Ever noticed that little red light on your dashboard that says "Brake"? It can be worrisome to see it illuminated, but don't panic! In this blog post, we will explain why your brake light might be on and what you can do about it! We'll break it down into simple terms, so you can understand what might be happening with your vehicle's braking system. Low Brake Fluid: One common reason for the brake light to come on is when the brake fluid level is low. Brake fluid is important because it helps transmit the force from your foot on the brake pedal to the brake pads, allowing your vehicle to stop. If the brake fluid is low, it could indicate a leak in the brake system or that it's time for a fluid change. In either case, it's important to have it checked by your go-to trusted mechanic's here at Frank's Servicenter to ensure your brakes are working properly!   Worn Brake Pads: Another reason for the brake light t ... read more

Are you driving around during the day and hearing that awful sound coming from your car? If you're not sure what's causing the squeaking noise in your car, it's best to take it to a mechanic for a proper diagnosis. Here at Frank's Servicenter we can identify the problem and recommend the best course of action to fix it! 1. Worn Out Suspension: If your car's suspension system is worn out, it can cause a squeaking noise when you turn. This is because the suspension components are no longer able to absorb the shock of the road properly. 2. Bad Wheel Bearings: Your car's wheel bearings are responsible for allowing the wheels to spin freely. If they become worn or damaged, they can cause a squeaking noise when you turn. 3. Low Power Steering Fluid: If your car's power steering fluid is low, it can cause a whining or squeaking noise when you turn. This is because the power steering pump is working harder than it should be. 4. Dry or Worn Out Ball Joi ... 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

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 aski ... read more

If safety comes first, then hearing your car’s brakes squeak probably has you a little worried. No sweat though - you’ve got Frank’s to keep you informed! Why Do My Brakes Squeak? Noisy brakes? Visit Frank’s by making an appointment online! Grinding, squealing, chirping. Sometimes your car’s brakes will make noise while driving. It generally signals that you need to have a mechanic inspect them. Sounds from your brakes can mean pads or rotors need replacing. How Do Car Brakes Work? Most modern vehicles use what’s called “Disc Brakes”. In this system, a set of brake pads are pressed against a metal disc, called a disc brake rotor. The friction they make causes the car to slow down. If you press the brakes too hard or too often it will wear your brake pads and can overheat the rotors! Noisy Brakes After Rain If you’re still wondering ... read more

When it comes to your car you want to get the most bang for your buck. One wear item that you might want to think about are your brake pads. How do these little parts work? How can you save in the long run? Let’s take a look! How Long Do Brake Pads Last? Think you need brake repair? Book online with Frank’s! With average driving in the Southampton, PA area of Bucks County, Frank’s Servicenter estimates how long brake pads take to replace at roughly 25,000 to 40,000 miles. There are a lot of factors at play with brake repair though. If you want to maximize your brake pad lifespan let’s look at two other things… How Do Brake Pads Work? Friction!!! As the wheels spin the brake pad is pushed into contact with something called a brake rotor which is fastened to the turning wheel. This provides the force that slows down the car. The brake pad is pushed into the rotor by something called a brake caliper ... read more

You have a simple problem - your brake pads need replacing. Why is getting a price for this basic repair to your car so hard? We get this question a lot, so don’t worry. Here’s what you need to know... What Will New Brake Pads Cost To Replace? There are a lot of factors involved with Brake Pad replacement; what make and model your car is, what kind of pads you want and more. So it’s always better for us to take a quick look at the car for free and find out exactly what we’re dealing with. This no-cost inspection is our way of guaranteeing against unexpected expenses when it comes to having your car repaired.  Have us inspect your car for brake damage for free when you book online.What If My Brake Pads Aren’t The Problem? Obviously you need to be able to stop your car quickly, but the brake pads may not be the root cause of the issue. A brake caliper can be just as troublesome and happen ... read more

How Long Do Brake Pads Last? The life span of your brake pads is greatly dependent on your driving style. We all know that driver that speeds towards the red light and slams on the brakes! We find that most of our customers driving in the suburbs can expect to see 25,000 to 40,000 miles out of a set of brake pads. Although we have seen some highway-driven vehicles get 80,000 miles out of a set of brake pads!  Factors that impact brake pad life: Driving Habit: Driving aggressively will cause your brake pads to wear faster. Speeding towards the stoplights, last-minute heavy braking, and high-speed braking. In order to get the most time from your brake pads coasting towards stops while pressing gently on the brake.  Location: If you spend your days on the streets of Ivyland, Holland and Richboro you will have a mixture of slow cruising and stops. Conversely, if you are in the more stop-and-go traffic of ... read more

Squeaking front brakes are a definite sign that your car needs some attention! There are plenty of things that can go wrong with your brake system and cause squeaking. The sooner that you have the situation checked out the better off you will be in avoiding unnecessary expenses with your repairs. The best-case scenario is that the brake pads are worn out and the squeaking is coming from a warning sensor that is designed to alert you of the worn-out brake pads. A tell-tale sign of this condition is a consistent squeal or squeak that goes away when braking. Address this concern right away and you may be able to reuse the brake rotors.  Avoiding this warning noise will eventually lead to a deeper and louder grinding noise. This grinding may be the brake pad backing contacting the brake rotor. In most cases, the grinding of the pad and rotor will lead to the need to replace the brake rotors.  Avoiding the grinding and continuing to drive may go even further and damage the brak ... read more

It's important to get routine maintenance on your vehicle to keep it running like new. Often, simple things like getting your brake pads replaced every 40,000 to 50,000 miles can help you prevent accidents and avoid costly repairs. Depending on the climate you live in and your driving habits, you may need to get your brakes serviced more often. If you are rougher on your brakes, you may find yourself replacing your brake pads in less than 40,000 miles. However, if you're a very careful driver, you may find that your brake pads last even longer than 50,000 miles. Below, we'll discuss warning signs that your brake pads may be wearing thin and require replacement, and how weather can damage your brakes. One way to tell that your brake pads may need to be replaced is a squeaking sound when you press the brakes. You may also notice that you have the press the brake much harder than before to stop, as well as a clicking sound. The squeaking sound and brake-time will become wor ... read more