Baltimore Auto Repair

           Let's talk about windshield wiper blades. It's something we really don't think about unless it's raining, then forget about when the rain stops. We should think about wiper blades as one part of the safety systems on our vehicles. Wiper blades help us see the same as glasses or contacts help us see with our eyes. When they are worn they smear the rain across our windshield creating streaks. New wiper blades and a clean windshield can make all the difference driving in the rain. Remember wiper blades live on the outside of the vehicle exposed to the hot sun in the summer and cold in the winter. Replacing your wiper blades in the spring and the fall will help with driving conditions year round. At Framerite Auto Repair we stock many sizes so if the need arises we can take care of you right away

We are starting to see a mid 2000’s GM SUVs and trucks come in with the front sway bar bracket that is rusting away and becoming totally detached. When this happens and you are driving down the road, you hear a big clunking noise as you go over bumps. But the good news is that it can be fixed. It just takes a little while because you have to get a donor from the junkyard with a good bracket. This is because GM doesn't sell the part by itself. Once we do that and get it all back together, your vehicle is all back to whole again

Do you know if your tires will get you through the 6-12 inches of snow in the immediate forecast? If you don't know the answer you better find out. Winter weather is starting early early and slippery conditions can appear without warning. If your tires tread is too thin slipping and sliding is in your forecast. Check your tread depth with a quarter. If you can't see the top of George's head you should be alright. Personally I would not want to see his hairline on top of his head. You can also look between the tread bars for the wear indicator. The tread wear indicator is a small rubber bar that if near even with the remaining tread lets you know your tires need to be replaced. If you have any questions stop by for a quick inspection and we will show you what to look for. Here at Framerite Auto Repair we can take care of you and your vehicle to keep you safe for whatever Old Man Winter brings

  Should I have my engine oil changed at a quick lube shop? Do you want to see a first year medical student when you have a health problem? Many quick lube businesses employ people without a lot of experience in the industry. Your vehicle is probably the second largest investment you will  have besides your house. Do you want to trust it with someone in a hurry and with a lack of experience? Taking your vehicle to a trusted local garage with experienced technicians looking out for the long term benefit of you and your car is the best way. I don't know about you but I want a doctor to take their time with me to properly diagnose me and to locate any other problem I may have. Taking your vehicle to be serviced in a timely manner and giving the technician time to give your vehicle a physical inspection is the best way to have peace of mind for safe driving. At Framerite Auto Repair we employ technicians with many years of experience to give you confidence that you ... 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

Dear friends and valued clients, At Framerite Auto Repair we are taking the coronavirus very seriously. We believe everybody has a role to play in mitigating this illness. Fortunately, we work in an industry the requires little to no human contact. We can achieve a “zero contact” transaction by use of a key drop, free pick up & delivery and payment over the phone. We are disinfecting all keys, door handles, steering wheels and shifter handles before and after service as our commitment to your safety remains our top priority. If you need any services or repairs to your vehicle please do not hesitate to text or call us

Can change be shocking to your radio? Yes! We had a 2011 Subaru Forester with a complaint that the radio did not work. First thing to check was the fuse that controls the power to the radio which was blown. We installed a new fuse and everything came back to life. But why did the fuse blow in the first place? After a short test drive the radio was not functioning again. The technician confirmed the fuse was blown again and the circuit remained a dead short. When looking over the wiring diagram we could separate the circuit in two halves. When we did this the radio side of the circuit still had the short. Tracing the wiring back to the radio we found no obvious wiring exposed. We removed the radio and the problem disappeared. Shaking the radio revealed the problem. The children had been inserting coins and a paper clip into the CD drive causing a short across the circuit board in the bottom of the radio. Once the coins & paper clip were removed everything is working properly. G ... read more

"What is that shaking when I am braking?" This vibration from your brakes can be very slight at high braking or just about take the steering wheel out of your hands when coming to a stop. All newer vehicles have front disc brakes and more manufacturers are switching to rear disc brakes instead of drum brakes. If you have ever had a bicycle with the hand brakes, there is a caliper that squeezes the pads on each side of the rim to stop. The disc brakes on your car are similar but the brake pads are squeezed against a metal disc (called a brake rotor) by a hydraulic caliper to stop. What causes that shaking while braking is uneven thickness of the rotor. Sometimes rotors can be resurfaced to make them straight and even. Many newer vehicles are using thinner and lighter rotors, with a different construction. Resurfacing rotors in this case can make them thinner then allowed by the manufacturer and require replacement. Sometimes rotors get thin from normal braking o ... 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