Waldorf Auto Repair

The busiest time of the year is once again here, with many families traveling for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and eventually New Years. Whether you are traveling a short distance or long distance for the holidays, it is essential to keep you and your loved ones’ safety in mind. With horrible traffic jams, reckless drivers, and occasional bad weather sprinkled in there, things can get hectic.  To combat these road conditions, we recommend bringing your vehicle to Cottman of Waldorf for some freshening up. What’s worse than sitting in traffic? Being the cause of the traffic jam because of a breakdown, of course! Below are some key maintenance items you should take care of this season: Oil Change Battery Test Tire Pressure Check  Tire Rotations Windshield Wiper Replacement Heater and Defrosters Run … and so many more! Besides some seasonal maintenance, make sure you follow these driving tips to reach your parent’s house or grandparent’s house ... read more

If you've ever been in your car and smelled something strange, you're not alone; but do you know what that smell is? It's probably something minor, but it could also be a sign of a bigger problem. In this blog post, we'll discuss the most common smells that drivers experience in their vehicles and what they can indicate. Keep in mind that if you're experiencing a strange smell, it's always best to have your car inspected by a professional auto repair shop! Unusual Vehicle Smells Here are some of the most common unusual vehicle smells and what they can indicate: Burning Oil Smell - If you notice a burning oil smell, it's probably due to an oil leak. Oil leaks are common in older vehicles, but can happen in new cars too. If you see smoke coming from under the hood or notice that your oil light is on, pull over and call a tow truck - you'll need to have your car taken to an auto repair shop right away. Sweet Smell - If your car smells ... read more

One way of telling if you are experiencing car shudder as you drive is if you can feel a vibration through your brake pedal or steering wheel. This phenomenon is caused by the friction within the disc brake system causing a difficulty that creates the vibration every time you step on the brake pedal. This article offers a detailed discussion on why your car vibrates wen you brake. Simply put, how brake shudder or vibration occurs. Brakes versus Steering Wheel Vibrations A brake shudder mostly occurs when you apply breaks on high speeds. While the vibration can be mild or sometimes violent, it is crucial that you do not ignore it once you sense it as it could be an indicator of a variety of aspects. For one, the shudder could mean the rotors and the calipers are damaged, or your brake pads need replacing. The vibrations on your steering wheel are often as a result of damaged from rotors and that of the brake pedal means there is an issue with the rare rotors. How the Vibration Occur ... read more

Now that summer is winding down, it is the perfect time to inspect your car battery. Sure enough, your battery has battled the heat throughout the summer. But if you know a thing or two about car batteries, they do not mix well with heat – it can cause corrosion.    Corrosion occurs when the battery acid leaks and reacts with the metal connection points. It is expected as a part of wear and tear. However, corrosion can be accelerated from the heat. Fortunately, it is simple to clean up minor decay. If you have larger clumps of corrosion, it may be too late to save your battery. When left on there long enough, the corrosion will block out the electrical charges that are supposed to flow in and out of the battery. As a result, you won’t be able to start your car. Batteries tend to last 3-5 years. With proper maintenance and good habits, you can extend the wear on your car battery.    Inspecting your car is an easy process. We recommend getting familiar ... read more

Air cabin filters are designed to filter and remove contaminants such as dust and pollen from the air you breathe inside your car. These components keep a stream of fresh air flowing so that you and your loved ones can breathe easily and travel comfortably. But with time, your vehicle's air cabin filters might be clogged by harmful contaminants, after which they will no longer serve their purpose. Once you begin to notice an unusual and unpleasant odor emanating from your ventilation system, it might be time to replace your air cabin filters. Other signs include: • Excessive noise when your vehicle's HVAC system is running • Reduced airflow in the passenger compartment • An unusual whistling sound emanating from the cabin air ducts • Unpleasant odor in your vehicle cabin So, Why Replace your Cabin Air Filters? Health and Comfort Your vehicle's air cabin filter is the only thing between you and the air flowing inside your car. This means it will tra ... read more

