What's that gurgling sound coming from your radiator? Though it may be tempting to ignore it and see if it goes away on its own, it may be a sign that one of your gaskets needs replacing. Knowing the signs of gasket failure can mean the difference between a small repair and a bigger--and more costly--one.

Gaskets are important parts of your engine; they form an impenetrable barrier between various engine components to keep fluids, gasses, and other liquids where they are supposed to be. Gasket failure means these fluids can leak into other areas of your engine and…

When you twist the key in your vehicle's ignition, you expect the vehicle to start right up without issue. If you notice a problem of some kind, you need to get help so that you don't end up stranded. It is important for you to keep your ignition serviced and in good condition.

If you notice smoke as you are trying to start up your car, you are probably in need of ignition services. There should not be smoke coming up from your car as you twist your key in the ignition. If you hear a grinding noise…

Have you ever wondered how your 4-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle is able to shift weight so that your tires can gain traction? Also, have you ever wondered how you would know if your all-wheel or 4-wheel drive was going out on your vehicle? The transfer case plays a big role in the functioning of your all-wheel or 4-wheel drive, and there are several ways that you can know if the transfer case is going out.

The transfer case is the part of the vehicle that transfers weight from one axle to the next so that tires can gain traction…

Brake fluid is what keeps your brakes working, and it's an incredibly important part of any car. But what exactly is it, and why is it so vital to your brakes?

Brake fluid, which is sometimes called hydraulic fluid, is a specialized fluid which provides the force behind your brakes. It's located in your brake line, and delivers the force of your pedal to your vehicle's brake rotors, then, in turn, your brake pads, and finally, your wheels. This is what causes your vehicle to slow or stop. Without that fluid, your brakes simply wouldn't function…

Have you ever wondered just how many miles you can drive on your new car or SUV before you have to get an oil change? Do you think it is 3000 miles? Would you be surprised to know that it could very well be a considerable amount more?

It's okay if this is what you thought. There are still many people in the Cockeysville area that believe this because they have not done the research and found out that this magic number of 3000 was put into place many years ago. The number one go-to place to find out…

A full tank of gas can not only allow you to travel greater distances between fill-ups, but in the winter, it can also prove quite useful to allow you to drive more safely in inclement weather.

The more weight that you have in your vehicle, the more stable that it will be on the roads. That is why you may see trucks that have bags of sand in the back of their vehicles and while it may be that they are stowing it to be used to be spread on the ground if they became stuck, but chances are they…

Many of our drivers that visit Billy Kidd’s Volvo Cars are curious what horsepower is and why it is important to consider when purchasing a car. We wanted to shed some light on the origins of horsepower so that you can make a more informed purchasing decision when you visit our lot!

Don't get caught this winter driving without washer fluid or worse, with a reservoir full of water. These are just a few of the reasons that you need to get to Bill Kidd’s Volvo Cars to top off the reservoir with windshield washer fluid.

As the temperature plummets below freezing, that water in the washer tank will either freeze solid and damage the parts of the pump, or it will freeze and streak on the windshield making it impossible to see clearly.

We've likely heard that storing kitty litter in our vehicles can be helpful - potentially even life-saving - in the event of getting stuck in your driveway, out on the road, or in inclement weather.

However, kitty litter is bad news when it's spread on driveways. Whenever it absorbs excess water, it becomes slippery. Further, kitty litter can even stick to your driveway, causing a slippery mess that doesn't seem to go away.

You should only use kitty litter when your vehicle is stuck in snow or ice, preferably outside of your home, any roadways, and...
 

Tires are just like many other things in life, after time they get worn down and don't work as good. Do you know when you should replace your tires? You know that tires get worn down and eventually need to be replaced, but you aren't sure exactly when you need to get them replaced. Over here at Bill Kidd's Volvo, we recommend looking for new tires once your current tires have a tread depth of less than 4/32 of an inch.

When tread depth starts getting less than 4/32 of an inch, the distance it…