As your car increases its mileage, its engine will experience natural wear and tear. While some engine repair problems are minor, other engine issues require immediate service from an engine repair specialist. If your check engine light is illuminated, or you are experiencing other unusual symptoms, do not wait to set up engine repair in Sacramento . Your auto technician can get to the root of what is causing your engine problems, and he will be able to get your car safely back on the road. To help you figure out what is going wrong with your vehicle, here are some signs that your engine is losing power.

You are pressing harder on the accelerator.

As you get to know your car’s typical performance dynamics, you will be able to figure out how much pressure is required on the accelerator to achieve certain speeds. If you feel like you are flooring the accelerator pedal, but your car’s engine is failing to respond, you may be facing a fuel line issue.

Your tailpipe is emitting strange smoke.

Many engine problems can be diagnosed by examining the type of smoke that is coming out of the exhaust system. Depending on the source of your engine problems, you may notice black or blue smoke billowing out of your tailpipe. When your tailpipe emits black smoke, this problem may be accompanied by an engine backfire. At the first sign of strange smoke coming from your engine, make an appointment at the auto repair center right away.

Your engine idles more roughly than usual.

A fully powered engine that is in good mechanical shape should be smooth and quiet as it is idling. Extremely rough idling could indicate a problem in your spark plugs, cylinders, or fuel filters. No matter the source of your rough idle, any unusual engine sensations are good indicators that your engine is starting to lose power. A qualified mechanic can repair the problem and restore your engine to full functionality.

As drivers, we may be tempted to take our ignition systems for granted. In this video, you will review the basics of how ignition systems work. Whenever you turn the key in your ignition, a signal is sent to your battery. As the battery is switched on, it will activate your engine, transmission, and other critical vehicle components. If you are experiencing ignition problems, an auto mechanic in Sacramento can repair the issue.

When you drive a luxurious German auto, you should treat your vehicle with the utmost care. A shop that specializes in German automotive repair services will offer the specialized services and certified parts that are needed to fix your European vehicle.

If you are shopping for a luxurious German vehicle that is offered at a great price, you may want to think about buying a used car. To make sure that your used vehicle is in good mechanical condition, you should always set up a pre-purchase inspection before you finalize the sale. A German auto mechanic that offers pre-purchase inspections in Sacramento can review the performance and safety of your potential vehicle. Check out these answers to some commonly asked questions about the benefits of pre-purchase inspections.

Why should I schedule a pre-purchase inspection?

When you are considering buying a used car, you may be curious as to whether a vehicle check will be worth your time and effort. In fact, having your potential car looked over by a mechanic can save you significant time and money in the long run. If a major mechanical flaw is revealed during the inspection, you will know that it is a much better idea to pass on purchasing the vehicle.

What happens during a pre-purchase inspection?

There are several steps involved when your mechanic looks at a used car. Typically, he will start the process by using computer diagnostic equipment to check for any trouble codes that are being sent out by the vehicle’s computer. Next, he will look at the quality and condition of the engine, brakes, transmission, and tires. Once the car passes the multi-point inspection, it will get the seal of approval from your mechanic.

Who should perform my pre-purchase inspection?

If you already bring your car to a European auto mechanic, you can book your inspection at your regular automotive facility. For first-time German car buyers, it is important to find a mechanic that specializes in repairing your specific make of vehicle. A European auto repair facility that serves your local area will have the tools and knowledge needed to carefully inspect your vehicle. This will allow you to feel confident in your decision.

When you bring your vehicle in for routine auto maintenance, your technician will typically include a car diagnostic procedure as a part of your appointment. During an auto diagnostic procedure in Sacramento , your mechanic will gain important insights into the condition of all of the different internal systems of your car. Auto diagnostic equipment may even be able to help your mechanic to find hidden conditions that have not started to show noticeable symptoms.

Auto diagnostic equipment works by scanning the internal computer logs that are generated by your car’s computer. If the computer notices a mechanical or electrical problem in any of your vehicle’s components, it will log a trouble code. Using a special diagnostic scanner, your mechanic can read these trouble codes and determine their severity. The auto diagnostic process can also reveal other maintenance issues, such as dirty engine oil or low tire pressure. In order to achieve the best results from your auto repairs, you want to make sure that your technician is using diagnostic equipment to scan your vehicle.

Today’s vehicles rely on sophisticated automotive electronics for many of their most important systems and functions. If your car electrical system starts to fail, your vehicle may begin to experience severe driving troubles. With services from a shop that offers alternator repair near Sacramento, you will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your car’s electrical problems have been addressed properly. Read on for an overview of some of the most common problems in car electrical systems.

Trouble Starting

Perhaps one of the most common signs of car electrical problems is when a vehicle has trouble starting. The starter system in your vehicle relies on sensitive electronic components to tell the engine when it is time to start turning. Without a properly working alternator and starter, you might find that your car is unable to move from where it is parked. If nothing happens when you turn your key in the ignition, this is a good indication that your vehicle has an electrical issue affecting the starter.

Visible Battery Damage

Your car’s battery powers all of its electrical systems. At periodic intervals throughout the year, it is a good idea to pop your car’s hood and take a look at the condition of the battery. If you can spot visible signs of damage to the exterior of your car battery, your vehicle may be on its way to having electrical problems. A common visual clue of battery damage is corrosion or leaking liquid on the battery’s surface.

Dimming Lights

Lights provide visibility and safety during the nighttime hours, and whenever road conditions make it harder to see. When you observe that your vehicle’s headlights are dimmer than usual, you might be dealing with an electrical issue in your car. Electrical issues can also cause your headlights to become dimmer as you are driving at lower speeds. Replacing your battery or fixing your alternator could address the underlying electrical cause of your headlight problems.

