Top 5 Maintenance Tips for Your Car

Posted on | 12 Nov 2018 By Anita Gaal

Automotive maintenance is not something that’s at the forefront of most people’s minds, often for understandable reasons. Either auto maintenance is too expensive, time-consuming, or inconvenient (or a combination of all three!). Though it seems like a hassle, if you stay on top of auto maintenance routines you’ll benefit greatly in the end. Here are some of the reasons why it’s important to stay on top of your vehicle’s maintenance:

• Increases your car’s reliability
• Extends your car’s longevity
• Retains your car’s value
• Enhances your car’s performance
• Increases and maintains your safety (as well as other’s on the road)
• Saves you money in expensive repair bills
• Reduces the number of times you’ll encounter performance problems

Those are just some of the more salient reasons for remaining diligent with your car’s specified maintenance schedule, which can be found in your owner’s manual. It is also especially important to make sure you find an automotive shop that specializes in the specific type of car you drive, so that you can ensure you receive the highest quality of care and replacement parts.

In this article, we’ll go over five basic areas of your car that should be maintained consistently. This list is nowhere near exhaustive or conclusive, so it’s important to collaborate with an automotive professional and stick to a strict maintenance routine.

1. Engine Oil Maintenance

Most drivers underestimate the importance of their engine oil, which can be a grave mistake. Engine oil is the most essential fluid for your car’s ongoing performance, reliability, and longevity. Here are a few things you should do routinely:

• Inspect the oil
• Flush and change the oil
• Replace the oil filter

2. Air Filter Replacements

Your car’s air filter is what “filters” the air from the outside. This means that it’s removing toxins, debris, contaminants, pollen, and dust from the air entering the engine, which can build up over time. When the air filter becomes clogged, it can take a serious toll on your engine health and performance, and will eventually lead to significant issues. It is usually recommended that the air filter be at least inspected each time you have your engine oil changed, making it an easy, one-stop-shop deal.

3. Brake Servicing

Needless to say, your brakes are one of the most important aspects of your vehicle to maintain consistently, as they play a huge part in your ongoing safety on the road. Brake systems vary depending on the type of car you drive, so it’s important to consult with a specialist near you. Here are some components that may need servicing as time passes:

• Brake rotors
• Brake wheel cylinders
• Brake drums
• Brake calipers
• Brake pads
• Brake lines
• Brake hoses

4. Tire Health Servicing

Your car’s tires are what see the most road contact, and this causes them to wear rather quickly. Here are just a few elements that will affect how your tires wear over time:

• The weather where you live
• Frequent driving conditions (like heavy traffic, gravel areas, road imperfections, or dirt roads)
• Driving habits, such as frequent, sudden braking, burning out, or taking turns quickly
• The time of year – in the summer the tire material expands and can wear quicker
• Quality of the suspension system – issues with suspension components can lead to uneven tire wear

It’s best to stay on top of routine maintenance tasks such as:

• Wheel balancing
• Wheel alignments
• Tire rotations
• Tire replacements
• Tire repair (when damaged)
• Maintaining the tire pressure to desired level (recommended by manufacturer in owner’s manual)

5. Cooling System Checks and Maintenance

Your car’s cooling system is essential to keeping the engine temperature at the appropriate level, despite the temperature outside. There are many different cooling system components, but the core features are most important:

• The radiator
• Radiator cooling fans
• Water pump
• Head gaskets
• Intake manifold gaskets
• Bypass system components
• Thermostat
• Cooling fluid (antifreeze)

How We Can Help You

The European import experts here at Euro Automotive provide ongoing, routine servicing and maintenance for a number of different vehicle brands, such as: Volvo, Volkswagen, Porsche, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, and Mercedes-Benz. Rated the #1 European car service shop in the areas of Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX, we take pride in our work. If you’d like some help staying on top of your car’s maintenance schedule, please get in touch with one of our automotive experts to schedule an appointment today.

