Brrr Baby It’s Cold Outside!

Winter, snow, ice and cold have arrived! Are you and your vehicle prepared? It seems that we all wait until the last minute, but this year it kind of crept in there leaving several people stranded and cold.

If you are having problems with your thermostat or getting your vehicle to start, now is the time to bring it in to have it checked and/or fixed before the next cold spell hits Billings! A few other things you may want to have checked are brake system, tires, wipers and blades.

Check the Brake System

Brakes are the car’s most important safety system. Brakes are a normal wear item for any car, and brake linings, drums and rotors and brake fluid should be checked. Some symptoms of a faulty brake system are:

• The car pulls to one side during braking
• The brake pedal pulsates when you apply the brakes
• The brake pedal feels “mushy”
• You hear noise when you step on the brake pedal
• You repeatedly need to add brake fluid to the master cylinder

Check Your Tires

Tires can affect the car’s ride, handling, traction and safety, and are a critical connection between the car and the road in all types of driving conditions. To maximize tire life and safety, check the inflation pressure and the tread depth, and inspect the sidewalls for cracks or punctures. As a general rule, tires should be rotated every 6,000 miles and balanced.

Replace Wipers and Blades

Wipers and blades should be replaced every six months or when cracked, cut, torn, streaking or chattering. Windshield wiper fluid should be checked monthly and only washer fluid should be used.

Did you know?

Braking causes the weight of the vehicle to shift forward, therefore most of the works is done by the front brakes and as a result the front brakes wear out faster than the rear brakes.

Got a car problem? For more information about Audi, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes repair in Billings, Montana, please contact the professionals at Metric Wrench today!

Winter Comes Fast!

Did you know that your Mercedes tires are high-quality products; they require owner maintenance to perform at their best. Operational damage such as incorrect inflation, punctures, cuts and impact damage may cause tire failure and result in personal injury and/or property damage. The simple precautions listed below can reduce the chance of problems, and help achieve the expected life of your tires.

SPECIFIC PRECAUTIONS ON WINTER TIRES

In order to maintain the design handling balance of your BMW, in all driving conditions, you MUST install winter tires in sets of four. As a tire wears out, traction and control are reduced, particularly on snow, slush and ice. Most tire manufactures recommend that you replace your winter tires when the tread depth reaches 4 mm (5/32 inch).

Tire Inspection: Visually inspect your tires frequently for any abnormal conditions such as scrapes, bulges, cuts, nails, uneven wear, etc. resulting from operation. This must be done immediately after any suspected contact with an object on the road, a pothole, road irregularity or after severe braking. Immediately refer any of these conditions to your nearest Audi Tire dealer for a thorough tire inspection.

Speed Limits: Regardless of the performance or speed capabilities of your Volkswagen tires always obey all laws and never exceed speed limits dictated by driving conditions.

Hazards: Objects on the road that threaten a tire should be safely avoided. These objects include: potholes, glass, metal, rocks, wood, debris and the like. Unavoidable contact should prompt a thorough tire inspection.

Air Pressure: Air pressure maintenance is critical to tire life. Tire pressures must be checked frequently when tires are cold (before operation, when cool to the touch), and no less than once per month and before extended operation. Use a tire gauge to check air pressure, and maintain it according to vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations as listed on the BMW placard or in the owner’s manual. Do not reduce pressure when a tire is hot, and do not inflate a tire higher than the limits molded on the tire’s sidewall. Do not overlook spare tire inflation pressure or maintenance.

Tire Tread: Tires must be replaced when the depth of the tread reaches 1.6 mm (2/32 inch). Yokohama tires are manufactured with tread wear indicators, molded into the tire grooves, which indicate tread wear. As a tire wears out, the tread becomes more vulnerable to the effects of road hazards. Visual inspection therefore becomes more crucial as a tire wears out.

Spinning: If the Audi becomes stuck, do not allow the tires to spin at speeds greater than 50 km/hr., and do not stand behind a spinning wheel while attempting to push a vehicle. Speed and force can cause a tire to disintegrate and explode, causing property damage and personal injury.

Tire Rotation:To ensure even tread wear and long tread life, scheduled tire rotations are required and are a necessary part of Mercedes maintenance. As front and rear tires perform differently, and front- and rear-wheeldrive vehicle tires wear differently, they require unique rotation schedules. For front-wheel-drive and ALL high performance vehicles, rotate the tires at minimum every 8,000 km. For rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles, rotate the tires at minimum every 12,000 km. However, if your driving style or vehicle usage results in uneven tread wear or reduced tread life, rotate the tires more often.

Got a car problem? For more information about Audi, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes repair in Billings, Montana, please contact the professionals at Metric Wrench today!

Is Volkswagen’s “Lifetime” Automatic Transmission System an Urban Legend?

Is Volkswagen’s “Lifetime” Automatic Transmission System an Urban Legend? Truth or Fiction? Lets take a look at it and see. We’ll begin with the definition of “lifetime”, the lifetime of the owner, the lifetime of the vehicle, the lifetime of the transmission or the lifetime of the manufactures warranty.

Urban legend? Perhaps, the truth is that at Metric Wrench it has been our experience that life of these fluids (which are very good) is directly related to how the vehicle is driven. While modern synthetic fluid protects better and lasts longer than competing oils, unfortunately it does not last forever. In researching out the facts we’ve learned that legally, the term 'lifetime fluid' refers only to the duration of the VW Powertrain Warranty. So when the warranty expires, you're out of luck.

Volkswagen, along with many other auto-manufacturers, knows that most owners don't keep their vehicles past 100,000 miles. The so-called 'lifetime' fluid is simply a marketing twist used to help sell cars that require 'minimal maintenance.' But after the 100,000 mile mark (when vehicles need real attention) most Volkswagen repair guarantees are null and void. That's why VW schedules a 105,000 mile timing belt change on 1.8T engines, and why most 'lifetime' guarantees are considered urban legends!

