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Month: April 2020

Mercedes Transmission Leak

Best Repair Shop in Canoga Park to Fix Transmission Leaks in Mercedes

Many different types of fluid are required in order for any vehicle to run properly. One of the most vital of these fluids is transmission fluid. As such, a leak in your vehicle’s transmission is detrimental to the overall health of your car. It’s important to have your car routinely inspected and maintained in order to avoid the catastrophic effects of a transmission leak.

This routine care is even more important in a Mercedes-Benz because this luxury brand tends to experience more transmission leaks than other brands. As the proud owner of a Mercedes-Benz, you expect your vehicle to fulfill its promise of both a sharp, classic design and revolutionary performance. Knowing your vehicle’s predisposition to transmission leaks allows you to take the extra precautionary measures to keep these leaks from occurring.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of transmission fluid, reveal easily-spotted signs of a transmission leak, and give you some advice on how to fix it.

The Importance of Transmission Fluid

Transmission fluid is vital in ensuring that the many different parts of your transmission are well lubricated and able to function properly. These components include the torque converter, valve body, and planetary gear set. Because the transmission is made up of so many different parts, a leak could come from virtually anywhere inside the transmission. Normally, a leak occurs when one of the valves, seals, pumps, or transmission fluid lines are damaged. Transmission fluid is light reddish-brown in color, so be careful not to confuse it with your car’s power-steering fluid, which looks very similar.

Maintaining the Transmission Fluid in Your Mercedes

It’s very important to maintain your transmission fluid by having the fluid routinely flushed and replaced. You should also regularly check the cleanliness of the fluid itself. By taking these preventative steps, you will either help to stop a leak from ever occurring or you will notice a leak and have it quickly repaired before it causes any harm to your Mercedes Benz.

Signs of a Transmission Leak

Sometimes, maintenance isn’t enough and a leak occurs anyway due to a puncture somewhere in your vehicle’s transmission. You should always be on the lookout for any of these 4 signs of a transmission leak. If you observe any of them, you should have the issue inspected, diagnosed, and fixed as soon as possible.

Fluid beneath the car

The most obvious sign that your Mercedes has a leak is a puddle of fluid underneath your car. Since this leak could be attributed to any one of the types of fluid used by your vehicle, you should quickly ascertain the type of fluid and where the leak is coming from so that you can have it repaired.

Overheating engine

If there is a significant spike in the amount of heat your engine is producing, this could also be due to a transmission leak. Because transmission fluid helps to cool down the transmission while it’s moving, if there isn’t enough transmission fluid, then your car’s transmission will overheat.

Acceleration issues

Another sign of a transmission leak is that your car noticeably stumbles, hesitates, or jerks when you attempt to accelerate.

Problems shifting gears

Being unable to shift gears is a serious problem that cripples your vehicle’s ability to function. Because the transmission aids in the shifting process, any difficulties with shifting gears may be attributed to a leak of transmission fluid.

Transmission Leak Fixing Tips

Euro Plus Automotive is Here to Help

At Euro Plus Automotive, our highly-trained mechanics specialize in Mercedes Transmission Oil Check the service and repair of German and Japanese luxury vehicles, such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Acura, and Lexus. We recognize the importance of providing proper maintenance and care to your vehicle. We only offer the best service at the best prices. If you want to take preventative measures against transmission leaks or if you need a transmission leak diagnosed and repaired, we are here to help.

We are conveniently located for drivers in and around the Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles County, CA areas. Whether you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle’s transmission or are in need of any other type of car service or repair, please call Euro Plus Automotive and set up an appointment today. We are eager to become your trusted Mercedes Benz service center.

Car Outside Home

Importance of Having a Vehicle During A Pandemic

* The Blog Post is originally written by David Gersh in German Repair Shop Marketing.

Right now, many find themselves at home for long periods of time in quarantine, either self-imposed or mandated. Concerns of the spread of the novel coronavirus have risen and become such a central focus of our lives and thoughts that some things may understandably get overlooked — like the condition of our cars.

In times of crisis such as these, while driving is minimal, having a reliable car is perhaps more essential than ever. Drivers need to know that their car will be able to take them where they need to go in situations of urgency. If you or a loved one experiences a medical emergency, a faulty car could result in a breakdown that could — without wanting to sound too alarmist — prove to be disastrous in the end.

Drivers depend on auto repair shops and the mechanics and staff that work at them. The public has a vested interest in and depends on the work of repair shops to make it through this pandemic without any additional problems that could be avoided. Repair shops are essential businesses, and consumers need them now, perhaps more than ever.

This is said not to create unnecessary worry or panic in this stressful time, but because, in the end, ensuring you have a safe, reliable means of transportation is not only in your best interest. It’s in everyone’s.