Why to Replace Your Car’s Camshaft Seal

Posted on | 14 Feb 2018 By Anita Gaal

Your car’s engine is made up of different parts and materials, all of which can potentially become damaged or worn and eventually fail. The recommended service plan for your vehicle will likely differ from that of other cars; however, it’s most important that the service plan is adhered to, or that it’s altered based on your own unique circumstances. For instance, a driver who only uses their car to drive to and from work on a flat highway will likely need to attend to their car’s needs at a different pace than a driver who typically drives on rough terrain. Likewise, a driver who rides their car rough will need to replace items at a different pace than a driver who keeps their car parked in a garage and rarely drives it.

The camshaft seal is a small engine component that performs an important function and generally lasts a long time, so it’s something that drivers don’t typically concern themselves with on a regular basis. Camshaft seals are easy to overlook as the source of a problem if you’re not familiar with its purpose. Therefore, if you notice any concerning symptoms, it’s best to bring your car to a professional for examination. If your car recently was diagnosed with a faulty camshaft seal, here’s a little more information about the part and how to fix the issue.

What is a Camshaft Seal?

In any internal combustion engine camshaft controls the mechanical process that opens the valves that release air and fuel into the engine as it’s driving at different paces. Sounds pretty basic, right? Well, yes and no. Turns out, the camshaft plays a huge role in whether or not your car performs well. The camshaft seal sits between the cylinder head and the cover gasket for the valves. Since oil is free-flowing through your engine, there are oil-related symptoms associated with a damaged camshaft seal—we’ll talk about these in a moment. To a European luxury import owner, it can be devastating when a camshaft seal begins to fail.

How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms Associated with Failure

As previously mentioned, the symptoms associated with camshaft seal failure usually involve signs of an oil leak. If you notice any oil beneath your car, then you should have the issue checked out immediately. Oil leaks can be due to any number of issues or failing parts, so a differential diagnosis by a professional repair shop is critical. You might also notice smoke coming from your engine while driving. When engine oil touches any hot, metal part of your engine it will begin to smoke.

The Effects of a Damaged Camshaft Seal

Oil leaks are concerning because oil is the fluid that keeps your engine lubricated. When your engine can’t keep lubricated, other parts can become damaged and the oil itself can become contaminated with debris. Due to the positioning of the camshaft, oil leaks in this area are particularly damaging to your engine.

The Importance of Routine Inspections

One of the best ways to counteract potential camshaft failure is to schedule routine inspections as part of your ongoing vehicle care and maintenance. When you bring your car to your automotive specialist often, they can track your vehicle’s health and take care of issues before they become serious. Camshaft seal failure is difficult to detect ahead of time if no symptoms are present, so it’s important to choose an automotive shop that is especially thorough.

How We Can Help

The professionals here at Euro Automotive have serviced a wide range of vehicles from the nearby areas of: Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX. Our background and expertise is in a variety of European import vehicles, including: Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Volvo, Jaguar, BMW, and Mercedes. These cars require specialized attention and ongoing care to prevent issues from occurring, but they require specially-informed diagnostic technicians to anticipate and accurately locate the source of any issues that do arise. If you have noticed the signs of potential camshaft seal failure like smoke coming from your engine or an oil leak in your driveway, please contact our shop to schedule an appointment. We look forward to getting your car safely back on the road and performing its best.

Why Your Audi Needs Software Updates

Posted on | 11 Jan 2018 By Anita Gaal

The most recent Audi vehicles are tech-based and incredibly unique in comparison to other vehicles in the past. The capability that automobiles have these days goes beyond what we imagined in the past, short of hovercars, and the Audi brand is no exception. Since most cars, and most Audi models for that matter, rely heavily on technology to perform optimally, it is important that automotive technicians possess the proper knowledge and skill to handle procedures such as electronic diagnostics and software updates. Audi vehicles need software updates, just like other vehicles today, especially if you want to experience the true potential of your Audi vehicle. Here is some more information about software updates for your Audi and why regular software updates are important.

