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Posts Tagged ‘Audi’

Car Care Tops List of Holiday Preparations

Tuesday, November 16th, 2010

As Americans get ready for the holidays, car care tops the list of pre-holiday preparations, according to survey conducted by the Car Care Council.

Both men and women say they are more likely to make sure the car taking them to their holiday destinations is prepared for the trip than they are to iron tablecloths or polish silver.

With millions of people planning to travel by motor vehicle this holiday season, it is important to make sure your cars are well maintained to ensure vehicle safety and dependability as well as to avoid costly repairs.

The Car Care Council recommends the following tasks be performed by your professional auto technician:

Check the coolant (antifreeze); coolant should be flushed and refilled every two years in most vehicles.
Check the owner’s manual to see if your driving habits are considered “severe”, and if so, have the oil changed accordingly, usually every 3,000 miles.
Be certain the heater and defroster are working properly.
Check the battery and exhaust system.
Be certain the heater and defroster are working properly.
Keeps the gas tank at least half full, decreasing the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.
Check tire tread depth and tread pressure.
Check to see that your lights are working and properly aimed.
Replace wiper blades every six months.
Be prepared for an emergency with the following items in your trunk: ice scraper, windshield de-icer, flashlight, blanket, snacks, and bottled water.

Call Autoscope today and schedule your holiday preparation maintenance for your Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini Copper, Porsche, VW or Volvo.

Is a Radiator Flush a Good Idea this Fall Season?

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

There are two situations when you should definitely change your anti freeze liquid coolant in the fall pre-winter inspection. The first is if you have not changed or replaced your coolant in the last two years. The second is if your car is losing water or running in an overheated stage or overheating easily. When you are continually adding water to your cooling system, you are more than likely significantly lowered the level of the coolant in the radiator engine block cooling system to less than half of the mixture. When temperatures drop, you run the risk of the coolant freezing causing major damage to the engine block. You may not think this is an issue in Texas, but remember last year was a cold one!

If you are not adding water or experiencing any overheating issues and you have drained or replaced your ethylene glycol antifreeze in the past two years, you are still in need of an inspection of your radiator and coolant fluids. After performing this inspection, you will know if your vehicle is ready for the cold winter months approaching.

Call AutoScope and schedule your radiator flush before the cold winter months are here!

B8 Audi S4 KW Coilover Spring Repair

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

We recently had a B8 Audi S4 in the shop that had a set of KW variant 2’s. During our inspection of the vehicle we discovered that the spring application was incorrect for the vehicle, as well as the coilover setup. Unfortunately the client was sold a kit that would not fit the vehicle; according to KW the springs and valving are different from the kit that is for the 2004-2008 Audi S4. Once we corrected the spring and perches that were damaged, the car was ready to be driven without causing any damage to vehicle.

As a word of caution, please always have an authorized shop do your purchase and install of kits to ensure you avoid potential damage to the vehicle.

Fuelish Ways

Thursday, September 2nd, 2010

“You are what you eat.”

We have all heard this statement throughout our lives and not only does it hold true for people, it applies to your automobiles too. One question I am asked frequently by our clients is, “which brand of fuel should I use?” “My car says it requires premium fuel, does it really need this?”

Filling your tank can be a confusing choice, there are a myriad of different fuel additives advertised, multiple providers on every street corner and then they all have reasons why they are better than the guy across the street.

Lower quality fuels produce lower quality drivability and affect many of your vehicle’s internal engine components. With today’s extremely complex engine monitoring systems and internal functions that rival anything NASA would build, a light amount of carbon build up from less than optimal fuel can lead to increased engine detonation, lack of power, hesitation, rough idle and extremely costly engine damage. These can be easily avoided by using Top Tier branded gasoline.

This article from www.TopTierGas.com sums it up nicely:

Top Tier Detergent Gasoline

TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline is the premier standard for gasoline performance. Six of the world’s top automakers, BMW, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Audi recognize that the current EPA minimum detergent requirements do not go far enough to ensure optimal engine performance.

Since the minimum additive performance standards were first established by EPA in 1995, most gasoline marketers have actually reduced the concentration level of detergent additive in their gasoline by up to 50%. As a result, the ability of a vehicle to maintain stringent Tier 2 emission standards have been hampered, leading to engine deposits which can have a big impact on in-use emissions and driver satisfaction.

These automakers have raised the bar. TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline help drivers avoid lower quality gasoline which can leave deposits on critical engine parts, which reduces engine performance. That’s something both drivers and automakers want to avoid.

Going Green with Envy

Using these higher quality fuels not only keep your car in optimal driving condition, but they are better for the environment too. A finely tuned, well running engine burns clean and keeps emissions to a minimum, and that is something we are all affected by. One of the greatest feelings is a well running car. When your car is driving well, it translates back to the driver and becomes much more enjoyable. A mundane commute can become a nice little self indulgent driving experience.

Clean up!

If you are experiencing any of the negatives to not using Top Tier gasoline, fortunately there are many cures. One of the best is a full fuel system flush and engine tune up. To learn more about Top Tier fuels and many other services, we invite you to contact us at any of our three DFW metroplex facilities to learn more.