A Perfect Storm of Factors

It can be easy to not think about cars at this time, especially if you are one of the millions of Americans that are out of work or working from home. Errands and duties that require a car are scarce for those who do not hold an essential job.

While there is no way to measure how much time Americans are currently spending in their car, auto sales have certainly plummeted. That nosedive is expected to continue in the following months: Eric Lyman, chief industry analyst at car-shopping website TrueCar.com, expects auto sales to dip by 50–60% in April.

As cars sit idle, their batteries begin to lose charge. So, while many of us are practicing social distancing, our batteries may be slowly losing their ability to get started. Sitting for a week or so is fine, but if your car sits for a month, there’s a chance it won’t start when needed.

In addition, tires begin to lose their pressure over time when not driven, as air leaks out of them. When this occurs, you are putting your vehicle at risk for developing other problems.

As the importance of social distancing becomes more realized by the public, some may begin putting off necessary tasks. Social distancing is absolutely crucial to ensuring that COVID-19 is overcome and managed, but if you rely on your vehicle to take you to the hospital if needed and it is not in adequate condition, you should consider getting your car repaired. A trip to an auto shop requires little interpersonal contact, and most mechanic shops are taking the necessary precautions to keep their customers safe.

A reliable car is part of emergency preparedness, and this pandemic is no exception.

A Breakdown May Be More Than An Inconvenience

If you need your vehicle to transport you or a loved one to a doctor’s office, hospital, or testing center in a time of emergency, a breakdown could lose you crucial minutes in care. Engine problems such as overheating or transmission problems could cause your vehicle to stall out. Stalling out is dangerous enough when it comes to the problems it can create in traffic, but in times when a person’s physical health is in jeopardy, an extra level of danger is created.

If your car is stalled, extra time will have to be taken. Whether a loved one, taxi, ambulance or ride-hailing service picks you up from where you are, each minute spent waiting is a minute out of the care of a medical professional. The symptoms of COVID-19 are prone to show up quickly or unexpectedly, so time is of the essence if someone is experiencing an emergency related to the virus.

This will likely hit hardest those who live in rural areas, as they will have to drive a further distance to get to the hospital. As a business whose purpose revolves around vehicles and those who drive them, we want to make sure that drivers are able to properly transport themselves or their loved ones to get the help they need.

Auto shops are needed during this pandemic so that drivers are safeguarded against car problems that a trusted mechanic can help to identify, repair and prevent.

Other Options May Be Unsafe, Not Available

Commuters who own a car but have become accustomed to arriving to work via other means may soon be unable to do so as cities are cutting public transit routes to arrest the spread of COVID-19. Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington D.C., as well as many other cities have reduced the number of trains or buses operating. For those who still have no choice but to use public transportation, there is a significant risk of infection while aboard.

Riding in a car is preferable and poses little to no more threat to yourself or others than sitting in your home — unless you are carpooling, which is currently discouraged. If your car needs servicing in order to run, doing it now is imperative. By repairing your vehicle and driving rather than taking public transportation, you not only reduce your odds of contracting the virus, you eliminate the chance of unknowingly spreading the disease on public transit yourself.

For those who are unable to drive due to financial reasons, declining ridership on public buses and trains will help them better protect themselves by making social distancing easier.

Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft have suspended their carpooling service, but typical programs are still available. Those who can drive their own personal vehicle should do so rather than take Uber and Lyft for their own safety, as any and all personal contact should be avoided if possible.

This means that the auto shops drivers depend on to keep their cars running reliably need to remain open, as they provide a critical service the public depends on.

The Strain on Infrastructure

Unfortunately, the number of ambulances and first responders that the world has is limited. Right now, the number of response vehicles needed are not enough in some places. New York City is receiving an extra 250–500 ambulances to help them cover the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has at the time of writing hit around 40,000 residents in the city. While New York City is maybe a special case and the situation varies from community to community, the fact remains that emergency infrastructure is under strain.

A properly maintained car can help reduce the amount of pressure placed on our emergency infrastructure in the midst of this virus outbreak. Being able to reliably count on your vehicle and drive to the hospital yourself or with the help of a loved one — except for extreme cases of emergency in which an ambulance is necessary — can save your life by arriving in a timely manner and save the lives of others by freeing up ambulances for those in dire circumstances.

There are other risks of ambulance rides, such as infecting the first responders and EMTs that brave the ride to help others. If it is possible and it would not do harm to yourself, driving yourself is preferable as it reduces the chance of further spreading any contagion by reducing the number of people with whom you come into contact.

Steps to Take

It’s advised to drive your car at least two times a month for at least 10 miles to prevent a substantial loss in battery power. If you only crank your vehicle, you further drain the battery, so it is important to drive it for at least 10 miles to allow it to recharge. This is also a good chance to pay attention to any problems that could exacerbate themselves in an emergency situation.

