Bob McGullam (Certified Mercedes Tech) Changing Oil

Mercedes Oil Change Special!

Take advantage of our Mercedes Month oil change special during the month of May.

Changing your Mercedes’ oil frequently will increase the life of engine and help it run cleaner, avoiding premature wear and tear.

Oil Change Special $90.78

AMG vehicles $99.78

• Check & Adjust Tire Pressure • Check & Top Off All Vital Fluids • Oil Filter Replacement.

Diesel extra. Not valid with any other offer. Expires 05/31/11. Plus Tax & Shop Supplies. Present At Time Of Write Up. Some Vehicles Slightly Higher.

To make an appointment, fill out the form below:

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Car Care Council talked to Fred Padgett, Group Product Manager, Starting and Charging Products for Bosch, the world’s largest automotive supplier, about alternators. Fred said, “Today, with fancy headlights, quick-acting rear window defrosters, stereo system with multiple speakers, in-car television or DVD player, global navigation system and high output heating and air conditioning, the alternator and the battery are often hard pressed to keep everything functioning. Demands can often far exceed the alternator’s capacity, leading to less than stellar performance from accessories — and ultimately to a dead battery.”

So if your Mercedes Benz is displaying signs of a slow electric system make sure to come in to our Park Cities, Plano or White Rock Lake locations to ensure you do not end up with a dead battery one morning! We can check your alternator, just like a doctor checks your heart with an EKG, so that you know if you need anything before you wind up with a dead battery.

If your Mercedes Alternator is slow; come into our Dallas location near Love Field if you are in the Park Cities, Love Field, Downtown or University Park area. Come visit our Plano location if you are in Plano, Addison, Frisco, Richardson or Carrollton area. Our Dallas White rock location is ready to serve you if you are in Highland Park, White Rock or Lakewood area.

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!

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!

                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.

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.

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!

When looking at a new car there are many things to consider besides just the amount, style and performance. You need to make sure that there are no hidden problems, no accidents that you have not been informed about and numerous other important parts to check. Recently we did a pre-purchase inspection on a used Mercedes-Benz.  During our pre-purchase inspections, we check the wear on the front and rear brake pads and rotors, measure the tread on all four tires, check for fluid leaks throughout the vehicle, and check for body and paint damage. We also verify the operation of the electronics throughout the car; verify service history and road test the vehicle.  We are also careful to note things such as the spare tire missing parts or the car jack missing parts, for example.  This Mercedes-Benz CLS was in pretty good shape, but it is always better to be safe than sorry! Have us check out your potential new car and make sure you are not missing any important details on your Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW or Porsche.

Porsche GT3 Being Aligned on the newest Hunter Alignment System

Having the proper alignment is key to road safety. Bad alignment on a car can cause many problems leading to costly repairs or even accidents.  Signs that you may have a bad alignment are: Unable to maintain a straight line, and uneven wear in tires. With a bad alignment, you can ruin a new set of tires within 500 miles because it may be causing extreme wear on a specific part of the tire. Many things may cause your alignment to be off. If you hit a curb or run over a speed bump to fast, you might  distort the car’s alignment.

Autoscope recommends that you have your alignment on your Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and other makes, checked at least once every six months especially if you are driving on rough patches of roads.

New tire ruined by bad alignment