The Volkswagen e-Golf electric car gives you the experience of German Engineering without ever having to go to the gas station. The Volkswagen e-Golf has a range of over 80 miles and can be charged to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf Electric Car
The Volkswagen e-Golf electric car gives you the experience of German Engineering without ever having to go to the gas station. The Volkswagen e-Golf has a range of over 80 miles and can be charged to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving!
Star Tech European Would Like To Wish You and Your Family a Very Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Top Ten Vehicle Myths Debunked!
10 VEHICLE MYTHS YOU MAY NOT REALIZE:
Myth 1: To maintain my warranty I can only have my car serviced at a dealership. Service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in effect. Maintenance may be done by any qualified service facility or person who is skilled in automotive service. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service provider fill out the Maintenance Record.
Myth 2: Paint chips and nicks don't affect my warranty.
To keep your new vehicle paint and corrosion warranty valid, have dents, scratches and collision damaged panels inspected and repaired. New cars have a minimum five-year rust perforation warranty. Unprotected panels that cause rust will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Myth 3: I can wash my vehicle with mild dish soap.
More than one-third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products when washing their cars-products that could contain harmful detergents, abrasives or additives.
Myth 4: Vehicle technology today is so advanced I don't need to worry about emissions. Keep your vehicle well maintained. A poorly maintained engine can use up to 50% more fuel and produce 50% more CO2 than one that runs properly.
Myth 5: Warm weather means less car worries. Cooling system neglect is cited as a principal reason for mechanical failure of a vehicle. In addition to the danger and inconvenience of a breakdown, the damage to the engine and transmission can add up to thousands of dollars. Discovering a leaking radiator, hose connection, a sticking thermostat or other cooling system component that's on "borrowed time" can save the life of your engine.
Myth 6: I get my vehicle serviced twice/year, so I don't need a pre-trip vehicle inspection. Vehicles need to be properly maintained year round. But a pre-vacation inspection performed by a qualified automotive technician can avoid costly repairs and inconvenience.
Myth 7: The only fluids I need to worry about are oil and gas.
Most people neglect the other fluids in their vehicle, these include:
•Brake
•Coolant /Anti-Freeze
•Power Steering
•Transmission
•Washer fluid
Myth 8: The service schedule is just a way for service people to make money.
Your vehicle's service schedule was designed by automotive engineers, not service technicians. Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in your owner's manual helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment.
Myth 9: I do not drive under "severe" conditions.
Most drive under "severe" conditions, but believe they drive under "normal" conditions. Severe conditions include:
• Cold weather.
• Extensive idling or stop-and-go driving.
• Driving less than 8 KM's per trip, or in freezing temperatures driving less than 16 km per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot (over 32 C) conditions.
• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
Myth 10: If it's not broke, don't fix it or No news is good news.
Vehicles need to be serviced even when the "Check Engine Light" isn't on. You should be following the Maintenance Schedule as outlined in your vehicle owner's manual.
Bonus Myth #11: A dirty air filter will reduce fuel economy. Truth is, on any modern car, the air flow sensor measures the amount of air going into the engine, and will deliver the exact amount of fuel required for the air and fuel ratio to be balanced. This has been true for over 30 years, but most mechanics will not admit it.
Myth 1: To maintain my warranty I can only have my car serviced at a dealership. Service at a dealer is not mandatory to keep your warranties in effect. Maintenance may be done by any qualified service facility or person who is skilled in automotive service. Keep all receipts as proof of completion, and have the service provider fill out the Maintenance Record.
Myth 2: Paint chips and nicks don't affect my warranty.
To keep your new vehicle paint and corrosion warranty valid, have dents, scratches and collision damaged panels inspected and repaired. New cars have a minimum five-year rust perforation warranty. Unprotected panels that cause rust will not be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
Myth 3: I can wash my vehicle with mild dish soap.
More than one-third of car owners use damaging non-automotive products when washing their cars-products that could contain harmful detergents, abrasives or additives.
Myth 4: Vehicle technology today is so advanced I don't need to worry about emissions. Keep your vehicle well maintained. A poorly maintained engine can use up to 50% more fuel and produce 50% more CO2 than one that runs properly.
Myth 5: Warm weather means less car worries. Cooling system neglect is cited as a principal reason for mechanical failure of a vehicle. In addition to the danger and inconvenience of a breakdown, the damage to the engine and transmission can add up to thousands of dollars. Discovering a leaking radiator, hose connection, a sticking thermostat or other cooling system component that's on "borrowed time" can save the life of your engine.
