Tag Archives: luxury auto repair

5 Automotive Modifications That Will Increase Horsepower

Posted on by

As a car owner and driver, you are dedicated to taking good care of your vehicle. From routine maintenance and regular car washes to safe driving habits, adequate insurance coverage, and all the interior cabin gadgets you can find, your job as a responsible driver is fulfilled. But what about power? If you wish there was something you could do to give your car or truck a little more oomph, you are in luck. There are several automotive modifications you can add to your existing ride to increase its horsepower and get to your destinations faster.

Continue below to learn the top 5 ways you can increase your vehicle’s horsepower with after-market modification installations.  

Carmel Indiana German Car Repair 317-571-0800
Carmel Indiana German Car Repair 317-571-0800

How to Make Your Car Drive Faster

Horsepower is engine power, and therefore, essential when it comes to all sorts of driving needs, like making a green light, driving uphill, or passing someone on the interstate. Whether your car does not come factory-equipped with adequate horsepower, or your vehicle is just older and not as capable as it once was, these 5 mods can increase the oomph of your engine and transmission controls, making your ride faster and peppier:

Cold Air Intake

One of the most common go-to automotive modifications for increasing horsepower is a cold air intake. Cold air is denser, so more of it gets inside the engine cylinders and mixes with the gasoline. More cold air means more combustion, which means a more powerful engine.

Not only will cold air intake increase engine power by as much as 7 HP, but they are also suggested to be the cheapest option. According to CarParts.com, cold air intakes can be as low as $40 or so, depending on factors like retailer, features, and brand.

Cat-Back Exhaust

A cat-back exhaust is not an added car part, but rather, a modification to an existing one. You can give your ride a cat-back exhaust by straightening out the pipes from the catalyst in the exhaust tubing to the rear of the vehicle. This mod is suggested to loosen up the whole muffler system, which in turn increases cold air intake and ultimately, combustion in the engine.

Reflashing

Reflashing is done to a vehicle’s computer system to change the car’s programming. Everything from timing and fuel-air mixture ratios to other related horsepower-enhancing elements can be reconfigured to meet your HP expectations. Keep in mind, this option is reserved for vehicles that are turbocharged or supercharged.

High-Flow Catalyst

It is suggested that combining a high-flow catalyst with a cat0-back exhaust is a sure-fire combination to increase horsepower in a vehicle. High-flow catalysts are innovative aftermarket catalytic converters that catalyzes the exhaust flow at a quicker rate, therefore, supplying more power to the engine. Do not try to remove your catalyst yourself if it is not already broken, as there are local and state laws prohibiting this.

Tires

Modifying your car tires can also increase your vehicle’s horsepower. Consider swapping out your entire set with a shorter set, which might help increase acceleration through aerodynamics. Beware, switching to shorter tires can throw off your speedometer readings. You can also take your vehicle in for regular tire alignments. Straighter tires that all point forward work better together, which can deliver more traction and ultimately, heightened engine response. Lighter tires may also increase horsepower, such as carbon-fiber wheels.

Do you want to improve the performance and efficiency of your luxury German car? Contact Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for European car service in Indianapolis, Carmel, Indiana. We are factory trained mechanics who specialize in German and European vehicles.

Related Posts:

How Does Tire Width Affect Gas Mileage in Cars?
FAQS About Car Engine Flushes
How to ‘Break In’ a Brand New Car

European Auto Repair and Service - Carmel Indiana 317-577-0800
European Auto Repair and Service – Carmel Indiana 317-577-0800

Why You Should Never Use Dish Soap to Hand Wash a Luxury Car

Posted on by

Your luxury vehicle is an important asset. Not only is it an investment, but it is a special interest piece in your life. For these reasons, your top priority for your luxury vehicle should be to keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible. Regular maintenance and cleaning are two of the most effective approaches for achieving this collective auto enthusiast goal.

For many luxury brand car owners, hand washing is the only way to go when it comes to a car wash. Automatic car washes, even ones that advertising to be “touchless” can cause structural and aesthetic damages to luxury vehicles, especially low profile cars like Porches and Lamborghinis. So, if you opt to wash your car manually, you are making a safe choice. That is, so long as you do not use dishwashing detergent, even a mild one.

Continue reading to learn why using dish soap to wash a luxury car is a bad idea, and what to use in place of store-bought detergents.

