• Maintenance Advice for Your Automatic Transmission

    Without a properly working transmission, you will have difficulty keeping your car on the road. By addressing the signs and symptoms of automatic transmission issues as soon as they appear, you can avoid catastrophic failure in your car’s transmission system. A shop that offers transmission repair near Sacramento can diagnose your transmission problems and help to restore your vehicle to drivable condition. If you are wondering about how to care for your car’s transmission, here is a look at some essential transmission maintenance advice. car - maintenance

    Schedule Regular Fluid Flushes

    In order to keep your automatic transmission running smoothly, you will need to set up transmission fluid flushes at routine intervals. The ideal frequency for your transmission fluid changes depends on the specific year, make, and model of your vehicle. Many mechanics recommend that car owners replace their transmission fluid every 15,000 miles. Placing fresh fluid in your transmission system will help to lubricate, cool, and clean out its many moving parts. But, it is important to note that a transmission service is not a fix all.

    Look for Signs of Transmission Issues

    To prevent a minor transmission problem from becoming a major maintenance issue, it is a good idea to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of transmission issues. If your transmission seems to be slipping out of gear , harsh shifts, or having trouble shifting out of neutral, you will want to bring your car into the auto shop right away. Other signs of transmission problems include fluid leaks, burning odors, and strange sounds coming from under the hood of your car.

    Take the Time to Warm Up Your Car

    Every system in your car can benefit from getting to warm up before you drive off first thing in the morning. By letting your car idle for a minute or so before you shift out of park and start to drive, you can ensure that your transmission fluid is able to fully lubricate your entire transmission system. If you have further questions about the art of transmission maintenance and repair, do not hesitate to get in touch with your local transmission repair specialist.

  • Wheel Alignments 101

    Wheel alignments help to protect the performance and handling of your vehicle. In this video, you will learn about the basics of wheel alignments. It is also important to note driving your car in poor road conditions can also contribute to wheel alignment going out. When you bring your car in for a wheel alignment in Sacramento, your auto care professional will use diagnostic equipment to determine whether your wheels are toe-in or toe-out. Once the wheel alignment issue has been evaluated, your mechanic can make subtle adjustments to straighten the path of each wheel.

    If you are preparing to set up auto maintenance for your vehicle, be sure to ask your mechanic whether or not your car is in need of a wheel alignment. By taking the time to align the wheels of your vehicle, you will be able to make sure that your German car is performing at its peak level of efficiency and safety.

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  • A Preventative Maintenance Guide for Porsche Owners

    A luxurious Porsche vehicle will be crafted to meet the demands of the discerning driver. Whether you have recently purchased a new Porsche, or you are a lifelong Porsche owner, you will want to make sure that you bring your vehicle to an auto mechanic that specializes in German car repair . A mechanic that repairs German cars near Sacramento can provide the finely-tuned components of your Porsche with the care and attention that they need to remain in great operating condition. Let’s review some essential preventative maintenance tips that all Porsche owners should keep in mind. porsche - maintenance

    Pay Attention to Your Brakes

    In order to harness the incredible power of your Porsche’s engine, you will need to make sure that your vehicle is equipped with a properly working set of brakes. If you hear squealing noises whenever you hit the brake pedal, this is a sure sign that you need to set up brake maintenance with your mechanic. Having your brakes & brake fluid inspected at regular intervals will help to ensure the safety of your Porsche.

    Inspect Your Tires

    During your routine preventative maintenance procedures for your Porsche, you will also want to make sure that you inspect your tires. As your tires start to wear down and lose their tread, they will no longer provide your Porsche with the traction that it needs to drive safely or efficiently. When you notice the tread wear indicator bars appearing on your tire treads, this will let you know that it is time to schedule a tire replacement with your mechanic. We also check manufacturing dates on your tires. Your tires may look new but they can be old. An old tire can be just as dangerous if not more dangerous than a worn tire. Old tires can come a part under the stress that you can put your vehicle under.

