Winter is tough on vehicles, and proper maintenance is essential for ensuring your car remains reliable when temperatures drop and road conditions worsen. At Roy’s Quality Car Care, we provide expert winter auto maintenance in the greater Hagerstown, MD area. Here are five important winter auto maintenance tasks. Check Your Battery Cold weather puts a strain on your car’s battery. To prevent issues, have your battery tested to ensure it’s holding a charge and producing sufficient voltage. If your battery is more than three years old, it’s wise to consider replacing it before winter hits to avoid any surprises on a cold morning. Inspect Tires and Consider Winter Tires Your tires are your only point of contact with the road, and winter driving requires them to be in top condition. Make sure your tires have adequate tread to provide proper traction on snow and ice. You might also consider switching to winter tires, which are designed to perform better in cold temperatures and provide better grip on wintry surfaces. Top Off and Replace Fluids Fluids are critical to your vehicle’s operation, especially in cold weather. Be sure to: Top off antifreeze: Make sure you have the right mix of antifreeze and water to prevent freezing. Replace windshield washer fluid: Switch to winter-grade washer fluid, which is formulated to resist freezing. Check oil: Consider switching to a winter-grade oil, which flows better in colder temperatures, making it easier on your engine during startup. Test the Heating and Defrosting System Your heating system is not only important for comfort but also for visibility and safety. Make sure that both your heater and defroster are working properly. A malfunctioning defroster can cause windows to fog up, obscuring your view. It’s also wise to check that your windshield wiper blades are in good shape and able to clear snow and ice effectively. Check Brakes and Suspension Winter roads are often slippery and treacherous, making fully functional brakes and suspension more critical than ever. Have your brakes inspected for any signs of wear, including thinning brake pads, warped rotors, or low brake fluid. Also, your suspension system should be checked to ensure it can handle the potholes that tend to form during the colder months. Addressing any issues early will help maintain vehicle stability and control. Winter Auto Maintenance in Hagerstown, MD When you need auto maintenance in Hagerstown and the surrounding area, contact Roy’s Quality Car Care at  (301) 288-3572  . At our local auto shop, we can expertly handle your vehicle’s repair and maintenance needs. Feel free to give us a call to schedule an appointment!

Your car's cooling system is crucial for keeping the engine at a safe operating temperature, preventing it from overheating. Coolant plays a central role in this process. When a coolant leak occurs, it can lead to engine damage if left unaddressed. At Roy’s Quality Car Care, we provide expert coolant leak repair in the greater Hagerstown area. Here are five signs that your car may be leaking coolant. Overheating Engine If your engine starts to overheat, it may be due to a loss of coolant. The cooling system relies on a steady flow of coolant to keep the engine from reaching dangerous temperatures. If coolant levels drop due to a leak, the engine won't be properly cooled, which can cause it to overheat. If you notice the temperature gauge climbing into the red zone, it's time to safely pull over and let your car cool down before further investigating. Puddles Under Your Car One of the most obvious signs of a coolant leak is the appearance of a puddle underneath your vehicle. Coolant is often a green, orange, or pink fluid, although yours could be a different color. If you see a brightly colored puddle beneath your car, there’s a strong possibility that coolant is leaking. Low Coolant Levels Regularly checking your coolant level is a good maintenance habit. If you find yourself constantly needing to top off the coolant, it’s a red flag that there may be a leak in the system. To stay safe, it’s important to only check/add coolant after your engine has cooled down. Sweet Smell Coming from Your Car Coolant has a distinctive sweet smell due to its ethylene glycol content. If you start smelling a sweet aroma coming from your car, it could be a sign that coolant is leaking. White Smoke from the Exhaust White smoke coming from your exhaust is another sign of a coolant leak, especially if the leak is internal. If this occurs, it often indicates a more serious problem, such as a blown head gasket, and requires immediate attention. Cooling System Repair in Hagerstown, MD When you need auto repair in Hagerstown and the surrounding area, contact Roy’s Quality Car Care at  (301) 288-3572  . At our local auto shop, we can expertly address your vehicle’s repair and maintenance needs. Feel free to give us a call to schedule an appointment!