Category Archives: winston-salem auto repair

10 Ways You May Be Killing Your Car – Part 1

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Dear Car Owner,

Your automobile is one of the biggest investments you’ll make – that’s why it would be wise for you to keep it running well for as long as possible, especially in today’s tough economic conditions where money wasted on costly auto repairs could instead be used to build your savings, pay off bills or buy those little “extras” that you’ve had your eyes on.

“Don’t Be A Car Killer” is REVOLUTIONARY! Over the next few weeks, I will put a lifetime of research by my family to work for you. I will also share with you some “Insider Information” that the automotive service industry has attempted to keep confidential. By reading this report, it will put you in a much better position to extend the life of your vehicle and possibly prevent it from a premature death.

Since you may not know who I am, let me share a few things about myself so you know that I am well qualified to offer you “Expert Advice”. My name is Tracy Myers and I am the owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx. My family has been serving happy customers in the Triad area of North Carolina for more than 80 years. Personally, I have been involved in every aspect of this industry for more than 15 years. I am a “hands on” car guy and I am committed to operating our business with honesty and integrity.

I encourage and look forward to your feedback regarding this series.

So if you want to STOP being overwhelmed with costly automotive repair bills … read on!

Winston Salem car service

Frank Myers Auto Will Help You Keep From Killing Your Car

So what can you do to extend the life of your car?

Well, you may be surprised to learn that it is often “the little things” that result in expensive “major” repair bills and eventually a car’s premature death.

It’s true. Cars today boast improvements in technology, build quality and metallurgy that can allow them to function smoothly for years and years and hundreds of thousands of miles.

However, ignoring “the little things” can cause your car to in effect start “dying from within.”

Over the next few weeks, I will share with you 10 things that all car owners should do to keep their care running well. Failure to do any of these things could result in internal corrosion that spreads like cancer throughout your vehicle until it’s too late and it can’t be saved.

#1: Change The Oil

Honestly, there isn’t a better way to keep your car running smoothly than to regularly change the oil. Failure to do so can cause the oil in your car to oxidize into harmful sludge that causes significant damage to your engine as engine parts start grinding together, jam up and eventually stop working all together.

However, all of the confusing claims from dealers, mechanics and oil companies can have you asking, “How often should I change my oil?” The real answer depends on a number of factors like mileage, time between changes and the type of oil in your car.

Although the old adage “3,000 miles or 3 months” is still floated (mainly by oil and oil service companies), service manuals for newer vehicles specify an oil change at 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Of course, these numbers apply to cars that are driven under “normal driving conditions.

Many factors can shorten or extend the rate of oil change. Here are a few:

Oil Type

Although conventional oil is the established leader in motor oil sales, synthetic oil has a number of compelling advantages that can offset its higher cost. Synthetic oil can last two to three times longer than conventional oil, while providing superior heat protection and cold weather viscosity.Moisture Burn-Off

As your engine heats and cools, condensation can form inside. Running your engine generates heat and as the oil temperature rises, it can burn off the moisture that accumulates. If you use your vehicle mainly for short trips (especially in cold weather), the oil temperature can’t become high enough to burn off moisture. In these situations, changing oil more frequently will help remove accumulated moisture and help avoid future engine corrosion problems.Filtration Efficiency

One of the biggest problems with used oil is that it collects contaminants over time. Most oil filters are designed to trap particles larger than 40 microns. A paper by the Society of Automotive Engineers, however, reports that engine damage can be reduced by 50% with a high efficiency filter that traps particles larger than 30 microns. A high efficiency filter can help extend the life of your motor oil.Even if you ignore all of the other reasons, here is one BIG reason to change oil often – Although modern engines and oil formulations can double or triple the typical time between oil changes, there is one good reason to adhere to the “3,000 or 3” mantra: An oil change is like a check-up for you car. By bringing your vehicle in four times a year, you give a mechanic a chance to look at your car and help you head off minor maintenance and repair issues before they become major headaches.

Coming in Part 2: Suspension & Alignment Check. For more info on Frank Myers Auto Maxx, visit – https://www.frankmyersauto.com

 

 

Frank Myers Auto Maxx Presents: Car Care Secrets Exposed/July 23, 2010

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What You Need To Know About Auto Fluid Leaks

What does it mean when my vehicle is leaking oil?

frank myers auto repair winston salem

Oil leaks need to be checked ASAP. Frank Myers Auto can help you with that.