    Choose the Right Engine Oil

    Changing your engine oil is an essential preventative maintenance step for your Porsche. When you bring your Porsche in for an oil change, you will want to check with your mechanic to make sure that you are using a high quality motor oil that is suited for the delicate components of your engine. Most modern Porsches require owners to use high-grade synthetic oil, which helps to keep the engine clean and lubricated. We also recommend an oil change once a year no matter how few mile you may have on your vehicle.

  • When is the Work Done?

    We get a lot of calls from clients asking if we can “clear codes”, “perform software updates”, “resetting service indicators”, “re-adapt”, or “program components”. They had another shop install parts but they didn’t have the right tools or knowledge to complete the work . So I ask you,“Does it sound like that shop completed the work?“

    That is why it is important to check on who is working on your vehicle, verifying they have the equipment and capabilities to complete the work. Anyone can replace parts but the proper tools and knowledge is needed to complete the work. They may be able to give you a very low quote for replacing parts, but they are only doing half the job. You can go to a restaurant and order a meal but what would you say if they brought you a plate of raw food and told you they didn’t have the tools to cook it? That would be unacceptable. Looking at it that way, do you think it would be acceptable to leave service indicators lit, check engine lights on, or your vehicle not running properly?

    At Frank’s Automotive , when we quote a price, that quote is for installing components and performing the necessary actions to Complete The Job . Also, a very important part of completing the work is standing behind the work we do. That is why we give you a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. We want you to know that we are here to take care of you.

    So next time you call for a quote ask not only for a price but verify that they can…

    Complete the Work!

  • Driving Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Transmission

    Transmission repair is vital for maintaining the performance and integrity of your vehicle. By scheduling regular transmission repair for your automatic transmission, you can make sure that your vehicle runs smoothly for every mile that you drive. With services from a transmission shop in Sacramento, you will be able to address any issues that are troubling your car’s transmission system. Between transmission repair appointments, there are a few steps that you can take on your own that will help to preserve your transmission. Let’s review some common driving habits that could be causing damage to your transmission. transmission - repairs

    Rapid Acceleration

    In order to allow your vehicle to accelerate quickly, your transmission must quickly shift through many of its internal gears. If you are the type of driver that prefers to accelerate quickly through traffic, you may be causing damage to your car’s transmission. In order to ensure that your transmission is able to last for as long as possible, it is a good idea to drive smoothly and without sudden spurts of acceleration. Also a key thing to remember, allow your vehicle to come to a complete stop before you switch between forward & reverse gears. That rapid transition could be damaging.

    Leaving Your Foot on the Clutch

    Drivers of manual transmissions will have additional considerations when it comes to their driving habits. One common habit that could be hurting your transmission is a tendency to leave your foot on the clutch. If you neglect to take your foot off of the clutch between shifting, you may be keeping your clutch in constant engagement. Over time, this habit may cause your clutch to wear prematurely.

    Driving Up Steep Hills

    If you want to make sure that your transmission lasts for as long as possible, you may need to adjust the routes that you drive every day. Driving up and down very steep, hilly terrain can place excess wear and strain on your vehicle’s transmission. By choosing the flattest route possible, you can ensure that your transmission lasts for the lifespan of your car. Your mechanic can provide you with additional tips and information about how to care for your transmission.

  • Symptoms of an Alternator Problem

    If you want your vehicle to last as long as possible, it’s helpful to understand what types of problems you should look out for. When you know what to look for, you can call for alternator repair in Sacramento before the problem gets out of control. You might want to call your automotive electrical specialist about alternator repair if you notice strange noises coming from your car. Other symptoms include electrical issues like dimming lights, and problems when starting your vehicle. Read on for a closer look at some of the symptoms of an alternator problem that you should be aware of as a driver. car - repair

    Odd Sounds

    A loud, strange, or unexpected sound tends to surprise people, as it typically indicates that something is out of order. Just like you would investigate an unidentified sound in the middle of the night, you should keep an ear out for odd noises coming from your car. In some cases, your car might be making this sound because you have a problem with your alternator. Make sure you don’t waste any time in bringing your car in to your specialist for alternator repair so you can keep your bearings in place and your car functioning properly.

