Conrad's Blogs
At Conrad's we want you to be able to make educated decisions about when to purchase tires, when to have your car repaired, and what vehicle maintenance you need to consider.
These articles are written by our tire experts and experienced technicians. We hope you find valuable information here and remember to check back frequently for updates and great information about the changes taking place on today's vehicles.
Car Maintenance Basics: Why Wheel Alignment Matters
You know your vehicle. It doesn’t take you long to become familiar with the nuances of your car. The sounds it makes, the way it handles, and the way it feels as you’re cruising down the highway as opposed to tooling around town. That’s why you’ll likely notice if something is amiss. For example, when…
Batteries, Starters, and Alternators, Oh My! Diagnosing Symptoms of a Problem
Ah, technology. As vehicles become more advanced, fixing them is more complex. When an electrical system malfunctions, it can wreak havoc on your vehicle. When you notice an issue and take your car to your trusted mechanic, there are several things they’ll be looking at to diagnose the problem. Here’s what you need to know.…
5 Tell Tale Signs It’s Time for a Vehicle Tune-Up
Trust is a big deal. When you hop in your car each morning, you trust that when you turn the key (or press the button), your engine will fire right up and you’ll be good to go. This kind of confidence is the result of properly maintaining your vehicle. Not sure if you need a…
Winter Vehicle Maintenance: Cold-Weather Oil Change
Winter happens. If you live in an area that experiences all four seasons, you know this all too well. You also know that winterizing your vehicle is an actual thing. One important part of getting your car ready for the cold season is an oil change. Changing the oil in the winter isn’t all that…
New Year, New Car: 7 Ways to Make Your Vehicle Feel Brand New
A fresh year gives you the urge to make everything new. One of the ways you can chase that feeling is to make your vehicle seem like it’s brand new. There are some easy ways you can make your car match your renewed attitude. Here’s what you need to know. 1. Deep clean carpet and…
Brrr Heres What You Need to Know When Your Vehicles Heating System Fails
Today’s vehicles have some fancy-schmancy heating-system features. You can be one temperature while your passenger can be a different one, for example. Vents for the people in the back and heated seats also add to the luxury of making each passenger as comfortable as possible. But sometimes something goes awry with your heating (or cooling)…
Avoid Tire Trouble With 4 Maintenance Tips
What’s the only part of your car that makes contact with the road? Tires. No matter how well you take care of them, they’ll eventually need to be replaced. A new set can be costly, so you’ll want to make the ones you have last as long as possible. Here’s what you need to know…
Headlights, Horns, and Hazards: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe on the Road This Holiday Season
Time with family is a hallmark of the Holiday season. For many people, that means extra time on the road. The more time you spend in the car, the greater the chances are that you’ll wind up in an accident. Here’s what you need to know about using your vehicle’s headlights and horn to stay…
Don’t Travel This Winter Without Knowing THIS About Your Exhaust System
Your car’s exhaust system is pretty important. It serves several essential functions, not the least of which is keeping you and other vehicle occupants safe. As you start thinking about winter travel, don’t neglect the necessary maintenance for your exhaust system. Here’s what you need to know. The job of the exhaust system If this…
All About Transmissions: Don’t Let the Check Engine Light Spoil Your Holidays
That little red light that can strike fear into any heart – especially with the holiday travel season just around the corner. It’s not Rudolph’s nose or the glow of your Christmas tree – it’s the Check Engine light, of course. What does this little red beacon of despair indicate? Often, the culprit is your…
6 Essential Vehicle Fluids to Have Checked Before You Hit the Road for the Holidays
Don’t let your trip to Grandma’s for the holidays get ruined by a breakdown. Your car needs regular maintenance to keep running at peak performance. One of the most important aspects is changing out your vehicle’s fluids periodically. As the weather changes from warm to cold, it’s especially important to have your car’s fluids evaluated…
Car Repair: Focus on Interior and Exterior Body Trim Components