An oil leak (drips of brownish or black fluid) in your normal parking spot, garage or driveway, means that one of your engines gaskets is leaking. Leaks can range from easily repaired drain-plug gaskets from a careless oil change, to more difficult leaks such as intake manifold or head gasket leaks. The important thing is, you need to get your oil leak repaired as quickly as possible…oil is the life-blood of your car or light truck’s engine, if it is loosing engine oil, the engine can run hotter and the engine components will begin taking damage very quickly, leading to engine failure if any component is not getting oil. Even slow leaks can rapidly deteriorate, creating much larger leaks. Check your oil level before driving the vehicle in to the auto repair center at Frank Myers Auto Maxx, to ensure that you are not running on empty and causing damage to your engine.

 I see a Green Fluid under my car, what does it mean?

Frank Myers Auto can help you with your coolant leak in Winston-Salem.

Engine Coolant is usually a green (sometimes orange) fluid that might be leaking from your vehicle. The Engine Coolant provides cooling for your engine, allowing your engine components to properly cool. If the coolant is leaking, then the system is no longer sealed and pressurized. When the system is not pressurized, the coolant looses its capabilities to absorb as much heat from the engine. When pressurized, the boiling point fo the coolant is increased, to allow it to absorb more heat from the engine. When there is a leak, this pressurization does not occur. If you see green or orange fluid leaks under your vehicle, it is a good Idea to bring your vehicle in to Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC as soon as possible, so that our Dealer Certified technicians can help you get your vehicle cooling system working properly.

 I see a Red Fluid Leak under my car, what can it be?

 Red fluid leaks are generally transmission fluid leaks. Transmission fluid is used for transmitting the power from your engine to the drive shaft, which in turn powers the wheels of your vehicle. Transmission fluid leaks can range from simple drain plug gasket failures, to much more difficult gasket or even torque converter leaks. In any case, it is a good idea to have your vehicle looked at quickly, as transmission fluid is under extreme pressures, so the beginnings of a leak can turn into a severe leak very quickly. Our Certified technicians are highly trained in determining the cause of your transmission fluid leak, and will be able to tell you the severity of the problem and the cost to repair. Bring your vehicle to the auto repair facility at Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC for diagnostics today.

 There is a clear fluid under my vehicle, what is it?

 Clear fluid leaks can be one of several different fluids, Power Steering Fluid or Brake Fluid. Power Steering Fluid is used by your power steering system, which makes it easier for you to steer your vehicle, especially during low-speed manuevers such as parking. Brake fluid is even more crucial, brake fluid is used in the braking system to apply hydraulic pressure to your brake pads. If Brake fluid is leaking, this is VERY SERIOUS and needs to be taken care of quickly. A leak in the brake system means that every time you depress your brake pedal, brake fluid will be pumped out instead of applying pressure to the brake pads. This means that your brake pedal may become spongy, and your vehicle will not stop as quickly. Brake fluid leaks should be considered VERY SERIOUS, and should be looked at immediately.

To speak with a representative and to ask ANY car care question (and get a FREE answer) call 877-843-6943.

Questions about the dealership? Visit https://www.FrankMyersAuto.com

Frank Myers Auto Maxx Presents: Car Care Secrets Exposed/June 24th, 2010 Edition

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WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEMS REPAIR

Is Your ABS Light Or Brake Light On?

Frank Myers Auto in Winston-Salem, NC diagnosis ABS lights.

When your ABS Light is on, that means that your ABS system is temporarily disabled. When the system is disabled, your vehicle will not have ABS capabilities if you need to stop quickly. This can make the difference between being able to make a panic stop and still retail control of your vehicle, or sliding uncontrollably. While there are some things that you can wait on temporarily before repair or inspection, your ABS system should not be one of them. Our  Certified technicians in Winston-Salem, NC are fully trained and qualified to diagnose and repair your ABS and Brake system.

What Could Be The Problem With My ABS System?

