How to Maintain Your Cooling System

Is your cooling system no longer keeping your engine at the proper temperature?

The cooling system in your vehicle is essential to prevent your engine from overheating. If your engine overheats, it can lead to costly repairs.

 

Follow these steps to maintain your cooling system:

 

1.     Check your Radiator Cap for leakage – Your radiator helps maintain proper pressure throughout your entire cooling system, so make sure the cap hasn’t failed. Caution: DO NOT attempt to unscrew your Radiator Cap. Doing so can release pressure, and if the coolant is hot you may be badly burned.

2.     Top off coolant- If your coolant levels are low, top off. 

3.     Keep radiator clean – Debris can seep into your cooling system, so make sure to have it checked by a technician when you get your car serviced.

4.     Flush your coolant system – Flushing your system is recommended every 30,000 miles or every 5 years - whichever comes first. This will clear all debris and sediment that has built up in your system.

5.     Examine the fan and hoses – Inspect your engine fan and cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks, or loose fittings. The components can wear down, causing problems if damaged.

 

“The team at Arbor Motion are awesome! I had my Volvo C 30 towed in for a mechanical repair. They kept me up to date throughout the entire process. They did what they stated they would do in a timely fashion and the repair estimate was right on point.”

 

Doc Fitness, Google Review

 

Schedule Service on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today! 

Are You Road Trip Ready?

Are you planning a family getaway or a solo road trip?

You need to make sure your car is road trip ready!

 

Complimentary Pre-Trip Inspection from ArborMotion

 

What’s included in your inspection? From testing your engine performance, to diagnosing under the hood and analyzing your tire treads, ArborMotion has you covered! For a full list of inspection details read this article. 

Call us at (734) 761-1088, or schedule your complimentary inspection online today. We’ll be happy to thoroughly check your vehicle, to be sure you’re ready for the warm-weather months!

“Thorough inspection and recommendations for maintenance and repairs. Significant markup on parts, but no more so than other reputable shops. Extremely helpful and friendly staff. Will return for recommended maintenance as needed.”

Jeff, Google Review

Schedule Service on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! We care about your safety! No question is too big or small. Call us for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today! 

Schedule Your Appointment Today with a Dedicated Toyota Hybrid Specialist at ArborMotion!

ArborMotion services Hybrids!

Our Toyota Hybrid Specialist has professional, hands-on experience working with all hybrid models. We’ve always performed routine services like oil changes on hybrid vehicles, but we now have a dedicated specialist and can offer expanded maintenance and repair services. We also invest in the most current diagnostic equipment available so we can quickly uncover any problems and start working on the solution.

 

Hybrid vehicles are less work to maintain than most cars on the market, but they still need routine service and repairs over time. 

 

Hybrid vehicles still need the following services:

• Oil change
• Fluid top-offs
• Belt replacements
• Wheel alignment and tire rotations
• Battery Air filter replacement
• Cooling system maintenance
• and more.

Schedule Service on Your Toyota Prius Today!

 

Regular maintenance and service on your Toyota Prius allows us to diagnose issues before they become severe and possibly more expensive to repair. Contact Us to schedule an appointment today!

Are you in need of a wheel alignment? Read the tell-tale signs you need a wheel alignment here.

Should You Get a New Vehicle or Keep the One You Have?

Have you had your car for a long time?

Has your car needed a lot of repairs?

Unless your car is totaled in an accident or has well over 200,000 miles it may well make sense to keep it and maintain it. Cars built in the last 15 -20 years are so robust you can realistically expect to get 150,000 + miles out of them if they are properly maintained.

That said, it can sometimes be hard to tell if you should get the issues repaired or if you should just invest in a new car. Asking yourself this question can help: will the cost of repairs on your current car exceed the cost of a down payment or monthly payment on a new car? In today’s climate if you compare the cost of repairing and maintaining and older vehicle to the cost of new or even used vehicle, more often than to it makes financial sense to keep the older one. Compound that with high interest rate car loans and it makes the choice even easier. 

Quality European Auto Repair in Ann Arbor

If your car still has many miles to go, we’d love to be your go-to repair shop to help ensure you and your family are safe. Bring your car to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! At ArborMotion, no question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for European car maintenance and repair at 734-761-1088 and schedule your appointment today!

Are you in need of a wheel alignment? Read the tell-tale signs you need a wheel alignment here.