When you invest in a luxurious German vehicle, you will want to make sure that you provide it with top of the line car repair services. Would you go to your dentist to get your eyes checked? He may have some basic knowledge about the subject but is not qualified to work on it. Rather than bringing your car into just any auto shop in your local area, you’ll want to book services with a shop that is dedicated to German car repairs in Sacramento . There are a few reasons why German cars need special car repair services.

We are familiar with the technical & mechanical workings of these vehicles. We have the proper tools, understanding, & experience to fix them right the first time. A team of technicians/mechanics at a German auto repair facility will have the knowledge that is needed to properly diagnose and fix these highly specialized vehicles . Your German facility will also keep European parts in stock, so you will not have to wait around while your shop orders a part. Overall, bringing your car in to a German auto specialist is a great way to preserve its performance, efficiency, and safety.

Your car’s radiator is responsible for preventing your engine from overheating. If you are wondering about how your radiator works, be sure to watch this video. To cool your engine down, your radiator sends coolant fluid through a series of tubes. As the coolant passes through your engine, it will absorb heat from your car’s engine. If your car is overheating, you may be in need of radiator repair in Sacramento.

To achieve the best results from your radiator repair, be sure to bring your European vehicle to a shop that specializes in German auto repairs . By booking an appointment at a top rated automotive repair facility, you will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your car is being fixed by a team of qualified technicians.

Without a properly working transmission, you will have difficulty keeping your car on the road. By addressing the signs and symptoms of automatic transmission issues as soon as they appear, you can avoid catastrophic failure in your car’s transmission system. A shop that offers transmission repair near Sacramento can diagnose your transmission problems and help to restore your vehicle to drivable condition. If you are wondering about how to care for your car’s transmission, here is a look at some essential transmission maintenance advice.

Schedule Regular Fluid Flushes

In order to keep your automatic transmission running smoothly, you will need to set up transmission fluid flushes at routine intervals. The ideal frequency for your transmission fluid changes depends on the specific year, make, and model of your vehicle. Many mechanics recommend that car owners replace their transmission fluid every 15,000 miles. Placing fresh fluid in your transmission system will help to lubricate, cool, and clean out its many moving parts. But, it is important to note that a transmission service is not a fix all.

Look for Signs of Transmission Issues

To prevent a minor transmission problem from becoming a major maintenance issue, it is a good idea to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of transmission issues. If your transmission seems to be slipping out of gear , harsh shifts, or having trouble shifting out of neutral, you will want to bring your car into the auto shop right away. Other signs of transmission problems include fluid leaks, burning odors, and strange sounds coming from under the hood of your car.

Take the Time to Warm Up Your Car

Every system in your car can benefit from getting to warm up before you drive off first thing in the morning. By letting your car idle for a minute or so before you shift out of park and start to drive, you can ensure that your transmission fluid is able to fully lubricate your entire transmission system. If you have further questions about the art of transmission maintenance and repair, do not hesitate to get in touch with your local transmission repair specialist.

We get a lot of calls from clients asking if we can “clear codes”, “perform software updates”, “resetting service indicators”, “re-adapt”, or “program components”. They had another shop install parts but they didn’t have the right tools or knowledge to complete the work . So I ask you,“Does it sound like that shop completed the work?“

That is why it is important to check on who is working on your vehicle, verifying they have the equipment and capabilities to complete the work. Anyone can replace parts but the proper tools and knowledge is needed to complete the work. They may be able to give you a very low quote for replacing parts, but they are only doing half the job. You can go to a restaurant and order a meal but what would you say if they brought you a plate of raw food and told you they didn’t have the tools to cook it? That would be unacceptable. Looking at it that way, do you think it would be acceptable to leave service indicators lit, check engine lights on, or your vehicle not running properly?

At Frank’s Automotive , when we quote a price, that quote is for installing components and performing the necessary actions to Complete The Job . Also, a very important part of completing the work is standing behind the work we do. That is why we give you a 2-year unlimited mileage warranty. We want you to know that we are here to take care of you.

So next time you call for a quote ask not only for a price but verify that they can…

Complete the Work!

Transmission repair is vital for maintaining the performance and integrity of your vehicle. By scheduling regular transmission repair for your automatic transmission, you can make sure that your vehicle runs smoothly for every mile that you drive. With services from a transmission shop in Sacramento, you will be able to address any issues that are troubling your car’s transmission system. Between transmission repair appointments, there are a few steps that you can take on your own that will help to preserve your transmission. Let’s review some common driving habits that could be causing damage to your transmission.

Rapid Acceleration

In order to allow your vehicle to accelerate quickly, your transmission must quickly shift through many of its internal gears. If you are the type of driver that prefers to accelerate quickly through traffic, you may be causing damage to your car’s transmission. In order to ensure that your transmission is able to last for as long as possible, it is a good idea to drive smoothly and without sudden spurts of acceleration. Also a key thing to remember, allow your vehicle to come to a complete stop before you switch between forward & reverse gears. That rapid transition could be damaging.

Leaving Your Foot on the Clutch

Drivers of manual transmissions will have additional considerations when it comes to their driving habits. One common habit that could be hurting your transmission is a tendency to leave your foot on the clutch. If you neglect to take your foot off of the clutch between shifting, you may be keeping your clutch in constant engagement. Over time, this habit may cause your clutch to wear prematurely.

Driving Up Steep Hills

If you want to make sure that your transmission lasts for as long as possible, you may need to adjust the routes that you drive every day. Driving up and down very steep, hilly terrain can place excess wear and strain on your vehicle’s transmission. By choosing the flattest route possible, you can ensure that your transmission lasts for the lifespan of your car. Your mechanic can provide you with additional tips and information about how to care for your transmission.