The power steering light located on the dashboard is immediately identifiable since it looks like an orange, red or yellow steering wheel with an exclamation mark. A lighted EPS communicates the same message in electric power steering setups. Where Is The Power Steering System Warning Light? The light shows something is wrong with the power steering system and that you must look into the problem. The reason for this varies depending on your vehicle's type of power steering system. Why Does The Power Steering Light Come On? The most typical cause of this problem with hydraulic power steering systems is a leak resulting in a low fluid level. A lit EPS light may show if you have an electronic power steering (EPS) system. There are no fluid levels to monitor since EPS systems do not require fluid to offer steering help. Instead, suppose you've recently removed or reconnected the battery of your vehicle or recently had to jump start it, you may now have a battery problem. What ... read more

The car manual is a handbook with all the information you need to maintain your car. It includes details on regular check-ups, warning signs, and how to avoid potential problems. Take time to read your owner's manual to know what to do when things go awry. If people read their car's owner's manual, they would discover useful tips to keep their vehicle running smoothly. If you have a question about your car, your owner's manual is the place to find the answer. Learn more below. Importance of Reading Your Car's Owner's Manual Your vehicle's owner manual contains vital information about your car. From basic maintenance to troubleshooting, it provides detailed instructions on how to get the most from your vehicle. You should always read your owner's manual before using your vehicle. This way, you'll be able to take advantage of its features and avoid potential problems. In addition to providing basic instructions on how to operate the vehicle, it als ... read more

When your vehicle stalls, you may experience it when you start it, when you come to a stop, or when it is idling. In rare instances, your vehicle may also stall when traveling at cruising speeds, which can be particularly problematic. It's important to note that there is no one cause for vehicle stalling. Below are a few reasons why your car is stalling. BATTERY PROBLEM It's no secret that your battery aids your engine is turning over, but its work doesn't end once it's running. It's possible for your vehicle to stall while driving if your battery is starting to wear out, even if your car starts. The battery may not be defective, but its terminals can be corroded or need replacement, causing your car to stall. Corrosion of the terminals on your battery can prevent your automobile from getting enough power because it relies on the battery for its electrical system. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH YOUR FUEL SYSTEM When a fuel pump stops working well, your engine might be ... read more

A vehicle's suspension system is essential for maintaining a smooth and comfortable ride. When you start experiencing body aches and discomfort when driving on a bumpy road or rugged off-road trail, the chances are that the shocks and struts have issues and need replacement. The shocks and struts are responsible for absorbing shock from the road, preventing your vehicle from moving erratically while on the road. You won't feel every single bump or unevenness in the pavement this way, and you are able to better control your vehicle overall. Over time, shocks and struts can wear just with regular use of your vehicle. The first telltale sign of back shocks is a leaky or oily looking shock, which means they could be damaged. Driving with bad shocks and struts doesn't just affect your ride quality - it can also start to cause damage to your tires, wearing them down unevenly. Other suspension components can also be affected. That is why it is important to pay attention to how yo ... read more

It's easy to run behind in the mornings to only rush out to a frosty windshield. Not only is a blurry windshield a nuisance, but it is very dangerous to drive when your view of the road is obstructed. Whether your windshield freezes or forms droplets, both are potential hazards and require a little more work and time before you can start driving.  How to Defog Windows Step 1: Turn on the Heat  The first thing you should do to combat foggy windshields this winter is by turning on the defrosters. This feature is a must-have this time of the year, so please ensure it works at the start of the cold season. Start by cranking the heat and defrosters up high. Doing this will eliminate any moisture from the air inside your car.  Step 2: Turn on the A/C Button It might seem counterintuitive, but the cold air will help dry the air inside the car. As the air gets drawn into the HVAC system, it will trap some of the moisture. Step 3: Turn off the recirculation feature A ... read more