The Audi Privilege

Audis are high-performance, luxury, vehicles manufactured with high quality materials and products—this includes the most advanced technology and software. The Audi driving experience today would not be complete without the most high-functioning components possible. When software becomes outdated in your Audi, you are not only cheating yourself of the best driving experience possible, but you may also be at risk for lessened safety in your vehicle.

How to Know When to Update Software

Depending on the nature of the reason for a software update, the Audi manufacturer themselves may send out a notice to Audi clients. For instance, if your Audi’s control unit requires an update, then various engine functions may depend on that update to be installed in order to perform. It is common for software updates to address glitches in new technology in various electronic systems, which include some for convenience, but also some for safety too. While the manufacturer may alert you of the need for a software update, you may also want to consult with an Audi specialist shop for guidelines of when to service your Audi’s software.

Various Systems Affected by Software

While all Audi vehicles are mostly tech-based, there are specific systems that rely solely on software to function. With the most recent conveniences and safety features in Audi vehicles, drivers often pay for such features in the overall cost of the vehicle when they purchase it, or in their monthly payment for leases. These features are part of the benefit of owning a luxury vehicle like an Audi, and it is imperative to stay on top of the software updates it needs in order to sustain the quality of your driving experience. Here are a few of the systems that are affected by software:

Media/Partial Update: Some of the most recent technological developments in the automotive industry include: GPS, Bluetooth, and other multimedia services. Staying on top of software updates helps these functions to perform their best at all times. Since you’re paying for the latest and the greatest in your Audi, software updates can help protect your investment in your technological future. Stay current, and enjoy the perks.

Main Software Update: On the flipside, safety is one of the most important factors that customers look for when purchasing a new vehicle. Audis are known for their highly-efficient safety features, which can be greatly affected by glitches in software. Updating this software can mean the difference between various safety functions performing during an emergency or not—it’s best to err on the side of caution with this one and contact a local professional to see if your Audi requires an update or not.

How We Can Help

The expert staff at Euro Automotive proudly services all Audi models. We specialize our automotive skill and knowledge to focus on European imports such as Audi, because we admire the high-quality of such brands—they only illuminate our passion for the automotive industry and leave us wanting to learn more about the evolving technological side of auto engineering and design. Serving areas nearby Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX, we have a wide client base who we value above all else, and who have trusted us for years with their Audi. Our certified, highly-trained technicians focus on accurately diagnosing Audi technological issues, and address them with the proper skills and precision, which often includes software updates. If you are unsure of whether your Audi needs a software update, contact our shop—we will help guide you through the process and address any issues that you’re concerned with.

2017 Audi Q5 image credit goes to: zavatskiy.

How You Can Maintain the Brake System in BMW

Posted on | 27 Dec 2017 By Anita Gaal

BMWs are quality vehicles that offer drivers security and stability; however, the maintained quality of a BMW is highly dependent upon how well we take care of them. Routine maintenance is critical in order to extend the life of your vehicle, but it is also important for safety reasons. For instance, your BMW’s brakes won’t last forever, and will certainly need to be replaced or serviced every now and then. Of course, the rate at which your brakes wear out is also heavily impacted by the overall quality of parts you use to maintain them. Furthermore, driving habits can greatly affect the condition of your brakes—and believe us, we know how easy it is to drive like a race car driver when behind the wheel of a BMW. Here are some tips on how you can best maintain the brake system in your BMW.

Be Good to Your Brakes

Treating your BMW’s brakes well falls under a wide range of categories of care. What we mean by “be good to your brakes” is that it’s especially important to become aware of your driving habits. Driving fast in a BMW seems to come naturally; however, when you drive fast you often have to brake fast—especially if you live in a populated city with many traffic lights. Refrain from standing on the gas pedal until you’re out of the danger zones in which you may have to brake quickly. Disregarding your driving habits can erode your brakes a lot quicker than under normal conditions.

