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Tag Archives: 18954

Why is my car AC blowing hot air?

Why is my car AC blowing hot air?

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

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Air Conditioning

When is My Inspection Due?

When is My Inspection Due?

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

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State Inspection

Does my car have shocks or struts?

Does my car have shocks or struts?

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

How often do you need a new car battery?

How often do you need a new car battery?

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

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Car Battery

When should you replace your windshield wipers?

When should you replace your windshield wipers?

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

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Wiper Blade

5 Most Important Warning Lights on Your Dashboard

5 Most Important Warning Lights on Your Dashboard

Motorists should not ignore the following five warning lights once triggered, as doing so could have dire consequences. Engine temperature light The engine temperature light is triggered when the temperature climbs above a safe level. The engine may be overheating, the cooling mechanisms have failed or the car's computer has misinterpreted a fault in the engine temperature sensor. If this light comes on, you should pull over, turn off the ignition and consult a mechanic. Oil pressure light Oil is an essential component of an engine as it lubricates the many moving parts. The oiling system depends on steady oil pressure to get oil to the parts, and it may be disrupted if the oil becomes dirty or after an oil pump or filter failure. In the event of an oil pressure problem, you should stop and shut off the car immediately. Battery charging light An illuminated battery charging light can indicate that the battery is weak or that the alternator has failed. If the battery light ... read more

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Warning Light

Why Does My Car Need an Alignment?

Why Does My Car Need an Alignment?

Cars and trucks need a periodic wheel alignment in order to properly position the steering and suspension components. You may be thinking to yourself, "well didn't they do all of this when the car was new?" the answer is...Yes! All vehicles are aligned from the factory.  Although the components wear through normal driving. Not to mention when we drive over potholes, speed bumps, driveway entrances, and even curbs! The steering and suspension parts shift and wear constantly. When our vehicles are out of alignment we will wear out tires faster and lose ride quality.  As you can see in the illustration a worn and cracking bushing that has not been replaced can allow the components to rest in a new position negatively affecting your wheel alignment.  Some symptoms of a vehicle that is far out of alignment include drifting or pulling while driving. You may even notice that on the highway the car wants to change lanes if you let go of the steering wheel. Additi ... read more

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Wheel Alignment

Why do my brakes squeak?

Why do my brakes squeak?

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

Categories:

Brake Repair

Hybrid Repair Near Me

Hybrid Repair Near Me

Yes! We are trained and certified to service both Electric and Hybrid vehicles! If you have a car with new technology you always want the best care and maintenance to make sure that you have trouble free operation. Our mechanics are constantly training on the latest developments in order to serve our community.      We service both fully electric as well as Hybrid vehicles. You may be surprised to find out just how many manufacturers are offering an alternative fuel vehicle. Its not just the Tesla and Prius that we all think of anymore. Nissan offers the Leaf, Hyundai has an all electric Kona and Kia has the Niro EV. Even sports cars are going electric with the Ford Mustang Mach -E or the Audi E-Tron.  Find us at: https://www.facebook.com/FRANKSSERVICENTERhttps://www.youtube.com/c/Franksservicenter/videos ... read more

How often to Change Wiper Blades

How often to Change Wiper Blades

Windshield wiper blades usually last about 12 months depending on how heavily they are used and how clean your windshield is! Wiper blades are a necessary evil, no matter what it will rain eventually. Springtime in the northeast brings more wet weather than usual. A sure sign of needing new wiper blades is that horrendous sound of the blades chattering across the glass in misty rain. This happens because the rubber is no longer supple and is not turning over when the wiper blade changes direction. The only cure for this is new wiper blades. You may also notice stealing or missed spots on the glass from worn-out wiper blades.    Wiper blade installation can be a straightforward task. Be very careful not to allow the wiper arm to strike the glass. If you are unfamiliar or not interested in replacing your wiper blades feel free to stop by. We do not charge to install new windshield wiper blades.  How can I make my wipers last longer? The best way to improve the lifespan o ... read more

Categories:

Wiper Blade