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Overlooking or ignoring your car's warning signs is easy to do. That is, until the morning your vehicle doesn't start. The transmission is a critical component of your vehicle. It's also very expensive. But leaving warnings unaddressed is the worst thing you can do. Fortunately, there are some basic signs to look for, so you'll know when it's time to bring your vehicle in for transmission repair. 1. Difficulty Shifting You should feel a smooth, almost effortless transition when shifting gears. So, if you notice a strange noise, such as a loud clunk or thud, this could mean something is wrong with the transmission. Whether it's low fluid, worn-out gears or the computerized sensors are sending the wrong information to the gearbox, you should have your vehicle checked out. more 2. Response Delay When Shifting Gears Have you ever pressed on the accelerator, but it takes a few seconds to respond? Do the gears "refuse" to shift? If there's a hesitation or delay when shifting, the likely culprit is that the transmission is not fully engaged, which means power is not getting to the wheels right away. This hesitation usually means a malfunctioning transmission. Most likely you're dealing with a clutch issue, which leads to poor performance. 3. Transmission Slipping Slipping of the transmission is something that's relatively easy to recognize. If your engine suddenly goes from a low rumble to a high-pitched sound and your RPMs spike dramatically while going the same speed, your transmission is slipping. You may also notice that your car feels a bit underpowered, and your acceleration is compromised. These symptoms can be from low fluid or that it's burning too hot. Continuing to drive like this can cause further damage. 4. Leaking Fluid The transmission is a complicated technology machine with more than 800 parts protected by a sealed case. So, a leak is an automatic issue. If you notice a red or dark fluid on the ground where your car has been parked, that's transmission fluid. This isn't a reason to panic, though. Fluid leaks are easily treated by a mechanic if caught right away. 5. Check Engine Light is On This light can be daunting, but it can also simply mean a quick, inexpensive fix. But if you're noticing any of the above symptoms relating to your transmission, you should never ignore your check engine warning light. Take your vehicle to a qualified repair shop immediately. Schedule Frederick Auto Repair Transmission Service at Our Kia Service Center Don't risk blowing out your transmission in the middle of highway traffic. When you notice one or more of the above issues, it's critical to bring your car in for auto service and repairs in Frederick at our car dealership. And sooner is better than later as you don't want the problem to get worse—and inevitably—more expensive. Visit the DARCARS Kia of Frederick Service Center and let our professional mechanics diagnose your vehicle so you can get back on the road for a smooth, comfortable ride as soon as possible! Click here for appointment scheduling.

You won't allow a stranger to drive your car, and you shouldn't let just any technician maintain or repair your vehicle either. It is vital when maintenance or repairs are needed to schedule an appointment at a certified Kia repair shop. Qualified technicians, who know your car, will work on your vehicle to ensure that it stays as reliable and safe as it was built to be. Having your Kia repaired and maintained at a trusted Kia service center, will give you the peace of mind that your Kia is in good hands. 1. Knowledgeable Staff At DARCARS Kia of Frederick, we believe in offering exceptional customer service and quality maintenance and repairs. Our friendly service staff members are trained to answer all your questions and give you the necessary information on all our services, including maintenance and repairs. When you bring your vehicle to us, rest assured that your car is in expert hands. more 2. Comprehensive Maintenance Services Our professional, certified repair shop offers a full range of maintenance services and repairs to help you keep your vehicle in excellent running condition. The technicians perform a wide range of maintenance services such as: Oil Changes Engine Diagnostics Transmission Repairs Brake Replacements Battery Checks and Replacements Tire Rotations And much more. It is your one-stop service shop where trained technicians will efficiently and effectively deal with any vehicle problems. At a certified auto service center, maintenance and repairs get done right the first time. 3. Factory Trained Service Technicians Only qualified technicians should work on your vehicle. At a certified Kia service center, the expert technicians are trained and certified by the manufacturer and regularly sent on courses to stay up to date with the latest developments. They know your car inside and out and what it takes to keep your Kia performing at its best. 4. Multi-Point Inspections Will Be Performed At certified car repair shops, technicians first perform a multi-point inspection to check what maintenance and repairs must be done before any work commences. The technician will discuss the service and repairs with you and answer any questions you might have. 5. Stock and Fit Genuine Kia Parts If you want your Kia to perform well, use the parts that are specifically designed and engineered for your vehicle. That is why it is important to get maintenance and repairs done at a certified shop. A quality repair center stocks genuine Kia parts to keep your car in tip-top shape. The technicians only fit genuine parts to ensure that your vehicle performs optimally and is safe on the road. Best of all, our genuine parts are covered for 12 months with the Replacement Parts Limited Warranty. We’re Your Certified Kia Service Center in Frederick, MD There is only one place to go for quality automotive services, maintenance, and repairs, and that is to your trusted Kia dealership. We will ensure that your car is running smoothly. Head to DARCARS Kia of Frederick today and schedule a service. Our trained technicians will ensure that your Kia is reliable, safe, fuel-efficient, and performs optimally.

When your car needs a new battery, you can't wait too long to get it replaced or you can end up on the side of the road with a vehicle that won't run. This is why you need to be aware of the signs you need a new car battery before it's too late. Your Engine Doesn't Want to Start This is one of the earliest signs of a failing battery. If you try to start your car and it hesitates for a second or two instead of firing right up like normal, it's likely your battery is no longer creating the proper charge to ignite the starter. Bring your car to an authorized service center to have your battery inspected. A factory-trained technician will assess your battery's charge and let you know if you need a replacement. more Your Headlights Flicker or Become Dim Since your headlights run off the battery, if you notice they start flickering or are dimmer than usual, it's possible that your battery is not providing enough charge to run all the electronic components in your car. You could also notice that your cabin lights flicker or don't turn on at all, since your battery will direct its charge toward keeping your vehicle running rather than your lights if it's struggling to power everything. You Smell a Foul Odor Your battery has a variety of internal components that keep it operating as it should. However, if there's an internal short or the battery becomes damaged in some way, the battery's gas can begin to leak. This gas has the recognizable odor of rotten eggs, so if you smell this odor when you lift your car's hood, you need to get your battery checked out right away. It will probably need to be replaced since damaged batteries can be dangerous. Your Battery's Case Is an Odd Shape Your battery should be a rectangular prism, but extreme heat and cold can cause it to swell and contract, which can then lead to cracking or bulging. What you see on the outside is an indication of what's happening on the inside. If your battery is any shape other than rectangular, there's probably some internal damage as well, which could be causing the battery to malfunction. Have any misshapen battery replaced right away. Your Battery's Connectors Are Corroded The connectors on your battery can easily become corroded since the terminals are bare metal. If you see a white, flaky substance on the top of your battery near the metal components, you need to have them cleaned. Corrosion can interfere with the volts your battery generates. You may not need to replace your battery if it's corroded, but you should have it inspected anyway just to make sure no permanent damage has been done. Your Check Engine Light Comes On While your check engine light could mean that any number of things are wrong with your car, it can also come on if your battery is running out of power. Have your car inspected by an authorized technician to determine the cause of the light and replace your battery if necessary. Schedule Your Car Battery Replacements in Frederick, MD Your car simply won't run if the battery dies, and it could be unsafe. Pay attention to the above-mentioned signs to make sure you don't end up with a battery that doesn’t work correctly. Do you need to get Kia battery services, or another type of vehicle? Contact DARCARS Kia of Frederick to schedule an appointment to have your car serviced and your battery checked.