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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a pothole damaged my car?
Ask yourself: Is your car pulling either to the right or left while driving on a straightaway? Are you experiencing difficulty with steering the vehicle? Are your tires wearing unevenly or prematurely? Do any of your wheels have a dent? Do you have to air-up one or two of your tires frequently? If you answer yes to any of the above, then it’s possible that pothole caused some form of damage.
Why fill tires with nitrogen instead of air?
By reducing the percentage of oxygen, water vapor and other gases in your tires from 22% to 7% or lower, your tires will maintain proper pressure longer than if you use “plain old air.” For example, with 95% nitrogen in your tires, they retain optimal pressure three to four times longer.
Carbon buildup on valves - What is it & how do I clean it?
Carbon build-up is a common issue with direct-injected engines like those in modern BMW and Audi models that is an accumulation of carbon deposits on the engine cylinders’ intake valves. A carbon clean method called “walnut shell blasting” is used to safely and effectively clean carbon build-up.
What is an extended warranty & should I get one?
Nobody likes unexpected expenses for auto repairs, if you want peace of mind and like to save money, an extended warranty is a great way to accomplish both. An extended warranty is essentially a service contract between the car owner and the warranty company. According to this contract, the warranty company will pay for the covered repairs for a specific period of time. An extended warranty can help you protect yourself from unexpected repair costs.
What is the difference between Mustang Dynos vs. Dynojet Dynos?
Simply put, Dynojet numbers are usually inflated and Mustang numbers are closer to “true” horsepower numbers. Mustang dyno numbers are more accurate because it takes in to account the variables for each different car. A dynojet just measures how fast the car spins a large drum that is a certain weight and calculates HP from that. A Mustang dyno could be higher than a dynojet, but that is rare.
Why is my low coolant warning light coming on?
Your car has a floating-level which rises and falls with the coolant level in your radiator. As the level falls below a critical amount of coolant in the radiator or expansion tank, required to keep the engine from overheating, the system triggers a warning to alert you. A lot of the time, the coolant level is low because of a leak somewhere.
How long should it take for my car to cool down?
If your car is parked under the sun all day, the temperatures are most likely well over a 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Presuming your car’s A/C is working properly, it should take around 5 to 10 minutes before you can start feeling comfortable. Read more below to find out the quickest way to cool down your car’s interior.
What are the benefits of frequent oil changes?
Simply put, frequent and routine oil services for your European car are one of the most inexpensive ways to ensure that your investment has a long-living power plant under the hood. Never skip an oil change!
When should I get my oil changed?
Proactive maintenance = a healthy car!
At AUTOSCOPE, one of our core beliefs is that being proactive towards car repair and service prevents break downs and helps to reduce unexpected repair costs. By performing proactive maintenance and inspecting the vital systems on your car regularly, this will show those early warning signs that a trained professional sees on a daily basis, and can spot very quickly on a routine check.
Helpful Foreign Car Owner Articles
What is Engine Knocking?
An engine knock is a sign that something is wrong with your vehicle. It sounds like a hard clunk or ping, a sound that you might think indicates that two parts of the engine are hitting one another. Usually, an engine knock is a problem with the ignition of the...
Is Your Jaguar Overheating?
Long drives on a hot day will test a vehicle, and if your Jaguar has a problem, you may find yourself with an overheating engine. Through Jaguars have great dedicated cooling systems, there are some problems that can interfere with or overpower them. Also, engines...
How to Prepare Your Land Rover for Your Road Trip
Road trips can make amazing memories. It’s even better when you’re in a Land Rover, in our humble opinion. But, nothing spoils a road trip faster than car troubles. It’s stressful to feel like you're stranded somewhere. No one wants to trust their Land Rover to a...
How Can You Make Your BMW’s Tires Last?
Buying new tires for your BMW is likely not a task that you look forward to. It’s more than the hassle of picking out a place, finding the right kind of tires for both front and rear, and driving your vehicle in to get the tire replaced. It can also be a costly...
If You’re Not Driving Often, Do You Still Need Maintenance?
You have a beautiful European auto, or two, but you don’t end up driving it as much as you’d like, or as much as a daily commuter might drive it. You’re not adding much stress to the vehicle, but time is still having an effect on the vehicle. If you’re not driving...
How to Make Your BMW More Efficient, Including Better Gas Mileage
Even if you’re driving a luxury BMW, you care just as much about improving your gas mileage as people driving other vehicles. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to make your BMW more fuel-efficient and therefore reduce your gas costs. Most are covered in...
Why Does Your Porsche Need an Alignment?
Your Porsche needs a wheel alignment for the same reasons that any vehicle needs an alignment. Tires will eventually come out of sync on any vehicle and need to be kept in line in order to keep the vehicle and its wheels in good condition, and safe. Here’s what you...
How to Repair a Mini Cooper’s Slipping Transmission
There are a few potential reasons that your Mini Cooper’s transmission might be slipping. Whatever the reason, it is important to get this problem solved right away. Not all transmission problems will require a replacement, but the longer you leave the issue the more...
Does Oil Change Frequency Matter to Your Land Rover?
Is all of the advice over changing your Land Rover’s oil on asset schedule real? That is, is it important to change your oil exactly when your manual says, or will your Land Rover be just fine if you push the deadline a little bit? The truth is, while you can delay an...