Tips to Maintain Your Audi Suspension

Posted on | 18 Oct 2017 By Anita Gaal

Audi’s are known for their luxury and high-level performance. But like every vehicle, they also run into issues now and then. There are things you can do to help maintain your Audi, and the first step is finding a trusted, specialty automotive repair shop that best suits your needs. The right automotive shop will help inform you on the best ways to keep your Audi performing at its best, and they should have specialized knowledge about Audi models in order to properly and accurately diagnose and address areas of concern. One of the most typical problem areas for Audi drivers is the suspension. The suspension includes: shocks, struts, springs, control arms, and ball joints, just to name a few of the vital components. These parts can become worn and begin to malfunction or even fail if the problem goes unaddressed for a period of time. You may notice suspension issues in your Audi originating in wheel alignment or shock absorption, and every locale will require a different method of attack. Here are a few things you can do to prevent disasters and maintain your Audi’s suspension:

Quality is Key

As time goes by, it is normal for parts of your suspension to wear out and be in need of maintenance or repair. If you do encounter such issues, you should make sure that your automotive specialist uses the highest quality products, materials, and equipment to perform repairs or replacements. Using high quality products when replacing suspension parts is critical, and your replacement parts should match the high-end quality of your Audi itself. In order to maintain your Audi’s performance, suspension parts should be manufacturer-recommended and meet the standards of Audi engineering. If you are unsure when you will likely need to replace suspension parts, you should refer to your owner’s manual for more clarification; however, this does not take into account your driving style or habits. Keep in mind that the harder you are on your Audi, the sooner and more frequently you’ll need automotive work performed.

Keep Your Eyes on the Road

The manner in which we drive will heavily determine how quickly suspension parts wear out. Driving over road imperfections at high speeds will increase the likelihood of repair needs, and you should be sure to avoid road hazards, such as potholes and divots, at all costs. Be aware of your surroundings to avoid driving over curbs accidentally, or flying over speedbumps that you don’t see beforehand. The more conscious you are of the road conditions, the better your chances of maintaining your suspension for a longer period of time. Audi’s are built strong and tough, but like any other vehicle they are susceptible to damage when we don’t remain conscious of our driving habits.

Have Regular Alignments

If you do experience road imperfections in your Audi at high speeds, you should be sure to bring your vehicle in for an inspection soon after. When you accidently hit a curb or drive over a deep pothole in the road, it can lead to wheel misalignment. This is a relatively easy issue to fix, assuming that’s all the damage that was caused. Wheel alignments are generally inexpensive and a part of your vehicle’s routine maintenance schedule that is recommended by the manufacturer. Most wheel alignments that go smoothly don’t take very long to complete, and it is generally a same-day service that can be performed by any Audi automotive expert. Wheel misalignment is easy to diagnose, and longer term misalignment will have an effect on your tires, so it is critical to have such issues addressed immediately.

Our Approach to Audi Maintenance

Euro Automotive is the leading dealership alternative, serving the areas of Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX. We offer up to 25% off of dealership prices for the same expertise, skill, qualifications, and efficiency that you would find at the Audi dealership. Specializing in luxury European repair services, we take pride in our extensive knowledge about German-engineered vehicles such as Audi. We take automotive care one step further than most shops in our area—we prefer to help our clients better understand their role in vehicle maintenance at the most basic level. If you would like us to take a look at your Audi’s suspension to perform repairs, upgrades, or basic maintenance tasks like wheel alignment, contact us today. We look forward to earning your trust and loyalty.

When Your Car Needs a Software Update

Posted on | 4 Oct 2017 By Anita Gaal

The ever-advancing world of technology has afforded us luxuries that were unforeseen just decades ago. Now we can have built-in navigation systems in our cars, televisions installed, Bluetooth with voice-operated technology, and other benefits of the IT era that have kept the automotive industry on its toes in new engineering and innovative designs that integrate such advances into the driving experience. This is only the beginning of the technological side of automotive integration, and consequently it is important to know how and when your car needs an update. Just like our computers on our desktops, our phones, tablets, and other technological devices need software updates, so do the computers in our cars. Luxury, high-performance vehicles in particular rely on software updates because they employ some of the most high-tech features and integrations out of all the vehicles on the market. Whether you own an Audi, BMW, Porsche, or Volkswagen, it won’t run optimally without continuous software updates. In Dallas, Garland, Arlington, Fort Worth, TX and the surrounding areas it is essential to have a reliable, efficient mode of transportation—don’t let your vehicle get stuck in the technological past.

In case of performance degradation

Usually software updates address specific issues which drivers encounter over the course of the driving experience. It is also common for auto technicians and dealerships to relay difficulties to manufacturers, which are generally taken seriously by most vehicle brands. Sometimes these software updates target problems that affect the drivability and performance of the vehicle such as safety updates, while other times the updates entail fixes to more trivial issues such as radio function and climate control. Generally drivers are notified that a software update is available for their vehicle under the circumstances of a mass recall, but not always. As time goes on, a driver’s decision to update software becomes more relevant, making it much like updating your phone or computer.

Sometimes software updates can be costly in labor, and manufacturers will typically cover the cost if the update is related to a manufacturer-induced recall. However, the cost of software updates is sometimes not included under manufacturer warranty, giving them an out of having to pay for even necessary updates. It can be a scary feeling to be unsure of the safety of yourself and your passengers in your vehicle, so it’s always best to check with the manufacturer regarding the rights you have as a consumer of their product and their policies on software updating.

Availability of newer versions

Additionally, just like the computer on your desktop or the phone in your hand, there is now a serious potential for your system to be compromised. Hackers too have evolved with automotive technology, particularly in ways that permit your vehicle’s security to be disabled temporarily, with enough opportunity to steal the belongings in your car, or even the car itself. Newer technology in the automotive industry is focusing on fixing these issues, and you will want to stay tuned for newer software updates that address the security of your vehicle. In the meantime, it is essential to find an trained automotive specialist who can address your specific vehicle’s software needs, and they should have in-depth training in the most current automotive technology trends.

Fix your software issues at ‘Euro Automotive’

If you live in Dallas, Garland, Arlington, Fort Worth, TX or a nearby area, the experts here at Euro Automotive can help you with all of your vehicle software needs. They are used to communicating with manufacturers directly, eliminating the need to involve expensive dealerships. Specializing in European imports like Audi, Porsche, Mercedes, and BMW, Euro Automotive technicians have an extensive background in diagnosing the most up-to-date and current technological issues related to the high-end market and offer cost-effective solutions that won’t drain your wallet. We believe that owning a high-performance vehicle should not limit our clients to what they can afford repair and maintenance-wise; in addition to offering a 90-day guarantee on all labor performed, we also extend that guarantee for 12 months on all parts installed. If you are unsure of whether or not your vehicle needs its software updated, contact Euro Automotive for answers—it is our pleasure to restore your vehicle’s performance to its optimal level; we value our customers, their safety, and their driving experience.