Walnut Creek Auto Repair

The precise mix of fuel and air determines how well your car performs. When that balance is off, your engine may struggle, burn more fuel, and produce excess emissions. What helps maintain that balance? A small but important emission system component called the oxygen sensor. At Frank’s Auto Service and Repair in Walnut Creek we provide comprehensive automotive emission system service and repairs, including, diagnosing and replacing faulty oxygen sensors. Doing so restores your vehicle’s performance, fuel efficiency, and keeps excessive pollution form our atmosphere. Your car's computer receives data from the oxygen sensors that measure the amount of oxygen in your exhaust gasses. This allows the computer to correct the air-fuel ratio for lower emissions. Most modern autos include at least two oxygen sensors, one before and one after the catalytic converter, some vehicles may have as many as four. The average lifespan of these sensors is 60,000-90,000 miles. Over time ... read more

Brake pads are sometimes referred to as “friction items” – their function is, indeed, to generate friction that slows down your vehicle. But what it also means is that due to friction, they will wear down to the point where they no longer function as designed. At Frank’s Auto Service and Repair in Walnut Creek we offer wide range of automotive services, including, as you might have guessed, brake pads replacement. When the brake pads are ready to be replaced, your vehicle will exhibit symptoms that are brake pad related, and some newer vehicles will illuminate a dashboard warning light. Some of the common symptoms include: squealing brakes, or any unusual noise coming from the brake area, vehicle vibration or brake pedal pulsating, and grinding noise while braking. Any of these symptoms are concerning enough to schedule a visit with a “mechanic near me”. Our Walnut Creek car care garage offers comprehensive automotive services, transparency, commit ... read more

Owning a Ford Explorer means driving a vehicle built for adventure, versatility, and power. But to keep your Explorer running at its best, you need expert care — and Frank’s Auto Service and Repair delivers exactly that. We’re your trusted alternative to dealership service, offering top-quality Ford Explorer maintenance and repairs that help protect your investment while preserving manufacturer warranty (yes, regular Ford service at our Walnut Creek car care location fulfills the requirements to keep original warranty in force). Our team of nationally ASE-certified technicians is equipped with advanced digital diagnostic tools to accurately identify and fix any problems your Ford may exhibit — from routine oil change to brake fluid replacement, check engine light repair, shocks or struts and other suspension problems or timing belt replacement, our technicians will keep your vehicle in top shape.  Some Explorer models are known for specific issues, like th ... read more

Tire rotation seems like such a bore – swapping the wheels around. Yet it provides your vehicle with important benefits – it evens out tire wear, and extends tire life. Tires wearing out evenly provide better ride comfort, and will last longer – with prices of everything increasing, tires are no exception. If you can get more life out of the tires, your wallet will thank you. At Frank’s Auto Service and Repair we are big fans of tire rotation. The benefits of tire rotation are undeniable, especially before long summer trips. Tire rotation is also a good time to take a closer look at the brakes – for your convenience, we can combine tire rotation and brake inspection during a single visit.  There is another reason we recommend regular tire rotation – you might not have noticed the small print when you bought new tires – tire manufacturers expect you to make tire rotation a regular affair  in order to keep tire mileage warranty. So i ... read more

Brake fluid replacement will be part of your vehicle’s maintenance for as long as you own it. Brake fluid requires regular replacement, typically every 2 years or so. As it ages, some of the protective chemicals start to deteriorate. More importantly, brake fluid absorbs moisture from the environment – over time, its water content increases leading to longer braking distance, and in extreme cases, to brake failure. As the brake fluid water content increases, it can accelerate braking system corrosion. At Frank’s Auto Service and Repair, a family operated, and family owned independent Walnut Creek auto repair shop, we offer brake fluid replacement among the full gamut of brake services and repairs. Replacing brake fluid can be accomplished in a single day, so you can drop off your vehicle in the morning, and pick it up in the afternoon with the service completed. Before we replace the brake fluid in your vehicle, we will verify that it needs replacement – both ... read more