Southampton Auto Repair

Why is my heater blowing cold air? It’s 7:50 AM in the winter and you run out in the frigid cold to get your car started before you leave the house. You finish getting ready and run back out to your car getting hit with the warm and toasty sensation as you shut your car door. Or at least that’s how it should be… Is your heater blowing cold air? Now is NOT the time of year for that.  The 3 most common reasons your heater is blowing cold air 1. There isn't enough coolant in the engine 2. There is a problem with your heater core 3. Your thermostats are not working correctly 4. Your heating controls are broken 5. You may have water leaks   What should you do? Never let your heater fail! Set up a car heater repair appointment ASAP. If y ... read more

Why are my brakes squeaking? There are many reasons your brakes could be making a squeaking sound. Don’t jump to conclusions! It could be a result of something you never even thought of. One very common reason this is happening is because of the dew or moisture on your brakes.   Temperatures are dropping and the harsh winter is coming our way. That means extra moisture! Since most cars are left sitting overnight, the water from dew, rain, or snow can gather to the surface of your brake rotors.    Here’s what you’ll notice when braking: 1. Squeaky noise 2. Thumping sound 3. Physical impressions of light rust on the brake rotors How can you prevent this? 1. Before you hit the road, warm your car up! Most of the time your brakes will only squeak for a short while until they build up heat and get progressively warmer when you apply the brakes a few times.    2. By adjusting, cleaning, or lubricating the part, our mechanics ... read more

Winter is here! Have you Winterized your vehicle? Here’s what should be on your radar.   Heating, Wipers & Lights? It’s going to be a cold one this winter! Keep warm and make sure you’re able to see out your Windshield! Check your heaters, defrosters and wipers. Consider winter wiper blades and use cold-weather washer fluid. As a general rule, wiper blades should be replaced every six months.You also want to check and see that all exterior and interior lights are working for your vehicle. Tires & Brakes Check your tire tread depth and tire pressure on all your tires, including your spare! During winter, tire pressure should be checked weekly. IMPORTANT: Confirm that your brakes are working properly. The braking system is the vehicle’s most important safety item. Gas, Oil & Filters We recommend keeping your gas tank at least half full throughout the cold weather to prevent moisture from forming in gas lines and possibly freezing! You wa ... read more

Sorting out trip logistics like getting gas, keeping an eye on the traffic, and packing lists can help you dedicate more of your time and energy to the people and traditions that matter most. Wherever you're headed this holiday season, a fun and safe adventure starts with the basics. Here is Part 2 of our Holiday Road Trips & Tips! Track the Weather The weather can be quite unpredictable this time of year. Your visibility of the road may be restricted due to fog that tends to usually occur in the early morning. There’s always the chance of rain or snow as well. Make sure you keep an eye on the forecast, so you can manage expectations better. Also, check to see if your windshield wipers are in good shape! Don’t Forget to Rest If you are going on a long road trip, make sure you are well-rested and alert for the long period of concentration. It doesn’t hurt to pull over to take a quick break if you are tired. Make Sur ... read more

As the holidays are quickly approaching, many of us will be hitting the road to visit family and family or going away for an extended vacation. If you are one of the many people who will be doing extensive travels, there are certain precautions you should take to ensure you get to your destination safely without any trouble. Frank's Servicenter is happy to provide you with the following road trip tips: Get a Pre-Trip Inspection One of the best ways to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road is to get a pre-trip inspection. This ensures your car, SUV, or truck is in tip-top shape for the extended trip. When you bring your car to Frank’s Servicenter for a trip inspection, we can check your fluids, top off your fluids, check tire pressure, test your battery, and more. Check Traffic and Routes with your preferred App To help you be more prepared on the road, we recommend inputting your destination in the GPS first. Most apps n ... read more

Are you asking yourself "How Do I Know If My Tires Need To Be Balanced?"... Having a shaky unstable ride from point A to point B? It's time to get your tires balanced! You're better off safe than sorry by having your wheels checked out. Driving with unbalanced tires can cause premature tire wear, lower efficiency, and spread damage to other parts of your car. Here are three ways to tell if it is time for a wheel balancing service.  1. Uneven Tire Patterns THIS is why technicians will remind you to regularly check your tires. The tread pattern on your car tires can say a lot about how well you take care of your tires. If the tread is wearing unevenly on one side than others, your wheels may be unbalanced. Typically, you will notice the difference in the tire's edges. 2. As Marky Mark would say - "Feel The Vibration"  But in this case, you should not be feeling vibration. If this is what y ... read more

Why Is My Car Making a Clicking Noise? If your car is making a Clicking or Ticking noise you've come to the right place. First we need to understand what a Timing Belt is! What is a Timing Belt? To simply put it; your Engine will not work without your Timing Belt. In order for your Timing Belt to work your Crankshaft and Camshaft Rotation should live in harmony. With both parts linked properly, your Valves and Pistons will operate smoothly. This in turn allows the intake of air into the engine which then produces energy to start your vehicle. How Often Should You Replace It? Our experts here at Frank's recommend changing the timing belt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Over time the belt wears down, and if you don't replace it, it may cause significant losses and total engine failure. However, there are signs that you can look out for to know it's time to replace the Timing Belt. Get your Timing Belt checked if: You hea ... read more

Why Are My Brakes Making A Grinding Noise? You know what sound we’re talking about - the one your car makes when stopping abruptly. No need to panic! Discovering the issue is the first step. Your Brakes are one of the most critical features on your vehicle. When it comes to your Brakes, be prompt and take action to ensure your safety to avoid any complications or accidents on the road. The grinding you’re hearing during a sudden stop is most likely due to your ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System). This automatically will activate to prevent Skidding and Wheel Lockups. Once your foot is off the pedal the grinding noise should stop. If it continues, you’ll want to schedule a break repair ASAPhere. This could be a sign your vehicle has Worn Brake Pads. Still as ... read more

How Often Should I Check My Tire Tread Your tires are what literally keep you grounded! With the cold air quickly approaching, now is the time to check them out!   Low tread depth makes it harder to stop your car which can be dangerous when driving in the rain, sleet, and snow.   What Are The Reasons Your Tires Have Early or Irregular Wear? Improper Inflation Pressure Out-of-Spec Tire Alignment Lack of Tire Rotation That's why it is so important to maintain regular maintain regular service. Taking care of your tires will not only keep you and others safe on the road but will save you money in the long run as well. Here at Frank's we recommend checking them at least once a month!     If It's that time to Check Your Tires and Service Your Vehicle, brin ... read more

We perform auto maintenance nearly every day at Frank’s Servicenter. Our customers know that they can count on our professional team to remind them when it is time to freshen up their vehicle, along with any other automotive repairs that need to take place.    Maintenance is necessary with every investment you make, especially a car. That is why most auto manufacturers have a detailed maintenance schedule for every model of vehicle they make. If you’ve ever picked up your owner’s manual, it has been there all this time.    Since this maintenance schedule is created specifically for your vehicle’s make and model, the services tend to vary from car to car. The services performed at each interval also look slightly different, with more involved and complex repairs done later in a vehicle’s life. However, below are some of the most common maintenance items that your car will require: Oil Change Service Traditionally, engine oil and oi ... read more