Five Things to Know About European Car Maintenance | Midas

Midas Car Care Tips

A close-up shot of an Audi R8 back-grill

A European vehicle service is a mythical thing. Often built up as one of the most complex things in the automotive industry, the servicing of European marques is not as complicated as many have come to believe. However, European cars are undeniably temperamental, especially if they have owners that drop the ball on their maintenance. It’s important to keep on top of your European car’s care, and there are a few very important things to know in aid of that goal. And if you’re considering purchasing one of these snazzy models, you need to know what you’re getting into. So, from the experts at Midas, here are five things you should know about the repair and upkeep of the slightly more excitable European automotives.

1. Each Brand Has Its Own Maintenance Schedule

This is not a one-size-fits-all kind of situation, unfortunately. When you buy a European model, you should be prepared to get elbow-deep into its specifications and requirements, because that’s how you’re going to know when to bring it in for which particular kind of service.

For example, an Audi needs a vehicle check and top-up of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) every 8000km or so to prevent a build-up of soot in the exhaust, which tends to limit engine capacity in SCR (selective catalytic reduction) engines if left alone for too long. In contrast, Mercedes-brand cars need a service starting from roughly 3000km (depending on how hard you drive it), specifically to check out the rear axle oil and keep your wheels running smooth.

2. Don’t Skimp on Tailored Parts

One of the primary things that can make owning a European model more difficult than a Japanese brand is that European parts are slightly harder to come by. European parts are very specific to the cars they were cast for. If your car needs a replacement part – say a new exhaust – then you need to be able to trust the shop you frequent to find the right one. Imported European parts do fall on the more expensive end of things, and you can’t really skimp on their quality if you want to prolong the life of your car.

The good news is, places like Midas that can provide current or after-market parts are able to order them to specification (or in bulk) depending on your car’s needs. The best car shops won’t charge you a ridiculous amount to do so.

3.High-Performance Vehicles Need Tuning </H2>

If you’re running a high-performance car, there are typically a lot of electronic systems at play behind the scenes that need regular servicing. Oddly, this is a commonly overlooked part of European servicing in particular, as the changes in functionality are less obvious than with mechanical parts. Dashboard light repairs appear on lax owner’s bills more often than they expect, simply because they didn’t expect the dashboard lights (or any other electronics for that matter) to need a look-over.

The thing is, European brands are made to infuse performance with luxury, so they are incredibly finely-tuned machines – taking the time to readjust any electronics that are out of alignment is crucial to getting the most out of your marque.

Whether or not your regular shop can tune your car is dependent on the electronics and expertise they have at their disposal, so always make sure to check in on whether they know what they’re doing. Alternatively, you can head to a European dealership to be assured of the quality, but it can also mean a bigger dent in your wallet.

4. Clean Engines Are Critical

For the more reliable, less-temperamental models out of Japan and China, engine maintenance and repairs can be suspended for longer periods of time without a look-in. Their engines can cope with more contaminants and less purity, which is what makes them excellent and hardy cars. European models don’t have this benefit.

High-performance does indeed mean high-maintenance – and keeping the engine clean and clear is especially important. Getting the most speed and the smoothest drive out of your machine means keeping those fuel lines clear of contaminants and the transmission well-flushed. These models can’t take a lot of internal punishment.

Check your car’s maintenance schedule for the specifics – the manufacturer will typically know what’s best. If and when you start to notice anything playing up, make sure to take it in as fast as possible for a look-over.

5. Despite the Myths, You Can Go to a Regular Shop

Heading to a dealership is especially daunting for both you and your wallet, and we certainly can’t blame anyone for hesitating. The prices in European dealerships are so high because they provide entirely specialist services, but Midas can provide that same expertise at heavily-reduced prices. Depending on your local Midas’ on-hand equipment (which you can check with the manager), you can bring your car in and be assured that we’ll take care of it as well as any European connoisseur.

Drive your Euro-stallion with peace of mind.

Give your local Midas a call today, and find out what we can do for you and your vehicle. Our Peace of Mind Guarantee is far more than just words – we mean it every single time. Come into one of our shops for cheaper, high-quality servicing today!