RICHMOND GERMAN AUTO REPAIR

Winter can be tough on your vehicle, but with proper preparation, you can help ensure that your car is ready to handle the colder temperatures and snowy conditions. Here are some critical steps to take to prepare your vehicle for the winter: Check your tires: Good tread is essential for maintaining traction on slippery roads. If your tires are worn or don't have enough tread, consider replacing them before the winter season. Consider using winter tires, specifically designed for cold weather and can provide a better grip on icy roads. Test your exterior lights: It's essential to make sure all of your exterior lights are functioning correctly before the winter season. This includes your headlights, taillights, and turn signals. Not only will this help you see and be seen on the road, but it's also a safety requirement in many states. Replace your windshield wipers: Windshield wipers can become worn out over time, and they can be especially prone to failure in the winter ... read more

Our vehicle’s lights have many functions – some help us see the road ahead while others are used to communicate with other drivers. It is your responsibility to keep your car lights operating at all times. Just like the lights in our homes, they can eventually die out or even break. When that happens, know that you can trust the team at Bimmer Rescue with all your automotive lighting needs. Car Lights & What They Are Used For Low Beam Headlights - These are the basic headlights that should give enough light to show you what is ahead of you on the road at night. They improve visibility and safety when used during the day, through bad weather, and especially at night. High Beam Headlights - These are your high beams that are known for giving intense brightness. You should only have them on when there are no cars around. These are great to use on back roads or dark-lit roads at night. You should avoid using them when it is rainy or foggy.  Fog Lights - Speaking o ... read more

When you notice overheating, spills, and engine issues with your vehicle, it might be time for you to get a radiator flushing. But before you do, what is it, and how often does your vehicle need it? Radiator flush: what is it? A radiator cleanse can assist maintain an effective radiator system and stop a car from overheating. This method involves emptying the radiator's initial coolant and refilling it with fresh coolant or antifreeze that has been diluted with water. The combination is then allowed to flow through the cooling system of the car so that any granular accumulation inside the radiator stream can be dissolved and removed. The coolant or antifreeze solution is then emptied and replenished with the regular mixture of coolant and water when the system has finished circulating. How to Determine When to Flush Your Radiator The car's manual should be your initial stop. This gives a timeline and a description of maintenance duties as advised by the producer. You might ... read more

  With temperatures cooling down in Richmond, VA, we’d like to remind our customers and community to check their vehicle’s tire pressure. This isn’t rocket science – cold weather can cause the air inside your tires to contract. To avoid driving with underinflated tires, please be sure to take some time to monitor and adjust your tire’s air pressure.   Oftentimes, our clients will ask us, “what is the recommended tire pressure for my car”. There is no right or wrong answer for all vehicles because it varies depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Before pulling out the gauge or taking your car to the nearest air pump, ensure you know your automaker’s specifications for tire PSI.    If you operate a light truck, car, or SUV, the recommended usually ranges from 32-36 psi. To be sure, check the following places for accurate details: Driver or passenger inner door jam Sticker or decal inside the fuel door ... read more

While most people are wary about their oil changes, they don’t care much for their vehicle’s timing belt or chain. But did you know just as important of a role for your engine? The timing belt is a part of the motor that rotates the camshaft and crankshaft so that they can move in sync.  This ensures every cylinder fires at the right time without incurring any damage.    The rubbery timing belt typically sits under a timing cover near the front of the engine. Since timing belts are made to last up anywhere between 60,000 to 100,000 miles or more, most drivers neglect to check on them early on. However, frequent inspections of your vehicle’s belts are essential to plan out the replacement service. When timing belts wear down, they are more inclined to break. A broken timing belt can cause extensive engine damage if you’re not careful.   In this blog, we will go over several common symptoms that may indicate your timing belt needs repair ... read more

An OBD scanner is a diagnostic tool used to troubleshoot issues with a vehicle's engine, transmission, and other electronic systems. It connects to the vehicle's onboard computer to retrieve data from the vehicle computer and diagnose problems. OBD scanners can be used to check for engine codes, transmission codes, and other system codes. On-board diagnostics (OBD) are vehicle emission control systems that monitor and report data related to a vehicle's emission control and engine systems. The data is used to diagnose and repair emission-related problems. OBD systems are required on all new cars and light trucks sold in the United States since 1996. OBD systems are designed to work with a vehicle's emission control system to help identify problems that may cause the vehicle to pollute. The system does this by monitoring and reporting data related to the vehicle's emission control and engine systems. The data is used to diagnose and repair emission-related problems ... read more

Have you struggled to see the road due to fuzzy or discolored headlights? It can be frustrating. Luckily, we’re coming to you with a quick fix that costs nearly nothing.    Before testing out a bunch of random tips you read on the internet, you need to look to see whether the inside or outside of the light is impacted. If the oxidation is present on the outside cover of the light, then follow the tips below. If the muck is on the inside, you should consider getting professional help.   To clean your headlight’s exterior, you'll need the following items: A cleaning paste that can be made with baking soda/vinegar or toothpaste A soft cloth Old toothbrush  Water  Non-abrasive sponge    Step 1 - First, add a quarter-size amount of cleaning solution onto your cloth or rag and apply an even layer to your headlight. Step 2 - Let it sit there for 10-15 minutes. Step 3 - Use the toothbrush or any other brush to scrub the headlight ... read more

There’s no doubt that European automakers use strong, premium glass on their vehicles. However, they are not impenetrable. If your car’s glass surfaces have recently been chipped, cracked, or shattered, look no further than the automotive experts at Bimmer Rescue for auto glass repairs or replacements. While it may seem easy to shrug off a minor crack, glass damage can spread quickly, put your safety at risk, and lower your vehicle’s overall resale value.   At Bimmer Rescue in Richmond, VA, we understand the important role of glass in your European vehicle more than any other auto glass shop. It not only acts as a barrier between the inside and outside, but glass is important for your visibility too. Our qualified team strives to provide our customers with easy and seamless auto glass repairs. We only use high-quality glass and up-to-date equipment to restore your vehicle to pristine condition.    Our shop performs the following auto glass repairs a ... read more

What is a Head Gasket Between the cylinder head and the engine block lies a head gasket, which is an important component. The engine of a vehicle is divided into two sections: the engine block, which houses the pistons and cylinders, and the cylinder head, which houses valves, spark plugs, and other components. The head gasket, which sits between these two engine elements, is responsible for sealing the internal combustion process and preventing any fluids from leaking or mixing. The head gasket seals the combustion chamber of the engine, allowing your car to produce the necessary compression to keep your engine running at peak performance. It also prevents coolant or oil from leaking into other areas of your engine, which might cause it to overheat and catch fire. Causes of a Blown Gasket Head gaskets can explode at any time and need to be fixed promptly. Damage to the engine might occur if the driver continues to drive a car with a blown gasket i ... read more

Say goodbye to winter and hello to spring. While we're sure most of you are more likely to leave your homes and do exciting things this season, there are certain things you should do to take care of your car first. Your vehicle has fought through the unpleasant effects of winter, so it needs some freshening up before handling the warmer temperature. Here's a list of items to restore and improve your vehicle's condition and give it a fresh new start before the summertime. Check and Rotate Tires Tire maintenance is critical in every season. When springtime comes around, please remember to check your tire pressure to match the automaker's recommended psi. Plus, it would be good to rotate them to promote even wear. Lastly, make sure they have enough tread on them to grip the dry or wet roads this spring. Brake Check Similar to tires, brakes are another component that is needed to keep you and others safe. Check whether your braking time is sufficient and whether your br ... read more