At EuroCar Service, we offer comprehensive care for European vehicles. From routine maintenance to repairs, we do it all! However, you may not be familiar with all the services we offer, so here’s a quick overview of some of the most common ones we perform—as well as a few overlooked services:
Fuel System Cleaning
If you’ve noticed your vehicle is running sluggishly or lacks acceleration, it might be time for a fuel system cleaning. Each time you push on the gas pedal, you’re controlling how much fuel and oxygen the engine takes in. Over time, the fuel system can develop deposits that lead to lower fuel economy, a loss of power, and other drivability issues. Performing a fuel system cleaning from time to time removes these deposits from the system, including the fuel injectors and combustion chamber, and improves engine performance. We’ll also replace the fuel filter if needed.
Headlight Replacement
Halogen and standard headlights will gradually start to fade, reducing your ability to see—and be seen—on the road. In the past, headlight replacement was relatively simple because there were limited options. Today, there are two different types of headlight systems and several types of lights, including LED, Halogen, Xenon/HID, and Laser, which can make replacing them a bit confusing. We can help you select the right kind of light for your system and driving conditions, and take care of the installation. Are your headlight lenses starting to look yellowed or cloudy? We also offer headlight restoration!
Inspections
There are many reasons why you might want to get an inspection. Maybe you recently purchased a used car and want to find out if it needs any repairs, or you’d like to have peace of mind for a long road trip—or maybe you’d like to make sure there are no problems brewing before winter hits.
Having your car inspected ensures everything is operating smoothly, and it allows us to spot any issues that might be starting. It’s a great way to prevent breakdowns, plus it can help save you money on future repair bills. During an inspection, we’ll check all the systems, as well as your brakes and tires. If you’ve noticed any unusual noises, vibrations, or drivability issues, be sure to let us know so we can check them out.
Oil Change
You’ve likely heard it again and again, but it’s true: oil changes are one of the most important types of maintenance you can do to prolong the life of your engine. Engines operate at extremely high temperatures, but excessive heat can cause irreversible damage. Clean oil keeps all the moving parts well-lubricated and prevents the heat-producing friction that can damage your engine. It also helps to pull the heat away from the engine and into the radiator.
When oil is dirty, it’s less efficient at lubrication and heat removal. Over time, the oil will begin to break down and become gritty from accumulated debris. If you wait too long to change the oil, it can turn into sludge, which can clog the engine, and in severe cases, cause it to fail.
It’s always best to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your oil change schedule, but if it’s been a while, you can check the color of your oil to see how dirty it is by pulling out the dipstick and wiping the oil off on a white cloth or paper towel. If the oil is a golden or amber color, it’s still clean. If it looks dark brown or black, it’s time to chance the oil and oil filter. If it looks milky or cream-colored, however, this could be a sign that you have a head gasket leak. If you have a high-mileage vehicle or would like to switch to synthetic oil, be sure to discuss it with your service advisor at your appointment.
PCV Valve Service
“PCV” stands for the Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve, a small one-way valve that allows escaped gases to exit the crankcase. These gases then get sent to the intake system, where they’re re-burned in the engine. Over time, the PCV valve gets gummed up. Although preventive maintenance, like oil changes, can help extend its life, the PCV valve will eventually need to be replaced because it won’t allow the gases to circulate properly. This causes pressure on the crankcase and can eventually lead to oil leaks.
Power Steering Service
Power steering service is often overlooked by many drivers, but it’s essential for keeping your power steering system in tip-top shape. Like oil, power steering fluid can break down over time, collecting grime that can damage the steering lines, pump, rack, and pinion seals. The fluid also becomes more acidic, which can lead to wear on the seals or other types of damage. Flushing and replacing this fluid will keep the system well-maintained and extend the life of it and its components.
The mileage interval for power steering service varies based on the make and model, but it’s generally needed between 30,000-60,000 miles. If you can see grit or debris in your reservoir, it’s probably time to schedule a service. If the fluid is low, the system should be inspected because it’s a closed system that shouldn’t be losing fluid; you may have a leak.
Serpentine Belt Replacement
The serpentine belt is a single belt that connects your vehicle’s power steering, electrical, cooling system, and air conditioning, so needless to say, it’s an essential component! If the belt breaks, all of these systems may shut down and your vehicle could overheat. The serpentine belt should be inspected regularly and proactively replaced once it starts to show signs of wear or damage.
Shocks and Struts Replacement
Have you started to feel every little bump in the road? It may be time for a shocks and struts replacement. The suspension system helps manage your handing on the road and improves comfort by cushioning bumps and vibrations. However, the system is subject to a lot of wear and tear. Even with normal driving, parts like ball joints, tie rod ends, and bushings can wear out or become damaged. This is especially true if you drive in areas with a lot of potholes. Not only can work or broken suspension components make your ride less comfortable, but they can also affect your vehicle’s safety.
Most manufacturers recommend replacing your shocks and struts around 50,000 miles after a thorough inspection. If you’re experiencing comfort or handling issues, or your vehicle has been in an accident, it’s also worth having your suspension system inspected to make sure there’s no damage.
Transmission Service
Transmission service is a part of routine vehicle maintenance, just like an oil change. Transmission fluid keeps the moving parts of the transmission well-lubricated and acts as a coolant. In general, manual transmissions have shorter service intervals than automatic transmissions because the fluid can become contaminated as the metal bearings and gears wear down. Like with old oil, this makes the transmission fluid less effective.
Most manual transmission manufacturers recommend transmission service every 30,000-60,000 miles, while the recommendations for automatics are typically between 60,000-100,000 miles. During a transmission service, we’ll flush the old transmission fluid and replace it with new fluid. We’ll also examine the sump pump or pan, replace or clean the filter, and install a new pan gasket.
Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing
Tires can be costly to replace, but with routine maintenance like rotations and balancing, you can make them last quite a bit longer. But what’s the difference between the two?
As you drive, the tread on your front tires wears more quickly than the tread on the rear tires because they’re subject to greater friction from navigating around turns. During a tire rotation, we switch the front tires with the rear tires, which allows them to wear more evenly. When to get a rotation depends on several factors: the brand of tires, your steering system, your driving behavior, and your typical driving conditions. Typically, you’ll need a rotation every 5,000-8,000 miles.
Hitting a curb or driving over bumps, potholes, or similar conditions can throw off the balance of your wheels, which can lead to vibration, excessive tire wear, suspension damage, and other issues. Wheel balancing (also called tire balancing) equalizes the weight of the wheel and tire assembly so that it spins smoothly and evenly at a high speed. To do this, we put the tire and wheel assembly in a balancer, which centers the wheel and spins it to determine where we should add weight to the tire to balance it out. If your wheels need balancing, you might notice odd vibrations on the floorboard or in the seats.
Need Repairs or Maintenance? Give Us a Call!
If you need repairs or maintenance, your vehicle is always in excellent hands at EuroCar Service. We specialize in complete care for European makes, including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Land Rover, Mini-Cooper, Fiat, Volvo, Volkswagen, Saab, Jaguar, and Smart Car. Schedule an appointment with us today at (206) 527-8828, or request an appointment through our online form.