Let’s Examine your Car’s Oxygen Sensor.

How do you know when your German Car’s O2 sensor is in need of being replaced? Most car engines rely on input from various sensors to regulate the engine’s performance and other vital functions. If something goes wrong with your vehicle’s oxygen sensor, you can always rely on The German Car Shop of Littleton to make it right again.

The oxygen sensor is a part of your German made vehicle because it monitors how much unburned oxygen is present in the exhaust. The O2 sensor (that is what mechanics call it) lets your car’s computer know if the fuel mix is burning rich, or too lean. It means…is there too MUCH, or too LITTLE oxygen.

You can always put your trust in The German Car Shoppe located in Littleton for all your maintenance and repair issues. If you are driving in the Denver area you can do so confidently. The German Car Shoppe is located at 5115 South Santa Fe Drive…and have been there for many years. Call (303) 798-2287, or visit thegermancarshoppe.com.

Symptoms of a Failing Catalytic Converter.

Let’s start with an explanation of what is a catalytic converter. A catalytic converter lies between your engine and the muffler in your exhaust system. Its main job is to reduce emissions from your car to protect the environment. We all know that if you live in the Denver area protecting the environment is essential. The German Car Shoppe will help you do that.

 

Here are some signs that your catalytic converter is going bad –

1.  A sure sign is that your dreaded check engine light is on.

2.  You start hearing a rattling noise coming from the engine.

3.  Your MPG is suffering.

4.  The engine begins misfiring.

When you experience signs of a failing catalytic converter (especially a check engine light), then it’s time to make an appointment at The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in suburban Littleton. When Denver motorists need mechanical help, they call (303) 798-2287. They also visit thegermancarshoppe.com.

Quality German Car Repair in Denver.

When you choose The German Car Shoppe of Littleton, a German car repair specialist, that is exactly what you get. What about variable valve timing? As Wikipedia defines it “it is the process of altering the timing of a valve lift event, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions.” It sounds specific enough.

When does your German made car need valve timing? The ignition timing has 4 cycles –

1.  The intake valve sucks in the air and the fuel is delivered by the injectors.

2.  The mixture of the fuel is reduced.

3.  The spark plug pushes the pistons down.

4.  The exhaust system lets the exhaust out by opening the exhaust valve.

All of this will be troubleshot and fixed (if necessary) by the German Car Shoppe of Littleton. They have become the go-to location to take your German Car in Denver for repair and any general maintenance. See the many services provided by The German Car Shoppe by visiting thegermancarshoppe.com. You can make an appointment by calling (303) 798-2287.

A Two Thousand Pound Paperweight.

That is what it seems like when your car does not start in the dead of another Denver winter. When a car doesn’t start, many people immediately assume that the starter motor is to blame. In fact, the component has the term “start” right in its name. The reality is that dozens of potential reasons could be at play.

Here are the most common signs of a bad starter –

1.  The engine refuses to crank.

2.  It DOES crank, but much more slowly.

3.  You hear a grinding noise.

4.  There is inconsistent failure…what we have here is a failure to crank!

It is confusing and most assuredly frustrating when your starter “starts” showing signs of deteriorating. That demands a call to The German Car Shoppe. They are starter repair experts for foreign and domestic vehicles in the Denver area. The German Car Shoppe is located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton. Call ahead if it is not an emergency at (303) 798-2287.

Warm it Up…or Not.

In the dead of winter (like now), the common wisdom for people who drive their German cars around the Denver area is that when you are gearing up to take your vehicle out in the cold and snow, you should step outside, start up your engine, and let it idle to warm up. contrary to popular belief, this does not prolong the life of your engine; in fact, it may well decrease it!

The explanation is this…When your engine is cold, the gasoline is less likely to evaporate. It needs to have the correct ratio of air and vaporized fuel for combustion. Engines with electronic fuel injection have sensors that compensate for the cold by pumping more gasoline into the mixture. Gasoline is an outstanding solvent that can actually wash oil off of your engine.

When you have engine problems in the Denver area you can always count on The German Car Shoppe located in Littleton. They will analyze your car and repair or replace what is needed without doing any unnecessary work. You can trust The German Car Shoppe with your finely-tuned engine. Visit thegermancarshoppe.com and call for an appointment (303) 798-2287.

Come to Denver to Dream.

Are you dreaming of a white Christmas? It seems that it is the least 2020 can do for us. Believe it or not, there is barely more than a one-third chance that there will be one inch or more of snowfall on the ground on Christmas day in and around Denver. Of course, if snow is your thing, you know that the white stuff is always just a short drive away.

How many of you were around here in 1982? On that morning of December 25th, the people of our mile-high city awoke to a 24-inch snow depth! That seems to be overkill…just a few inches would suffice. Surprisingly, over the last three decades Denver has received measurable snowfall on Christmas Day only seven times.

Whatever this season may bring, we may be comforted by being one step closer to the end of a rather problematic 2020. One thing is for sure, no matter what challenges befall us The German Car Shoppe is always there at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton to keep your Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, BMW, and Volkswagen on the road. Merry Christmas from the families of The German Car Shoppe to you and yours.

