• 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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  • What Does It Mean When Your Car Leaks Oil?

    In order to take proper care of your car, you will want to pay attention to any leaks that may appear in your driveway after your vehicle has been sitting in park for any length of time. An oil leak is among the most common types of leaks that can affect German cars. If your car is leaking oil, this may indicate that it has a cracked seal or degraded engine gasket. Leaking oil can also cause other problems. Oil can get on hoses, belts, mounts & bushings, degrade the rubber. It can get in to electrical components & connectors & cause check engine lights. It can get on exhaust components & cause smoking & burning smells. To get to the bottom of what is causing your oil leak, you will want to make an appointment with a certified auto mechanic in Sacramento.

    With service from a mechanic that specializes in German auto repair, you can make sure that your oil leak is not causing major damage to your engine. Your mechanic will have the tools that are needed to fully repair the oil leak and restore your engine to clean working condition. If you have recently spotted an unusual leak beneath your car, do not hesitate to schedule car repair services .

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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.

  • What Do Brake Calipers Do?

    Brake repair is a vital service for any vehicle. When you schedule brake repair in Sacramento, your mechanic will take a careful look at your brake calipers, as well as your brakes and rotors. Your brake calipers play a vital role in the braking performance of your vehicle. When you step down on the brake pedal, hydraulic fluid tells your calipers to extend the brake pistons. This extending action is what engages the brake pads, thereby allowing your vehicle to slow or stop safely. Without properly working brake calipers, the performance of your entire braking system could become compromised. An important part of proper brake maintenance is routine brake fluid servicing. Most Manufacturers recommend brake fluid servicing every 2 years, especially in humid climates. We test for water content in brake fluid with a meter. Anything 2% or over we recommend brake fluid servicing.

    If your car is in need of brake repair, Frank’s Automotive can provide you with all of the necessary services. When you start to experience strange sensations or hear unusual noises when you step on the brake pedal, it is time to schedule immediate brake repair. With professional brake services, you can get your car safely back on the road in no time.

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  • Signs of a Transmission Problem

    When you drive a luxurious German vehicle, you will feel great knowing that your car’s transmission has been crafted from top quality components. Even the best transmissions, however, will eventually require transmission repair after many miles of driving. When you start to see the signs of transmission problems in your German car, you should be sure to call your transmission shop serving Sacramento. Using the latest transmission service equipment, your technicians can return your transmission to safe driving condition. If you are wondering whether it is time to schedule repairs, here is a look at the top 3 signs that your car has a transmission problem. car - transmission

    Slipping Gears

    A transmission that is experiencing mechanical problems may begin to gradually slip in and out of gear. Typically, a slipping transmission feels as though it is lacking power or struggling to remain in the proper gear. When your car starts to lose its smooth shifting performance and overall transmission power, you will need to schedule immediate transmission repair services.

    Failure to Move Forward

    When your transmission is functioning properly, it will engage as soon as you shift your car from park into drive. If you have started to feel as though your car fails to move forward right away after you move the stick shift, you may be suffering from transmission problems. By adjusting the gear ratio of your transmission, your mechanic will be able to make sure that your car is fully responsive to your shifts.

    Leaking Fluid

    Leaking transmission fluid is a sign of a very severe transmission problem. When your transmission fluid leaks, the gears inside of your car may begin to grind or overheat. In order to identify a transmission fluid leak in your vehicle, you can look for a bright red puddle that forms underneath where your car is parked. You can also check to see if your transmission fluid is low by examining the dipstick in your car’s engine.

  • Caring for Your Car’s Engine

    A dirty engine can cause significant wear and tear on the mechanical components of your vehicle. In this video, you will learn some essential tips for performing engine repair on your vehicle. To protect your engine from wear, you can apply an engine degreasing product at regular intervals. The degreaser will remove any dirt and buildup, allowing your engine’s parts to operate more smoothly. Along with cleaning your engine, you can also extend its lifespan with routine engine repair in Sacramento . car - engine

    If your check engine light is on, do not hesitate to contact a qualified mechanic that services your local area. A mechanic that specializes in repairing and maintaining German cars will be able to provide you with quality services that are tailored to the needs of your luxurious vehicle and its high performance engine.

    Does You Vehicle Burn Oil?

    Are you having to add oil in between oil changes, but there are no visible oil leaks? Your engine could be burning oil. 1 quart every 1000 miles is quite normal & acceptable.

    Problem that arises when your vehicle burns that oil, it leaves behind carbon & sludge. (It is like burning oil in a fry pan. A portion of that oil remains as thick sludge or carbon.) That carbon restricts & plugs up oil passages in your engine & it’s components. It is important to remove as much of that build up as possible. That is why we at Frank’s Automotive recommend our Bluechem Premium Engine Oil Service . Bluechem softens, breaks up, & encapsulates those carbon molecules allowing them to be flushed out with the old oil. This allows the new oil to better lubricate your engines interior components. The benefit from this is it helps to restore performance & efficiency. Read more about Bluechem .

  • Reasons to Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection

    Purchasing a used car is a savvy investment for any driver. Before you place a down payment on a used German auto, however, you may want to bring the vehicle to an auto mechanic in Sacramento for a pre-purchase inspection. During the pre-purchase inspection, your car repair professional will carefully evaluate the performance, safety, and efficiency of all of the vehicle’s vital systems. To emphasize the benefits of having your used car inspected before you buy, here is a brief overview of 3 reasons to schedule a pre-purchase inspection. car - inspection

    Identify Potential Problems

    One of the top reasons to schedule a pre-purchase inspection at Frank’s Automotive for your used vehicle is that the inspection process will allow you to identify any potential problems that may be going wrong underneath the hood. Your mechanic will be able to tell you whether the brakes, coolant lines, or other major systems are going to require major repairs at any time in the near future. If the inspection does not reveal major mechanical problems, you can make your purchase with confidence.

    Avoid Buying a Lemon

    After you purchase a used car, you will not want to find out about major mechanical issues that were not revealed to you prior to the sale. With a pre-purchase inspection, you can ensure that you are not buying a car that is destined to break down. A qualified mechanic will be familiar with your make and model of car, so he will be able to warn you of any mechanical problems that are common with that type of vehicle.

    Receive a Better Price

    If the pre-purchase inspection reveals the need for certain mechanical repairs, you may be able to use this information to negotiate a better price for your vehicle. Your mechanic can provide you with an estimate for the cost of repairing the car, and you can relay this information to the seller. Ultimately, your pre-purchase inspection will allow you to get a fair price on a car that is in good mechanical condition.