Replace Brake Pads

There are several parts of your BMW’s brake system that may need service or repair if you don’t take good care of your brake pads. Unfortunately, brake pads do wear out eventually, and its important to replace them with good quality brake pads in order to reduce the amount of time between replacements. Be sure to check with your BMW automotive specialist on what the best type of brake pads are for your particular vehicle—choosing the right brake pads can save you expensive trips to the mechanic.

Keep Brake Fluid Full and Clean

BMWs have advanced systems that can tell you when problems are arising, but it’s best to stay one step ahead at all times to avoid costly visits to the automotive shop. Be proactive about your brake fluid as often as possible. Checking your brake fluid’s level and clarity can preemptively stop internal corrosion and/or brake failure. In other words, your brake fluid is essential to the overall health of your brakes, but it’s also important in order to ensure your safety and that of your passengers.

Remain Aware of Symptoms and Troubling Noises

Once there are noticeable symptoms associated with deterioration or failure of your BMW’s brake system, it has gone past the point of preventive care and turned into a damage control situation. Screeching or grinding sounds are concerning when it comes to your brake health; it typically means that repair work is in the near future for your BMW. Staying on top of routine inspections is the best way to prevent brake issues. Brake inspections are easiest to perform when the tires on your vehicle are off—so, you might want to ask that your brakes are inspected every time you have a tire rotation. However, you can check the brake fluid year-round, as this is one important way to prevent damage and troubling symptoms from occurring. Consult with your BMW automotive specialist on how to best care for your brakes in such a way that will be convenient for you.

How We Can Help

Here at Euro Automotive, we specialize in luxury European repair and maintenance services for BMW owners in the areas of Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, Texas. Our certified and highly skilled technicians focus on preventive care and maintenance in order to save our clients money on costly repairs, whereas many other shops and dealerships tend to ignore preventive care all together and make their money off of the more expensive repair work. We believe that fundamental automotive knowledge can help our clients best care for their vehicles and save money in the process, so it is our mission to help our clients understand the basics. If your BMW is in need of brake service or repair, or you have any other automotive concerns, contact us directly—we look forward to helping your BMW get back to its old self again.

Featured image credit goes to: kurmyshov.

Maintenance That Increases Your Car’s Worth

Posted on | 13 Dec 2017 By Anita Gaal

Cars aren’t great investments—or so we’re told. Of course, if you own a vehicle, chances are that it’s not going to be worth the same amount as it was when you first purchased it, and this is simply the nature of the automotive industry. Similar to cell phones, automotive technology is continually advancing daily, and what was once the most up-to-date model can quickly become outdated. Decreasing car value is typical for most cars, so the question now becomes: what can we do to increase our cars’ worth? Here are some helpful automotive tips that can greatly improve the rate at which your car’s value decreases:

Engine Maintenance and Repair

Undoubtedly the most important part of your vehicle, the engine is the heart of all of your car’s functioning. Routine maintenance such as oil changes and fluid flushes are critical for your engine’s health and can greatly reduce the chances of parts failing. Unfortunately, engine damage can still occur due to other issues such as accidents and a given drivers’ typical driving habits. If engine damage does occur, it is imperative to have the engine repaired immediately and appropriately.

Regular Tune-ups

Highly overlooked by vehicle owners, regular tune-ups are a great way to involve your automotive specialist in the ongoing, overall health of your vehicle. Tune-ups are an opportunity for automotive professionals to intervene in potentially problematic issues before they become costly and spread to other areas that will require expensive repair. Regular tune-ups may involve different procedures at different shops, and will vary even further depending on the type of vehicle you drive, so it’s important to contact your local, trusted automotive shop for more details about the services that are included in their typical “tune-up” process.

