Every driver should know how to test a car battery. If you’re having trouble starting your car, you smell a bad odor coming from under your hood, or your dashboard warning light comes on, the first step you should take is to test your battery. You can do this using an ohmmeter, a simple device you can buy at any store that sells auto accessories. To use the ohmmeter, turn your engine off—along with any electronically powered functions, such as your headlights—and lift the hood of your car. Then, set your ohmmeter to about 25 volts. Attach the ohmmeter’s positive cable to the battery’s positive terminal, then do the same for the negative cable and the negative terminal. If your reading shows that your battery is 12.5 volts or higher, your battery is at 75% capacity or higher; if it’s 12 volts or lower, your battery is low or dead. If your car’s battery or electrical system is in need of professional attention, bring it to a qualified auto shop in Sacramento.

Every vehicle’s engine contains a series of vacuum hoses, which it uses to control everything from your brakes to your emissions. Without these vacuum hoses, your vehicle not only couldn’t run efficiently; it couldn’t run at all. That’s why a single air leak can spell trouble for your vehicle. If you suspect that there is a leak in your engine, take your vehicle to a Sacramento auto shop to have a professional car diagnostic performed. Here is a quick guide to how a simple smoke test can tell you whether there is a leak in one of your engine’s vacuum hoses.

Why air leaks are dangerous. In most contexts, air leaks may be irritating, but not hazardous. In the case of a vacuum hose, an air leak can hurt the performance of your engine. It can even trigger other issues inside your engine, resulting in potential damage. A vehicle with a malfunctioning engine is unsafe to drive. That’s why it’s so important that you get your engine checked as soon as you have cause to suspect that there may be an issue.

How to tell if you have an air leak. Most of the time, an air leak in one of your vacuum hoses will cause the red warning light on your dashboard to light up. However, you should also be alert to any reduction in fuel efficiency, which may suggest an air leak. You might also listen for any strange noises coming from under your hood. If you’re in doubt, have your engine professionally inspected.

How a smoke test can reveal an air leak. A professional at an auto shop can determine whether or not there is an air leak in one of your hoses using a smoke test. In this test, a special smoke machine is used to send white smoke through your vacuum hoses. If there is a leak anywhere, the smoke will seep out through it. The smoke is controlled by a regulator that ensures that the level of smoke isn’t high enough to do any damage to your engine.

At Frank’s Automotive, we are dedicated to ensuring the satisfaction of every customer that we assist. In order to show that we stand behind the excellence of our repairs, we are thrilled to offer a comprehensive warranty to all of our customers. When you bring your car to our auto shop in Sacramento, you can rest assured that your car repairs will be completely covered by this warranty.

Before you book your auto repair appointment, it is a great idea to learn more about the benefits of our warranty. Under our warranty, your car repair services will be covered for a 24 month period. If you are dissatisfied with our workmanship within two years after your initial service date, you can bring your car back to us for a free car repair service. In order to be eligible for our warranty, you will need to have your car inspected within 6 months of your procedure.

To learn more click here.

One of the great things about modern cars is how they keep drivers informed about problems that are developing. A quick glance at the dashboard can tell you if your tires are low, if you need an oil change, or if your car’s battery is drained. Unfortunately, not all dashboard warnings are that clear or easy to understand. One of the reasons why the “check engine” light is so worrisome for drivers is because of the large number of mechanical and electrical problems that can cause the light to come on. The only way to know for sure is to visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento that specializes in check engine light diagnostics . In the meantime, here’s a look at some the reasons your car’s check engine light might be on.

Loose Gas Cap

Faulty Oxygen Sensor

One of the most common check engine light causes in a faulty oxygen sensor. There are a number of reasons why the O2 sensor can fail, including corrosion due to internal engine leaks and using gas with a higher ethanol concentration than the engine is designed to handle. If the O2 sensor is to blame, it’s in your best interest to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible as a faulty oxygen sensor can cause a significant drop in fuel economy.

Broken Thermostat

A car’s thermostat regulates engine temperature by opening and closing to regulate the flow of coolant. Over time, the thermometer can become corroded and fail to properly regulate the engine’s temperature. If this happens, the check engine light can come on so you seek auto repair and fix the broken thermostat to keep the engine from overheating.

When you purchase a luxurious European car, it is important to maintain your investment by bringing your vehicle to a top rated German auto repair facility in Sacramento. From a radiator flush to an oil change and more , your German car maintenance professional can provide you with a full range of services.

One of the car repair procedures that you may want to consider for your German car is the Bluechem premium oil change service. Unlike a conventional oil change, the Bluechem procedure is designed to fully clean, protect, and lubricate the sophisticated components in your engine. During the Bluechem premium oil service, your technician will take the time to fully clean out any gunk and grime that may have built up in your engine. Additionally, the unique Bluechem formula will also help to reduce your exhaust emissions by as much as 96%. If you are concerned about protecting your beautiful new European car, you should be sure to ask your mechanic about the advantages of Bluechem.

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.

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.