Baltimore Auto Repair

          THE IMPORTANCE OF OIL CHANGES The invention of the automobile in the early 1900’s obviously changed the world in myriad ways, much like hundreds of other inventions that took place over the course of the 20th century.  The world instantly became smaller, and did again with the popularity of commercial air travel.  Americans would hit the open road hard over the next 100+ years.  The proliferation of the interstate highway system in the 1950’s increased road travel to such a degree that there was an explosion of industry-related businesses.  Thousands of gas stations popped up, as well as auto repair shops, auto body shops, car dealers, oil companies, etc.  Cars and trucks come in all shapes and sizes, colors, configurations, and have a wide variety of accessories.  The basic nature and structure of vehicles remains consistent, however.  They all have engines, transmissions, batteri ... read more

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR - BRAKES AND BRAKE REPAIR IN BALTIMORE           “…there’s no use going anywhere, if you can’t stop when you get there.” When Kyle Larson’s car’s brakes failed and he slammed into Ty Dillon’s car in a NASCAR race this July, they were probably traveling at upwards of 120 MPH, which on it’s face appears to be the catalyst for a catastrophe.  Luckily NASCAR vehicles are equipped with world-class safety features, such as the game-changing HANS device (Head and Neck Support restraint).  The accident itself begs the question however- what would happen in normal city traffic if a car lost the ability to brake? Brakes are one of the components of your automobile that need to be maintained on a regular basis.  Frequently drivers will get oil changes, fill the car up with gas, add wiper fluid, or inflate tires.  Although a process lik ... read more

Can the computer on my car make my air conditioner leak? The answer is yes. We recently had a 2017 Chevrolet Impala come in to check the A/C system. When connecting the gauge set we discovered no refrigerant in the system. We then added some to check for a leak and could actually hear the refrigerant escaping. Taking our refrigerant leak detector to find the source of the problem we found the evaporator core in the dash leaking profusely. Performing a Technical Service Bulletin search we discovered a recall #N182186880 for 2016-2018 Chevrolet Impala's. The bulletin explains that the program in the computer runs the A/C compressor too long causing ice to build up on the evaporator core. As the ice continues to expand it actually breaks the tubes causing the refrigerant leak. If you have one of these vehicles GM has extended the warranty for 6 years and or 72,000 miles to cover this situation. Not only is this a major repair as the entire dash has to be removed to ... read more

Should I be worried about my suspension with the condition of the streets in Baltimore? The answer is yes! Anywhere you travel the system that connects your wheels to your vehicle is your suspension. Every time you hit a pothole, a bump or an object in the road your suspension has to absorb that punishment.  As you can imagine, the suspension on your vehicle has lots of joints, bushings and pivot points that allow your wheels to move up and down and allow you to turn and steer. These parts include ball joints, tie rod ends, pitman and idler arms as well as many bushings. They simply wear out over time or become damaged due to the harshness they have to endure. As they wear handling and steering develop a loose feel and may include strange noises. Sometimes a loose or worn suspension part can put stress on another part causing premature failure. Usually the first sign of suspension problems is you will notice that your tires are wearing irregularly. If you feel the handling on your ... read more

Why does your alignment cost more than the tire store? We receive many calls inquiring about the price of an alignment and how long does it take. When we answer what our price is and the length of time it takes to perform a proper alignment is we often hear "Well I can get that alignment for $49.95". If you can remember what the old saying is, “You get what you pay for!” Proper alignment is very important to the handling of the vehicle, making sure your tires wear to their rated design and for your best fuel mileage. Generally it takes 1-1 1/2  hours to perform an alignment correctly. The manufacturer gives us specifications that sometimes have a wide parameter. The best alignment is usually in the middle of the parameter of preferred settings. Experience has shown us that sometimes the manufacturers specifications are not the best for the vehicle. If you take your vehicle to have an alignment for the cheap price you are not going to get the be ... read more

Do you need brakes or wonder if you do?  Each year during the month of October, we participate in a program called Brakes for Breasts. Brakes for Breasts is a fundraising program dedicated to the development of a vaccine that prevents breast cancer.  Dr. Tuohy at the Cleveland Clinic has actually created a vaccine that has proved effective in laboratory animals in actually preventing breast cancer. Think about Polio, eradicated because of a vaccine, a distant memory for most generations. This is the same principle! Dr. Tuohy and his team are rounding the corner and are hoping to start Phase 1 trials in early 2020. 100% of the proceeds from the ‘Brakes for Breasts’ fundraiser goes directly to the Cleveland Clinic for research on the Breast Cancer Vaccine. This is a WIN WIN for you, because you receive a FREE brake inspection and if they are needed, we provide FREE brake pads or shoes, up to $125 val ... read more

I just purchased a vehicle out of state and it was state inspected there, does that give me peace of mind the vehicle is good? The answer is no! Recently we have inspected vehicles with severe rust issues that were state inspected in Virginia and Pennsylvania. The purchasers of these vehicles were assured they were in good shape. To title the vehicle in Maryland it has to go through a much more rigorous inspection process. Evidently what passes in Virginia and Pennsylvania does not come close with what is acceptable in Maryland. The moral of the story is to have your vehicle looked at in a Maryland repair shop in order to give you a better understanding of what you are trying to purchase. We at Framerite Automotive can give you a proper evaluation before purchasing the vehicle. Remember, “Buyer Beware” should always be applied when purchasing any vehicle without having it looked at first

This was a blog post from a while ago but it bears reposting, especially while there is a rebate on Hankook tires. There are several ways to determine if you need new tires. One way is to insert a quarter upside down into the tire's tread. If you can see the top of Ole George's head then your tread is measuring 4/32 and the tire needs to be replaced. Another sign that you need new tires is the presence of grooves or cracks in the sidewall. Other indicators are blisters and bulges because they can quickly become the source of a dangerous blowout. In addition, feeling too much vibration when driving can be a sign of several issues. Your tires may need balancing or you may need an alignment. The vibration can actually be a sign of a problem with your tire. If you have any questions concerning your tires, or any other vehicle repair or maintenance issue, give us a call and our certified mechanics will be happy to answer your questions and advise you. #newtires #tiresnearme #tires ... read more

When you search for a auto repair shop near me what should you look for? Will the business be there for you when you need them? Does it employ experienced technicians who are properly trained and are involved in continuous education? Do they invest in the latest equipment and technology to keep up with changing times? Do the online reviews give you a sense the shop cares about its clients? Does the shop offer loaner cars, a local shuttle service and pick up & drop-off for repairs? Here at Framerite Auto Repair we are a third generation business serving the greater Baltimore area for over 65 years. We employ ASE certified technicians who regularly attend on going training. We have up to date equipment and invest in the latest repair information available. We offer a 3 year or 36,000 mile nationwide warranty as we are a NAPA Autocare facility. Many parts we install have a Lifetime part warranty. We have two loaner cars for your convenience. We offer a local shuttle to work or home a ... read more

I love my Wrangler but my frame has rust holes. Can it be saved? If it is rusted in the most common areas, absolutely! There are kits available that allow us to repair the frame so you can enjoy your Jeep again. The repairs are extensive as we remove the pieces that are rusted, treat the good metal to retard the rust from returning and then weld the new frame repair caps in the proper position. Give us a call so we can evaluate your Jeep frame to keep you safe on and off the road