Summer is on its way and, with summer, come exciting adventures – and plenty of driving. Are you planning a road trip across the country to visit all the national parks? Heading to a summer home on the coast? Or maybe you’ll just be driving the kids to day camp? Whatever you have planned, it is imperative that you make sure your car is ready for summertime.

Is the air conditioning working?

It makes perfect sense that you didn’t turn on the air conditioning all winter and spring, but summer is coming. The sun will turn your car into a heated metal cage, which will only get hotter on wide expanses of asphalt. Ensure that you and your family are going to be cool and comfortable by testing out the A/C and getting the necessary repairs in place before you hit the road.

Are your tires in tip-top shape?

If it’s been a long time since you replaced one, then it’s definitely time to check out your tires. Issues like bumps in the sidewalls and dry rot are quite serious. Combined with hot weather, you could have a flat tire in very short order. If you have any of those tire issues or if your tires are simply worn out, you should definitely get your tires serviced before you start driving for the summer.

Have you replaced the fluids?

You probably change your oil on a regular basis, but how often do you change your other fluids? Don’t forget that coolant, power steering, transmission, and brake fluids are all integral parts of keeping an automobile in good working order. If any of these fluids look darker than usual, or at all burnt, it’s time to flush out the system and replace the fluid, pronto.

How’s your paint looking?

The sun’s heat and brightness can do a number on your car’s paint job. Make sure your car is regularly washed, polished, and waxed to keep your vehicle looking and running like new.

Whatever you need to get your vehicle summer-ready, Hillmuth Certified Automotive is qualified to perform the maintenance or upkeep job necessary. Make sure that your car is performing at top-speed by getting it checked out and serviced by a professional.

You woke up late and are rushing to get out of the house. The kids get in the car and you set-off to start your day, when you hear it. There’s a loud noise coming from under the hood of your car.

Automobiles have 1000s of moving parts and your vehicle is bound to make a noise at some point during your ownership of it. It’s important to know when the sound you’re hearing needs immediate attention to reduce the risk of further damage to your car or poses a safety concern for you or your family. One of the first things to do when you hear an unusual sound from you car is check the dashboard to see if there are any warning lights on.

The more information that you can give to your car service agent when you talk with them, the easier it will be for them to determine what the problem could be. When you hear a noise from under the hood, try to recall what you were doing when the noise began. For example, if you hear a squealing noise when you hit your brakes, chances are that you need new brake pads. Also, try your best to determine how to accurately describe the sound.

When you schedule an appointment with Hillmuth Certified Automotive and bring your car in, one of the first things that we will do is to try to recreate the sound that you are hearing. This is one of the best ways for us to diagnose a problem. With your help explaining what it sounds like and what was happening when you heard it, we can try to quickly determine the cause and get you back on the road again.

Contact Hillmuth today if your car is making an unusual noise and have one of our professionals take a look.

Well, the weather might not feel like it yet, but spring is only about a month away. And since neither Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog and his cousin in Potomac saw their shadows, springtime will be here even sooner than you think. That means, it’s about time to start thinking about the spring maintenance for your vehicle.

Winter can take its toll on your car, especially if you park it outside. So the spring maintenance is an important one, and can make the difference with how the summer and the rest of the year goes. One of the reasons why summer car sales are popular is due to negligence in the springtime.

If you bring your car into one of Hillmuth Automotive’s convenient locations — either in Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, Glenwood, or Columbia — we’ll get you fixed up just right and ready for the springtime with our maintenance care service. We can get your oil changed back to the warmer viscosity, your snow tires back to regular, and get a multiple point inspection done. Spring is a great time to get a clean off the exterior of salt and wintry mix and tune up or replace those parts that may have been weathered by the cold.

Remember, your car, SUV, or truck needs more than just oil changes and emergency repairs. Proper maintenance can prevent problems and prolong the life of your vehicle. Read here for more service tips and bring it on in to the experts at Hillmuth Automotive soon for a spring checkup. Click here to schedule your maintenance or call us at the location nearest you.

How often do we hop in the car and drive off in a mad dash to get somewhere? All the time, it seems, right? Does anyone really walk fully around and check their car like you’re supposed to before getting in? How do you know that a car thief didn’t come in the night and steal a wheel before your morning commute? What about broken glass in the parking lot near us, or trash in the driveway? We are lucky to even check the gas before we scramble off for the day.

The point is, how do you know your car is running well and healthily if you don’t have a professional check on it regularly? Just as doctors recommend getting a routine physical exam, your complex, fragile, and taken-for-granted vehicle needs routine checkups for keeping its operable health up to snuff. And keep in mind, your car’s health can directly relate to your own, and the safety of every passenger inside, if certain parts break or malfunction.

At Hillmuth Automotive, we believe that a well-maintained car is a safer car. Our experienced mechanics can perform seasonal checkups and tune-ups and preventive care, diagnosing issues and spotting potential threats before they cause damage or lead to an unsafe situation. Keeping your vehicle regularly maintained is also the best way to extend the life of the whole and the parts. In the long run, it not only keeps you safer, but can also save you money from buying a new car sooner than you’d like or spending on heavy repairs that could have been prevented if spotted earlier.

Contact Hillmuth Automotive today or stop by a location near you!

Most people buy things for their car to add functionality, style, or comfort. GPS systems. Radios. Subwoofers to pump that bass up. We get excited about fancy chrome rims and airbrushed flames. But when it comes down to taking care of the basics–like tires–we tend to forget that we need new ones every once in a while.

Well, there’s no season like snow season for new tires.

New tires are great for maximizing fuel efficiency, maintaining driveability in the snow, and protecting the life of your vehicle–and the passengers inside.

The average lifespan of a tire varies widely, depending on the manufacturer, vehicle, load, speed, inflation, weathering and terrain involved. That said, there are three measurements to determine if you need new tires. The first is age. Check the “DOT” birthdate on its side, with the first 2 numbers designating the week of the year and the last 2 showing the year. Then, if you’ve been driving on the tire for 5 or 6 years, you should get a new one–a new set, really, to wear all 4 evenly. The second factor is mileage. If you’re an average driver, some tires may last you up to 70k, 30k, or others far less.

But what it really comes down to is tread. Remember, racecars go through tires in a matter of laps. When you’re checking your tire pressure each month, check your tread depth, too. If it’s less than 1/16 of an inch, it’s unsafe and high time for new tires.

At Hillmuth Automotive, you can find snow tires or all-season tires for the winter, along with a variety of other passenger, touring, or ultra-performance treads. Our tire services also include mounting, rotation, and alignment. Contact us today.