Operating Hours:Mon - Fri: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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Yearly Archives: 2019

Winter Tires Vs. Snow Tires

What are winter tires? One of the biggest myths about "Winter Tires" is that they are "snow tires". Winter tires are designed for improved traction in cold/wet/slippery conditions. The main factor in all of these conditions is the low temperature. Specific winter tires have design features that maximize their performance in cold weather, not just snow. So if you want maximum performance and the safest cold weather driving possible; snow tires are a huge upgrade. There is a vast difference from a winter tire to an all season tire. A great set of all season tires will be outperformed by true winter tires in the cold and wet weather

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Motor Oil Selection

Motor Oil Selection

What oil does your car take? With all of the motor oil options available choosing the right oil for your car seems like a daunting task. Lets start with the very most basic, the first step is simply to look in the manual. The manufacturer of your engine has invested countless amounts of time and money in selecting the proper viscosity of motor oil for your application. The oil viscosity will be listed numerically, for example; 5W-20. Once you know the proper weight/viscosity be sure to select a motor oil brand that displays the starburst symbol, indicating that the oil has been tested by the American Petroleum Institute (API). Whether to choose Castrol, Mobile, Valvoline, Quaker State, Pennzoil, Shell, or equivalents is a matter of preference. The most important selection is choosing the proper viscosity of a certified and tested motor oil, and of course changing it on a consistent basis

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Fuel Pump

You don't have to be an expert to know what a fuel pump does; it pumps fuel. The fuel pump is vital to your engine operation delivering fuel from the tank to the engine. Failure of the pump will leave you stranded. A failing fuel pump can cause engine performance issues, stalling, sluggishness and even not starting at all. Other components can also cause these issues so if you are experiencing any of these have your car checked out by a professional. Your fuel pump is located in the fuel tank on most vehicles so many times tank removal is required to access the pump. One easy tip to extend fuel pump life is to keep your fuel tank at least 1/4 full. The fuel both cools and lubricates the pump. Excessive heat will shorten the life of the pump. Don't wait until the low fuel light comes on to refuel your ride

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Air Filters

Air Filters

How often should I replace my air filter? Air filters typically last 15,000 miles. Your cars Engine Air Filter keeps dust and debris from entering the intake and damaging the engine. This filter will build up with dirt and debris over time and begin to reduce the airflow and negatively affect fuel economy. As a part of our regular Multi-point Inspection Process we will remove and inspect the filter. Additionally we will send you a digital picture so that you can see what we see. If the filter is just dusty we will clean remove the loose debris and recheck it at your next visit. There is no charge to install a new air filter during regular service. There is a second air filter inside of your vehicle referred to as the "Cabin Air Filter" this filter is inline with your Heating and Air Conditioning system and it is responsible for keeping the dust, dirt and pollen out of the interior. These two filters are typically replaced at the same time. Engine Air Filter

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After Hours Pickup and Drop Off

After Hours Pickup and Drop Off

Frank's Servicenter is open from Monday through Friday from 7AM – 6PM. What if I can't Pick Up my car by 6 PM closing time? No problem! If you need to pick up your keys after hours you can utilize our after hours key pick up locker. Our after hours pick up locker is located directly to the left of our front door. Your Service Advisor will assign you a locker number and 4 digit combination to retrieve your keys for secure after hours pick up. The combination is the last four digits of your phone number unless otherwise noted. After Hours Car Drop Off and Pick Up After Hours Key Locker at Left of Front Door If you need to drop your car off outside of regular business hours please utilize our Early Bird/Night Owl drop off system located directly to the right of our front door. After filling out the provided envelope, insert your keys and documents in the secure drop box. We will contact you to confirm that we have the correct information and details. Early Bird/Night Owl Dr ... read more

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How Long Do Shocks and Struts Last?

How Long Do Shocks and Struts Last?

How Long do Shocks and Struts last? The shock absorbers and struts on your vehicle are in place to hold the tire firmly against the pavement, not to support the weight of your vehicle as is commonly misconceived. The weight of the vehicle is supported by the springs in conjunction with the suspension components. because of this demanding job of holding the tire firm against the pavement shocks and struts are constantly moving. This constant movement and dampening slowly wears the shocks and struts. Generally a good quality shock or strut will last 60,000 to 75,000 miles before showing signs of wear or requiring replacement. Sometimes the hydraulic fluid will begin to leak from the shock/strut unit, although most often there are no external signs of shock or strut replacement needs. All of the wear and tear is internal and the symptoms are diminished ride quality, tire wear and poor braking performance. Due to the fact that we drive the same car every day the gradual wear can be difficu ... read more

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Radiator Hoses

Radiator Hoses

Do I need new radiator hoses? Radiator hoses last much longer than they did in the past for many reasons! Consistent vehicle operating temperatures and improved antifreeze compounds as well as improved hose materials have made huge improvements. The best way to make your radiator hoses last is to service the fluid in the cooling system. By servicing the cooling system you will keep the fluid from becoming acidic and deteriorating the hoses. The cooling system should be serviced every four years and the hoses will then last for eight years! Radiator Hose

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Timing Belt

Timing belt replacement is important because letting this one slide can lead to very expensive engine damage. Your timing belt connects the crankshaft and the camshafts to create the timing of your combustion process. While the pistons are traveling up and down in the cylinder the Intake valves must open at the right time to let in air and fuel, they close at the right time to allow the fuel to burn and then the exhaust valves open at the right time to let out the exhaust. All this happens thousands of times a minute and it's your timing belt that makes sure the valves are opening and closing at precisely the right time. If the timing belt is damaged, your engine won't run.Even worse than that is that if a valve is opening at the wrong time and collides with the piston. This will result is bent valves and maybe even more damage. Timing belts are made of a special rubber and they breakdown over time. You want to replace a worn belt as a preventative item before it slips or breaks. Check ... read more

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Brake Repair

How much will it cost to fix my brakes? That is a great question that we get everyday. The problem with that question is that we need more information to give you the answer. We can compare it to calling a doctor and asking how much it will cost to fix a leg that hurts! There are questions and data that need to be gathered along with physical inspection and evaluation. After all of these items then we can give you a detailed written cost estimate. The great news is that you can come in and free of charge we will go through all of these processes and give you all of the information that you need to make the right decisions

“Top Tier” Gas Offers Clear Advantages

The ads at many gas stations are familiar: Retailers proclaim that their gasoline is a special, high-tech blend that offers all kinds of benefits. Many talk about how their product is a "Top Tier™ gasoline," which they say improves engine performance by reducing the amount of "gunk" left behind. AAA recently tested a number of Top Tier and non-Top Tier gasoline brands and found that, on average, Top Tier brands left 19 times fewer intake valve deposits than non-Top Tier fuels. With Top Tier brands widely available and only costing about 3 cents more per gallon, AAA urges drivers to prioritize quality when deciding where to get gas. What is Top Tier Gas? Top Tier gasolines are those that contain special detergent additives to prevent the buildup of carbon deposits (known as gunk) in the engine. Engine deposits increase emissions and lead to other performance issues, which is why the Environmental Protection Agency mandates a minimum level of detergent. Some automa ... read more