you arrive at and begin your Maryland driving test.
2. Bring a Reliable Vehicle
A reliable vehicle is one of the necessities required for a driving test. The vehicle you use during the driving portion of your test must meet all safety standards. You will also need proof of insurance for your car before beginning the exam, so make sure you have a reliable vehicle that meets all safety requirements and the necessary documents.
3. Make Sure You’re Prepared
Getting a driver’s license is an exciting time because it means that you’re one step closer to heading out on the open road on your own, but first, you need to pass that test. Being prepared for your test involves more than just knowing how to drive. You need to have all the necessary paperwork, but you should also show up early for the test. Read the rest of this entry »
You can be confronted by an aggressive driver at any time, anywhere on the road. If you don’t stay calm and deal with the driver correctly, the situation could escalate quickly. It could turn into a life-threatening situation and lead to a road accident. The following article will help you deal with aggressive drivers effectively on the roads in Frederick, MD, and help you stay safe.
Ignore Drivers Who Show Aggression
Do not react to aggressive behavior from other drivers on the road. Don’t make eye contact, scream, swear, honk your horn, and most importantly, don’t lose your temper. If someone screams abuse at you or makes rude gestures, don’t revert to the same behavior. This could lead to even more aggression from the other driver, leading to a dangerous situation.
Stay Courteous and Calm
The aggressive person will want you to respond to initiate conflict. Do not respond in the same fashion. Stay courteous even if the other driver is rude, obnoxious, and aggressive. If the other driver is driving dangerously, you need to stay calm and focused. If you remain calm and level-headed and don’t allow yourself to get angry, you will think clearly and concentrate on the road to avoid an accident. Read the rest of this entry »
How Much Do Parking Tickets Cost in Maryland?
With the cost of a parking ticket in Frederick, MD, it’s best to be careful where you park your vehicle. Keep an eye on parking meters, avoid parking in handicapped or emergency parking areas, or in spaces too close to fire hydrants and loading zones. Read on to find the costs of parking fines around the city and the payment methods to help you conveniently stay up to date with your parking fines and avoid extra penalty fees.
Ticket Costs
When it comes to parking fines, a violation could seriously flatten your wallet. It’s best to check the time and not allow your parking meter to expire. A ticket for an expired parking meter will cost you $20. If you park in a loading zone, you will receive a $75 fine, and parking in a handicapped or emergency parking space or near a fire hydrant will set you back a whopping $250.
Courtesy Ticket Program
You might be eligible for the city’s Courtesy Ticket Program. The city excuses three parking fines per person per year. If you receive an expired meter ticket on any metered street, head off to the Court Street Parking Garage Office immediately. If you show them the fine within 30 minutes of obtaining it, you might not pay a fine at all. Read the rest of this entry »
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