Myth 6: I get my vehicle serviced twice/year, so I don't need a pre-trip vehicle inspection. Vehicles need to be properly maintained year round. But a pre-vacation inspection performed by a qualified automotive technician can avoid costly repairs and inconvenience.
Myth 7: The only fluids I need to worry about are oil and gas.
Most people neglect the other fluids in their vehicle, these include:
•Brake
•Coolant /Anti-Freeze
•Power Steering
•Transmission
•Washer fluid
Myth 8: The service schedule is just a way for service people to make money.
Your vehicle's service schedule was designed by automotive engineers, not service technicians. Maintaining your car according to the schedules given in your owner's manual helps to keep your driving trouble-free while it preserves your investment.
Myth 9: I do not drive under "severe" conditions.
Most drive under "severe" conditions, but believe they drive under "normal" conditions. Severe conditions include:
• Cold weather.
• Extensive idling or stop-and-go driving.
• Driving less than 8 KM's per trip, or in freezing temperatures driving less than 16 km per trip.
• Driving in extremely hot (over 32 C) conditions.
• Trailer towing, driving with a roof rack, or driving in mountainous conditions.
• Driving on muddy, dusty, or de-iced roads.
Myth 10: If it's not broke, don't fix it or No news is good news.
Vehicles need to be serviced even when the "Check Engine Light" isn't on. You should be following the Maintenance Schedule as outlined in your vehicle owner's manual.
Bonus Myth #11: A dirty air filter will reduce fuel economy. Truth is, on any modern car, the air flow sensor measures the amount of air going into the engine, and will deliver the exact amount of fuel required for the air and fuel ratio to be balanced. This has been true for over 30 years, but most mechanics will not admit it.
Scott Waddle is an auto mechanic and the owner of Precision Auto Services located at #101 - 22575 Fraser Highway in Langley, BC. At Precision Auto you can be sure that your car is in the hands of qualified mechanics. Call 604-530-9394 to schedule a consultation. http://www.precisionautoservice.com
Thursday, November 20, 2014
40 Years of Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen went out to see how much fans have loved the Golf over the last 40 years. No wonder it's the 2015 Motor Trend Car of the Year®, too.
Monday, November 17, 2014
4 Reasons Not to Wait to Check Your "Check Engine" Light
I see it all the time. The customer limps his car in, shaking and
shuddering every time he pushes the gas pedal. I could almost write a
script - "It seemed to be running OK, then all of a sudden..." After
asking a few questions, though, it turns out that it wasn't "all of a
sudden."
"Has the check engine light been on long?" I ask. "Well, about a month I guess, but it was running fine so I didn't think anything was wrong", they respond. After checking the codes stored in the computer, it reveals a bad oxygen sensor and a failed catalytic converter, which means for whatever reason the air and fuel entering your engine doesn't burn thoroughly enough, potentially causing gas to enter your exhaust. This gas ignites in the exhaust system, which causes your catalytic converter to melt down, which then plugs the exhaust, which basically means you aren't going anywhere too fast. $800 to $2000 or more later and you're back on the road.
The unfortunate thing is if he had checked it a month earlier, a $200 oxygen sensor may have prevented the problem from getting that bad in the first place.
1. Save yourself a lot of money - your check engine light is called a warning light for a reason. Sometimes you may physically feel a problem, but more often than not you won't. Anything left unattended to could possibly cost you big time down the road. It is true - an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
2. Save yourself a lot of time - I had a fleet customer recently who had a crew driving a work truck several hundred miles to a job. Unbeknownst to him, the check engine light was on the whole time, and eventually caused a major engine failure which required a new engine. Not only did it cost him thousands of dollars, his truck was out of commission for over a week, when it could have originally been fixed in an hour.
3. Save yourself a lot of extra work - in many states, a check engine light is an automatic failure when you go to get an emissions test. Once your car fails, you have to have the problem repaired, and then it has to go through something known as a "drive cycle", which basically means your car has to go through several different conditions to verify it is working properly before the computer resets and allows the emission test to pass. This could take days or weeks, depending on how the car is driven. After all that, you then have to start the process all over by getting it retested at the emission inspection station. Hope it passes this time!
4. Finally, save yourself a lot of stress - I don't know about you, but just the thought of the first three reasons stresses me out. Why not go ahead and bite the bullet, figure out what it's going to take to fix the check engine light, and hopefully save yourself a lot of unnecessary money, time, extra work, and stress!
On a final note, if your check engine light is flashing, that is your cars way of saying, "HEY! you better hurry up! This could be bad!" This typically means you have a severe ignition system misfire, and that could add up to a whole lot of number 1-4, when a simple tune up with new spark plugs and wires (or coil boots, depending on your system) might fix everything.
