Nashville European Auto Repair

Transmission fluid is a vital part of your vehicle because it lubricates various transmission components to prevent overheating and corrosion while your vehicle is running. Transmission fluid typically lasts a long time but may need to be replaced at a major service every 30,000 miles or so. It depends upon the make and model of your vehicle and your own individual driving habits.  If you begin to notice any of the following symptoms, you may be due for a transmission fluid change:  Grinding or squealing noise while shifting, which can indicate that your fluid isn't properly lubricating your gears and clutch components   You find it difficult to shift, either with manual or automatic transmissions   Your vehicle is surging forward or backward without you pressing on the gas or brake pedal   The gears are slipping out of place, which can be caused by grime and dirt buildup from the dirty transmission fluid   You notice a delay ... read more

When thinking about your vehicle's brake system, the brake pads probably come to mind. However, did you know that the brake system is actually hydraulic, meaning that it uses power from brake fluid for the entire system to work? Many drivers aren't aware of this, which is why they may not understand what a brake fluid flush is or if they even need it.  Your vehicle's brakes are one of the most important safety features, which is why brake maintenance is so important. Having regular brake inspections can catch any problems early on and ensure that your brakes are operating at their best so that you can stay safe on the road.  When you press down on the brake pedal, brake fluid creates the power that makes the system turn so that your vehicle slows down or stops. Over time, what happens is that the many different seals and rubber parts within the system can begin to wear down, which can cause leaking and also cause dirt and debris to contaminate the brake fluid.&n ... read more

Getting into a hot vehicle that has been parked in the sun all day only to find that the air conditioning isn't working is never fun. An A/C system that blows hot air can not only be uncomfortable but can also signal an issue with a critical component. It's in your best interest to get the issue taken care of quickly to avoid discomfort when driving and risking more problems from occurring.  There are a couple of different reasons why you may be dealing with an air conditioning system blowing hot air. The potential causes include:  Low refrigerant - this is almost always exclusively caused by a leak somewhere in the system because refrigerant never needs to be topped off. In order to find the leak, we perform certain inspections and testing. Once the leak is repaired, we add new refrigerant to the system and perform testing to ensure that it works at optimal performance.    Failing compressor - the compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system ... read more

Owning a vehicle is an investment and we often forget that our cars require regular maintenance to last us throughout the years. If you don’t have a specific auto repair shop that you trust, you may be hesitant to have your vehicle checked for maintenance items in fear that you will be told your vehicle needs services that aren’t necessary. Here are a couple of maintenance tips that may help you figure out what services are important in order to keep your vehicle running smoothly: Oil Changes A key service in car maintenance that should never be ignored is an oil change. The purpose of changing your vehicle’s oil every 3-6 months, depending on the oil your vehicle needs, is to properly lubricate your vehicle’s engine while driving. While driving your vehicle, your engine is working and emitting heat. Clean oil is distributed throughout the engine to control heat emission and protect components. If your engine isn’t being lubricated by c ... read more

The brake pads are the components in your brake system which actually help to create the friction which stops your wheels from spinning. This is essential to the braking process and ensures that you are able to safely slow and stop when you need to. These pads undergo a ton of heat and pressure when you're driving which is why they tend to wear down quickly and need to be replaced at certain intervals.  How quickly your brake pads wear down will depend on a number of different things. First of all, the make and model of your vehicle comes into play. The quality and brand of the brake pads installed in your car also make a difference. High-quality brake pads will typically last longer and are more durable than lower-end options. Where you drive also makes a difference; for example, if you drive in the city or stop and go traffic every day, your brake pads will wear down faster than if you were to just drive without having to slow/stop constantly.  Another factor in ... read more

The summer months are the perfect time to jump in the car and drive off to the beach, a nice restaurant, a baseball game, the pool, or to visit family and friends. However, due to the hotter, more intense weather and increased frequency of driving, our vehicle’s become more at risk for overheating.  Here are some ways to help avoid car overheating this summer and to keep your interior comfortable throughout the season for you and your passengers:  Park in the shade and out of direct sunlight when possible   Consider having your vehicle's windows tinted or purchase a windshield sun shade   When turning on your car's A/C, start it from the bottom vents. This will push the hot air from the bottom up and cool down your cabin faster.   Be aware of the engine temperature gauge on your car's dashboard. If you notice that the temperature is running high, we suggest having your vehicle inspected. There could be an ... read more

Power steering is used in almost all modern vehicles today, including cars, trucks, and SUVs. The power steering system allows for easier control when parking, driving at low speeds, and is great for drivers who aren't as steady at the wheel.  What is the power steering system? This is a system that helps you easily turn your vehicle's wheels using hydraulic or electric power. Think of this system has a helpful push, because otherwise steering would require much more effort from the driver.  The power steering system is typically hydraulic, and is set up with a sensor that detects force, a pump that helps to create the hydraulic pressure in the system, valves that move the high-pressure fluid, and actuators which actually help to turn the wheels.  The power steering system is a tricky one, because it is designed to give you better control without being too sensitive. The goal is to not affect your vehicle's handling too much so that the direction of y ... read more

At German Motorworks, we want you to know that our shop is open and available to serve you during the COVID-19 outbreak. We know that times are uncertain and a little scary, but rest assured that if you have car trouble, our experts will be available to assist.  Although many business have been ordered to shut down during this time to prevent the spread of COVID-19, auto repair is classified as an essential business and is permitted ot remain open. We need our cars to get to work, to the stores, or to recieve medial attention, and cars will still continue to have problems or need services while COVID-19 is active.  We care about the health of our patrons and our employees, which is why we have made necessary adjustments to ensure that we do our part in preventing the further spread of the virus. Measures we have implemented include:  Santizing your vehicle when it comes into our shop and before it is returned to you, including the door handles, steering wheel, middle ... read more

A rough idling engine can be a cause for concern, especially if the issue points to some sort of engine problem. In order to understand whether or not rough idling is what you are experiencing, lets talk about what exactly idling is and what symptoms indicate rough idling.  When you get into your car and start the engine, it at first runs without you putting it into gear or accelerating. In this state, your engine is idling. It just means that your engine is running, but your vehicle isn't moving or in any gear. A proper idling allows your vehicle to maintain a steady RPM and will ensure that the engines air and fuel mixtures are correct.  Rough idling is when you notice that when your engine is idling, strange symptoms are occurring. These symptoms include a vibrating or shaky vehicle, RPMs that aren't steady and fluctuate quickly, and skipping or slipping sounds. You will definitely feel that your vehicle is "running rough" when your engine is rough idli ... read more

Vehicle maintenance is the single best way to ensure that your vehicle runs at its best and lasts you throughout the years. When you take care of your car, you protect your investment and guarantee reliable transportation every day. In between your visits to German Motorworks, is doesn't hurt to understand and be aware of your vehicle and know little checks that you can do every 6 months to evaluate your vehicle's condition. If you notice something off, you'll know to come into our shop for further inspection.  Here are some little checks that you can do every 6 months to stay on top of your vehicle's preventative maintenance:  Check your tire tread and look at overall tire condition Make sure that your tire pressure is correct and that your TPMS light is not illuminated Inspect your fluid levels under the hood Change your windshield wipers once a year and check windshield washing fluid Check all of your interior and exterior lights to make sure they are ... read more