Maryland State Inspections-What you should know before you go!

Maryland State Inspections is what everyone needs when a vehicle is purchased in Maryland.  The purpose for the inspection is to make sure the vehicle is SAFE to drive on the road amongst other vehicles.  Customers always frown upon getting a inspection done but it’s really a good thing to have.  You will know everything you need for your vehicle to be safe to drive on the roads.  When purchasing a vehicle, I would always have a inspection done before making a payment to the other party.  If your driving your little babies around town.  Wouldn’t you want to know if those tires are about to explode?

The actual inspection takes about a hour and half to complete.  The prices vary from station to station.  We are allowed to charge up 1.5 hr of our current labor rate.  Most shops are cheaper than that calculation.  We at All Phase Auto Repair charge $95 for most vehicles.  Some vehicle are more if they are a full sized SUV or truck.  We also charge additional $20 if the tint needs to inspected on the vehicle.  This tends to be a hot topic.  Tint cannot be no darker than 35% on any window for a passenger car.  This applies only to Front door windows on Trucks and SUV’s.  Police officers want to see your face when walking up to the car window.  This is the main reason for this law.  In Maryland, inspection is a one time deal unlike many other states.  Ounce you get a passing grade.  You never have to get the inspection done again as long as you keep the car.  This is why we check a lot more items than most states.  If your vehicle fails inspection: sorry you still have to pay, no we wont issue a sticker when repairs are incomplete, no we don’t sell inspection stickers, but you do have 30 days or 1000 miles to complete the repairs and come back for a reinspect.  The same inspector will have reinspect your vehicle.  Most inspections are done electronically now.  Stickers aren’t actually issued like the old days.  A email is sent to the MVA when the vehicle gets a passing grade.

In conclusion, I think people should use Maryland State Inspections as a tool when buying a vehicle and as knowledge when wanting to know what’s wrong with the vehicle.  Trying to find a shop to sell illegal inspections stickers is just foolish and unsafe for you and your family in the end.  Call All Phase  in Essex, MD and set up a appointment to get that inspection done the right way!

“COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TESTING”

“Why is my engine overheating”? Your vehicles cooling system can fail, and when it does, “Cooling System Pressure Testing”, is one step to finding faults. Other tests include hydrometer, combustion, scan tool, and most important visual checks. The worst possible problem has to do with contamination. When cooling systems are not exchanged/flushed or neglected in other ways, coolant becomes acidic, or rusty, and will react with the rest of your cooling system and engine for the worst. Rust will continue to degrade inside cooling system parts including mechanical engine parts and become costly. Don’t let your cooling system get that bad, ( see pics), come and see us for some cooling system help and tips.

“FREE CHECK ENGINE LAMP SCAN”

“What do I do when my engine lamp comes on.” Most Auto Parts stores and Auto Repair shops will scan your codes for free, however it does not pinpoint your exact cause, just possibilities. Diagnostics are key to saving you money and time when it comes to your “Vehicles Warning Lamps”. Just like the Doctors office, Testing requires expensive specialized equipment to get the correct results. Ignoring these warning lamps can cause them to spread to other vehicle modules erroneously and infect them costing you more money and time to diagnose them. Come see us when your Warning Lamps stay on.

What is that roaring noise in my wheel?

Roaring noises, by definition, are usually pretty frightening whether they’re coming from a lion or from your vehicle. Though there are many reasons why your vehicle could be making strange sounds, a roaring from your wheel could mean that something is wrong with your wheel bearing. For the most part, wheel bearings last for a long time and rarely run into issues over the course of your vehicle’s life. That being said, it can still happen, and here’s what you need to know when it does.

What is a wheel bearing?
Within the mechanisms that keep your tires in place, you will find a small ring of steel balls encased in a steel ring that is called a race. This component, known as a wheel bearing, works to reduce friction and keep the tires spinning smoothly. These little powerhouses are built to handle the entire weight of your vehicle as well as the lateral pressure of your tires while you’re driving down the road. Your wheel bearings can, however, break down over time. They can also run into trouble if dirt or moisture from the road seeps into their inner workings.

How do you know a wheel bearings has gone bad?
A bad wheel bearing tends to put of quite a show, so don’t worry; it won’t be hard to miss. You may hear roaring sounds coming from the your wheel and though those sounds may seem like excessive road noise, it’s best to get it checked out. Additionally, your vehicle is going to shake. It’s going to feel like you’ve replaced all of your seats with massage chairs. You may also notice that your tires are wearing down very unevenly. All this being said, some of these symptoms may be pointing to another problem in your vehicle like your suspension. Either way, you should definitely get it checked out before it’s too late.

What can you do to solve this?
At first, the sound coming from your wheel bearing is going to be faint. However, overtime this sound is only going to get worse and worse until it becomes a huge roar. The shaking and impending danger will also escalate over time. Though it may not seem like a problem that needs your immediate attention, it will become more and more dangerous the longer you put it off. So, don’t leave your future to chance!

Bring your vehicle into All Phase Auto Repair
Whether you’ve got a busted wheel bearing or you just need an oil change, bring your vehicle into All Phase Auto Repair. We’ll make sure that you drive away with confidence knowing that you’re safe on the road. To learn more, contact us today with your questions and set up an appointment. We look forward to putting your mind at ease.