Tire Rotations and Wheel Alignments

Now, you may be thinking: “wait a minute, I thought that tires don’t bear any weight in the value of a vehicle…” While tires are usually held separately from a vehicle’s value, the condition of the tires and the alignment of the wheels play a large role in the functioning of other aspects of your car. For instance, the suspension is directly connected to the wheels, and if a tire becomes damaged or goes flat, it can damage your suspension parts. When you take good care of your tires by having them rotated, and inspect them regularly for irregular wear patterns to assess the condition of the wheel alignment, you can preserve the integrity of other parts of the vehicle.

Body and Interior Work

Ask yourself: what is the first thing you notice about a car when you see it? The answer is probably the same for everyone—the paint. The exterior of a car maintains the re-sale value greatly because curb appeal is important to us all. If your car has suffered dents and scratches, you can have them repaired and re-finished in order to preserve the paint job. Now, a second question: what aspect of a vehicle contributes to your comfort and convenience the most? The answer is: the interior. Leather and fabric seats are comfortable, but when they are ripped and torn or damaged, it can greatly deter buyers from investing. It’s important to repair scratches and gouges quickly, before they become out of hand. Routine polishing and vacuuming as well as car washes and waxes are a great way to keep your car’s value competitive.

How We Can Help

The professionals here at Euro Automotive are trained and certified technicians for European-engineered vehicles such as Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, and BMW. In the areas of Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, Texas, we have seen and serviced vehicles in every imaginable condition, and we pride ourselves greatly on our ability to improve the value of our clients’ vehicles in just a single visit. Offering prices that are up to 25% lower than the nearby dealerships, with expertise that is unrivaled, we always aim to save our clients money on current services in addition to putting money in your pocket with increased car value. We would be honored to be given the responsibility of caring for your vehicle with ongoing engine maintenance, repair, and regular tune-ups. For more information on how we can extend the life of your vehicle and increase its overall value, contact us to schedule a consultation or to speak with a friendly professional over the phone. You can also email us with any questions you have. We look forward to hearing from you!

Secrets to Help Your BMW Demand Less Maintenance

Posted on | 29 Nov 2017 By Anita Gaal

BMWs are designed and engineered to outperform nearly all other luxury vehicles on the market. Each year, drivers rate BMWs the highest out of many other options available; however, any vehicle, including BMWs, only perform at their best when the driver or owner follows routine maintenance procedures. Even cars with reputations like BMWs can break down and begin to fail on us. While it is impossible to avoid automotive care, there are certain things you can do as a BMW owner to cut down on repair costs and help your car demand less maintenance over the course of its lifetime. Here are some secrets that will help extend the life of your BMW and lessen the overall amount of maintenance expenses over time.

Follow the Scheduled Maintenance Plan

Every vehicle manufacturer creates a specified maintenance plan for each model. Every brand is different, but furthermore, so is every model within a brand. For instance, the BMW 7 Series will need a different schedule of maintenance than the 3 Series. Following the scheduled maintenance plan for your specific BMW is the best way to organize your expectations in terms of cost and time management over the course of your BMWs lifetime. The maintenance plan set forth by the manufacturer is designed to help your BMW perform optimally—when you don’t follow this plan, parts and services can become neglected, leading to costly repairs and higher need for maintenance.

Don’t Wait to Have Troubling Symptoms Checked Out

The longer a problem continues, the more likely your car is to experience further damage, and therefore a higher repair bill. Your BMW is an intricate system of many different subsystems and parts that all work together to function at their best. When you notice a sign or a symptom that something isn’t working quite right, you should bring your BMW in to the nearest, most trusted BMW specialist. Troubling symptoms that continue or get worse should be thoroughly inspected before the problem spreads to other systems and areas of the vehicle. The longer you wait, the more likely that you’ll wind up paying a fortune in various repair costs.

