March 2020 - Turning Wrenches

Tips From Certified Mechanics in Louisville on Maintaining Your Mercedes’ AirMatic System

by turningwpuser | Mar 30, 2020 | Mercedes Repair

Mercedes Benz is known for its high-performance engine, next-generation innovations, and a sophisticated interior. One system that is well-known for contributing to the incredible driving experience that Mercedes Benz offers is the AirMatic system. Let’s dive deeper into this integral system and look at ways to ensure each drive is the ultimate driving experience.

The Value of the AirMatic System

The AirMatic system is an air suspension marvel developed by Mercedes for their new models. The AirMatic system works in unison with the Air Dampening System (ADS) to create an unbelievably-smooth driving experience. The ADS provides the suspension with a cushion, while the AirMatic system controls air inside the suspension to match the terrain and driving conditions.

Why It’s Important to Keep your AirMatic System Well-Maintained

When you’re driving your dream car, it is essential that you keep on top of maintenance. Maintenance helps extend the lifespan of your Mercedes and ensures that each drive feels as good as the last. Without proper maintenance, parts will start to wear and then fail. You will notice a dramatic drop in performance and may become frustrated with potentially-dangerous symptoms caused by failing parts. When it comes to caring for your AirMatic system, we’ve listed some of the top maintenance tips below.

Check for Leaks

To keep an air-based suspension system working at top levels, you always need to be on the lookout for air leaks. Air leaks can put a strain on essential parts of the suspension system, such as the compressor. This can lead to premature part failure. There are kits available for purchase that can help you patch a minor leak at home, but for complete peace of mind, you should bring your Mercedes to a specialist for repairs.

Loose Air Lines

As part of your regular, ongoing maintenance, you should check the air lines or the AirMatic System. You should be inspecting these to see that the lines have a secure connection to other parts of the system. This will ensure the correct pressure is able to be maintained within the system. This will reduce the pressure on other parts to over-perform to compensate.

Check the Air Springs

The final crucial part of your ongoing AirMatic maintenance should be to check the air springs. The air springs are designed to expand and contract at a steady pressure, which helps to keep the driving experience smooth. These springs should ideally be kept at a pressure of 5psi, but check with your owner’s manual to make sure your springs are tuned to the specifics of your Mercedes model.

Cleaning and Maintaining the AirMatic System

As with most parts of your vehicle, proper maintenance involves ensuring that parts are clean of dirt and grime which can interfere with the correct operation of the system. Debris build up can be a leading and yet preventable cause of many types of part failure. Buildup can have you shelling out money for repairs that could have been avoided. So if you want to save money, spend a little time giving your Mercedes some proper TLC.

Spending some time checking and cleaning your car will also allow you to spot small changes or early stages of part failure, meaning you can respond much more quickly to any issue your Mercedes might face. Any repairs will remain straightforward, quick, and affordable.

Regularly Scheduled Maintenance

The number one way to ensure your Mercedes Benz remains operating at peak performance is to keep up with your servicing record. Having your Mercedes inspected by a professional repair shop will ensure that any issue is caught early on. Parts can be inspected, tested, and fine tuned, meaning your Mercedes will always be at its best.

Turning Wrenches of Louisville, KY is on hand to help local Mercedes drivers keep their AirMatic systems in check. Alongside this, the dedicated team will also help you care for your car’s A/C, wheel alignment, exhaust system, transmission, and more. We are your one-stop shop for superior servicing and repairs, and with a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, we guarantee you will be satisfied with our service and quality. Call us today to make an appointment or stop in to talk with our technicians.

Reasons Behind Your BMW’s Check Engine Light Activating

by turningwpuser | Mar 13, 2020 | BMW Repair

All vehicles are incredibly complex machines, especially those which have been intelligently engineered and thoughtfully designed, such as BMW. Because of this, your car has a variety of systems in place to protect you and your car from the effects of severe part failure. One such system is the check engine warning light. Below, you can find out how the light works as well as the types of part failure which can cause it to illuminate.

What is the check engine light?

The Engine Management Light (EML) or check engine light is a warning indicator which is found on your BMW’s dashboard. It will illuminate when more severe issues are detected in your vehicle’s systems or parts which work with the engine and the connecting exhaust systems.

The engine management light connects directly to your BMW’s main computer, which is known as the ECU or Engine Control Unit. If the ECU detects an issue in one of the aforementioned systems, it will trigger the check engine light and send out an error code. This can be used to correctly diagnose and repair the problem.

How a driver should immediately respond to the EML depends on the severity of the issue. If the car still feels like its running fine, then lower your speed and drive it directly to a professional repair shop. However, if the EML lights up red or your car no longer feels safe, then pull over and call for a recovery vehicle to tow you to a repair shop.

Common Reasons Why the Check Engine Light may Illuminate

There are many reasons why this essential warning light may illuminate. Below, we have listed some of the most common reasons, how risky they are for your car, and how you should respond.

Vacuum Hose Leaks

Damage Level: Low
Response: Lower your speed and locate the nearest auto shop.

Vacuum hoses are needed to channel both fresh air as well as emissions around the engine to allow it to run correctly. They’re made of rubber and can be exposed to high temperatures inside the engine which can lead to them cracking or deteriorating over time. When this happens, the precise balance of gases can be thrown off-kilter, leading to the engine’s sensors reporting issues to the ECU.

Loose Filler Cap

Damage Level: Low
Response: Check the cap and replace as needed.

This issue is most commonly caused by drivers being distracted at the pumps and not correctly tightening their fuel cap. A loose cap allows extra air into the tank which distripts the pressure. This will cause one of the many sensors to detect an issue and inform the ECU. This is the most simple and most common cause for check engine light illumination and should always be ruled out first.

Fuel Pump Blockage

Damage Level: Medium
Response: Lower your speed and locate the nearest auto shop.

The fuel pump is what provides pressurized fuel to the fuel injectors. If the pump isn’t working correctly, then the fuel will not be able to be properly delivered to the engine, causing rough running. The engine light will be illuminated by the ECU and your BMW will likely be at an increased risk of misfires.

Soot on the Particulate Filter

Damage Level: High
What to do: Lower your speed and locate the nearest auto shop, or call for a tow.

The particulate filter is most commonly found in diesel models, but it is being introduced into gasoline cars too. The particulate filter is responsible for capturing the soot which is produced by the combustion process. If this filter becomes clogged, then this soot will settle inside the engine and start to contaminate the delicate parts inside. This issue needs to be resolved quickly as if the filter becomes damaged beyond repair, you are likely to be footing an expensive bill.

Turning Wrenches

Turning Wrenches of Louisville, KY are experts in repairing, servicing, and maintaining European vehicles. We are open Monday through Friday to serve you. Our dedicated team will be able to diagnose and respond to your BMW’s issue quickly, efficiently, and affordably. Our friendly team is dedicated to making sure you drive away happy and safely. We are so confident in what we do that we offer a 3-year/36,000 mile warranty as a guarantee on our work. Call us today or stop by to speak to our technicians.