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Ready, set, winter! It's time to replace your summer tires with winter-rated ones. But with so many tires on the market today, picking the right winter tires for your car can be overwhelming and even confusing. Our tire experts at DARCARS Toyota of Frederick are here to lend a hand; below are our experts' top five tips on how to choose high-quality winter-rated tires. Know Your Tire Size (or Diameter) Knowing exactly what tire size you're looking for will ease the buying process by eliminating a swath of tires that don't match your vehicle's specs. Choosing the right tire size will also help ensure fuel efficiency, optimal performance, and, most importantly, safety. You can find your car's manufacturer-recommended tire dimensions in your owner's manual. Alternatively, you can find tire size info in the following locations: the fuel hatch, the driver's side door, or the tires' sidewalls. more Pay Attention to the Speed Index, Load Range No matter how perfectly you choose your tire size, if you don't choose the right speed index and load range, your car won't be able to tackle winter conditions. For this reason, make sure the tire you select matches the load capabilities of your vehicle. When it comes to speed index, choose winter-rated tires with a lower speed index than your recommended speed rating. Tires with a lower speed rating offer superior braking and steering response in cooler, icy, wet, and snowy conditions. You can find your tire's speed index and load capabilities on the sidewall of your tires. Look at the Symbol on the Tire's Sidewall Winter-rated tires come with a 3-peaked mountain or snowflake symbol. These symbols show that the tire design meets snow or ice traction requirements. Consider Your Driving Conditions The roads you drive on are also crucial when searching for winter-rated tires. If you do most of your driving on irregular terrains, the winter-rated tires you choose should have off-roading-like features such as an open-tread design, off-road traction, reinforced sidewalls, and enhanced handling capabilities. If you drive primarily on highways, your winter-rated tires should have a high-speed rating and provide highway stability, handling, traction, and comfort. Studded Tires Offer Better Grip in Severe Snowy Conditions If you live in a region that receives high amounts of snowfall, you should invest in studded winter-rated tires. Studded tires have small metal studs embedded in the rubber to help dig into a muddy or snowy road for more grip. Keep in mind studded tires might be noisy and can damage pavement. What's more, they are prohibited in some states, so be sure to consult your local laws before purchasing.   At our DARCARS Toyota service center in Frederick, MD, we are dedicated to keeping our customers safe by offering the most reliable auto repair in the area. We encourage you to schedule a service appointment with us online today so our technicians can ensure your tires are ready for the winter season.

It's the new year, and perhaps you've decided to put yourself on a budget and save money whenever possible. One of the best ways to save money is to get better gas mileage. With fuel prices risings, you'll need some tips to make your vehicle run as efficiently as possible. Slow Down This is probably a tip you don't want to read, but it's one of the best ways to improve your gas mileage. Fuel efficiency peaks typically at 50 miles per hour for most vehicles, so your gas mileage tends to drop once you reach that speed. Lowering your highway speed by 10 miles per hour can increase your fuel efficiency by as much as 14%. This may not sound like a lot, but it adds up over time. more Plan Trips Another great way to conserve fuel is to plan your errands ahead of time so you can complete several tasks with a minimum number of stops. For example, if you need to visit the bank, and there's a branch at your grocery store, go ahead and do your grocery shopping simultaneously. This will eliminate a second stop at the grocery store later. You should also map out the most efficient route to get to places as well. Avoid Rush Hour This may seem obvious, but it's worth mentioning because we always seem to find ourselves in the middle of rush hour even when we don't plan to be. When your car is running but not moving, you're wasting fuel. The stop-and-go conditions of rush hour have a significant impact on fuel efficiency. If you're able to avoid rush hour, either in the morning or evening, or both, you'll save a small fortune at the pump. Use the Carpool Lanes If you find yourself stuck in rush hour traffic, see if carpool or fast-track lanes are available. You'll have to pay for them if you don't meet the carpool requirements to drive in the lane for free, but those costs may be cheaper than the extra fuel costs you'll incur if you sit in stalled traffic. Just be sure that you meet the requirements or are willing to pay the fees before jumping into that lane. Use Cruise Control Driving at consistent speeds helps conserve fuel, so if you're on the highway, use your cruise control feature to even out your speed. You don't want to use cruise control in town because you'll probably get tired of engaging and disengaging it, and you should never use it on slick roads, but on dry highways, this feature can increase fuel efficiency and give your leg and foot a nice rest from constantly pressing on the gas pedal. Avoid Long Idle Times As mentioned earlier, idling wastes gas, so if your car is idling for long periods, you're just throwing your money into a pit. This also means you shouldn't allow your car to idle to warm up. You're not getting good gas mileage whenever you're not moving but your vehicle is running. Eliminate idling, and you'll see a big improvement in fuel savings.   In Maryland, you know you're going to run into rush hour and cold weather, so plan to conserve as much fuel - and money - as possible. If you're interested in investing in a new vehicle, we recommend browsing our selection of fuel-efficient and hybrid models at DARCARS Toyota of Frederick today!