Environment

Everything we do at Frank’s Automotive Service is done with a thought toward our environment. Repairing cars can be a dirty business. We take our responsibility very seriously when it comes to doing our job with minimal environmental impact. 

We are constantly looking for environmentally friendly alternatives for the chemicals we use. Residual solvents are collected and disposed of properly.

100% of the oil, anti-freeze, refrigerant, and other fluids we remove from your vehicle are recycled.

Tires, metal, paper products, and other solid waste is recycled whenever possible to help reduce what we must put in landfills.

WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT RECYCLING!

Drop off your waste motor oil or anti-freeze for recycling and receive a coupon good for $5 off any repair or service we offer.

Must drop off during business hours. Franks Automotive Service reserves the right to refuse any materials.

Factory Recommended vs. Dealer Recommended Maintenance

No matter what kind of car you have, it requires routine maintenance to keep it safe and reliable. The best way to avoid major repair expense is to follow the manufacturer’s schedule of services found in your owner’s manual. This is not to be confused with “Dealer Recommended Services”. Some dealers will publish their own maintenance schedule which in most cases is a sales tool and often bears little resemblance to the manufacturer’s schedule. Here at Franks Automotive Service, our staff is qualified and equipped to perform all factory

maintenance on your vehicle. Our certified technicians provide the same level of skill and competence that you expect from a dealer, with the caring and personal attention of a neighbor. Our computers contain the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedules just like in your owner’s manual. Rest assured any maintenance service performed at Franks Automotive Service will have no adverse effect on your new car warranty. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which is federal legislation, you may to have your vehicle serviced by any competent independent auto repair shop while keeping your warranty in force. It is actually unlawful for a dealer to suggest that maintenance must be performed by them to insure warranty compliance. 

Emission Systems

By law, most vehicles are equipped with three major emission control systems. The first and most commonly discussed system controls the tailpipe emissions. These are the harmful gasses that are produced through the burning  of fuel in your engine.  The second system captures the fumes created in your crankcase and redirects them to be burned during combustion rather than allowing them to vent to the atmosphere. The third system captures fumes that are produced in your gas tank as the fuel evaporates. It stores the unburned fumes and introduces them into the engine to be burned during  periods in the drive cycle when they can be burned efficiently. The computer in your car monitors these systems and turns on the Check Engine Lamp when it sees a problem.  These systems are very complex and require a complete understanding of how they work in order to diagnose and repair them properly. At Franks Automotive Service in South Plainfield NJ, we have the experience, equipment, and reference materials to diagnose any emissions related problem quickly and accurately. We are licensed by the State of New Jersey to perform emission related repairs when you vehicle fails inspection.   

Franks Automotive Service

 is a State License Private Inspection and Emission Repair Facility 

Transmission Flush/Fluid Replacement

Because of the many demands placed on your transmission fluid, it is often called the hardest working fluid in your car. First, it must lubricate the hundreds of moving parts in your transmission. Second, it works as a coolant to reduce the tremendous temperatures created in normal use. Third, it has detergents, which keep the transmission clean and free of contaminants. After doing all that, it still must maintain the hydraulic  

properties that allow your transmission to shift properly under constantly changing conditions. As time and miles go by, transmission fluid loses its ability to do all these things. If the fluid is left in beyond its useful life, wear and deterioration of the bearings, clutches, and other internal components will result. Eventually the transmission will fail and require overhaul or replacement. The cost of a transmission rebuild can run from $2000 to $4000, and even higher on some cars. For years, the only option was a transmission service, which consisted of removing the pan, changing the filter, and reinstalling and refilling the pan. The average transmission holds 10 to 15 quarts of fluid. A standard service only replaced 4 to 5 quarts leaving as much as 10 quarts remaining to mix with the new fluid. New equipment, which recently became available, allows us to replace every bit of the fluid in the complete transmission. It also flushes out and impurities that could contaminate the new fluid, leaving the transmission with fluid as clean as the day it was new. A Transmission Flush should be done every 30,000 miles as part of routine maintenance. It is not recommended for all cars, so please ask if your car would benefit from it.

Fuel Injection Service

If your car idles rough, hesitates, or stalls. If it doesn’t seem to have the power or fuel economy it once had, a Fuel Injection Service from Franks Automotive Service may be the answer. Many times these symptoms are mistaken as signs that a tune up is needed. 

As you drive your car, carbon deposits build up on fuel injectors, engine valves and in the combustion chambers. Deposits also form on the throttle body, and in the intake manifold as well as in the catalytic converter. This accumulation of carbon and sludge can cause a drastic drop in both fuel economy and performance. Fuel additives are largely ineffective because they target only the fuel injectors and are not concentrated enough to clean away stubborn carbon build up. They do nothing to address the other areas that are arguably more important than the fuel injectors. 