"Has the check engine light been on long?" I ask. "Well, about a month I guess, but it was running fine so I didn't think anything was wrong", they respond. After checking the codes stored in the computer, it reveals a bad oxygen sensor and a failed catalytic converter, which means for whatever reason the air and fuel entering your engine doesn't burn thoroughly enough, potentially causing gas to enter your exhaust. This gas ignites in the exhaust system, which causes your catalytic converter to melt down, which then plugs the exhaust, which basically means you aren't going anywhere too fast. $800 to $2000 or more later and you're back on the road.
The unfortunate thing is if he had checked it a month earlier, a $200 oxygen sensor may have prevented the problem from getting that bad in the first place.
1. Save yourself a lot of money - your check engine light is called a warning light for a reason. Sometimes you may physically feel a problem, but more often than not you won't. Anything left unattended to could possibly cost you big time down the road. It is true - an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
2. Save yourself a lot of time - I had a fleet customer recently who had a crew driving a work truck several hundred miles to a job. Unbeknownst to him, the check engine light was on the whole time, and eventually caused a major engine failure which required a new engine. Not only did it cost him thousands of dollars, his truck was out of commission for over a week, when it could have originally been fixed in an hour.
3. Save yourself a lot of extra work - in many states, a check engine light is an automatic failure when you go to get an emissions test. Once your car fails, you have to have the problem repaired, and then it has to go through something known as a "drive cycle", which basically means your car has to go through several different conditions to verify it is working properly before the computer resets and allows the emission test to pass. This could take days or weeks, depending on how the car is driven. After all that, you then have to start the process all over by getting it retested at the emission inspection station. Hope it passes this time!
4. Finally, save yourself a lot of stress - I don't know about you, but just the thought of the first three reasons stresses me out. Why not go ahead and bite the bullet, figure out what it's going to take to fix the check engine light, and hopefully save yourself a lot of unnecessary money, time, extra work, and stress!
On a final note, if your check engine light is flashing, that is your cars way of saying, "HEY! you better hurry up! This could be bad!" This typically means you have a severe ignition system misfire, and that could add up to a whole lot of number 1-4, when a simple tune up with new spark plugs and wires (or coil boots, depending on your system) might fix everything.
Don't let your check engine light cause you extra money, time, work or stress. Give us a call or check us out at http://www.wtstandard.com
Friday, November 14, 2014
BMW - Bob's Owner Spotlight
When BMW enthusiast Bob Camozzo bought a BMW, he got legendary performance with innovative safety features. Like all BMWs, his 7 Series was engineered to provide maximum protection in an accident. See how those safety features were put to the test when his daughter was behind the wheel.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
How to Stay Safe Driving in Fog
When you run into fog on the road, keep your head and follow these simple tips to stay safe.
Saturday, November 8, 2014
Mercedes-Benz TV: The design of the new Mercedes-AMG GT.
Gorden Wagener, Vice President Design Daimler AG, about the powerful design of the latest family member of Mercedes-Benz sportscars: the Mercedes-AMG GT.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Mercedes-Benz TV: Vision G-Code.
For the opening of the new Product Engineering Centre in Beijing, Mercedes-Benz put the focus squarely on the G-Code vehicle study: The innovative and versatile Sports Utility Coupé (SUC) for town and country shows how emotionally appealing a future compact SUC can be, and what evolutionary possibilities the Mercedes-Benz design philosophy offers.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
The Top Eight Check Engine Light Issues
According to CarMD's 2013 Vehicle Health Index, the cost for car
repairs has increased 10 percent this year. Putting off car repairs is a
bad idea because unfixed problems often lead to repairs that are more
expensive. If the check engine light comes on in your car, take the car
to a qualified mechanic immediately. Here are the top eight most
frequent reasons for the check engine light activation.
1. Oxygen sensor failing
Oxygen sensors keep engines performing at peak efficiency levels, and they manage emissions. O2 sensors monitor gasses leaving the engine. Engines need exact ratios of fuel and air for the most efficient operation. Malfunctions can drop your fuel economy by up to 40 percent. Engine performance is also negatively affected.
2. Ignition coil problems
Ignition coils take electric current from the battery and ignite the spark plugs. Without properly functioning coils and spark plugs, the electric current powering your car's engine are disrupted. All the parts in the car's electrical system take a lot of wear and tear from the electricity passing through them.