Regular Oil Changes

Many drivers underestimate the importance of routine oil changes. You can find the recommended schedule for oil changes in your vehicle’s owner’s manual. Generally oil changes should be performed once every 3 months or 3,000 miles; however, this is based on an average of the typical drivers’ conditions and habits. You can speak with your BMW specialist to see if you can cut down on oil changes, but they should never be eliminated or forgone. Oil changes help keep your engine’s oil clean and running smoothly, lubricating vital parts of your engine. If your oil becomes dirty, it can become defective. Oil filters should also be changed often.

Find Professionals Who Specialize in BMWs

There are many misconceptions about the automotive industry. One of them is regarding who you must bring your vehicle to for inspections, services, repairs, and maintenance work. Bringing your BMW to any average mechanic who does not have specific knowledge and training background in German-engineering can be detrimental to your wallet and to your car’s life expectancy. Another misconception is that you must bring your BMW to the BMW dealership for servicing. Dealerships often overcharge their clients because of this common misconception, but it is important to know that most BMW dealerships do not hire technicians with any specific training in BMW repair.

Our Approach to BMW Care

Euro Automotive specialists, serving Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, Texas, are specifically trained and skilled in working with BMWs and other German-engineered cars. We take pride in our philosophy on educating and informing our clients about basic automotive knowledge so that they can get a better picture of the work we do, as well as care for their vehicles appropriately. Furthermore, we offer up to 25% lower pricing than dealerships nearby so that the same services can be performed on clients’ BMWs at a more affordable price. If you would like more information about the services we provide or would like to schedule an appointment to have your BMW inspected or diagnosed, contact us today—we look forward to helping more people save money and extend their vehicle’s longevity.

Featured image credit goes to: joephotographer.

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.

After Summer Maintenance Checklist for Your Audi

Posted on | 16 Sep 2017 By Anita Gaal

If you are the privileged owner of an Audi, then you know how important ongoing vehicle maintenance is. Vehicles such as Audi, BMW, Porsche, and other European imports require consistent care in order to enjoy the high-performance benefits that these cars offer their drivers. This is especially true with season changes, particularly before and after the summer months where temperatures can reach triple digits quite easily. In Arlington, Fort Worth, Garland, Dallas, TX and the surrounding areas, reliable transportation is essential to everyday life, and the condensed traffic conditions can take a toll on our vehicles. Your Audi is likely in need of an after-summer maintenance visit, and it is helpful to know what that generally entails so you can know what to expect. In transitioning from summer to fall, the temperature change is noticeable as well as the potential for rain and harsh weather conditions; it is important to get your Audi ready for the upcoming season, and to replenish its exhausted resources before it costs you more money in repairs than anticipated. Here is a short, non-inclusive after-summer maintenance checklist for your Audi:

Engine cooling system

All summer long you have enjoyed your air conditioned Audi, and hopefully haven’t experienced any breakdowns in the cooling system. Your car has two main cooling systems that you should be concerned with after summer: the cooling system for the engine and the AC system for the interior cabin of your vehicle. The engine’s cooling system is complex, made up of hoses, tubes, pumps, the radiator, and of course many other intricate components; in other words, there are a lot of opportunities for things to go wrong or wear out. Having your cooling system inspected after summer is generally a good idea; it has likely worked really hard over the summer to keep your engine running at the proper temperature.

Air conditioner

The AC unit is another story—if you notice that the air blowing out of the vents isn’t as cool as it usually is, you may already have an issue on your hands. Before your compressor, or other components, wear out, preventive AC care is critical. You may need to change air filters, belts, hoses, and inspect or top off radiator fluids and refrigerants to restore your cooling systems after an exhausting summer.

Tires

Another key procedure for after-summer Audi care is to have a thorough inspection performed on your tires. Keeping an eye out for uneven wear patterns will help you gauge any other potential issues that are related to your tire health. Your Audi may need a wheel alignment, or a tire rotation at the very least to keep your tires in optimal condition. Furthermore, it is especially important to keep the pressure in your tires filled to the proper level—this can affect gas mileage among other things.