Luxury Car Repair Service Carmel Indiana 317-571-0800
Luxury Car Repair Service Carmel Indiana 317-571-0800

The Dangers of Dish Soap Car Washing

There are many reasons why you should never use dishwashing detergent or liquid dish soaps to hand wash your luxury car. Not only can they remove your precious and vital automotive wax and clear coat, but they can also weaken automotive paint UV-resistance, cause rust formation, fog up headlights, pollute the environment, and even pose certain health risks.

Using Dish Soap on a Car Can…

► Remove Car Wax

Most dish soaps, even mild formulas, contain harsh ingredients designed to eliminate grease. So, they can easily strip automotive wax after just one application. Overtime, repeated use of dish soap on a luxury car can remove the layer of wax and clear coat, and eventually lead to paint damage.

► Reduce UV Protection

Repeated use of dish soap to wash a car can negatively impact the automotive paint’s ability to resist damaging UV light. As a result, paint will fade, peel, and crack. It also makes your cabin a lot hotter in the warmer seasons of the year.

► Lead to Rust Formation

Oxidation is a common consequence of using dish soap to wash cars. Oxidation is rust, and it forms due to a combination of sunlight, moisture, and oxygen exposure. When automotive wax and paint are jeopardized or in poor condition, dish soap applications can quickly lead to rust formation.

► Cause Foggy Headlights

Dish soap can cause your car’s headlights to fog up because of the suds produced during the cleansing process. Soap residues will buildup on the surface of the headlights overtime, causing a hazy, cloudy appearance that is not easily reversed.

► Pollute the Environment

Most dish detergents are not safe for the surrounding environment. Even mild solutions contain man-made chemicals and stringent ingredients that can be harmful to plant life, wildlife, and the atmosphere. Soapy water runoff can enter the local sewer systems and storm drains, which can lead to further pollution to our underground water tables, ponds, oceans, lakes, streams, and more.

► Threaten Your Health

Believe it or not, using dish soap to wash your beloved car on a regular basis can be bad for your health. Detergents, as mentioned, contain harsh chemicals and ingredients that can be toxic to the environment. Well, they are just as toxic to our health. Ingredients like DMDM Hydantoin, formaldehyde, and sulfuric acid are common in dish soap, and proven to be harmful.

What to Use Instead of Dish Soap

Always use a detergent that is specially designed for car washing. You can buy these products at any local department store, auto parts store, or online retailer. Make sure the detergent is compatible with your particular car wax and paint.

Are you looking for specialized auto repair for your luxury European vehicle? 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.

Related Posts:

Routine Automotive Services Recommended Just for European Vehicles
Car Care Tips for Import Vehicles
Top 5 Car Parts Affected By Cold Weather

European Automotive Repair Carmel
European Automotive Repair Carmel Indiana 317-577-0800

Recommended Car Maintenance for Fall

Posted on by

Fall has begun, and likely so has some of your favorite seasonal activities and indulgences. But don’t let all the fun Autumn festivities distract you from your season-to-season scheduled car maintenance duties. Continue reading to learn the recommended car maintenance checklist for Fall, and who to trust for superior European auto service in Indianapolis.

Factory Scheduled Maintenance Indianapolis IN 317-571-0800
Factory Scheduled Maintenance Indianapolis IN 317-571-0800

Fall Season Car Care Checklist

Heating and Air Conditioning System

Now that the temperatures are slowly dropping, it is important to ensure that your heating system is on point and ready to deliver a cozy indoor environment for your vehicle. In preparation for the increasingly chilly Fall weather, be sure to have your automotive heating and air conditioning system inspected and serviced by a licensed mechanic in Carmel, Indiana.

Tires

Proper tire inflation is vital for safe driving through the fall season. Colder climates can also cause tires to lose air pressure, making it important to routinely check your tire pressure. Before fall turns into winter, be sure to have your tire serviced by a licensed mechanic. Have your tires changed at the tread is low and have them rotated and balanced for optimal performance and fuel efficiency.

Car Battery

Car batteries are known to encounter problems as the outdoor temperatures drop for the Autumn season. Be sure that your automotive battery is an optimal condition. Also, be sure that your vehicle is equipped with jumper cables and additional emergency roadside assistance supplies in the case of your car battery dies while out on the road.

Automotive Fluids

All vehicles, regardless of make or model, require 7 vital automotive fluids. These include transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, radiator fluid (also known as coolant or antifreeze), battery fluid, windshield wiper fluid, and of course motor oil. Bring your vehicle into your local Carmel Indiana auto shop to have all fluids topped off and refilled as needed.