Any hydraulic or electrical failure in the ABS or Brake system can cause the ABS light to come on. In some vehicles, the traction control system might also be the cause. In short, every situation will be different, and needs to be diagnosed seperately, but causes can range anywhere from low brake fluid, to wheel sensors registering the wrong speed, to ABS control module failure. Any time your ABS Light is on, you need to visit Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston-Salem, NC as soon as possible, so that we can get your system back up and running with minimal downtime.

What Exactly Does My ABS System Do?

The ABS and Traction Control Systems together provide a full stability control system, to help a vehicle maintain its trajectory and help the driver maintain control of a vehicle during inclement weather conditions, cornering and stopping situations. The ABS system monitors the speed of each of your vehicle’s wheels, to determine if one or more of the wheels has locked up during a braking situation. If a wheel has locked up, the ABS system can either modulate the amount of pressure applied to the brake for that wheel, or pulse the pressure to that wheel. This allows the wheel to continue rotating and maintain its grip with the road to help prevent swerving or loss of control during a panic stop or stop on ice condition. Anytime your ABS light is on, the system has been deactivated, so the ABS system will not be operating. This is why it is important to get the system inspected by Frank Myers Auto Maxx today.

– About the service department at Frank Myers Auto Maxx: “We are committed to providing a convenient, ethical and reliable auto repair facility while specializing in helping people cost-effectively maintain their vehicles to ensure additional repairs and expenses are kept to a minimum.” To speak with a Automotive Service Advisor, call 336-831-0656 or visit https://www.frankmyersauto.com for more information.

Frank Myers Auto Maxx Presents: Your Automotive A/C Questions Answered

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Frank Myers Car Care Center in Winston-Salem, NC answers the most popular auto A/C questions.

Since this is the time of the year that our service department phones start blowing up with calls concerning air conditioning, I thought it would be a great time to answer some of the most common questions that we get about automotive A/C.

Q: Why is my A/C Blowing Warm Air?

A: Your A/C System may be blowing air for many different reasons. First, your system might be low on refridgerant, which would cause the system not to provide the cooling that it once did. If the system is low on refridgerant, then it could actually be a symptom of a deeper problem. The refridgerant resides in a totally sealed system, so for it to go low, their may be a leak in the system. Frank Myers Car Care Center in Winston-Salem, NC will provide full vacuum and pressure tests on your system to try to catch the cause of the leak.

Q: Can’t you just pump in more refridgerant?

A: While some shops might consider this an adequate repair of an A/C system, Frank Myers Car Care Center will not provide this disservice to our customers. Simply pumping in more refridgerant without finding the cause of the inital leak not only can be damaging to the environment (because your vehicle will be pumping harmful chemicals out into the air that we all breath, but it also can cause further damage to your AC System. When refridgerant leaks out of your vehicle’s AC system, moisture also seeps into the system. The moisture can cause damage to the fittings, gaskets and moving parts in your AC System. The moisture mixes with the oil that is in the A/C System, and creates a caustic chemical that can eat through gasket materials and cause damage to the compressor. Just pumping in more refridgerant is not an adequate repair.

Q: What can I do to prevent future damage to my A/C System?

A: This is an excellent question! Frank Myers Car Care Center in Winston-Salem, NC believes that preventative measures are worth their weight in gold, as they help you to enjoy your vehicle for a long time. The best way to keep your A/C System working properly is simply to use it. Not using your A/C System causes the oil in the system to settle and collect in one spot. When the system is not used for extended periods of time, this can cause seals in the system to become dry, and eventually begin to crack. When this happens, it can begin to let out refridgerant, and let moisture in causing damage to the components inside. So the best thing you can do, is to turn on your A/C system and let it run. Even during the winter, using your Defroster on the windshield will power on your A/C Compressor, to help remove moisture from the air that it is blowing on the windshield…so use your defroster in the winter regularly, to help your A/C System last longer.

– The Frank Myers Car Care Center is committed to providing a convenient, ethical and reliable auto repair facility while specializing  in helping people cost-effectively maintain their vehicles to ensure additional repairs and expenses are kept to a minimum. They are located at 4200-C North Patterson Avenue in Winston-Salem, NC 27105 and can be called direct at 336-831-0656. https://www.frankmyersauto.com