Baltimore Auto Repair

Well it's that time of year again, snow & ice on the roads being treated with salt. The salt and cold combine to create potholes that we seem to find every time we go out to drive. Generally, it takes a couple of weeks for the potholes to be filled so until that time try to remember where they are. If you are unfortunate enough to hit a deep pothole and you notice your vehicle is not handling the same, get it checked out immediately. Small changes in your alignment can cause rapid tire wear. Sometimes damage to the tire and or wheel occurs that will cause shaking or pulling to one side or the other. At Framerite Auto Repair we have been correcting problems like these for over 67 years. Just give us a call and we will get you back to smooth driving again

I slid into a curb, now what do I do? If you have been unfortunate enough to slide into a curb, the first thing to check is the tire. You need to make sure it is safe to drive on. If you can drive your vehicle, see if there is a change in how it handles. Any change would indicate damage that needs to be checked by an ASE certified technician. Even slight damage will cause rapid tire wear and extremely poor handling, especially in wet conditions. A tire can wear so fast and cause a blowout, resulting in loss of control of your vehicle. When an alignment is performed, we make adjustments down to a 1/16th of an inch so any change can cause rapid tire wear. At Framerite Auto Repair we have been taking care of these situations for 67 years. Chances are we may have worked on your parents or grandparent’s car, as we hear this quite often. Give us a call and we will return your vehicle to safe and reliable driving 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

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

Why did my tires wear out prematurely even though I had an alignment? We see this situation often. When checking the alignment we find that only one adjustment was made and that is toe-in. Frequently caster and camber, the other angles we measure, have not been adjusted. The type of vehicle determines whether the factory gives us a way to adjust these angles, or sometimes we have to install adjustments to correct a tire wear problem. We have many ways to correct an out of specification alignment thanks to adjustable aftermarket parts we can install. If your vehicle suffers from premature tire wear, Framerite AutoRepair is the place to go. We may have aligned your Grandfathers car since we have been here since 1954! Call us today and we will take care of you

Why did I have a hard time driving in the snow? If your tires look like the included picture that is probably why. Without tread the tires do not have anything to grip with in the snow and slush of winter driving. When you see to wear bars even with the the tread bars the useful life of the tire is over. In the rain a tire in this condition can actually hydro-plane as the sipes that squeeze water out are now missing. Here at Framerite Auto Repair we can replace your tires and align the suspension for the best handling and tire wear

Can my rusted Toyota frame be repaired? In most cases yes. The common rust out areas on Tacoma's and 4-Runners can usually be repaired by installing repair kits that until recently became available in the aftermarket. Performing these repairs will bring the vehicle back to service safely when prevoiusly it would be headed for the junk yard. The preparation for the installation of the caps is quite extensive. All rusted out areas are cut out and the remaining metal is resurfaced to be treated with rust inhibitor and and painted. Though the cap kits are good they require some work as to creating the holes for brackets and side steps to be bolted back in place. All in all the finished product is very nice when complete. If you have any issue with your rusted Toyota frame bring it to us for advice on what can be done

What is the right way to repair my tire? For years repairing a tire took only a few minutes to determine where the source of the leak was and installing a plug into the tread. The problem with this procedure is the inside of the tire is not inspected for damage. As you can see in the picture, the inside of this tire has ground up pieces of rubber from being driven on flat. This tire was repaired with a plug but the structural integrity of the tire has been compromised. The correct repair in this situation is replacement of the tire. Removing the tire from the wheel would have revealed the damage. A tire that has not been damaged and the puncture is not too large and in between the outer tread bars would require a patch plug repair on the inside. After the repair, balancing the tire finishes the the job. Repairing a tire the correct way is the only safe solution and the way we at Framerite Auto Repair do it

Are you planning a road trip for the Memorial Day Weekend? Have you thought about making sure that your car is ready to go when you are? Your car should be inspected before taking a trip to ensure that you arrive safely and without unexpected delays and bills. Generally speaking all your fluids should be inspected and topped off, your tires should be checked for condition and the correct amount of air pressure, and your battery should be checked as well. One tip is to also check the condition and the amount of air pressure in your spare. They are often neglected but are very important if the need arises. Your air filter should be changed if not done recently. Your oil level should at least be checked and have your oil and filter changed, if due. Check all your lights and wipers to be sure they are working properly. Your brakes should be checked, as well as your suspension parts. Let's not forget your air conditioner; you definitely want to be cool while traveling. This rain is goi ... read more

Are you looking for great deals on Hankook tires? If you are in need of new tires now is the time to get them. Give Bill or Wayne a call and they will be happy to help you take advantage of this great offer