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Hillmuth Blog

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Oct 18, 2018
2 min

Warning Signs for Your Car Battery

Your car’s battery is one of its vital components. That is to say, if your battery has problems, then your vehicle as a whole will have problems. The key when handling major issues within your car is prevention. When you know the signs of potential disasters, you can avoid them and promote longevity for your car. Let’s take a look at some common warning signs a car battery could be experiencing issues. Your Dashboard Will Notify You One of the simplest ways to know whether or

Aug 30, 2018
2 min

What Can You Learn From a Car’s Idle?

Whenever you stop your car and let it sit, your car is idling. As long as the engine is on and the vehicle is not in motion, then you’re idling. However, sometimes engines can idle high or low, depending on its rotational speed. Today we’re going to be going over three different ways an engine can idle and how you should proceed. Let’s dive in. High, Low, and Rough Idle When your car is sitting in park and the engine is running, the engine is still rotating hundreds of times

Aug 22, 2018
2 min

What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Alignment?

A car with poor alignment may only seem like a minor irritation, but as time goes on it can become a big problem. In this post, we’ll cover all the different symptoms of a bad vehicle alignment to help you diagnose your issue. Hillmuth Auto Care is a Maryland vehicle repair service dedicated to helping its customers stay safe on the road. If you believe your vehicle is experience issues with its alignment please bring your vehicle in right away to avoid a dangerous situation.

Aug 15, 2018
2 min

Is Running Out of Gas Bad for Your Car?

Running out of gas is a real bummer whether you’re just learning to drive or you’ve been on the road for years. It can happen to anyone in the hustle and bustle of daily life, but one must wonder: Is running out of gas bad for your car? Let’s take a look! Your Fuel Pump May Suffer In certain vehicles, the fuel pump can suffer damages when you run out of gas. For better or worse, your gas is one of the ways your fuel pump stays cool. When there is no gas, the fuel pump can hea

Aug 1, 2018
2 min

Why is My Car’s AC Fan Not Working?

A hot car is an absolute nightmare in the summer, especially with temperatures as hot as they’ve been. When your car’s AC breaks down, even a day trip to the beach seems like a chore. Today we’re going to take a look at some of the most common reasons why your car’s AC might be giving you trouble. How Can I Tell if my Vehicle AC Fan Isn’t Working? The first step to determining what is wrong with your AC system is to figure out what’s broken. This can be easier than you think—

Jul 18, 2018
2 min

What is an Air Charge Temperature Sensor?

Most cars on the road today are run by a computer-controlled engine management system. The computer gets data from sensors throughout the vehicle in order to regulate your engine’s fuel mixture. This regulation is key to your vehicle running at its top performance and condition. One of the many sensors among the inner workings of your car’s engine system is the air charge sensor. What does an air charge sensor do? It detects changes in air temperature. Since cold air is dense

Jul 11, 2018
2 min

A New Way to Think About Auto Maintenance

If you own a car, you’ve likely received a letter in the mail or an e-mail in your inbox reminding you that it’s time to bring your vehicle in for maintenance. You probably just consider it junk mail and toss it into the trash without a second thought. Then a little while down the road, you find yourself stranded on the side of the road, baffled as to what went wrong with your car. Believe it or not, that little piece of junk mail from your car dealer or local repair shop cou

Jul 3, 2018
2 min

6 Common Issues with Radiators

Your car’s radiator is designed to regulate the temperature of your car’s engine in order to keep it operating at its maximum potential. As with any other type of vehicle, your car is made up of hundreds of parts that work together to keep it in proper working order. If your radiator has an issue, it can quickly affect other parts of your vehicle and put you in danger while on the road. Take a look at these common issues we see with car radiators: Leaky Radiator Hose. Radiato

Jun 25, 2018
2 min

Why is My Car’s AC Blowing Hot Air?

Staying cool is absolutely vital in the summer. And if your car’s AC system is blowing hot air, then it certainly isn’t helping you cool off. So, what’s the problem? If your AC is not actually blowing cool air, then there are a few different issues which could be in play. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons why your car’s AC could be blowing hot air. The Refrigerant is Leaking One of the most common roots of this issue is a lack of refrigerant within your car’s AC syste

Jun 5, 2018
2 min

6 Common Stalled Car Culprits

Car troubles usually come up unexpectedly, leaving you stranded on the side of the road unable to get to where you’re going. A common vehicle problem is engine stalling and unfortunately, there isn’t just one cause. If your car’s engine stalls, there are a number of possible culprits: Culprit #1 – Faulty Electrical Wiring Electrical wires in your car can become detached, corroded, or stripped due to prolonged vehicle use or bad driving conditions. Making sure all wires are co

Apr 10, 2018
2 min

7 Common Reasons Your Car Won’t Start

We’ve all been there. You go out to your car, ready to go, you turn the key and nothing happens. Or maybe your car sputters and then cuts off. There are many reasons your car won’t start, some more complicated than others. As a local Maryland mechanic, we have years of data and experience and we put all that knowledge together to give you the 7 common reasons your car won’t start: The most common reason cars don’t start is because of battery problems. Maybe you left a light o

Apr 5, 2018
2 min

Why are my Headlights Cloudy?