Make Smart Driving Choices When it Comes to Mud

Before May flowers come April showers and muddy roads. You may live on a dirt road, and after it rains it could be quite muddy. Whether or not you choose to avoid dirt roads, it’s important to know how to navigate them if you find yourself in a muddy situation. 

Here’s how you should navigate muddy roads safely: 

 

1.     Engage traction control - Be aware that traction control may make it more difficult to maneuver out of the mud if you get stuck. If this happens, disengage your traction control and turn it back on when you’re moving again.

2.     Switch to 4WD - This will give you better gripping power. Some 4WD systems can start to seize up if they’re not used for a long period of time. Try to use your 4WD every two months, even if it’s just on slightly wet roads.

3.     Switch to a lower gear - This will allow you to keep a consistent pace across a difficult, muddy road. Switch back to a higher gear when you’re driving on a more stable stretch of road to reduce the strain on your engine and wheels.

4.     Go easy on your gas and brake pedals - Maintain a steady speed. If you need to increase speed, do it slowly to avoid spinning your tires spinning.

5.     Avoid deep ruts - Minimize your risk of getting stuck in the mud by driving with your tires within the highest rut possible.

6.     Inspect your car for damage afterwards – Pull over once it’s safe to do so and walk around your vehicle to examine your undercarriage. Make sure parts haven’t been disturbed. You should also take this time to wipe the mud off your side mirrors and windows to maintain visibility. 

Schedule Service on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

 

If you’re experiencing problems with your vehicle after driving in the mud, bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!

Time to switch to summer tires!

Are your winter tires still on your car? 

It’s time to make the switch back to summer tires.

 

The standard rule when it comes to seasonal tire maintenance is to switch them out when the temperature climbs above 46°F. In Michigan, our temperatures can fluctuate rapidly. For optimum performance and wear, making sure temperatures are consistently in the recommended range is ideal.

 

Did you know…

 

Summer tires are designed to minimize hydroplaning? Summer tires have a unique construction for added grip on dry or wet roads. These tires also have streamlined treads with fewer grooves, providing more contact with the road for maximum traction. If you feel yourself skidding to a stop on wet or dry pavement, you may need a new set of tires.

 

Find Your Summer Tires at ArborMotion

When temperatures start rising in Michigan, it’s time to put on your summer tires. If you need a replacement set or want help with professional installation, reach out to the team at ArborMotion.

 

Schedule Service on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

We’d love to be your go-to repair shop! Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for domestic and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today!

Everything You Need to Know About Choosing the IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit at ArborMotion

If you own a 1997 to 2008 Boxster, Cayman, or water-cooled 911 model Porsche, then you’ve most likely heard about the potential issue with your engine’s intermediate shaft bearing. 

The good news is the bearing doesn’t fail at the rate the internet would like you to believe. The bad news is that IMS bearing failures do happen and when they do, it’s catastrophic, leaving you with a vehicle that has little value and not worth installing another new or used engine.  

 

The better news is with an IMS bearing upgrade you mitigate this potential issue, and you can enjoy your Porsche for many miles to come.

 

M96 engines (996, 911, & 986 Boxster) have two different serviceable IMS bearings (Dual or Single row). We must see the actual bearing to determine which style your car uses. The approach we use for the M96 engines upgrades your sealed roller bearing to a direct oil fed plain style bearing that uses oil pressure from the oil filter housing. The 997 and 987 vehicles were introduced in 2005 with the new M97 engine, yet some early models still used used the M96 engine with a serviceable bearing. There’s no VIN split, so looking at the stamped engine code is the only way to verify whether you have an M96 or M97. 

 

The M97 IMS bearing is not externally serviceable, but there is an option to minimize the chance of failure. The M97 IMS upgrade we use is an oil fed cover that uses oil pressure from the cylinder head. Sebastian Gaeta, the owner of ArborMotion & Rennstatt, uses this cover for his personal car and he's quite happy that the option is now available to protect the non-serviceable bearings.

 

In summary, the proper solution for your Porsche will depend on which engine model you have. Learn more about the IMS Bearing failure here.

 

Porsche Service in Ann Arbor for IMS Bearing Upgrade: We’re the Experts!

At Rennstatt, we’re passionate about offering high-quality care for your daily driver, summer toy, or race car. Your Porsche is our shared focus. Our Porsche technicians work to ensure your vehicle is performing at its best.

 

The IMS Bearing Upgrade Kit allows you to enjoy driving your Porsche worry-free! If you're ready to schedule your upgrade, call or book your appointment today for Porsche service in Ann Arbor!