When Your Car’s Get Up and Go Starts to Go.

Commonly in the Denver area one assumes that a vehicle not starting is the direct result of a dead battery. In many instances that might be the case, however, sometimes the problem is your vehicle's starter. So, how can you tell if the starter is the problem as opposed to another electrical component?

Here are some ways –

1.  You get a grinding noise when you start your vehicle.

2.  Freewheeling is when you simply hear a whining noise from the starter.

3.  If you see or smell smoke that is an immediate concern.

4.  The starter has been soaked with oil from a leaking engine.

Let’s take a look. Would you rather be stranded on a winter day in the Rockies when you try to start your car? Call us for an appointment to have your starter checked at The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in the Denver suburb of Littleton. Take a closer look on the web at thegermancarshoppe.com.

After Market or OEM…That is the Question.

While Shakespeare may never have written those words, they certainly ring true for your beautiful German car. Some may think you must take your car to the dealership's service department to get Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) car parts. You do NOT have those same concerns in the Denver Metro!

An aftermarket part is any part for a vehicle that is not sourced from the car's maker. The host of America’s Car Show Tom Torbjornsen estimates that four out of five independent shops around the country use aftermarket parts. Torbiorsen says in part… “be informed about after market car parts and what they mean to the future of your vehicle.”

How about not having to worry about it at all? Here at The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in suburban Littleton we NEVER use aftermarket parts. We take pride in using only the highest quality original manufacturer parts. Look us up on the web at thegermancarshoppe.com and call ahead for OEM parts at (303) 798-8058.

Bearing Kit Failure in Your Porsche.

It is just one of the many things that can go wrong with your finely-tuned French beauty. We know that your Porsche is precious to you. You want to make sure that the bearing kit is working properly at all times. There are 4 main Porsche IMS bearing failure methods. Typically, a single failure method isn't the cause of the problem. It turns out to be a combination of more than one.

Here are those four main points –

1.  The engine oil may eventually work its way past the bearing seal.

2.  Spalling may have reached its end…we will explain it.

3.  Oil leaking causes improper lubrication.

4.  The IMS center bolt breaks.

We will help you keep your Porsche running at the highest level possible if you allow us to maintain your baby throughout its life. We are The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton and serving the greater Denver area. Find us on the web at thegermancarshoppe.com and call for an appointment 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.

Cold Comes Quickly in Denver.

Those who have lived here through all four seasonal cycles are fully aware how quickly the seasons change. Even here in August, we are never sure when the first cold snap will hit. Is your vehicle’s heater ready for it? One thing you may use to answer that question is…how did it finish off the winter of 2019-2020? If there were signs of distress, it will probably get worse.

Here are some tips we hope you will find helpful –

1. When was the last time the antifreeze was changed?
2. Check the blower motor.
3. Turn up the A/C…yep, the heating system uses the air conditioner to remove moisture.

Here at The German Car Shoppe in Littleton we will change your antifreeze, do a pressure test, and make sure your heating system is operating at peak performance. German cars may be in our name, but you can trust your ride to us no matter what you drive. We are The German Car Shoppe serving the Denver Metro. Call us at (303) 798-2287.

There is NO Alternative Choice.

Not when the alternator in your German car is going bad…there is not! An alternator works in concert with your battery to charge your vehicle’s electrical systems. An alternator that is going bad can affect your car in many ways. There are several signs you need to watch and listen for that may indicate your alternator is going bad.

Here are some of them –

1. Your headlights may be flickering.
2. The battery sounds weaker and weaker.
3. There is a grinding sound beneath your car.
4. Your car grinds when you try to start it.
5. Power locks and windows move more slowly.

What is your alternative? There is none unless you want a 2000-pound German paperweight in your Denver area driveway! The answer is to drive into 3115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton before your German car shuts down completely. That is the location of The German Car Shoppe serving greater Denver. Call ahead (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.