Transmission Servicing

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010

For most of us, driving is easy and muscle memory. You start the car, put it in drive and off we go to conquer the world. One of the key things that keeps our car going so we can put it into drive is our transmission. We routinely change our brake pads, brake fluid and fill up the car with gas, but have you ever checked to see when you should get a transmission flush? Your vehicles service manual will tell you the suggested intervals to have the transmission serviced and this is vitally important to keeping your car going smoothly on the road. Transmission fluid lubricates the transmission so you can shift as you are flying down the tollway or just get out of your driveway. This fluid has some pretty awesome properties; it will flow through the transmission whether it’s in the negatives or over 100 degrees outside. (We are all familiar with the latter, too). If the fluid is too old, it will lose some of its properties and could turn to varnish or sludge in the transmission which leads to serious problems. If your transmission has sludge or varnish, just like you engine, it will not be able to smoothly transition between gears, the transmission could start slipping which causes temperatures to rise, and eventually the transmission can fail all together. We can keep this from happening by following our service manuals and getting our transmissions flushed at the appropriate intervals. Stop by your closest Autoscope for a transmission service!

Windshield Wiper Maintenance

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Living in Texas, we all know a lot about the heat. We know that our air conditioning raises electric bills, we know we and our plants need more water, we know that a sunny day can be a mixed blessing. However, what not everyone knows is that the heat of this time of year can cause some serious damage to our wind shield wipers. With the random rain storms that come with this time of year, we need to check on our wipers to ensure our safety, along with everyone we are sharing the road with.

There are a few things that cause our wiper blades to deteriorate.

Heat. On a nice summer day the temperature on your windshield could reach over 145 degrees F. This slowly roasts the rubber of the wiper blade and causes them to crack. Cracks are what causes streaks and “chattering” to occur.

Ozone. The ozone in the atmosphere, which is highly concentrated in high traffic areas, oxidizes the rubber and leads to cracking.
Cold. Lest we forget, summer will come to an end and then we will be hit with cold temperatures. The cold air hardens the rubber and allows water to seep under it which causes smearing.

Windshield wipers were first patented in 1905 by Mary Anderson, since then there has been only one change. In the past 10 years, a new wiper has come out, the flat bladed wiper. These wipers are held down with uniform pressure compared to previous wipers which only had pressure points. These new blades are also more streamlined and smaller than their predecessors. And if your car didn’t come with these great new wiper blades, don’t worry! Most now have adapters to fit them on any car!

What Really Kills Your Car Battery

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Heat. Yep, that’s right, sounds crazy but it’s true. The average battery lasts three and a half years, but in warmer climates like ours, it’s even less. And with temperatures on the rise, this means we need to check on our batteries.

To get the most out of a battery, The Car Care Council suggests the following:

Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.
If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.
Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.
Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

Summer Road Trip Check Up

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Summer is here and that means road trips! Before your adventure, think about getting your car checked up. The last thing anyone wants to have happen on a great trip is car trouble. So to make sure you don’t have to cut your trip short, and in turn have more unexpected expenses like towing, lodging and possibly a rental car, have your car get a ‘physical’ to look at the following systems:

Cooling

Braking

Emission control

Steering and Suspension

Fuel

Electrical and Ignition

You should also have your tires/wheels, A.C./heater, windshield wipers and seatbelts checked before you leave.

Not only can this ‘physical’ help reduce the chance of a costly and dangerous roadside problem; it gives you the chance to have any needed repairs done with the technicians and shop you know and trust.

Rain, Rain, Go Away…

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

Rain, Rain, Go, Away…

This time of year we have all been rained on and driven through moving water. What we really need to think about as the world dries out a little is whether that water has hurt our car. The Car Care Council has a list of things to check to make sure nothing has damaged your car.

Check interior carpets, upholstery and door and trim panels for dampness. If they are wet, then the vehicle will need professional attention. If you simply let the carpet dry, it will quickly grow mildew and give off nasty odors. Seat brackets, motors and modules should also be checked for rust and proper operation.
Pull the engine oil and transmission fluid dipsticks and differential plug. If the fluid appears milky, diluted, is no longer its original color or is beige in color, then it is likely the pans contain water. The vehicle should be towed to your ASE-certified technician or repair shop. Driving the vehicle with water present may damage the internal parts and require extensive overhaul or repairs. The council reminds motorists that some new synthetic differential fluids may appear to be milky but are not water contaminated. When in doubt, a professional automotive technician should make the evaluation.
Check the air filter for water. If it is wet, replace the air filter and change the oil.
Check the undercarriage, bumpers, radiator area and frame for mud, grass, dirt, debris and rust. If any of these are present, the vehicle should be washed and cleaned as soon as possible.
Have the brake system checked by a professional automotive technician.
Check the exterior lights for moisture and water. Replace headlights and bulbs that contain water.
Listen for abnormal noises while the engine is running. Make a note of where the noise is coming from and take the vehicle to a professional automotive technician as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to the alternator, serpentine belt, starter, power steering unit, air conditioner and wheel bearings.
Inspect the suspension joints and lubricate as necessary. Many newer vehicles are lubricated at the factory for life; however, these joints should be checked for rust.

Repairing a BMW from Pothole Damage

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Damages that Potholes can cause to your BMW

Almost everyone has hit a pothole, especially in Dallas. Potholes can be very wearing on your car, and it isn’t always easy to know if real damage has happened. The Car Care Council has a few warning signs that will help you determine if the pothole hurt your car.

Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming-out on city streets or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems. Together, they largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Key components are shocks and/or struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack/box, bearings, seals and hub units and tie rod ends.
Pulling in one direction, instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms mean that your BMW has an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of tires and helps ensure safe handling.
Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the rim. These problems will be visible and should be checked out as soon as possible as tires are the critical connection between your BMW and the road in all sorts of driving conditions

If you notice any of these, please do not wait on having your BMW inspected by a certified technician, they could lead to bigger and more dangerous problems with time!