Car Maintenance

Whenever you go for a drive, be mindful of any changes in vehicle operation. Any dashboard lights, smoke coming from the exhaust, rattling, grinding, whirring, increased motion in the pedals or the steering wheel are all signs of problems that need to be addressed.

Check your car regularly so you have a good picture of its overall condition so you can catch problems quickly and save yourself some money on repairs. When you’re inspecting your car, you should check:

• Engine oil level
• Coolant level
• Windscreen washer fluid
• Lights
• Tyre pressure
• Auto transmission fluid (may not be possible on some newer models)
• Brake and clutch fluid
• Power steering fluid
• Battery

Regular Car Servicing

Your car should be serviced according to your car manufacturer’s recommendations, or every six months if you can’t find this information.

Maintenance is always cheaper than repairs, so if you want to save money in the long run, and keep your car safe and running in good condition, you should have your car regularly serviced.

Major servicing, engine tuning, and brake repairs are best left to qualified mechanical repairers like Frankston Gas & Automotive.

• Catching problems early can prevent expensive and serious damage
• Regularly serviced cars are more fuel efficient
• A well maintained car has better resale value

Cooling System

One of the most common questions we get about radiators is: “can’t I just use water? Do I really have to use the green stuff? “

The answer is yes, for lots of reasons. Modern engines are a lot more powerful, and a lot lighter, meaning they have a lot less metal to absorb the extra heat caused by that extra power. Radiators have also shrunk over the years, and are made of lighter, more delicate materials, mostly aluminium and plastic. This makes it very important to use the “green stuff” (corrosion inhibitor) and to maintain the correct chemical ratios in your radiator, so to minimise the risk of increased engine and component damage and wear and tear. Newer vehicles are very specific and colours vary from, red, pink and blue etc.

If you decide to have your car serviced at Frankston Gas & Automotive, you don’t have to worry about all of this complexity. Whenever we service your car, we chemically test your radiator’s contents, adjust inhibitor levels, and report when the complete clean and flush of the system is required.

If you’re unsure or have questions regarding your vehicle’s cooling system please don’t hesitate to contact one of our expert staff. We’re always happy to help!

Cooling system maintenance tips:

• Always wait for your radiator to completely cool down before you remove the radiator cap
• Always wait for the system to completely cool down, we can’t stress this enough!
• Never mix coolants; different brands use different chemicals that cause more problems when mixed
• Find out exactly what’s in your cooling system before adding to it
• Don’t just pour in the inhibitor (green stuff) and think it will be fine. Too much is just as harmful as not enough
• Do, whenever possible, use pre-mixed water and inhibitor made for your vehicle
• If you suspect a leak or the level is low add water and contact us for a inspection as soon as possible.

Quality Auto Transmission Services

Frankston Gas & Automotive’s team of auto transmission specialists service our valued customers in Frankston and the surrounding suburbs of Seaford, Chelsea, Carrum Patterson Lakes, Carrum Downs, Langwarrin, Mornington and Mt Eliza.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience in auto transmission diagnosis and repairs, you can rest easy knowing all of your servicing and repair needs will be thoroughly met. Regardless of the issue being major or minor, our expertise and turnaround time will get your car back on the road quickly, and keep it their longer!

Why you should service your auto transmission frequently

Do you ever think twice about changing your cars engine oil, filling it up with petrol, or washing it when it’s dirty? The same should apply for your transmission – if you look after your car, it will give you great performance for longer, and you’ll save a lot of money on repairs.

Service and repair check-ins will help prevent damage from happening in the first place, thus stopping the need for expensive repairs. The frequency of these services should be based on your driving habits. So, if you tow objects frequently, or drive your car daily in hilly areas, you should have your transmission serviced more frequently.

What does our transmission service include?

Our team starts out with a road test of your vehicle, and assess the performance of shift quality, kick down, and neutral start switch operation. Once this is done, we will drain the fluid, remove the transmission pan and inspect for any excess debris, clean up the pan and replace the filter, then fill with the transmission fluid according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Contact us for more information

If you want better car performance, and reduced repair costs, opt for regular auto service transmission. If you want the best service available, look no further than our expert car mechanics in Frankston. If you have any questions or want more information, get in touch with our friendly staff today!

Brake Repairs at Competitive Prices

Have you noticed your brakes aren’t working properly? Do you hear strange noises when you press down on the pedal, or notice grinding or vibration when you do?