The only proven way to clean the entire fuel and intake systems, as well as the combustion chambers, engine valves, and catalytic converter is by performing a comprehensive Fuel Injection Service.

For this service to be effective, it must be performed by a qualified technician using the proper equipment and solvent solution.

With Federal emission standards becoming more strict, the need for your engine to run as efficiently as possible is more important than it has ever been.

It is recommended that this service be performed every 12 months or 15,000 miles as part of your routine maintenance schedule to keep your car running clean and efficiently, and performing like it did when it was new.    

Understanding Your Check Engine Lamp

All new cars sold in the US since 1981 are required by law to have an on board computer to help reduce harmful tailpipe emissions. The Check Engine Lamp is present to alert the driver when the computer sees a potential problem. If your Check Engine Lamp is on, you will fail inspection. Repairs to a vehicle that failed inspection MUST by law be performed by a licensed Emission Repair Facility such as Franks Automotive Service.                    

When the Check Engine or Service Engine Soon lamp comes on, the computer is telling you that it has detected a problem that requires the attention of your auto repair facility. At the same time, it stores a “Failure Code” in memory. This code tells the technician the general area that has a problem. From there, the technician must diagnose the specific cause. Anyone that retrieves a fault code and offers an immediate diagnosis, as some parts stores do, is guessing which could lead to needless replacement of some pretty expensive parts. It is important to note that your Check Engine lamp can give different warnings with regard to the severity of the problem. When the light goes on and remains on steadily or goes on for a while and then goes off, it is indicating that there is a problem that requires attention but the car is safe to drive until you can get it to a qualified technician. If the light flashes, it is indicating that a more serious condition exists and contunuing to drive could result in serious component damage and possibly even a safety issue. In this case, you should drive to safe place as soon as possible and call for assistance.  

The average vehicle has between 40 and 110 Failure Codes. Some have even more. There is, however, only one Check Engine Lamp. It is always possible that you could have a repair done today only to have the light come on for an unrelated problem. It doesn’t happen often but it is an unfortunate reality.

Whenever your Check Engine Lamp is repaired, insist that your invoice show, in detail, the work performed as well as the definition of the code that was repaired. If the lamp should come on in the future, this will serve as a record of what was done and as a way for you to determine whether it is the same problem or totally unrelated to the original code. 

At Franks Automotive Service in South Plainfield NJ, we have the experience and the equipment to diagnose and repair your Check Engine lamp without the guesswork.

Wheel Alignment

Complete the following sentence: A properly aligned vehicle…

a. Handles more easily

b. Runs more economically

c. Reduces tire wear

d. Performs better  

e .Reduces steering and suspension wear

f. Is more stable during high speed maneuvering

g. Is safer

h. All of the above 

The answer, of course, is h: All of the above. Having the wheels in alignment is crucial for the safety, economy, and longevity of your vehicle.

A question we recieve quite often is: Do I need an alignment and if so, what kind of alignment. There are two types of alignments: 2 Wheel and 4 Wheel Alignment. The front end alignment of your car is adjusted in relation to the rear wheels. If the vehicle is placed on the alignment machine and the rear wheels are within spec, then you only need a front wheel or 2 wheel alignment. If the rear wheels are out of spec, then they must be adjusted first before the front can be set. This requires a 4 wheel alignment. A shop should not try to sell you a 4 wheel alignment if they haven't had your car on the alignment machine. There is no way to know which you need before the alignment is checked. There are a number of signs that you may need an alignment. If your car pulls or drifts to one side or if your tires show abnormal wear these could be signs an alignment is necessary.

It is important to note that all wheel alignments are not the same. A wheel alignment at Franks Automotive Service in South Plainfield NJ is performed by a skilled, experienced alignment technician on the best and latest equipment available. He will first, drive the vehicle to get an over-all feel for the steering and suspension and to identify any conditions that may effect the alignment. He will then drive the vehicle onto the alignment rack, install a target on each wheel, perform an alignment check and generate print-out showing the results. If the vehicle is in proper alignment, he doesn't need to go any further. If it isn't, then he can procede with the appropriate alignment. 

Todays vehicles require wheel alignment equipment capable of pinpoint accuracy. A wheel alignment at Franks Automotive Service will be performed using HawkEye high-definition digital imaging alignment technology from Hunter Engineering. Made in America, it's the best, most accurate equipment available. 

With the Hunter Pro-Align Wheel Alignment System and our skilled technicians, we can provide the best, most accurate wheel alignment available for less than you'll pay for a generic tire-store alignment. 

