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It starts with an illuminated battery light, dimmed dashboard, and headlights, and before you know it, you smell strange odors and hear whining or rattling sounds from under the hood. A failing alternator will cause all these issues, and if you don't attend to the problem fast, and get your car to your Toyota dealer for an alternator repair, soon you'll likely find it hard to start your vehicle. Or your car won't start at all. The Battery Warning Light Is Illuminated When the battery light on your dashboard is on, it may not always be a battery issue. If the alternator's voltage output fluctuates, the battery light will come on or flicker. Turning on an accessory, such as your windshield wipers, will trigger the battery warning light if your alternator has a problem. We suggest never ignoring the dashboard warning lights when you want to avoid a breakdown. Schedule a service appointment with your Toyota technician as soon as possible. You've Got Problems With the Accessories Your car's alternator is responsible for the electrical supply, and when it's not working correctly, the computer will cut power to certain non-critical accessories. If you experience several electrical issues at once, blame the alternator. Suddenly the heated seats and the radio will not work, the sunroof will get stuck, and you will have problems with the power locks, windows, and windshield wipers. It's best not to use these accessories to avoid complete alternator failure until your Toyota technician repairs the problem. The Lights Are Flickering and Dim When you've got alternator trouble, your alternator can't generate enough power to keep the lights, including the headlights and dashboard lights, shining properly. Your lights might flicker or grow dim when you turn on the radio or use the power windows. The headlights could also change from bright to dull and then bright again. Your Car Is Stalling and Hard to Start Finding it hard to start your car and keep it running is a definite sign of alternator trouble. Your vehicle starts from the power stored in the battery. Because a malfunctioning alternator is not properly recharging the battery, there is insufficient power to get your car going. Try to jump-start your vehicle. If it dies after the jump-start, the alternator is likely the culprit and not the battery. You Smell Hot Wires or Burning Rubber When an alternator is overworked and pushing too much power through the wires, it will give off an electrical odor. When the drive belt is worn, or the pulley is misaligned or not turning correctly, you will smell burning rubber caused by friction and heat. You Hear Whining or Growling Noises When any one of the alternator's components is worn or breaks, you will hear whining or growling noises coming from the front of your car. These noises could be from worn bearings or a misaligned belt rubbing against the pulley. Address the problem fast because, eventually, it will cause damage to the engine, and you might hear rattling noises. Hopefully, the problem will be repaired long before you hear rattling noises. Do you think the issue might be your car battery? Read the signs to look out for when your car battery needs a replacement. At DARCARS Toyota of Frederick, we're here to help! Whether you need a local service center you can trust, new parts, or comprehensive information about your Toyota, we have you covered. Schedule your auto repair in Frederick, MD, today!

When looking to purchase a new vehicle, maintenance costs may be at the forefront of your mind. Fortunately, every new Toyota comes standard with ToyotaCare, a beneficial, no-cost maintenance service provided by the manufacturer and supported by our Toyota dealership here in Frederick. ToyotaCare Benefits 2 Years or 25,000 Miles of No-Cost Maintenance 2 Years of Roadside Assistance There is plenty yet to be discovered about the benefits breakdown of ToyotaCare. Please continue reading to learn more about the details Toyota offers! No-Cost Maintenance One of the best advantages of this care plan is the no-cost routine maintenance options on your new car. You will always be taken care of by expertly trained technicians who specialize in your particular vehicle, and will receive your scheduled service at no additional cost for the first two years, or 25,000 miles, that you own your vehicle. The included services with this care plan are a multi-point vehicle inspection, engine oil and oil filter replacements, tire rotations, and inspection of fluid levels with adjustment when needed. You will also receive reminders of when your recommended maintenance is due, helping you to schedule your appointments when it's convenient for you. Roadside Assistance The first two years of owning your new Toyota will include 24-hour roadside assistance, so you'll have the support you need if something unexpected occurs. While many people may think that roadside help is only required for older vehicles that may be starting to break down, this assistance is convenient in a variety of situations for new cars, too. Some of the included services on the road are lockout protection, emergency fuel delivery, battery jump-start, winching, tire service, and towing. Flat tires are always unexpected, and knowing someone will come and change it for you can help keep the panic at bay. And even if you encounter something this plan doesn't cover, such as parts or fluids other than fuel, towing is always an option so you can get to a safe place and get repairs started immediately. Peace of Mind Perhaps the best feature of this care program is the peace of mind it offers. Everyone deserves to cut out stressful factors that come with owning a vehicle in times of emergency. Knowing a flat tire or a tow won't be a considerable headache allows you to confidently take on the road. Following your vehicle's recommended regular maintenance will keep it running at peak performance, and extend the longevity of your engine. With reminders about when service is due, you won't have to try to remember what's been done or what comes next, and traveling will be a breeze with 24-hour roadside assistance on standby.   It's easy to trust your new car is running well when every new Toyota comes standard with all routine maintenance taken care of for the first two years. Never be concerned about getting the help your car needs will reduce stress on the road. So, if you were looking for yet another reason why owning a new Toyota is a good idea, let this be it! To begin taking advantage of ToyotaCare, feel free to browse our new inventory at DARCARS Toyota of Frederick today!

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. 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. 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!