If you need quality brake repairs in Frankston and the surrounding suburbs of Seaford, Chelsea, Carrum Patterson Lakes, Carrum Downs, Langwarrin, Mornington and Mt Eliza, then swing by Frankston Gas & Automotive. We are a dependable and experienced car mechanic in Frankston offering outstanding brake repair and service at a price that won’t hurt your wallet.

You should have your brakes inspected every 6 months to ensure ideal performance. We check your brakes as part of our general car service, and we have more than 30 years of experience in the industry and a wide range of knowledge in automotive repairs. So, you can rest assured your brakes will be fixed perfectly by our technicians.

You can rely on our expert mechanics for the servicing and replacing of:

• Brake pads
• Brake disc rotors
• Disc or drum machining
• Wheel cylinders
• Brake master cylinders
• Brake hoses
• Brake shoes
• Brake drums
• Steel brake lines
• Brake fluid
• Fluid leaks
• Calliper overhauls
• Mechanical operation
• Hydraulic operation
• Handbrake operation
• ABS (Anti-lock Brake Systems) and SRS repairs

Our brake specialists have the required expertise to make sure your brakes are in the best condition possible.

We supply and have access to a comprehensive range of premium quality brake spares from trusted brands to suit the braking system of all makes and models. Our cutting edge service centre is equipped with the latest diagnostic equipment and tools, to ensure you get fast and effective brake repairs that don’t compromise on quality.

Steering and Suspension

Faults and flaws in your steering and suspension affect handling and ride comfort, and your suspension is responsible for maximising the grip that your tyres exert on the road surface, so a poor suspension also increases your stopping distance.

Here at Frankston Gas & Automotive, our skilled technicians can perform the following services and repairs:

• Wheel alignments
• Wheel balancing
• Shock absorbers and springs
• Bushing replacement
• Lift kits and 4WD suspension upgrades
• Power steering repairs and replacement ( Pumps,Steering racks, hoses, etc )
• Linkage and control arm replacement
• Leaf spring resetting or upgrading
• Steering or chassis parts
• Ball joints
• CV joint/ driveshafts

Air Conditioning

Nothing ruins a summer drive faster than faulty air conditioning. Your air conditioning is unique in that it degrades more from disuse than from use, as the rubber tubing and seals that make up the AC’s circulatory system dry up and crack, allowing the refrigerant gas to leak out and rob your aircon of its cooling power.

Frankston Gas & Automotive can fully repair your air conditioning, starting by replacing faulty condensers and compressors, then swapping out cracked tubing and seals, and finally recharging your system with refrigerant once we’re certain it’s airtight.

Logbook Servicing

Whenever you purchase a new vehicle, the manufacturer provides you with a warranty that covers the cost of parts failure. This warranty is only valid, however, if you have your vehicle regularly serviced by a certified mechanic, who records and stamp these services in your vehicle’s logbook.

Here at Frankston Gas & Automotive, our mechanics are fully certified to provide logbook servicing for all:

• Petrol vehicles
• Diesel vehicles
• LPG vehicles
• Hybrid vehicles

Engine Repairs

The engine is the heart of the vehicle, and any issues with the engine are going to quickly render your vehicle immobile. If your check engine light has lit up, or the engine is making any unusual noises, don’t hesitate in bringing your vehicle into Frankston Gas & Automotive, where our expert mechanics can help you with:

• Engine Rebuilds
• Cylinder heads repairs
• Camshafts
• Timing belts
• EFI repairs and diagnostics
• Diagnostic scans
• Timing Chains
• Oil Pumps
• Gearbox repairs
• Clutch repairs and flywheel machining

Auto Electrical Services

As modern vehicles have increased in complexity, more and more functionality is being governed by the on-board auto electrical network. This network governs everything from playing music and monitoring fuel consumption to assisting with gear changes and braking, even monitoring your engine bay and putting the engine into limp mode to prevent lasting damage.

Frankston Gas & Automotive’s expert auto electricians can help you with:

• Alternators and starter motors
• Battery check and replacement
• Component check and replacement
• Diagnostic scans
• Audio installation
• Lighting upgrades
• Trailer brake controllers
• 2nd Battery setups
• Spot lights
• 4WD accessories
• Solar panels
• Anderson plugs

Other Services

• Exhaust repairs and replacement
• Exhaust modifications and upgrades
• Fleet services
• Trailer repairs
• Windscreen repairs and replacement
• Caravan repairs
• Caravan brakes and suspension
• Electrical and bearing repairs and servicing