You might want to also consider keeping an extra bottle of coolant and motor oil in the trunk in the case of an overheating car engine. Depending on the type of battery you have, you may not require battery fluid. Sometimes battery cells are required to be topped off with water. This is more common in older vehicles.

Headlights

Before the foggy and hazy fall and winter days approach, be sure your headlights are cleaned up and shining bright for optimal road safety and driving control. Be sure to have any lamps changed if any of your headlights or taillights are burnt out.

Windshield Wipers

Not only do you want to ensure that your when should wiper fluid is topped off and ready for the fall season, but you also want to ensure that your windshield wipers are in good condition. It is important to switch at you when chilled wipers annually to ensure optimal performance and water runoff clearance. You need to prepare for flurries and snowstorms, even in the Fall.

Do you own a European vehicle that requires some routine car maintenance in Indianapolis? Contact Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for superior factory scheduled maintenance in Carmel, Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

When Do I Need to Change the Fluids in My Car?
Factory Recommended Maintenance for Car Brakes
How to Correct an Overheating Car Engine

European Automotive Repair Carmel
European Automotive Repair Carmel Indiana 317-577-0800

Top 5 Car Parts Affected By Cold Weather

Posted on by

When the winter weather becomes extreme, the harsh climates and freezing temperatures can affect our daily lives in more ways than one. An area of your life that tends to get overlooked come winter’s peak is your vehicle. Severe cold climates can negatively impact your car’s ability to operate safely, or at all for that matter. Since you cannot get around driving in the winter weather this season, you will have to learn how to protect your vehicle from such impacts.

Continue reading to review the top 5 car parts that are most affected by severe cold outdoor temperatures, and what you can do to prevent such automotive inconveniences.

Carmel Indiana European Auto Repair
European Auto Repair and Service in Carmel, Indiana 317-571-0800

How to Winter Can Impact Your Vehicle

➀ Car Tires

Every winter, your car tires usually deflate a little because when the air inside gets cold, it contracts, thus reducing air pressure. But in extreme cold temperatures, your tires can suddenly deflate, and fail to hold re-inflation for longer than a day or so. What can you do to prevent cold weather tire deflation? First, be sure to invest in quality car tires. There is a difference among all the brands and types of tires on the market. Second, be sure you are checking your tire pressure on a weekly basis, or more often if you drive long distances a lot.

➁ Car Battery

Extreme cold winter weather can also affect the electrolyte molecules inside your car battery. In fact, dead car batteries are so common in the winter, it is recommended to always have a set of jumper cables on hand in case your car battery runs out of juice while you are out and about. Although jumper cables are a great solution to a dead battery in the winter, they are only a temporary fix. To prevent your car battery from dying this winter, be sure you have a quality battery brand, and that you replace it every 3 to 4 years.

➂ Motor Oil

In the winter, at the peak when temperatures are the coldest, motor oil can thicken like molasses. This in turn causes many issues with the engine and overall operation of your car. When the oil is too viscous, the motor’s oil pump has trouble circulating it through the engine. To prevent your engine oil from becoming too thick this winter, simply switch to a low-viscosity oil for the season, between from 10W-30 to 5W-30, depending on how cold your region gets.

➃ Windshield Wipers

It has likely happened to you before, as it has happened to the best of us drivers; frozen windshield wiper fluid and wipers frozen to your windshield. This inconvenient duo of windshield wiper problems can be easily prevented by ensuring you opt for a winter set of windshield wipers that won’t crack or tear after freezing, and using a high quality windshield wiper fluid. Also, be sure to replace your wipers twice a year for optimal performance.

➄ LCD Display Screens

Liquid crystal display (LCD) screens are a common feature in modern make and model vehicles. From navigation and GPS, to DVD players and more, such devices have become an important part of our daily commutes. But in the winter, the freezing cold temperatures can cause the liquid crystals inside the display screen to slow down and behave sluggishly. To prevent a sluggish LCD screen this winter, consider installed an engine block heater. Otherwise, you must simply be patient and allow your car to warm up.

Luxury Auto Repair Service in Carmel, Indiana for European Vehicles

Call Autohaus Dierolf at 317-571-0800 for European auto repair and service in Carmel, Indiana. Our German factory trained mechanics have more than 30 years of experience specializing in European make and model vehicles. We provide a wide range of automotive repairs and services, including factory scheduled maintenance and auto repair. Call 317-571-0800 for affordable and reputable auto maintenance in Carmel, IN today.

European Automotive Repair Carmel
European Automotive Repair Carmel Indiana 317-577-0800