Check your car’s oil and coolant levels and make sure that you have at least enough gas in the tank to carry yourself to an emergency care facility and back in case of emergency.

A charged battery, an engine that can reliably Car Mechanic & Owner Maintaining Social Distancing run without overheating or stalling, and a transmission free of major problems is critical in this time. This virus does not discriminate in who it infects, and every individual should have a plan in place to respond to this crisis, and that includes a well-maintained car. Any questions that you have about your vehicle should be directed to a certified mechanic through the appropriate channels that allow for adequate social distancing measures, such as via telephone or email.

Auto shops provide an essential service in our society and, without them, additional strain would be placed on top of the industries which must respond to this pandemic. If you need work done on your primary vehicle that is indispensable for its operation, please visit an auto shop. It is in your best interest and the best interest of those around you.

Porsche Poor Brake Function

Ways To Fix Pressure Accumulator Failure in Your Porsche

Porsche has spent many decades refining and fine-tuning how the driving experience feels for their drivers. They are always at the forefront of cutting-edge innovations and technological advancements. This means that when any part of a Porsche starts to fail, drivers will notice the drop in performance quickly. While, of course, Porsche has designed every car they produce to be as reliable as possible, parts do have a projected life span, and once that threshold is reached and passed, part failure becomes much more likely.

To help protect and prolong the lifespan of your Porsche, you need to be aware of some of the signs and symptoms of failure of the important systems of your car, including the pressure accumulator. In this article, we will learn what this important part does, why it fails, and discuss where you can get the issue fixed properly.

The Pressure Accumulator

Your Porsche actually has several pressure accumulators throughout your Porsche. They are, in essence, a hydraulic component that gives your car’s fluid systems the pressure they need to properly perform their jobs.

The most essential pressure accumulator in your Porsche is the ABS accumulator, which provides pressure to your brakes, making hard braking a controlled and immediate response. If you ever think you have an issue with this accumulator, you should seek professional diagnostic work immediately as your car is no longer safe to drive.

Less essential but still integral, pressure accumulators in your car also exist to help the air conditioning, the fuel system, clutch, transmission, and the suspension. An accumulator is able to provide the pressure to fluid when needed by storing energy at times when there is less of a need or an excess of energy, such as when idle. It will then provide the stored energy at times of need, such as when accelerating or braking.

A pressure accumulator is comprises of various parts such as chambers, pumps, pistons, valves, and hydraulic lines. This means that failure can occur in the accumulator because of a variety of reasons. Let’s discuss how to tell if an accumulator is failing.

Accumulator Failure

As mentioned, the pressure accumulator is an assembly of parts. Therefore, a failure of any one of these elements will cause the deterioration and failure of the overall part. The way in which the issue is fixed will depend on the part in question. Some common symptoms of accumulator problems include:

Poor Clutch or Brake Function

Your Porsche’s brake and transmission systems need pressurized fluid to work correctly. Lacklustre brakes or a hesitant clutch can indicate accumulator trouble that needs immediate repair by a trusted Porsche specialist.

A/C Doesn’t Put Out Cold Air

To successfully produce cold air, your air conditioning system needs hydraulic pressure. When this fails, you will only receive low airflow from your HVAC system.

Issues with your Suspension

Porsche uses hydraulic pressure in its suspension to absorb the shock from the road, improving the way the ride feels. When no pressure is provided, the ride will become much more bumpy, which is certainly unexpected from the norm.

Warning Lights

Pressure accumulator failure can result in the illumination of warning lights, such as the check engine light or the brake light. It is important to never ignore these warning signs, as they are intended to keep you and your car safe.

Common Causes of Pressure Accumulator Failure

The main cause of pressure accumulator failure is pressure loss. Pressure loss is usually case of a leaky system, with the most common areas for this to occur being the seals, valves, or hydraulic lines. The leaks will affect the amount of pressure the accumulators can store, reducing their overall function.

Porsche Pressure Accumulator Failure Fix

Fixing Pressure Accumulator Failure

As there are multiple pressure accumulators throughout your Porsche, and with some responsible for essential safety systems such as your brakes, trying to fix pressure accumulator failure at home is never advised. This part can be difficult to access and requires special tools to fix. Attempting DIY repairs won’t save you time or money, and can leave you wondering if your Porsche is still safe to drive.

Euro Plus Automotive

Euro Plus Automotive services the Porsche Pressure Accumulator Issue Check areas of Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles County, CA. Our friendly team of experts will be happy to check the status of your car’s pressure accumulators to ensure your Porsche is performing safely and up to the standards you expect. Call us today for a convenient appointment.

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