A Beginner’s Guide to Basic Car Care for German Vehicles

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Autohaus

Are you a proud owner of a German car? If so, chances are you’ve heard the phrase “German cars require special care.” But what does that really mean and how do you go about taking care of your beloved European ride? Car owners often overlook basic maintenance techniques when it comes to their vehicles, but this can lead to costly repairs down the road.

To ensure your German car runs as smoothly as possible for years to come, here is a beginner’s guide to basic car care for German vehicles.

Call 317-571-0800 for Authentic German Auto Service in Carmel Indiana.

German Car Care 101: What You Need to Know

1. Check Your Oil Regularly: Oil is one of the most important elements when it comes to keeping your German car running smoothly, so make sure you check your oil levels every few months or at least twice a year.

2. Replace Fluids As Needed: German cars require specific fluids such as coolant and brake fluid – if these fluids are not regularly replaced, you run the risk of damaging your vehicle.

3. Keep Up With Tune-Ups: German cars require regular tune-ups in order to keep them running at peak performance. Tune-ups should be done every 6 months or once a year depending on how much you drive your car.

4. Replace Filters: Car filters can become clogged with dirt, dust and debris over time so it’s important to replace them as needed. This helps ensure your German car is running at its best.

5. Watch for Warning Signs: Pay attention to any strange noises or unusual behavior from your German car – this could be an indication that something is wrong and needs to be looked at.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be able to keep your German car running smoothly for years to come. European car maintenance may seem intimidating at first, but with a little bit of knowledge and patience, you can do it yourself and save money in the long run. Car owners need to remember that taking care of their German car is an investment that will pay off in the end with a smooth, reliable ride with great re-sale or scrap value.

Routine European Auto Maintenance and Service

Regular auto maintenance is essential for keeping your European car in peak condition and making sure that small problems don’t become larger ones. Without regular auto service, you may find yourself with a much higher auto repair bill in the future. Not to mention potential safety risks due to an improperly cared for vehicle.

Experts recommend European auto maintenance at least once per year, or based upon the mileage of your car, whichever one comes first. It’s also important to be aware of any odd noises, issues while driving, or changes in performance and address them as soon as possible. Keeping up on German car care and factory scheduled auto service not only keeps you safe but could help keep extra dollars in your pocket as well.

Searching for a reliable, experienced European automotive repair shop to service your luxury or classic German vehicle? Look no further- you’ve come to the right place! Contact Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for factory scheduled car maintenance in Carmel, Indianapolis. We are German-trained mechanics specializing in European make and model vehicles.

Why an Independent Auto Repair Shop is Best for European Cars

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Autohaus

Are you the proud owner of an Audi or BMW? Are you in the market for a new or used Volkswagen? Perhaps you are preparing to gift your spouse with a Mercedes Benz for your anniversary? In either case, it is important that you outsource the best automotive mechanics for your European car maintenance and repair needs.

European make and model vehicles require a unique genre of automotive repair and service, making it valuable to choose a professional who specializes in British and German vehicles. But you don’t want to choose just any European automotive repair shop, especially not a dealership mechanic. You can benefit greatly, and in many ways, by choosing an independent auto repair shop for European car repair and service.

Continue reading to learn independent auto repair shop is the best option for European car maintenance and repair, plus which German automotive mechanic to choose in Carmel, Indiana for dealership-level work at an affordable price.

European Automotive Repair Shop Carmel Indiana 317-571-0800

Why Choose an Independent Automotive Repair Garage?

Optimal Technical Training

An independent automotive repair garage that specializes in European vehicles typically employs a staff of mechanics who have formal training in European automotive mechanical sciences. Not only do they have specialized knowledge and training in import automotive service and mechanics, but they also stay current on all the evolving technologies and automotive features used by today’s European automakers.

Good Relationships

When using an independent automotive repair shop for your European car repair and service needs, you can expect to build a personalized, one-on-one relationship with your mechanic who, in turn, will get to know the ins and outs of your vehicle. Not only does this provide you with comfort in knowing that you are an important customer, but it gives you confidence in their ability to meet your automotive service and repair expectations.

Dealership Level Service at Neighborhood Prices

Perhaps one of the most revered advantages of choosing independent automotive repair over mainstream or dealership service is cost savings. Independent automotive repair shops are typically lower in price, offering more economical rates for their services and labor. Because they are specialized and formally trained mechanics, you still get dealership level service, but you pay a fraction of the price that you would normally pay at a dealership.

Satisfaction Guarantees and Warranties

Another wonderful benefit of choosing an independent auto repair shop for European automotive service is the guarantee of good work. Most independent automotive repair shops that service European vehicles offer some kind of “satisfaction guarantee” and/or short-term warranties for their work.

Are you looking for an independent factory-trained mechanic for your BMW or European car? Contact Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for European auto services in Carmel, Indianapolis, Indiana. We work on all European vehicles, but specialize in BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi repairs and services.

6 Mercedes Benz Auto Parts That Commonly Breakdown

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Autohaus

Mercedes Benz is a luxury car brand that is definitely worth the investment. They are excellent in safety and performance ratings, and last many years with good care. However, like all automakers, Mercedes isn’t perfect. Whether you are shopping around for a Mercedes Benz, have recently purchased your very first one, or have owned yours for a handful of years already, there are some car maintenance concerns and malfunctions you should know about that may come around as the vehicle gets older. Knowing these common and likely automotive issues can help you develop an improved car maintenance plan and spot problems early on.

Scroll down to learn the top 6 Mercedes Benz auto parts that are known to breakdown as the car ages, plus who to trust in Carmel, Indiana for dealer-level European auto service at neighborhood prices.

