Your car’s brakes are among its most important safety features. Without properly working brakes, you would not be able to properly slow or stop your vehicle. Over time, the different components in your car’s braking system will naturally experience wear and tear. To prevent a car repair emergency, you should be sure to visit a top rated auto mechanic in Sacramento at the first sign that your brakes are going out. By staying on the lookout for the signs of brake problems, you can help prevent serious damage to your vehicle. Read on for a closer look at some of the top warning signs that your car is in need of brake repair.

Unusual Sounds

One of the top signs that your brakes need attention from an auto repair professional is when you start to hear unusual sounds as you step on the brake pedal. Your car’s brakes are equipped with brake wear indicators, which are designed to make a distinctive squealing sound when your pads have worn down too far. Ignoring these sounds could result in severe damage to your braking system.

Reduced Responsiveness

When your brakes are working properly, you should feel as though your brake pedal is responsive to all of your braking cues. In a malfunctioning braking system, however, it may begin to feel like your brake pedal is losing responsiveness. Your auto mechanic will be able to pinpoint the cause of your sinking brake pedal and restore your brakes to proper condition.

Grinding or Shaking

Finally, you will also want to be on the lookout for any grinding or shaking sensations coming from your braking system. In the event that your brake pads or rotors become warped or worn, you may find that your brakes start to feel strange when you apply pressure to the brake pedal. With the help of an auto shop that specializes in brake repair, you can get your car back on the road in no time.

When you set up auto repair in Sacramento, you may want to ask your mechanic about the possibility of performing engine enhancements on your vehicle. A shop that specializes in German automotive repair will have the tools and experience needed to provide you with top quality engine repair, and may also be able to install features that will help to boost the speed and power that is offered by your German car’s engine In addition, your auto mechanic may be able to install aftermarket accessories that will enhance your car’s performance ratings. With custom engine tuning from a German car maintenance professional, you will be amazed at the driving dynamics that your car has to offer you. For a closer look at how to improve your engine’s performance, watch this video from Mobil 1.

Whether you drive a car with an automatic or manual transmission, there will eventually come a point in the lifespan of your vehicle when you need to schedule transmission repair. Since your transmission is responsible for delivering power from your engine to your wheels, a transmission repair problem can be a serious issue for your car. Fortunately, with the help of an auto shop offering German transmission repair in Sacramento, you can restore your car’s transmission to peak working condition. Let’s take a look at why transmission maintenance is so important for your vehicle.

Prevent Overheating

One of the primary reasons to schedule transmission maintenance at the first sign of an issue is that proper transmission repair can help prevent overheating in your vehicle. Like many other components in your car, your transmission requires fluid in order to remain cooled and lubricated. By maintaining your transmission, you can make sure that your transmission fluid is always at the proper level.

Avoid Low Transmission Fluid

To prevent serious problems from occurring in your transmission, it is important to avoid letting your transmission fluid get too low. When your transmission fluid is running low, the many moving components of your transmission could experience extreme wear and strain. During a transmission service, your technician will take the time to check the levels of your transmission fluid. If a fluid leak is detected, this problem can be solved before it becomes a more serious mechanical issue.

Extend Overall Lifespan

Finally, one of the most important reasons to schedule regular transmission maintenance is that caring for your transmission can help to extend the overall lifespan of your car. When your vehicle’s transmission wears out, the driving performance of your car could become severely compromised. By taking the time to set up transmission repair at key intervals in the life of your car, you can help keep your luxurious German auto on the road for as long as possible. Your mechanic can provide you with more information about the benefits of routine transmission maintenance.

People visit their doctors for a health checkup all the time, and yet few people every take such precautionary measures with their vehicles. However, there are just as many benefits of knowing the health and condition of your car as there is of knowing your own physical health. Fortunately, Frank’s Automotive in Sacramento offers automotive diagnostics services that can give you a detailed overview of your vehicle’s condition. By knowing the state your car is in, you can prevent minor problems from getting worse and costing you more in automotive repair costs later on down the line. Diagnostics can also save you time and frustration by helping to prevent a break down later on.

To learn more about Frank’s car diagnostics services, call (916) 28-8297. You can also schedule a diagnostics appointment online. When you call, be sure to ask about Frank’s current automotive maintenance and repair specials.

Check engine light on? This is one of the biggest automotive headaches drivers deal with, not necessarily because a check engine light means anything serious but because of the number of different possibilities that could be causing the light to come on. That’s why your best bet is to visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento that specializes in check engine light diagnostics . A mechanic will use advanced diagnostic equipment to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your check engine light to come so you can get back on the road as quickly as possible. In the meantime, here’s a look at some possible causes of a check engine light.

Faulty Oxygen Sensor

The oxygen sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in the vehicle’s exhaust system. A faulty oxygen sensor can cause the engine to burn more fuel than needed, resulting in up to 40% lower fuel economy. Failure to replace a faulty oxygen sensor over time can also cause damage to the catalytic converter.

Damaged Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Typically, the catalytic converter will become damaged due to neglected maintenance or a problem with one of the sensors (mass airflow sensor, oxygen sensor, etc.). Your vehicle will not pass emissions testing with a faulty catalytic converter, and you can experience reduced performance in addition to poor fuel economy.

Loose or Missing Gas Cap

That’s right, one of the most common causes of the check engine light is simply a loose or missing gas cap. If the check engine light is on, make sure the gas cap is securely fastened and doesn’t appear to be cracked, chipped, or visible damaged in any way. If the gas cap looks good, bring your vehicle to an auto repair shop in Sacramento and let a mechanic perform a check engine light diagnostic to figure out exactly what’s going on with your car.

