Walnut Creek Auto Repair

Seeing your Ford’s computer turn on the check engine light is not a fun moment. Fortunately, it does not automatically mean major problems or expensive repairs. If the light is steady, not blinking, and the vehicle drives normally, you can get back home and call your trusted mechanic to make an appointment. If the check engine light is blinking, it is recommended that you pull over as soon as it is safe to do so, and turn off the engine. We recommend getting your Ford towed to a Walnut Creek mechanic – if you drive your vehicle while the check engine light is blinking, it is likely to cause expensive damage. Fortunately, many of causes of the check engine light (and there are thousands of conditions that can trigger this light) do not involve major repairs. As a matter of fact, out of top 10 causes of the check engine light, only catalytic converter replacement is a major expense. Another two – gas cap replacement and spark plugs replacement – are to be expecte ... read more

Why does your Toyota suddenly turn on the check engine light? The simple answer is that it encountered a condition that the onboard computer systems cannot correct – and so it’s warning you of a problem. NOTE: if the check engine light is blinking, you should pull over when it’s safe to do so and turn off the engine. Tow the vehicle to a repair shop. There are plenty of conditions that the onboard computers can handle. Modern cars are “self-tuning” – that’s why you rarely hear the term “tune up” anymore. Dozens of sensors monitor various subsystem and provide computers with information necessary to act. For example, mass airflow sensor measures air entering the engine, while the oxygen sensor measures the amount of un-burned oxygen in the exhaust  - that information allows the ECU (engine control unit) to on-thy-fly adjust the air-fuel mixture that’s sent into the engine. The check engine light can be turned on because ... read more

Excellent fuel efficiency is the hallmark of hybrid vehicles. Honda hybrids are no exception. Whether you drive Honda Civic Hybrid, hybrid CR-V, Accord Hybrid, or the sporty Honda CR-Z, you have reaped the benefits of the hybrid design when the gasoline prices spiked above $6/gallon again.  At Frank’s Auto Service in Walnut Creek we support owners of hybrid vehicles with comprehensive maintenance and repair capability. If your Honda hybrid needs tender, loving care, call our Walnut Creek car care facility to make an appointment. Whether your Honda faces issues specific to the hybrid system, or one of the many mechanical or electrical problems that can pop up in any vehicle – brake issues, 12 volt electrical system problems, suspension issues, a/c blowing warm air, whether it needs transmission service or it has turned on the infamous check engine light, our nationally ASE certified technicians will diagnose the root cause, and we will present you with options to get t ... read more

Hyundai has spent decades improving its vehicles – both quality and style. Today Hyundai hybrids provide car owners with modern cars designed with the latest technology. At Frank’s Auto Service we offer comprehensive Hyundai hybrid vehicle maintenance and repairs. Hyundai offers a wide range of hybrid vehicles – from the compact Elantra hybrid which rivals Toyota Prius when it comes to mileage per gallon, to the stylish Sonata hybrid, a midsize sedan that still delivers around 51 miles per gallon, to the hybrid SUVs – Tucson, Santa Fe, and the Hyundai Palisade hybrid with its 500+ mile range. Hybrid vehicles achieve these numbers by combining electric motors and gasoline engines. As all vehicles, they require regular service and maintenance to keep both gasoline and electric propulsion in working order. Our Walnut Creek auto care facility offers comprehensive hybrid services – this includes oil changes, spark plugs replacement, brake pad and rotor replac ... read more

Frank’s Auto Service offers comprehensive auto air conditioning services – including a/c inspection, a/c refill, diagnostics, as well as repairs. So when you are looking for “auto a/c repair near me” – call our Walnut Creek auto repair shop to get your vehicle’s a/c back in top shape. Auto air conditioning systems is a complex interplay of relays, hoses, pump, evaporator, valves, blower motor, compressor, dryer, sensors, the control module, and of course the refrigerant that circulates through the system under high and low pressure. We listed only major components of the system, but you can see the opportunity for problems – as a matter of fact, it’s a testament to the quality of manufacturing that such systems, subjects to bumps, shaking, acceleration and deceleration, still function perfectly most of the time. But if your vehicle’s system is showing signs of trouble, call our Walnut Creek auto care center – we can diagnose ... read more