Beans Talk

​Two Fred Beans CARSTAR locations - Boyertown and Mechanicsburg - have received the Pinnacle Performer Award from the Ford Certified Collision Network (FCCN). This prestigious recognition places them among the top 5% of collision repair facilities nationwide, based on rigorous on-site evaluations.

“Out of hundreds of collision centers across the U.S., only four CARSTAR locations earned this elite honor in 2025—and two are owned and operated by Fred Beans,” said Michael Coia, operations director of Fred Beans Automotive Group.

With the changing seasons, winter will be here before you know it. Whether you enjoy the cold weather and snowy season or you aren't looking forward to frigid temps and deep snow, you'll still need to prepare your vehicle before the winter arrives.

Are you looking for a service center to assist you with your yearly PA state inspection? If so, you'll need to find a Penn-DOT Inspection Station nearest you. Here at Fred Beans Automotive Group, we offer our Pennsylvania area drivers many PA State Inspection Stations at our Fred Beans service centers. These service centers are available all around Central, PA, Southeastern, PA, the Delaware Valley, and Philly Metro, with options for every brand, make, and model available.

Every vehicle requires routine maintenance to keep it running smoothly and efficiently. One of the most important routine maintenance services gasoline-powered vehicles need is an oil and filter change. Engine oil changes are essential to the upkeep of your car's engine and will need to be performed regularly to ensure proper vehicle maintenance.

When your EV needs service, you'll want to make sure that it's receiving the proper EV maintenance. As an electric vehicle, there are specific maintenance issues that need to be addressed, and other gasoline-powered maintenance services that aren't required. Here are just a few of the EV maintenance services you'll want to schedule often.

• Battery Maintenance – A EV's battery is key to accomplishing your daily Delaware Valley or Philly Metro drive. You'll want to have it inspected regularly and taken care of when needed.

Maintaining hybrid and electric vehicles is different than maintaining a gasoline only car. While the types of routine maintenance and repair items will be different, depending on which hybrid or EV you have, there are similar regular maintenance services that should be performed. These include:

• Fluid Checks, Flushes, and Replacements – All vehicles, no matter what their powertrain, have certain fluids that should be regularly inspected and replaced. These range from the brake fluid and coolant to windshield washer fluid and (if you have a hybrid) the oil.