We understand that winter driving can be dangerous and stressful, so we at Fred Martin of Youngstown would love to help you prepare your vehicle for the winter. Windshield wiper blades are often forgotten yet are one of the most important safety features in your car. This is why it’s so important to use good windshield wiper blade maintenance and use good winter wiper blades.

Almost everyone has a story about how their car battery died in the cold months of winter. While it is true that winter is the time of year when batteries seem to fail most, the real culprit is temperature extremes, which stress the operation of the battery. Here's why.

An improperly installed car seat can put your child in a very vulnerable position during an accident. The risk of injury is higher with an improperly installed seat. Car seat installation can vary depending on the vehicle, but there are some basic tips that can help.

Your vehicle's alternator is not a large part, but it plays a major part in making sure that your vehicle operates correctly. Many people think that the car's components work off of the battery while the car is running. Fred Martin of Youngstown in Youngstown, OH wants you to know that the alternator does a lot of work as well.

It is important to know the basics when it comes to changing the oil on your vehicle. Synthetic oil is a higher quality motor oil that has been scientifically modified to have characteristics that are designed to make your vehicle's motor last longer and wear better. So what makes synthetic oil better than conventional motor oil for many modern cars?

Synthetic oil has characteristics like a higher viscosity index, less evaporative loss, and more resistance to sludge.  

Virtually all modern vehicles have brake fluid, but exactly what is it? In short, it's a hydraulic fluid that keeps the parts of your braking system functional. Without it, drivers would have a much more difficult time stopping and may even have trouble stopping at all. Here is what it does.

When you depress your brake pedal, this action sets the fluid into motion. Essentially, it causes the calipers to squeeze the rotors, which in turn slow down the wheels and your vehicle. Like other fluids in your car, brake fluids wear down over time and must be changed…

If you've brought your car into the shop before, you've probably heard the word "suspension" at least once. For those who have wondered what their suspension system does, here's a basic overview. Of course, you're welcome to bring any questions to Fred Martin of Youngstown and we'd be happy to help.

The suspension system is built to smooth out the ride. It minimizes bumps and vibrations felt by anyone riding in the cabin by absorbing that energy. The system, which generally consists of shocks and struts, also assists with vehicle handling. 

The vast majority of us give little to no thought to how our brake pads work. This essential element of our vehicle remains a massive mystery to us because we just take for granted that the brakes will always work as they are supposed to when called upon.

The brake pad is the most essential element to braking in general. The pad applies the friction required between the pad itself and the brake rotor. That more or less signals the vehicle that it needs to brake.  

If your car smells more like the sewer underneath the road than the four-wheeled transportation device gliding on top of the road, it's time to do some odor removal. At Fred Martin of Youngstown, we want you to have a vehicle you can be proud of, so we're passing along some basic tips to help keep your car smelling fresh.

One idea is to keep an open box of baking soda somewhere in the cabin of the vehicle as you drive around town. Baking soda does a good job of absorbing odors, though if your car is especially…

At Fred Martin of Youngstown, we always encourage our customers to drive safely on the roads in our city and beyond. One key component of road safety is the condition of your tires. You not only want to drive safely but make sure you are driving tires that will not blow out on the road.

The best way to prevent a blowout is to practice some prudence. Check your tires every now and then. If you notice cracks or dents, then you may want to replace them or get them patched. You can also rotate your tires to enhance their…