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Hillmuth Blog

Stay Tuned Up with the Hillmuth Blog.

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 8, 2018
2 min

4 Ways Technology Can Improve Your Driving

Over the years, technology has improved vehicles and the people that use them many times, but new tech is always coming out. Anti-lock brakes, air bags, and cruise control have all become standard in today’s cars, but which new features are coming down the pipeline? Let’s take a look at 4 ways technology can improve your driving. Parking Sensors Parking sensors can be found on either the front or the back of modern vehicles. These parking sensors assist in keeping you from hi

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 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

Jun 13, 2018
2 min

What is a Great Vehicle Lifespan?

We all purchase vehicles with the hope that they will last us a long time. The lifespan of your vehicle depends on many things, a lot of which you personally have a direct effect on. Average Life Expectancy The average life expectancy of a vehicle is generally around 10-12 years or about 150,000 miles. Of course there are some people who you’ll find driving a 20-year old vehicle with well over 200,000 miles on it. Then there are those who experience total engine failure after

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

May 30, 2018
2 min

Here’s Why Your Car’s Exhaust is Rattling

The muffler on your vehicle has two main functions: to help direct exhaust gasses out of the engine and to reduce the noise made by your vehicle’s exhaust system that is directed from the exhaust ports to the exhaust pipes. Many common issues with your car’s exhaust can be diagnosed simply by listening for new and unfamiliar noises. Common Exhaust Noises Here are the most common noises your exhaust will make that indicate a problem: Backfiring A loud bang or firecracker noise

May 23, 2018
2 min

What is an Engine Coolant Sensor?

An engine coolant sensor measures the temperature of the engine’s coolant and it attached to your engine’s cylinder head. Why is this sensor important and why does coolant temperature matter? Let’s learn more about this important automotive feature! The engine coolant temperature sensor, or ECT, is an engine management system sensor used to monitor your engine’s coolant temperature. Your vehicle’s engine requires more fuel when it is cold, and less fuel when warmed up. Your c

May 16, 2018
2 min

The Ultimate Road Trip Safety Checklist

Road trips are a blast for the whole family. With proper planning before you head out on your journey you can ensure your safety and the safety of everyone traveling with you. For starters, here is an ultimate road trip safety checklist to help: The Checklist Clean the inside of your car so riders will be comfortable, and packed items have plenty of room to be stored. If more than one person is scheduled to drive, plan out specific destinations along the way for drivers to s

May 3, 2018
2 min

Surviving Your Teen’s Driver’s Education

Having a teenager is stressful. Add driving lessons on top of that and you are bound to experience some anxiety. There are some things you can put in place however to help you remain calm. Let’s look at the top eight things you can do to make driving with your teenager less stressful for you, and for your teen! Make Some Ground Rules Phone safety has become a huge issue for teen (and adult) drivers over the last 10 or so years. By making some strict driving rules relating to

Apr 25, 2018
2 min

Should I Buy a New or Used Car?

Buying a new car is a huge investment and a huge decision. Going into your purchase with all the facts and as much information as possible is essential. Should you buy new or used? There are pros and cons to both new and used cars, and which is the best car for you and your situation depends on several factors. Let’s look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of both new and used cars. New Car Pros and Cons Buying a new car comes with a certain peace of mind. You know that th

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

Feb 23, 2018
2 min

The Air Inside Your Vehicle

With the lower temperatures here in Maryland this winter many motorists keep their cars warm using the heating system with little ventilation. In the warmer months drivers enjoy the breeze with the windows down, but in the cold months the car’s windows remain closed and the air re-circulates throughout the car. With less ventilation drivers are exposed to pollutants and impurities, but there are things that can be done to limit the amount of pollution in the car. Let’s look m

Nov 22, 2017
2 min

Christmas Gifts for a New Driver

Christmas is right around the corner and you’ve got a new driver in your family – don’t stress about what to get them for the holidays! Check out our list of the top gift items for new drivers: Tire Pressure Gauge – Checking the pressure in their tires regularly will help prevent them from winding up on the side of the road with a flat. Car Phone Charger – Although using mobile phones while driving is dangerous, it’s important that your new driver has a charged phone in case

Nov 15, 2017
2 min

Maryland Audi Repair Service

When you own an expensive car, you want to do everything in your power to keep it running in tip top shape. Taking your car in for repair or maintenance can be stressful if you don’t know the garage or their reputation. This stress is compounded when you are dealing with a high end car such as an Audi. By taking your car to a local Maryland auto mechanic who specializes in Audi’s, you can put your mind at ease knowing your car is in the best hands. Let’s look at some benefits

Oct 4, 2017
2 min

The Dangers of Fall Driving

Summer has finally ended and Fall weather is quickly approaching. The leaves are turning pretty colors, cool nights are begging for bonfires, and deer and other animals are coming out to play. Though these are some of the pleasing things Fall is beginning to bring us, they can all mean hazardous conditions for drivers. Let’s go over some Fall driving hazards you should be looking out for this season to ensure safe driving! Leaves Although beautiful, leaves fall and litter str

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

Aug 18, 2017
3 min

Tire Buying Guide

Did your car get a flat tire on the way home? Maybe you’re preparing yourself for the winter months because your tires are starting to look bald. Either way, there are many different things to consider when purchasing new tires. In this guide, we will help you determine what types of tires your car needs, and which will be best for your driving style. Can I Just Buy One Tire? The first thing to determine is whether or not you need to purchase more than one tire. With tires yo

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

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