Over time many cars experience an issue with cloudy headlights which can be frustrating and in many cases even dangerous. But why does this happen? Why are some cars more prone to cloudy headlights, and what can you do to fix it? Let’s look at what causes this problem, as well as some steps you can take to improve the clarity of your car’s headlights. What Causes the Problem? Cloudy headlights can be a nuisance, but they can also be a safety concern. The cloudiness of headlig

Mar 28, 2018
2 min

Why is my Car Shaking?

Most people drive their cars every day, so it’s easy to notice when something doesn’t feel right. If you feel your car shaking while you’re driving, the problem could be anything from something minor and easy to fix, to something serious that requires immediate repair. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons your vehicle can start to shake, and what to do about it! Reason #1 – Your Tires If you drive often, your tires are going to require regular inspection and maintena

Mar 22, 2018
2 min

What’s Leaking under my Car?

It’s normal to be concerned when you see a puddle or spot of liquid underneath your car. Figuring out what the liquid is and where it’s coming from is a difficult task if you aren’t well versed in car maintenance and repair. Let’s look at some of the common causes of leaks under your car to get a better idea of when your vehicle is in need of a repair. Coolant Also referred to as antifreeze, coolant is the liquid in your vehicle that helps regulate engine temperature. A major

Mar 2, 2018
2 min

How Pollen Affects Your Vehicle

Spring is almost in the air here in Maryland, and with spring comes flowers, and with the flowers comes pollen. Pollen may take a toll on your sinuses, but it can also take a toll on your car! Both your car’s exterior and interior are impacted by pollen build up, so it is important to understand what to keep an eye on. Let’s look at some ways pollen impacts your vehicle, as well as some ways to prevent this environmental threat from doing damage to your car. Your Car’s Exteri

Sep 29, 2017
2 min

Does your Car’s Heat Work? Check it now.

Summer is winding down and before you know it, you’ll be saying goodbye to your car’s A/C setting and flipping on the heat! Now is the perfect time to check your heat and make sure it works properly. Before cold weather hits. Common Heating Problems: Coolant is low. Your car’s heater functions with the help of your cooling system. When the coolant level is low, air gets trapped in the heater core and stops the flow of fresh coolant through the heating system. Thermostat is de

Sep 15, 2017
2 min

How Much Does a Brake Job Cost?

14There’s a lot that goes into a brake job for your vehicle, and costs can vary for many different reasons. Let’s take a look at what goes into automotive brake repair and get an idea of how much you’ll be spending to get the job done! Time for a Brake Check! It’s suggested that your brakes be checked for safety and functionality issues once a year, or every 15,000 miles. However, noticing any of the following symptoms may mean you need to head to the repair shop sooner than

Aug 25, 2017
2 min

What Does a Timing Belt Do?

Were you recently told that your vehicle needs a new timing belt? A timing belt is one of the most expensive repairs you can experience when owning a vehicle, but it’s also one of the most important as well. Here’s more on what a timing belt does, when they need to be replaced, and why it costs so much to do so. What is a Timing Belt? Your vehicle has a timing set attached to the engine which, in short, will synchronize the rotation of the engine’s crankshaft with the valves.

Aug 14, 2017
3 min

How to Change a Flat Tire

Did your car recently get a flat tire? Well don’t fret, changing a flat tire is a lot easier than it may seem; but it’s important that you understand how to do it correctly in order to prevent an accident. Here’s how to change a flat tire. Stay Safe The first, and most important step, is to make sure that you’re keeping yourself safe. If you get a flat tire, be sure to pull your vehicle far off the side of the road in order to give yourself enough space to safely change your

Jun 22, 2017
2 min

Should I Use Synthetic Oil?

Wondering whether or not to use synthetic oil in your vehicle? Sadly, the answer isn’t a cut-and-dry yes or no. That said, synthetic is a much better motor oil, all things considered. In fact, 99% of the time you’re going to find that you should use synthetic oil over conventional. Here are some things to consider and the answer to whether or not you should use synthetic oil in your specific vehicle. How is Synthetic Oil Created? Synthetic motor oil is not only refined and fi

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