Windshield wipers

Lastly, and perhaps most simply, you should check your windshield wipers for efficiency after the summer months; they have likely gone a long time without use, allowing them to dry and crack, rendering them ineffective for rainy weather conditions. By simply keeping your windshield wipers new and in working condition, you could prevent a dangerous situation from occurring. Along the same lines, make sure your defrosters are in good condition as well.

Maintain it at specialized Audi service shop

If you are concerned about your Audi’s condition after a brutal summer, stop by Euro Automotive; serving Arlington, Garland, Dallas, Fort Worth and the nearby areas in Texas, we specialize in luxury European repair services as an affordable alternative to expensive dealerships. We value our customers’ driving experience, and we don’t think that quality should depend upon the affordability of car maintenance and repair, no matter what type of high-performance vehicle you drive. European imports like BMW, Porsche, Jaguar, Mercedes, and of course, Audi, are our area of expertise, and we outshine the dealerships on all fronts. We offer a 90-day guarantee on all labor, and a one-year guarantee on parts installed, making it easy for even the most luxurious vehicles to be serviced at an affordable rate. Furthermore, our certified technicians are honest, respectable, and make it their mission to perform every task to their fullest—we may offer lower prices, but we don’t skimp on quality work. Contact us for a consultation, or for an after-summer tune-up for your Audi.

Audi at service center image credit goes to: tomeng

Car Pulls in One Direction? 3 Things You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted on | 12 Aug 2017 By Anita Gaal

In Dallas, Garland, Arlington, and Fort Worth, TX, areas the need for reliable transportation is apparent in our daily lives. The first signs of car trouble can be daunting, making it awfully appealing to simply ignore them or try to forget they exist. Staying on top of maintenance schedules and paying for repairs can become costly and time consuming; however, when things go wrong with your car it can only increase the need for maintenance and repairs, costing you more money in the long run when you don’t partake in preventive maintenance for your vehicle. One of the most common symptoms of inadequate maintenance is uneven wheel alignment. Off-center alignment can also be due to an impact or as the result of an issue with the suspension. More importantly, wheel alignment affects the other parts of your vehicle like tire wear and gas mileage. If you are having issues with the alignment, there are several signs that you should not ignore. Here are 3 of the most apparent symptoms of poor wheel alignment that should never go overlooked:

It can be fixed with a wheel alignment

If you notice that your steering wheel is noticeably pulling oddly in one direction, you may have issues with the alignment. It is important to test this out on a flat, open road; streets generally are not flat or straight inherently, but they are cambered and rounded so that water can run off the sides into drains and keep from pooling in the middle of the streets. It may be normal for your car to slightly pull in one direction, depending on the road—so make sure you pay attention to how noticeable the wheel pull is and in what conditions it is most apparent. This can usually be fixed with a wheel alignment, unless there are other issues with the suspension.

Off-center steering wheel

Another symptom of failing alignment is an off-center steering wheel. As previously mentioned, most streets are not perfectly level; you should take this into account when examining the centeredness of your steering wheel. Ideally, when the car is parked the symbol in the middle of the steering wheel should be mostly even and level. If you notice that the steering wheel is not returning to center after a turn, or one hand seems slightly higher on one side even though they’re in the same position on both sides of the wheel, then you should bring your car in to a trusted automotive shop for an inspection—it might be time for an alignment.

Uneven wear in tires

Lastly, but certainly not least, if your car is in need of an alignment you may notice uneven wear in your tires. The tires on your car say a lot about where you have been, but mostly about what is going on with your car. Uneven tire wear is troubling for a number of reasons, and can point toward any combination of issues. For instance, the issue could be related to inadequate tire pressure or suspension impairment. However, if the uneven wear is due to alignment issues, you may notice specific wear patterns on the outer or inner rim of the tire—this usually indicates that the tires are being worn oddly because the wheels are not aligned properly. Unfortunately, wheel alignment has a chain effect on the other parts of our car—when tires become affected by poor alignment, it can wind up costing you exceedingly higher amounts in tire replacements and repair bills.