The aftermath of a car accident is never easy to deal with. Whether you’ve had a major collision, a mild fender-bender, or you’ve backed into something, chances are you’ll have to deal with repairs. When your car’s in an accident of any type, obviously large components can be damaged but so can the smaller ones…
Car Repair: Focus on Emission Controls
If you own a car, you’re probably at least familiar with the term “emissions.” Emissions are the pollutants given off as a result of your car burning gasoline. They include all kinds of nasty contaminants that stick around in the air long after your car’s life has ended, such as hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide,…
Car Maintenance Basics: Shocks and Struts
All the intricate pieces and parts of your car work together to get you where you want to go. Maintenance for some components is easy to remember. Oil changes, checking your brakes, and keeping your tires filled properly stay pretty close to the top of your mind. Shocks and struts? That’s a different story. Here’s…
Car Maintenance Basics: All About Filters
Your vehicle has many parts that all work together to keep you cruising through life. It’s easy to remember “big” things, like brakes, tires, and regular oil changes. What you might not think about is the various filters your car uses. They may seem like small potatoes but the fact of the matter is these…
Spotting Brake Issues and Getting the Car Repairs You Need
One of the most common car repairs is brakes. No matter what type of vehicle you buy, you’ll need to replace the brakes at some point. Let’s shed some light on the signs that your brakes are in need of repair and what those repairs could include. Signs You Need New Brakes Your car will…
Northeast Ohio’s 7 Best Spots for Taking in Fall Foliage
Crisp air. Colorful leaves. Gray clouds. All signs that signal fall’s arrival. If you love to soak in all the sights of the season, you’ll want to check out these perfect Northeastern Ohio spots. Here’s where you need to go. 1. Tinker’s Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook Location: Gorge Parkway, Walton Hills, OH 44146 (in the…
Car Maintenance Basics: Belts and Hoses
Open your vehicle’s hood and there’s a lot to see. All the components work together to make your car run as it should. It only takes one small part malfunctioning to sideline your plans. Your vehicle has many different belts and hoses that each serve their own important function. Let’s take a look under the…
Car Maintenance Basics: Alternators and Starters
Nobody thinks about what makes their vehicle tick when they get in and turn the key or push the button. There’s a lot going on under the hood and everything has to work together in order for you to get the kids to soccer practice on time. Let’s take a closer look at two of…
Car Tires: Here’s What Your Installation Should Cover
It’s never fun to find out you need to replace your tires. But to keep yourself and your passengers safe and avoid damage to your vehicle’s other systems, it’s a necessary expense. Here’s what you need to know about your new tire installation and what it should cover. 1. The right price You shouldn’t pay…
Car Repair Roundup: Here’s What You Need to Know About Brakes
Anytime your car needs a repair, you probably see dollar signs. As much as you don’t like to spend your hard-earned money on fixing your vehicle, it’s important that you keep up with repairs to extend its life and to keep you and your passengers safe. One of the most common repairs – that every…
Car Maintenance Basics: Batteries
There’s nothing worse than rushing out the door to work or school, jumping in the car, turning the key and…nothing. The health of your battery is a pretty big deal. You’ll get NOWHERE quick if it fails. Here’s a handy guide to help you care for your battery and avoid a nasty surprise. 1. Clean…
Drive Safely Into Fall With These Car Maintenance Tips
You may not like it, but fall is on the horizon. The heat of summer dissipates, the leaves change, and the busyness of the season sets in. After all the wear-and-tear of warm-weather road trips, there’s a good chance your vehicle needs some care in order to get you and the family where you need…
5 Tips For Safe Labor Day Travels
Labor Day is summer’s final hurrah. You get one last long weekend to hit the road and have some fun with the family. Due to the added holiday traffic on the road, it’s important that you take some extra precautions to stay safe. Here’s what you need to know. Beware of drunk drivers The sad…
5 Car Maintenance Musts To Keep Your Vehicle In Tip-Top Shape
Sometimes you’re forced to make tough choices. When your budget is tight, one of the things you may push to the back-burner is regular vehicle maintenance. The problem is, ignoring what your car needs to keep running well can backfire, costing you more money in the long-run. Check out the maintenance tasks you can’t afford…