Mercedes Repair Carmel Indiana 317-571-0800

Mercedes Benz Auto Care and Repair

It is a common industry matter for certain make and model vehicles to have their own unique malfunctions or mechanical problems, especially as they age. As for an aging Mercedes Benz, there are 6 particular systems or areas that seem to be the faultiest. These include the tires, catalytic converter, suspension system, ignition system, transmission wire harness, and engine mounts.

Mercedes Tires

Mercedes Benz automakers cannot necessarily be blamed for tire problems, as all tires wear out and eventually lose tread. With your Mercedes, watch out for premature tread wear. As sporty cars, Mercedes are designed to grip the road tighter, which is the same job as tire tread. This combination of road traction can cause the tires to wear out faster than other vehicles. Do the penny tire tread trick to see of your car tires are still in good condition. Stick a penny inside the tire groove, Lincoln head upright. If you can see Lincoln’s head, it means the tread is low and it is time to replace your vehicle’s tires.

Mercedes Catalytic Converter

The catalytic converter is another auto part that tends to have problems. Catalytic converters are important because the eliminate the harmful and toxic pollutants in exhaust emissions. Typical signs of a Mercedes catalytic converter malfunction include a significant increase in smoke generation from the exhaust and repetitive misfiring. In the best case scenario, the catalytic converter is just clogged and needs a little auto service. But in worst case scenarios, the part must be replaced, and although expensive, is generally covered by insurance.

Mercedes Suspension System

It is a common matter for a Mercedes to experience breakdowns within the suspension system. From the ball joints of the steering system to premature tire tread loss, many things can go wrong within a Mercedes Benz suspension system. As the vehicle ages, the parts that make up the suspension system begin to wear down. Although this happens to all cars at some point, it seems as though it appears sooner in Mercedes Benz vehicles.

Mercedes Ignition System

The Mercedes Benz brand is also known to have problems with the ignition system as the vehicles get older. Most often, the culprit behind this premature mechanical breakdown is spark plug wear and tear. The telltale sign of an ignition system problem is engine misfiring.

Mercedes Transmission Wire Harness

The transmission wiring harness in Mercedes Benz vehicles are especially susceptible to transmission fluid leaks. This is bad news because transmission fluid will damage other mechanisms within the system, even computerized components.

Mercedes Engine Mounts

Mercedes Benz liquid-filled engine mounts are prone to mechanical issues. The most common sign of a faulty engine mount is rough and bumpy idling that you can feel through the steering wheel or car seat. It is as if the engine is excessively vibrating. This is an issue that requires immediate attention because it can quickly cause mechanical breakdowns in other systems within the engine.

Are you looking for trusted European mechanics in your area? Contact Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for Mercedes service and repair in Carmel, Indiana. Our German mechanics are factory-trained with more than 25 years of experience in the automotive service industry.

Does Your Mercedes Benz Radio Faceplate Liner Look Like it’s Peeling Off?

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Autohaus

Here at Autohaus Dierolf, our German factory-trained mechanics have seen a lot through the decades of hands-on experience we’ve had in the European automotive repair and service industry. With that being said, one of the most common vehicular defects we see happens to be on radio faceplates. Many drivers assume that their radio faceplates come with a “protective liner”, because overtime, the faceplate appears to “peel.” But the reality is, there is no protective liner adhered to the surface of the radio faceplate. The peeling evidence seen by drivers is actually a result of wear and tear.

Here’s the Bad News…

So, what tends to happen is, drivers assume this protective layer peels off all the way with ease. And as they peel it more and more, they make more of a mess; a mess that cannot be restored. You see, automakers, such as Mercedes Benz, do not sell just the radio faceplate alone. If the faceplate becomes defaced due to peeling, the ENTIRE radio unit must be purchased and installed! With the item purchase price, plus labor, the cost to have this work done can be astronomical. This is especially guaranteed if you take it to a dealership.

So, what’s the good news here? The good news is that Autohaus Dierolf sees this kind of radio faceplate damage all the time, and has extensive experience resolving such issues at a better price!

Take this example, below. This is a 2009 Mercedes Benz CLK500 convertible that we recently had in our shop. As you can tell by the BEFORE photos below, it looks like there is a protective film or liner that is peeling off. But the truth is that it is the actual cover peeling off. Not only do we see this happen on Mercedes Benz radio faceplates, we also see this happen to models in the 2003 to 2015 range.

Is YOUR Mercedes Benz Radio Faceplate Peeling?

Bring it to us for an affordable alternative to full radio unit replacement! We offer dealership-level quality at neighborhood prices! Our highly skilled and certified mechanics will remove the radio, extract the old cover, install a new faceplate, and then reassemble your car radio, all around $230 or so. Some invoices may be higher than $230, depending on the amount of labor needed to extract the radio. Take a look at our AFTER pictures, below:

Trust Us for Top-Quality European Auto Service

Here at Autohaus Dierolf, we have the latest technologies and resources to deliver prompt and professional automotive repair service you can trust. In fact, we only use top-of-the-line parts and products, primarily Bosch brand, and even have an in-house used auto parts division in which we have been collecting and adding various European car parts for more than 50 years! We even have an extended specialty inventory of Mercedes Benz used parts. This is a great way to provide our customers with quick and easy fixes.

Get Mercedes Benz Auto Repair Service in Carmel, Indiana

Contact us at 317-571-0800 to request a free estimate, or to schedule an appointment, for Mercedes Benz auto repair service in Carmel, Indiana. Our German factory-trained mechanics provide a wide range of automotive maintenance and repair services for all European make and model vehicles. Best of all, we offer free written estimates and extensive warranties on all our work. Don’t wait another minute to get your needed automotive work done. Call our office today to get started.

Carmel IN Auto Repair | Mechanic 46032 | Car Repair 46033 | 317-571-0800

Category Archives: Mercedes Benz