3. Spark plugs and spark plug wires
Along with the ignition coils, spark plugs and wires are critical components of the vehicle electrical system. Symptoms of problems with plugs and wires include rough engine idling, engine misses or pings, erratic engine power including power losses and power surges. When engines misfire, fuel economy drops. Ignoring spark plug and plug wire problems can permanently damage the car's catalytic converter, leading to very expensive repairs.
4. Mass airflow sensor malfunctions
The mass airflow sensor, or MAF, measures the air coming into the engine and calculating how much fuel to add to the mix. This data goes to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Without correct information from the MAF, the ECU cannot correctly balance or deliver the right amount of fuel to your engine. The result is very poor engine performance and 10 to 25 percent decreases in fuel efficiency. Replace this critical component immediately if it begins to fail.
5. Faulty vacuum hose or evaporative emission control system
The evaporative emission control system (EVAP) of a car keeps gasoline vapors from the fuel system and gas tank from release into the air. Leaking vacuum hoses and vents, defective valves and faulty gas caps all contribute to EVAP system problems.
6. Exhaust gas recirculation valve and ports are dirty
The exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) controls your car's emissions and helps cars run more efficiently. Rough idling, engine hesitation and misfires can indicate an EGR problem. Worsening performance and fuel economy often result from EGR problems. Often the components of the EGR system are dirty or clogged.
7. Catalytic converter failures
Catalytic converters are often the most expensive mechanical repairs made to vehicles. As a part of the exhaust system, it converts dangerous chemicals in car exhaust into less harmful compounds to release into the air. Catalytic converters should last for the lifetime of the car. Most problems with catalytic converters come from underlying problems such as those that occur with bad spark plugs or ignition coil problems.
8. Dead battery and charging system problems
Most cars have computer systems that monitor voltage in the electrical and battery systems. The computers activate the check engine light when anything appears amiss in the charging system of the car. High temperatures in the engine compartment contribute to rapid aging of batteries.
1. Oxygen sensor failing
Oxygen sensors keep engines performing at peak efficiency levels, and they manage emissions. O2 sensors monitor gasses leaving the engine. Engines need exact ratios of fuel and air for the most efficient operation. Malfunctions can drop your fuel economy by up to 40 percent. Engine performance is also negatively affected.
2. Ignition coil problems
Ignition coils take electric current from the battery and ignite the spark plugs. Without properly functioning coils and spark plugs, the electric current powering your car's engine are disrupted. All the parts in the car's electrical system take a lot of wear and tear from the electricity passing through them.
3. Spark plugs and spark plug wires
Along with the ignition coils, spark plugs and wires are critical components of the vehicle electrical system. Symptoms of problems with plugs and wires include rough engine idling, engine misses or pings, erratic engine power including power losses and power surges. When engines misfire, fuel economy drops. Ignoring spark plug and plug wire problems can permanently damage the car's catalytic converter, leading to very expensive repairs.
4. Mass airflow sensor malfunctions
The mass airflow sensor, or MAF, measures the air coming into the engine and calculating how much fuel to add to the mix. This data goes to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). Without correct information from the MAF, the ECU cannot correctly balance or deliver the right amount of fuel to your engine. The result is very poor engine performance and 10 to 25 percent decreases in fuel efficiency. Replace this critical component immediately if it begins to fail.
5. Faulty vacuum hose or evaporative emission control system
The evaporative emission control system (EVAP) of a car keeps gasoline vapors from the fuel system and gas tank from release into the air. Leaking vacuum hoses and vents, defective valves and faulty gas caps all contribute to EVAP system problems.
6. Exhaust gas recirculation valve and ports are dirty
The exhaust gas recirculation system (EGR) controls your car's emissions and helps cars run more efficiently. Rough idling, engine hesitation and misfires can indicate an EGR problem. Worsening performance and fuel economy often result from EGR problems. Often the components of the EGR system are dirty or clogged.
7. Catalytic converter failures
Catalytic converters are often the most expensive mechanical repairs made to vehicles. As a part of the exhaust system, it converts dangerous chemicals in car exhaust into less harmful compounds to release into the air. Catalytic converters should last for the lifetime of the car. Most problems with catalytic converters come from underlying problems such as those that occur with bad spark plugs or ignition coil problems.
8. Dead battery and charging system problems
Most cars have computer systems that monitor voltage in the electrical and battery systems. The computers activate the check engine light when anything appears amiss in the charging system of the car. High temperatures in the engine compartment contribute to rapid aging of batteries.
If you are looking for honest advice, prioritized repairs, options on repairs, maximized fuel economy, and a good feeling with who you are doing business with go to http://www.westsideautopros.com
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