24 Hour Towing

Our over twenty year relationship with Spartan Towing and Recovery allows us to offer twenty-four hour road service to our clients. You need only pick up the phone any time, day or night and Spartans professionals will be there to help. Towing charges will appear on your invoice when the work is completed so there is no need for you to have payment. Your vehicle will be brought to the shop where we can do what is necessary to get you back on the road.

24 Hour Towing Direct Line

732-271-8102

Tech Support

Today, with the wide range of complex vehicles that come into the shop, it isn’t enough to just know what we’re doing. Accurate, detailed, up-to-the-minute technical information is the key to diagnosing and repairing our client’s vehicles. There are four major resources for technical information available in our industry today. At Franks Automotive Service in South Plainfield NJ, we feel that having the best and latest data is so important that we make all four available to our technicians right in the shop.  

ALLDATA is widely recognized as the leader in automotive information.  It contains diagnostic and repair procedures so complete that many dealers use it to compliment their own information resources. Alldata provides the accurate specifications and maintenance schedules needed to service all makes with a level of competence expected from the dealer. Alldata also gives us access to thousands of manufacturer generated technical service bulletins.

MITCHELL 1   is one of the top two automotive information systems available to the aftermarket. Known for its extensive and accurate wiring schematics, Mitchell 1 is a valuable resource for all manufacturer based diagnostic and repair information. Having this high  quality  technical info at our fingertips gives us the edge we need as cars get more and more complex. As it is directly linked to our shop management software, it also provides us with the most accurate parts and labor estimating possible.

IDENTIFIX   is an internet based global network of automotive technicians, engineers, and other service professionals.  As a member, we have access to the experience of tens of thousands of brightest people in our field. Proven fixes are posted and updated by members continuously. Their archives offer a wealth of information based on real-world effective problem solving. As a two way participant, we contribute information gained through our experience to help others.

MECHANICS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 

 is the leading automotive training organization in the industry. As members, we attend both hands-on and web-based classes regularly. Staying up to date with the latest advances in technology keeps us well ahead of our competition.  Membership also gives us access to all of the major car manufacturers’ technical subscription web-sites as well as the best live tech support hot line in the business.      

ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT 

When faced with the need for expensive repairs such as engine or transmission replacement, you quickly review your options. A new car would be nice, but it will depreciate rapidly and brings a hefty payment and high ownership costs. A used vehicle may not cost quite as much but can come with hidden problems that will lead to expensive repair bills. If you buy junkyard components, you may save money on the purchase, but you may also buy parts that have suffered abuse and damage and will not serve you well at all. And rebuilt engines or transmissions can cost less, but the quality of the work may be inconsistent, and the parts may have only a minimum warranty. A better alternative may be a quality remanufactured component installed by the qualified technicians at Franks Automotive Service in South Plainfield NJ...

REMANUFACTURED ENGINE 

A Jasper remanufactured engine is often the best, most cost effective solution. Jasper's remanufacturing process unsures that your engine will perform as well or better than it did when it was new. They deliver industry leading results for a few reasons:  

-Updated procedures – remanufactured to meet or exceed original specifications by correcting OEM design flaws and improving performance.

-New and Qualified Parts – all new and remanufactured parts are carefully inspected for correct tolerances to assure dependability. Wear items – pistons, bearings, valves, springs – automatically replaced with every engine!*

-Meticulous Cleaning – after disassembly, all components undergo multiple cleaning processes to assure quality product remanufacturing.

-Precise Machining – Boring, honing, and resurfacing correct wear in critical areas.

-Testing – live-run testing to assure proper operating conditions before shipment.

REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION

A Jasper remanufactured transmission or transaxle is truly best our industry has to offer in our opinion. At thier expansive plant in Jasper Indiana or in one of thier other state-of-the-art facilities, Jasper's professionals use the latest equipment to produce a transmission that is as good as and quite often better than new. The remanufacturing process employed by Jasper Engines and Transmissions insures that every unit that comes off of thier line is ready for years of service.   

-Updated procedures – remanufactured to correct problems in original manufacturer design for an equal to or better than new product.

- New and Qualified Parts – all new and remanufactured parts are carefully inspected for correct tolerances to assure dependability.

- Quality Control – all areas of the transmission are closely scrutinized for cleanliness, surface finish quality, lubrication, clearances and wear patterns.

- Valve Bodies – carefully remanufactured to give the same shift quality and “feel” as new.

- Torque Converters – Dynamic balancing eliminates vibration that can lead to transmission damage.

- Dynamometer Testing – live-run testing simulates in-vehicle operation to assure trouble-free performance.

CALL 908-753-0277

Let us show you what we can do.