What You Need to Know About Oil Changes

Do you know how old your oil is?

If you can’t remember, chances are it’s too old and you need an oil change.

 

You’ve probably had people telling you to stay on top of oil changes ever since you bought your first car. Motor oil needs to be changed regularly to maintain performance and reliability. Oil breaks down over time, collecting harmful particles to your engine.

Oil lubricates and cools the tightly packed parts inside your car’s engine. Ignoring your scheduled oil changes leads to metal-eating sludge, reduced efficiency and eventually engine failure. Synthetic oil should be changed every 5,000 miles and regular oil should be changed every 3,000 miles to keep your engine healthy.

If you do nothing else to your vehicle, changing engine oil will ensure that the most expensive component, your car’s engine, will stay fundamentally healthy.

Schedule an Oil Change on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

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

What To Do If You Smell Gas or Exhaust Fumes in Your Car

Does your car reek of exhaust fumes?

If you smell gas or exhaust fumes inside your car, you could have a leaky exhaust. You should immediately take your car in for service to have it diagnosed by a professional automotive technician. 

 

What’s causing the smell?

 

Let’s investigate! If you smell any of the following, you could have an expensive repair on your hands:

 

Gasoline: If you smell gasoline, you could have a damaged fuel injector leaking gasoline, or you could have a clogged gasoline filter, or a bad airflow sensor. You may also have black smoke emitting from your tailpipe. 

 

Rotten Eggs: This foul smell isn’t good. If your exhaust smells like rotten eggs, it’s likely caused by a damaged catalytic converter – which usually converts harmful gases into less harmful ones. If this becomes damaged or stolen, it can reduce your car’s performance.

 

Sweet Smell: This spells trouble. If your exhaust smells sweet, you could have a leaky or broken head gasket. As a result, your coolant can burn up, releasing a sweet aroma from your exhaust.

 

Schedule Service on Your European or Asian Vehicle Today!

Are you noticing an exhaust smell in your car? Bring your vehicle to ArborMotion to have it diagnosed and we’ll have it running in tip-top shape in no time! We’ll give you a clear and honest opinion on necessary vehicle maintenance and repair. You’ll be able to go online and view your vehicle's status, complete with notes from the advisors and technicians, pictures and even video of what we find. 

 

No question is too big or small. Call ArborMotion for asian and European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today! 

Are Your Windshield Wipers Squeaking?

Windshield wipers are an important piece of safety equipment for driving in severe weather. It’s critically important that they work properly! 

If your windshield wipers squeak when they drag across your windshield, there are four possible causes, including dirty glass, dirty blades, failing wipers or dry wiping.

 

Dirty glass – Small dirt particles can cause friction when your wipers pass over the glass, resulting in squeaking noises.

 

Dirty blades – Wiper blades can build up dirt and other gunk, resulting in squeaking noises. Examine the rubber on your wipers and clean them thoroughly. 

 

Failing Blades – If your wiper blades are hard and brittle, they lose their ability to flex across your windshield. Buy new wiper blades and your problem will disappear.

 

Dry wiping – If there’s just a little sprinkling of rain, then there’s probably not enough moisture to lubricate your wipers. No need to fret unless you hear a consistent squeaking even in a downpour.

 

Ann Arbor’s Choice for Import Auto Repair & Service for Over 35 Years

 

ArborMotion is Ann Arbor’s largest independent automotive repair shop. Locally owned and operated for over 35 years, we specialize in European and Asian cars and provide expert service on all major brands. Our certified auto technicians, friendly service advisers and professional customer service specialists are committed to providing you unsurpassed value and service. Call ArborMotion for European auto repair at 734-761-1088  to schedule your appointment today! 

Prep Your Car for Back to School Time!

Are you ready for all the drop offs and pick-ups? Soccer practice, games, and carpools, oh my!

Schedule your complimentary back-to-school inspection at ArborMotion today so you don’t have any interruptions during the busy school year. We’ll be happy to thoroughly check your vehicle to make sure you’re ready to kick off the new school year.

 

What’s included in my inspection?

 

The complimentary pre-trip inspection includes the following:

 

·       Test Drive

·       Under your hood inspection

·       Under your vehicle inspection

·       Fluid Checks

·       Visual inspection of brakes, tires, exhaust, drive belts and suspension

·       Much more!

 

For a more detailed explanation of the inclusions, read more on our website.

 

Is Your Vehicle Back-to-School Ready? Schedule a Pre-Trip Inspection! 

Give ArborMotion a call at (734) 761-1088 or schedule your appointment online today. Let us know if you’re experiencing any problems, and we’ll get you to school safely and on time!

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.