    Electrical Issues

    Problems with your automotive electronics may suggest that you need alternator repair, and they can show up in a few different ways. A failing alternator might leave you with dim or flickering headlights, as the alternator is responsible for providing power. An analogy: A vehicle with a charging system problem is like a child’s toy with weak or dying batteries– it may function but it will start to act weirdly. Lights, Radio, Climate Control & even Engine functions can be compromised. You should also pay attention to your power locks and windows, radio, and other automotive electronics in your car. Your battery could even drain due to a malfunctioning alternator, so seek help as soon as you can.

    Trouble Starting the Car

    When you get into your car and realize that you had left the interior light on all night, you might not be surprised when your car fails to start. If your car is routinely difficult to start, however, you might be having a real problem with your automotive electronics. Even if your battery is working, a failing alternator might not be able to get the power to your engine. However, a lot of times people confuse the vehicles ability to turn on lights in-dash as the battery being okay. The battery maybe strong enough to turn on lights but too weak to crank vehicle over. There is a difference between “Not Starting” & “Not Cranking Over”. If a vehicle cranks over and does not start, there could be another issue rather than the battery or starter. If your key turns over but engine does not crank over, that could be a charging system or starter issue. This is why we recommend a Car Diagnostic to be able to determine where the issues lies.

  • Getting Peace of Mind with a Frank’s Automotive Warranty

    At Frank’s Automotive, we are dedicated to ensuring the satisfaction of every customer that we assist. In order to show that we stand behind the excellence of our repairs, we are thrilled to offer a comprehensive warranty to all of our customers. When you bring your car to our auto shop in Sacramento, you can rest assured that your car repairs will be completely covered by this warranty.

    Before you book your auto repair appointment, it is a great idea to learn more about the benefits of our warranty. Under our warranty, your car repair services will be covered for a 24 month period. If you are dissatisfied with our workmanship within two years after your initial service date, you can bring your car back to us for a free car repair service. In order to be eligible for our warranty, you will need to have your car inspected within 6 months of your procedure.

    To learn more click here.

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  • Signs You Need Alternator Repair

    Your car’s alternator is among its most vital internal systems. Without a properly working alternator, the electrical components in your car will fail to function. A company that offers car electrical repair in Sacramento will be able to diagnose and fix any issue that may be occurring with your alternator. When you bring your German car in for a routine maintenance appointment, your technician may also take the time to check out the quality and condition of your alternator. To help you decide when it is time to visit the mechanic, here is a look at some of the top signs that you need alternator repair.

    Illuminated Dashboard Light

    One of the top signs that your car needs alternator repair is when your dashboard light becomes illuminated. Your car’s dashboard is equipped with a series of lights that can provide you with a clue into any mechanical troubles that your car may be experiencing. When you find that the GEN or ALT light is illuminated on your dashboard, this is a good indication that your car needs alternator repair.

    Dim or Flickering Headlights

    Another sign that you may need alternator repair for your vehicle is when your headlight become dim or start to flicker. Your car’s alternator is responsible for sending electrical power to your headlights. If you find that your lights are dimmer than usual, it may be time to have your alternator checked out. By repairing your alternator, you can also restore the performance and safety of your headlights.

    Unusual Noises

    Finally, you can listen for unusual noises when you are diagnosing an alternator problem in your vehicle. When your alternator is failing, you may hear a strange rattling or banging sound coming from your engine. This rattling noise is caused by bearings that have fallen off or gotten loose in your alternator system. At the first sign of alternator troubles in your vehicle, you will want to schedule an appointment with a top rated mechanic in your area.