The old rule of thumb regarding oil changes (every 3,000 miles or three months) doesn’t necessarily hold up today. Although this is a great benchmark to stick to, modern engines and new oil additives and technologies have allowed drivers to go much longer in between oil changes. It depends on the age and condition of your vehicle, as well as the type of oil you put in the engine. Watch this video to learn more about oil change intervals.

To take the guesswork (and grease work) out of changing your car’s oil, bring it to a car repair shop in Sacramento. An experienced mechanic will be able to change the oil in your vehicle and get you back on the road in no time at all. When you visit an auto shop for the first time, ask the mechanic for a recommended oil change interval based on the age and condition of your engine. Your mechanic may recommend a different maintenance schedule from what’s in the owner’s manual based on the condition of your vehicle.

You rely on your car almost every day, which is why there’s no such thing as a good time for your vehicle to break down. Fortunately, you can keep your ride in tip-top shape by following a maintenance schedule set by the carmaker or recommended by your Sacramento auto mechanic . Either way, following a maintenance schedule is one of the best things you can do for your vehicle (and your wallet). Read on to learn more about the benefits of following a routine maintenance schedule.

Prevent Major Automotive Problems

There’s no telling when an automotive problem can materialize, but you can take steps to keep your car running smoothly and without hassle by following a routine maintenance schedule. The maintenance plays a role in preventing automotive problems, but the real benefit is bringing your vehicle to a car repair shop in Sacramento where a mechanic can look for signs of minor problems before they get any worse. If you visit the same car repair shop for all of your maintenance needs, you can build a relationship with your mechanic who will be even better at spotting problems.

Keep Your Car Running Efficiently

Gas prices are low at the moment, but there’s no telling when prices can skyrocket again. Fortunately, following a routine maintenance schedule can go a long way towards optimizing your vehicle’s fuel economy. When everything is running smoothly, your engine is able to burn gasoline more efficiently which means fewer stops at the pump and more miles per tank.

Put Extra Money in Your Pocket

If you need another reason to follow a maintenance schedule for your vehicle, how about this: Routine maintenance will put extra money in your pocket over the life of your vehicle. First, by preventing major automotive problems, maintenance can help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on auto repair costs. And you’ll also notice savings at the pump since you won’t have to fill up as often thanks to your car’s improved gas mileage.

You have a lot of choices when it comes to automotive repair shops in Sacramento, so why should you trust your car’s maintenance and repair to Frank’s Automotive? For starters, Frank’s Automotive has been providing excellent service since 1969, making them one of the most experienced auto shops in the area. Speaking of experience, the knowledgeable technicians at Frank’s have over 100 years of combined experience. And if you like free stuff, Frank’s Automotive has you covered:

• Free 45-point courtesy inspection
• Free car wash with every visit
• Free shuttle service within Sacramento city limits
• Free vehicle concierge service

To learn more about the automotive maintenance and repair services offered at Frank’s Automotive, or to schedule service for your vehicle, call (916) 288-8297. You can also schedule an appointment online or ask one of Frank’s service techs a question.

Oil itself isn’t very expensive and oil changes aren’t very difficult or time consuming, but neglecting the oil inside your vehicle can have disastrous consequences later on, especially for your wallet. Oil plays a vital, multifaceted role in your engine. But over time, as motor oil breaks down and gets dirty, oil can actually start to have a negative effect on the engine’s performance, efficiency, and overall health. Read on to learn more about the importance of the oil inside your car and why you shouldn’t delay getting an oil change in Sacramento .

What Oil Does

The modern internal combustion engine requires the right lubrication to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. First of all, motor oil keeps all the moving parts lubricated to minimize friction, heat, and wear that can lead to premature engine failure. Oil also helps keep engines cool, which is especially important in the summertime when engines are more likely to overheat. And because a cool, well-lubricated engine runs more efficiently, keeping your engine loaded up with fresh clean oil can help maximize your gas mileage.

Why Oil Changes are Important

Motor oil gets dirty and breaks down over time, which causes it to lose its lubricating abilities. That’s why going past the manufacturer-recommended oil change intervals is considered to be one of the worst things you can do for your vehicle. Driving on old, dirty oil will cause unlubricated engine components to warp and wear out due to friction and heat, which will eventually lead to engine problems that will need to be addressed by a mechanic. Eventually, if the oil is not changed, the entire engine will fail and need to be replaced.

Signs You Need an Oil Change

So, how do you know when it’s time for an oil change? First, refer to your owner’s manual. Each manufacturer recommends different oil change intervals for their vehicles. There are also some signs that can indicate it’s time for an oil change , such as dirty, burnt-smelling oil and an engine that runs louder than usual. If you recognize these signs, or if you simply don’t remember the last time you had an oil change, visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento for this important service.

Transmission fluid plays three very important roles. This fluid lubricates, cools, and even helps to power a transmission, which means low fluid can result in all sorts of problems. That’s why it’s important to learn to recognize the symptoms of low transmission fluid so you can add fluid before your transmission is damaged or fails completely. Watch this video to learn more about the role of transmission fluid and how to tell when your vehicle’s transmission fluid level is low.

If your transmission fluid is low because of a leak, visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento that specializes in transmission service and let a trained technician have a look at your vehicle. Transmission leaks are never a good sign, and should be repaired as quickly as possible by a professional. Also, when checking the transmission fluid, take note if the fluid looks very dirty or smells burnt. In either case, this is a sign you need to bring your vehicle in for a transmission flush.