Posted on 5/27/2021
How to check your automatic transmission fluid in just a few steps: Warm the transmission fluid to operating temperature by driving 10 minutes Park on a flat level surface with the engine running open the hood remove the transmission fluid dipstick and wipe clean re-insert the dipstick being sure to seat all the way down remove the stick and examine the fluid condition, color, and level check for the fluid to be cherry red and in the center of the crosshatched area, look for signs of glitter like metallic shavings If the fluid is below the cross-hatched are consult your service advisor for the proper fluid If your vehicle is not equipped with a fluid dipstick have one of our mechanics check the fluid level at your next service visit! Find us at: https://www.facebook.com/FRANKSSERVICENTERhttps://www.youtube.com/c/Franksservicenter/videos ... read more
Posted on 5/25/2021
If your trunk lid or rear hatch will not stay open we can help! Sometimes the littlest inconveniences are the most irritating. A hatch that will not stay open or that creeps down can be a sign of worn-out struts/gas lift supports. Frank's Servicenter can replace the struts or lift supports on your car and save you from a lump on the head when your trunk comes crashing closed! Find us at: https://www.facebook.com/FRANKSSERVICENTERhttps://www.youtube.com/c/Franksservicenter/videoshttps://www.instagram.com/franksservicenter/  
Posted on 5/21/2021
Belts have come quite a long way with technological advancements. The days of cars with three or four rubber v-belts are long gone. Just about every car on the road is equipped with a serpentine micro-v drive belt. It is referred to as a serpentine belt because one long belt wraps around a series of pulleys to run all of the accessories on your car. This traditionally includes the crankshaft powering the power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, water pump, alternator, and air pump. The belt drive system uses idler pulleys for positioning and a spring-loaded automatic tensioner to keep everything tight. Some signs of a belt issue are squealing, chirping, and screeching noises. A loud screeching noise on a cold start-up may be a belt and or tensioner issue. Chirping noises at idle from the belt may be caused by a weak tensioner, pulley misalignment, or a worn drive belt. Squealing during tight turns may be caused by a loose belt or weak tensi ... read more
Posted on 5/19/2021
Need to know how old your tire is? The Tire Identification Number can tell you. Where can you find it? What do the letters and numbers mean? "DOT" stands for the U.S. Department of Transportation. Displaying this symbol means that the tire meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tire safety standards. The DOT serial number is located on the sidewall near the edge of the rim. DOT is followed by a series of digits that identify where the tire was manufactured, size, and the specific code, along with the week and year the tire was manufactured. The first two digits are the week of manufacture and the second two digits are the Year. As you can see in the Example the tire pictured was manufactured during the 34th week of 2019. This is important information for your safety. We have all seen the carcasses of tires on the side of the highway. Many times this is due to old tires that should have been replaced failing while ... read more
Posted on 5/18/2021
The transmission is one of the most important parts of a properly functioning vehicle. It is mounted directly to the vehicle's engine and its main function is to make sure that the right amount of power goes to the vehicle's wheels, allowing you to drive at a certain speed. One important aspect of the transmission itself is the transmission fluid. Transmission fluid not only lubricates the moving parts but also helps keep the transmission cool as well as provides pressure and friction to make sure all the internal parts are working well. Driving your vehicle with low transmission fluid is a danger to both, your vehicle and to you as the driver. Low fluid causes wear and tear on the transmission, which in turn makes the transmission run too hot until it eventually runs the risk of failing. For this reason, try to stay on top of the transmission fluid, making sure it does not reach a point of being too low. Fortunately for most drivers, even the ones not too knowledgeable in ... read more
Posted on 5/17/2021
Oh no...... the first heatwave of the year and your car is HOT!!!??? If you are plagued with hot air from the air conditioning ducts in your car here are three key items to check: A/C Indicator Lamp Is the indicator lamp on the HVAC control panel illuminating when the air is turned on? If not first make sure that all of your settings are correct for AC cooling operation. If the indicator is still on verify that there are no other warning lights on the dashboard that may inhibit the car's air conditioner operation. If all of the above is correct an inoperative AC indicator may be a symptom of an electrical system fault. Have the system inspected by a certified mechanic. Poor Airflow When the system is turned on and the blower engaged you should feel forceful airflow from the dash vents. If the airflow is poor the cooling ability will be adversely affected. Check the fresh air intake and cabin filter for leaves and debris.&nb ... read more
Posted on 5/14/2021
When is my inspection Due? All standard cars and trucks registered in Pennsylvania are required to have an annual PA State Safety Inspection performed. The expiration date of this annual inspection has no correlation with when you purchased your car or registered your car. The sticker on your windshield indicates the month and year of expiration. The inspection is always good until the last day of the month indicated. There is no grace period following the last day of the expiration month. Keep this in mind because you can be awarded a pretty hefty fine for driving with an expired inspection in PA. When can I have my car Inspected? While your car has a defined expiration date you are able to have your inspection performed prior to the expiration date. You can have the inspection performed up to 90 days prior to the expiration date. Don't worry having this service performed early will not shorten the date for your new certificatio ... read more
Posted on 5/10/2021
Your vehicle may have shocks, struts, or a combination of the two! The overall function of shock absorbers and struts is the same; to keep the tire firmly planted while driving over varying conditions. A suspension system that is designed with shock absorbers can move and hold weight without the shock in place. On the other hand, a Strut Suspension system relies on the strut assembly to support the upper portion of the suspension. A key visual difference is that a strut will have a coil spring at the upper end to support the weight of the vehicle. Shock suspension systems also use springs to support weight although they are serviced separately from the shock. Speaking of springs, another suspension style more common in older vehicles and trucks is a leaf spring. A leaf spring is a long flat to a slightly curved section of spring steel. If you see leaf springs on your car the attached dampener is a shock absorber. Struts are very common on the front suspension of late ... read more
Posted on 5/7/2021
How often do you need a new car battery? Standard Lead Acid Automotive batteries in our region typically last anywhere from 4 to 6 years before replacement. Many factors can play a role in the life span of your battery. The main factor is regular use and maintenance of the battery. Luckily for all of us, daily driving will do just about all of the required maintenance on your battery! Not allowing your car battery to "die" or run low on voltage will maintain the life span. If your battery terminals develop corrosion they should be checked and cleaned ASAP. Maintaining a clean vent path at the terminal and a clean electrical connection will allow the battery to operate for its full life span. Most car batteries are stored under the hood of the vehicle and readily accessible. During your routine service visits, we will monitor the condition of your battery and even run a quick test to determine the current state of the battery to avoid poten ... read more
Posted on 5/5/2021
New wiper blades? It feels like they were just replaced! Spring showers are certainly here and you may be noticing that the wipers on your car are not up to the task. Windshield wiper blades generally last for 6 months to a year. Signs that it is time for new wiper blades: Do your wiper blades make that horrible chatter as they travel across the glass? Are there spots on the glass that are not being cleaned? Is the edge of the rubber blade falling off? Do the blades smear the glass during their travelIs the glass streaky after being cleaned?Is the frame of the blade bent or damaged? These are all signs that the wiper blades on your car are due to be replaced. Don't forget the rear windshield wiper while your at it, the forgotten rear wiper can deteriorate and damage the glass causing a minor $20 issue to turn into a major issue costing hundred ... read more