Have you Thought About Your Brake System Recently?

It doesn’t have to be said too often that brake repair is something you must do BEFORE it’s too late! It is obvious that most people would not think of risking the safety of themselves and their passengers by putting off that particular repair. Yet, many times auto suspension repair such as shock and strut replacement is a repair that often gets overlooked.

So exactly what is the function of your German vehicle’s shocks and struts? Shocks and struts keep your car from bouncing all over the place like a pin ball machine. They act as a buffer between your wheels and frame which prevents the body of the vehicle from colliding into ground or even the tires themselves!

Some BMW models, particularly the Series 3 models, have had some specific problems in both the front and rear suspension systems. This relates directly to your shocks and struts. Let us help you troubleshoot the impending problem. Look us up at thegermancarshoppe.com and see why we are the Denver area’s answer to German Car Maintenance. Call us at (303) 798-2287.

What is the Diagnosis?

This might be something you would ask your doctor, but we at The German Car Shoppe of Littleton consider ourselves the “doctors” of your fine German vehicle. Diagnostics may be something you wish to do yourself, but consider how important this is to get it right the first time…guaranteed!

If you somewhere along the way you have learned about how to do a diagnostic test on a car by yourself, it is natural for you to wait until things are sounding and feeling wrong when you drive. Every car diagnostic test starts with a reading of the engine code. We will plug in a car diagnostic scanner to read the trouble codes which indicates where the problem is.

Here at the German Car Shoppe we thoroughly check all your electronic needs. That includes check engine lights, air bag lights, and computer reprogramming, and often much more. When you leave our shop you will have the peace of mind knowing that the job has been done right. If you live in the Denver area you can always trust The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton. Call for an appointment (303) 798-2287.

Don’t Go Out Without Padding.

That does not sound like great advice this hot summer…does it? We are talking about brake pads that will keep you safe in your travels around the Denver area. Brake pads are the removable surfaces that calipers use to make contact with the rotors. Of course, these pads will not last forever!

Here are some signs to look and listen for that your brakes may need replacing –

1.  Listen for squealing noises

2.  Pads begin to rattle because they are loose

3.  The nose of your car pulls to one side when you brake

4.  The brake pedal actually vibrates when it is pressed

Please do not ignore the sounds. The safety of your family may be at stake! At the first sign of failing brake pads in your German or domestic vehicle turn toward the mechanics at The German Car Shoppe. They are located at 3115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton and maintain vehicles throughout the entire Denver area. Call right away for an appointment at (303) 798-2287.

Three or Four…Better than Two.

That is usually the case in life.  As it pertains to our vehicles many of us often wonder whether it is really an advantage to have more than two valves per cylinder.  Do more valves really help the engine perform better…or is it just a gimmick like many other so-called technologies that some manufacturers ballyhoo?

Here is a very quick observation…a four-stroke internal combustion engine requires the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber to burn well which delivers greater fuel efficiency.  The valves allow the air-fuel mixture to enter the combustion chamber. Naturally, if the intake valves allow for better flow of air into the combustion chamber, the engine would be able to breathe better, allowing for a more efficient burning of fuel.

The answer to faulty valves and engines in the greater Denver area is usually the same.  Have them checked and possibly replaced by The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  People in this area have come to rely on The German Car Shoppe for foreign and domestic auto repair.  Call for an appointment (303) 798-2287.

The Marvelous Valvetronic System.

What is the valvetronic system in your BMW and how does it work?  It is described as a variable valve lift system that in combination with variable valve timing that allows infinite adjustment of the intake valve timing and its duration.  So, why did BMW add this early in the 21st century?

Well, it is meant to improve fuel economy and emissions, and negates the need for a throttle body which is a tube containing a pivoting flat valve that is used to control the amount of air entering your engine.  It was first introduced in the BMW 316ti compact back in 2001.

It’s yet another of the dozens of reasons why you chose to drive a BMW around the Denver area.  Where to go for service on your luxury car’s valvetronic system is The German Car Shoppe…of course!  The German Car Shoppe is located at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in the Denver suburb of Littleton.  Call for an appointment at (303) 798-2287.

Don’t Trust German Auto Repair to Just anyone.

The German Car Shoppe of Littleton, CO specializes in German manufactured vehicles including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Mini Cooper.  For decades that is what we concentrate on and we believe that we are more reliable, careful, and fairly priced as anyone in the Denver area.

Here are some reasons why –

1.  We know that every vehicle is NOT created equal.

2.  Your German car may have as many as 90 computers onboard!

3.  We use OEM parts.

4.  We know when to examine and replace each part.

5.  We want you to ask us any question you may have.

You see, confidence is bred from two things specifically…experience and feedback.  When you do the same things for each individual German car in the Denver area and people continue to praise you for the work that you do, you know that you must be doing something right.  Call us at The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton (303) 798-2287.