Walnut Creek Auto Repair

Frank’s Auto Service in Walnut Creek provides full range of automotive services, including wheel alignment. Just like the oil change, wheel alignment is an unsung hero of auto maintenance. Proper wheel alignment not only extends tire life, but also provides better mileage, better vehicle control as well as a more comfortable ride. Wheel alignment is performed on computer controlled alignment machines that can catch misalignment so small as to be invisible to the naked eye. There are three angles in adjusting wheel alignment. First is camber, which refers to the angle of the wheel when viewed from the front or rear of the vehicle. Second, toe, refers to the angle at which the wheels point relative to the vehicle's centerline when viewed from above ( or from below). Lastly, caster, refers to the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Wheel alignment should not be confused with tire rotation. Tire rotation serves to even our tire wear, but wheel ... read more

Majority of the newer vehicles are designed to use the environmentally friendly R1234YF refrigerant. But not all auto repair shops have purchased the new equipment necessary to work with R1234YF. At Frank’s Auto Service we can offer both the new R1234YF refrigerant as well as the old R134a recharge for your convenience. If you are unsure which refrigerant works with your car, bring your vehicle to our Walnut Creek auto repair shop, knowing that no matter which refrigerant is needed, Frank’s Auto Service can get the job done right. In order to prevent cross contamination of the refrigerants, the new equipment has different fittings, and specials sensors that prevent wrong refrigerant form being used. When you bring  our vehicle for an auto a/c recharge, we will test the a/c system to make sure there are no leaks, and then refill it with the correct refrigerant. While the winter/spring weather has been with us a lot longer than usual, the summer heat is sure to come, s ... read more

The long, rainy winter is almost over – just a couple more days of drizzle and the sunshine will return to Walnut Creek. And to get your car ready for the summer, we recommend checking the air conditioning system. If you find that the ac in your car is not working as it should, bring your vehicle to Frank’s Auto Service in Walnut Creek – we provide comprehensive auto ac diagnostics, services and repairs. Auto a/c system can malfunction for a number of reasons – low refrigerant levels, refrigerant leaks, cracked hoses, broken blower motor, faulty sensors, leaky seals – any one of these conditions can result in ac not working as it should. When you bring your vehicle to our Walnut Creek auto care facility, our nationally ASE certified technicians will inspect the ac system and will let you know the root cause of the problem. Most ac problems can be fixed the same day. Our technicians use state-of-the art equipment to diagnose and repair your vehicle. If yo ... read more

Fuel Filter Replacement in Walnut Creek CA   Filter replacements are a fact of life for your vehicle - and not just the oil filter. Timely fuel filter replacement is important for the performance and drivability of your car. Fuel filter blocks debris floating in the gasoline from getting into the engine. Over time, it will get clogged with debris and will need to be replaced.  How often should you have the fuel filter replaced? Best to check the Owner’s Manual for your vehicle. The rule of thumb is to change the fuel filter every 20,000 to 30,000 miles, or about every 2 years. Having said that, if you notice any of the symptoms below, it’s time to get your car to your friendly Walnut Creek mechanic, because fuel filter may be the culprit:    • Noisy Fuel Pump – dirty fuel filter can cause problems with fuel flow, forcing the fuel pump to work extra hard – if you notice unusual sounds coming from the fue ... read more

Every driver must be aware that their safety is at risk every time they step into a vehicle. This is simply true because you cannot regulate how other people drive. Often it can be daunting with many drivers out there who are aggressive and lack the care for other drivers. Unfortunately, so many accidents happen every year because of the handful of those people who speed and drive recklessly. To ensure your safety and the safety of others, choose to practice defensive driving.    Here are several tips on how you can be a defensive driver:   1. Plan Ahead of Time Defensive driving can begin before you start your car. If you have a smartphone, get in the habit of checking weather conditions and traffic conditions. Then, make sure you consider those factors when timing out when you should leave and arrive at your destination.    2. Always Check Lanes This step should be an easy one for most people as we've all had to hear it countless ... read more