Take help from a trustworthy mechanic

Preventive maintenance is critical for the everyday driver; keeping your car at its best performance level will help you to not only enjoy your car more, but it will put your mind at ease. When your car is kept in good condition, you can feel comfortable relying on it. If you have concerns about your alignment or tire wear patterns, stop by Euro Automotive; their reputation in the areas of Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Garland Texas is outstanding for their excellent customer service and automotive expertise. They specialize in European import vehicles such as BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche, making their knowledge and skill set at the highest standards possible in automotive communities. Check out their website, or stop by their facility to meet their friendly staff and schedule an appointment.

BMW Maintenance Tips for Safe Traveling

Posted on | 31 May 2017 By Anita Gaal

Owning a luxury car usually comes at a cost—and we don’t mean just money. Time and effort must be put into your car if you are to invest in such a purchase, and respecting the integrity of the vehicle you choose is of the utmost importance if you hope the car will live for any extended period of time. German engineering in particular is known for it’s incredible performance and impeccable designs; and BMWs are no exception. When you own a BMW, it is likely that you know how magnificent these machines can be. With the proper maintenance, BMWs can out-perform most vehicles on the road. Respecting the engineering and design that BMWs entail is part of the benefit of owning one, especially because they so rarely encounter issues. There are general maintenance suggestions that one should follow with any car, but especially with BMWs because they are particularly deserving of proper care. BMWs are rated as one of the safest vehicles out there, and this is partly due to the customer following that invests in them. If you own a BMW, or any other German vehicle such as a Mini, or a Volkswagen, here are some maintenance tips for safe traveling.

Scheduled service & maintenance is the key

Your BMW comes with a service and maintenance schedule that should be followed routinely, but there are general procedures that you should be sure to stay on top of regularly. Especially for safety purposes, there are numerous ways you can be sure to stay safely on the road, and not on the side of it. Firstly, before you take your BMW on any lengthy drive you should bring it to your favorite, trusted auto mechanic for a lookover. They can top off any of your fluids that you may be lower on such as motor oil, windshield wiper fluid, radiator fluid, and brake fluid. These are all critical to be sure are full and clean before you embark on any trip, and are generally important for daily usage of your vehicle. Keeping fluids full and clean (with the exception of windshield fluid) is critical to keep your car running smoothly and without any hiccups. For instance, if your brake fluid is low, it can cause severe issues if you are driving in an area with a lot of declines—in these areas in particular you use your brakes more often and for longer periods of time.

Be vigilant to tire pressure and wear

Another important BMW safety tip is to be vigilant of your tire pressure and wear. You can do this by checking the pressure with a pressure gauge regularly. The desired pressure level for your particular vehicle can be found either in the owner’s manual or on the inside of the driver’s side door. Be careful not to overfill your tires, because this can cause distortion and bubbling rendering your tire unusable and unsafe to drive on. If you are not familiar with how to fill your tire with air or don’t trust yourself to do it properly, then do not hesitate to bring it to a professional—they can also inspect your tires while you are there. However, if you want to check your tire wear yourself, the most important thing to look for is evenness amongst all four of the tires. If you notice any areas that are particularly worn on any one tire, then it might be time for an inspection. Tires can tell you a lot about your BMW and indicate any issues there might be.

Look for a qualified mechanic

Before you bring your BMW to any auto mechanic, it is imperative that you think about their qualifications and credentials. General automotive shops may do an adequate job on repairs and maintenance, however, if you are serious about the health of your BMW and want to preserve the integrity of the engineering, then you should consider going to a European automotive specialist; they are especially well-versed in German engineering and will be more thorough than any average mechanic shop. Furthermore, they are skilled in performing repairs on these vehicles because they have the proper training to do so. Having regular maintenance performed on your BMW is essential to keeping your car running for many decades to come, and will allow you to forever enjoy your beloved Bimmer.