Walnut Creek Auto Repair

Summer is upon us, and so are long summer trips. At Frank’s Auto Service we not only recommend pre-trip vehicle inspection, but we also recommend tire rotation. So don’t look for “tire rotation near me” – bring your vehicle to our Walnut Creek auto care shop and we will take care of your vehicle as if it were our own. Tires are becoming more and more expensive, so extending tire life is a true value proposition. Our Walnut Creek auto care facility offers tire rotation as a stand-alone service, or you can combine it with an oil change or brake inspection (important before a long trip) to save time. Tire rotation evens out natural tire wear. If you never rotate tires, front tires will wear down faster due to braking (car’s weight shifts forward), acceleration (if you have a front wheel drive vehicle), steering – turning the car involves friction on the outer edges of the front tires), and road sloping – most roads are slightly sloped so t ... read more

Your Kia’s battery is one of those parts you rarely think about—until it fails on you. Whether you drive a Soul, Sorento, or any other Kia model, the battery in getting your vehicle to start in the morning. But unlike diamonds, it won’t last forever. Knowing when to replace your car battery—and having it tested regularly—can save you from unpleasant surprises. The typical lifespan of a Kia automobile battery is three to five years. If your vehicle’s battery is nearing that three-year mark, it’s time to keep a close eye on how your Kia’s battery is performing. Some of the clearest signs of a weak or failing battery include slow cranking when you start the engine, dimming headlights, flickering dashboard lights, and power windows that seem sluggish. The battery warning light on your dashboard is a clear indication that your battery needs to be replaced. At Frank’s Auto Service in Walnut Creek we recommend routine battery testing to c ... 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

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