Is it Okay to Drive with a Faulty Heater Core?

Well, first of all, it may be okay now, but what about when winter hits with full force in the Denver area?  A leaking heater core will reduce the amount of coolant in the cooling system. Low coolant will then cause an engine to run at a higher temperature, and that can result in extensive engine damage.

Here are some signs to note that your heater core is not functioning properly –

1.  There is little or no heat inside the car.  You may want to test it before it gets cold.

2.  There is an odor of coolant within the vehicle.

3.  Your windows are fogging up.

4.  Under the dashboard there could be a leak beneath the dashboard.

5.  The engine is running hot.

Wouldn’t it be nice to troubleshoot these problems BEFORE you need maximum heat within your car?  It sure would!  That is why we are here.  Preventative maintenance is our specialty.  We are The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  If you live in the Denver area, please call us at (303) 798-2287.

Back to School Wine Dinner, Aug 30th

Back to School Wine Dinner, Aug 30th

(Click the link above for more information)

The kid's are back in school and it's time for a parent's night out!

 

Should I Buy this Car or Not.

The toughest part of buying a used car (especially if it is your first German pre-owned vehicle) is that you are not a qualified auto mechanic.  There could be something wrong with this beautiful looking car and you would not even be aware of it.  Is there someone who is imminently qualified to inspect vehicles (especially German ones) completely and honestly?

Often times a used car makes no outward noises which would lead the novice to believe that it is in tip-top condition.  When a qualified mechanic puts that vehicle on a hoist they can see in and out, as well as up and down if anything is about to go wrong and warn you accordingly.  That is the ultimate peace of mind!

At The German Car Shoppe in Littleton, CO we are more than happy to assess your potential purchase before you make your final decision.  We will do so, without obligation so that you know we will not be insisting that you have it fixed here.  Of course, we hope if you live in the Denver area that you will think of us for the best care of your car be it German-manufactured or not.  We are at 5115 Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton.  Call (303) 798-2287. 

Give Me a Valve Job to Go.

Say what?  What constitutes a valve job in your German owned car?  It might sound a bit weird, but it is an important major step of automotive maintenance.  The reason is that most engines will last at least 80,000 miles before you might even need a valve job.  How can you tell when that time has come?

The condition of your engine’s cylinder head valves can have a significant impact on your vehicle’s performance. The valves take a lot of abuse from the extreme conditions in which they operate.  As mileage increases, your valves’ performance degrades from heat and wear.  This can cause your engine to experience lower compression and higher oil consumption.

Cleaning the valves is often an option.  After the valves are cleaned, the valve seats and everything else under the cylinder head should be inspected simultaneously.  That’s where we come in.  We are The German Car Shoppe…valve job professional mechanics serving Denver.  Call (303) 798-2287 for an appointment at our shop located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.

Time to Hit the Road.

Drivers throughout the Denver area are celebrating summer by heading out on their annual summer vacation in the family car.  And, let’s face it, mountain driving followed by the highways of points in every direction adds up to a multi-day excursion.  Is your vehicle ready for extended summer travel?

Here are some tips before you head out –

1.  Have every fluid checked out and topped off prior to your trip.

2.  Make sure every one of your vehicle’s lights are shining bright.

3.  Are your windshield wipers in shape?

4.  How about those all-important brake pads?

5.  Your tires…they need to be ready for the long haul.

At the German Car Shoppe we will check all of the boxes that are important to extended summer vacation driving.  Whatever type of vehicle you drive, make sure it is fully checked and serviced by our mechanics.  That’s The German Car Shoppe.  Denver’s last stop before hitting the road.  Call (303) 798-2287 to make an appointment at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.

Your Car’s Condenser.

We want you to be educated about your car’s climate control system…especially with summer arriving.  The compressor is the power unit of your vehicle’s air-conditioning system that puts the refrigerant under high pressure before it pumps it into the condenser, where it then changes from a gas to a liquid. 

A fully functioning compressor is necessary for the air-conditioning system to provide peak performance.  In most cars, A/C compressors are driven by an engine-accessory belt.  If the belt is worn, the compressor won’t operate at full strength. Compressors can also leak refrigerant, resulting in less cold air going into the interior.  Internal parts can also fail equaling no cold air.

At The German Car Shoppe we know that you can’t face a Denver area summer without a fully functional air conditioning system in your German or domestic vehicle.  Before things really heat up in our area, make an appointment at The German Car Shoppe for an a/c check-up by calling (303) 798-2287.  You’ll find us at 5115 Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton.

It’s Your Mercedes First Birthday!

Your Mercedes IS a bit like your child isn’t it.  And…just like a human baby it needs some TLC during and at its one-year anniversary.  If you care about your Benz as much as we do, you have consulted your owner’s manual and know exactly what a qualified Mercedes mechanic needs to do by the one-year mark.

Here are some reminders –

1.  Have the oil and filter changed.

2.  Clean and drain the air/water duct.

3.  Check the thickness of the brake pads.

4.  Correct the tire pressure.

5.  Adjust the cable slack on the parking brakes.

There are others, of course which are all part of the one-year maintenance of your Mercedes vehicle.  No one in the Denver area is better qualified to execute ALL of the steps than The German Car Shoppe.  They are located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  Make an appointment for your Mercedes’ annual maintenance by calling (303) 798-2287.