If you intend to keep your car for a while, the cost of never-replaced ATF can give you nightmares. Left untouched for an entire 'lifetime' this fluid can cause serious damage to your transmission. Deposits of metallic shavings will build up on your filter and oil pan, and ultimately damage the transmission. And the repair costs can be enormous! So do yourself a favor, for City driving, the technicians at Metric Wrench recommend transmission service at 75-100k. Constant highway use, it will last a long time. A side note, it's hard to tell the condition of the fluid until it is being drained. You should also know that this type of fluid is also used in Mercedes, Audi and BMW.

Air Mass Sensor on VW 2000 Passat, How to Test

First, different names for the same component, Air mass meter (AMM), Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF). MAF is the accepted name.

The purpose of this device is as its name suggests, measure the amount of air going into the engine. The units used to measure this are Grams(mass) per second (g/sec). This is one of the main inputs the engine computer uses to determine the amount of fuel to inject into the cylinder.

So the check engine light (CEL) is on, on your VW and your car is not running right. VW has a history of problems with MAFs and you check online and everyone suggests cleaning or replacing it. You do that and the car is not fixed...so now what!

Proper diagnostics of a MAF fault involves the use and understanding of a good scan tool. The primary values to look at are: g/sec of the MAF under different engine loads, long term and short term fuel trim values. Using the values you can determine if the problem is the MAF, poor connection to the MAF, a vacuum leak, exhaust leak, injector or fuel pressure problem. The other advantage of using a scan tool is after the repair is done and after a short test drive you can verified the problem is solved.

Throw parts at it for common known failures; makes you look like a genius when you guess right, but can be expensive when you guess is incorrect. At Metric Wrench we are equipped and trained to solve problems and eliminate the guess work.

How To Correctly Install Your Car Stereo

I wanted to share a few tips on installing a new radio or CD player in your car correctly. I don’t know how many cars come into Metric Wrench Billings because someone has incorrectly installed their car stereo and we have to fix the wiring and all of the issues that arise because it was installed wrong. (BANG HEAD HERE)

When you purchase your new stereo, the very first thing that you should do is make sure that it’s going to fit correctly into the slot where your old one is. Make sure that if you purchase a wiring harness that it is the correct one for your car’s make and model as well as for the stereo that you purchased. Purchasing a wiring harness will eliminate a few headaches when you’re installing your new car stereo.

Make sure that you have all of the correct tools and material for installation! Some standard tools and material include: screwdrivers, write strippers, wire cutters and electrical tape.

Before you go any further, check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to remove the dash panel and how to CORRECTLY remove your old radio.


Removing Your Old Car Stereo

After you’ve reviewed your owner’s manual and you’re ready to go, the next thing to do is to disconnect the ground cable or the negative cable from your battery. DO NOT EVER work on the electrical system of any vehicle if this is connected!

Now you’re ready to remove the dash panel that covers your stereo! Unscrew and slide out the old head unit. At this point, you’re going to have one of two choices-a single plug with a ton of wires that connects to the back of your unit or a lot of individual wires. This next tip is KEY! If you see several single wires going into the back of your stereo unit, DO NOT detach them all at once. You’re not going to remember what goes where!

If you purchased a wiring harness, now is the time to plug the connector into your new wiring harness. This will then plug into the back of your new stereo and you can skip the next section, because you don’t need it. If you didn’t purchase a wiring harness, then keep reading!

Connecting the Wiring Manually

If you didn’t purchase a wiring harness, you are going to have to connect each wire yourself in order to install your new car stereo. So connect the positive wire from each speaker to the positive connector on the back of your new stereo. Next you would connect the negative wire. Note: If there is only one wire coming from your speakers, your speakers are grounded at the chassis, which basically means that you need to install new speaker wiring.

Next, you will connect the ground (-/black) wire of the stereo to a screw or bolt close to where the radio is mounted on the dash. The must be attached to metal! NOT fiberglass or plastic!

Whew! You’re almost done! (SMILE) Connect the 12 constant and ignition power wires (both +/red) to the new stereo. Go back and check your stereo’s installation manual to be sure that these get to the correct places.

Putting in the Car Stereo

Last process-you’re almost there! Take a look; you should have a single connector that connects all of the wiring in your car-either from the wiring harness or the one that came with your stereo that you have just finished connecting.

Now it’s time to ease your new stereo in the mounting bracket that came with it. If you didn’t measure correctly, you have to use the bracket from your old car stereo.

Plug the harness connector in the back of your new stereo; make sure that there is only one wire left from your old stereo now. This is the antenna which you can plug directly into your new unit. You may have a power antenna wire as well and you will need to connect that too!

Now it’s time to slide your new stereo into the slot in the dash, but don’t jump the gun here and screw it in, you need to test it out first! So go and reconnect the negative cable of your car to the battery. Turn your car on as well as your new stereo. Is there music coming out? Listen to ALL of your speakers to be sure that they are ALL working properly!

If everything is working properly, you can now tighten the screws so that your new car stereo stays in place and put the dash cover back on.


FYI: The number one reason that most newly installed stereos do not work is because of a bad ground wire. If you are experiencing this issue, look for another piece of metal to attach your ground wire too and try it again. Another suggestion is to get a piece of sandpaper and sand the surface of the metal before screwing the ground wire down to make a better connection.

For Volkswagen’s there is a wire that goes to the existing radio, if this wire goes to ground as it does in some of the aftermarket harness adaptors, it will cause no communication with the diagnostic scan tool. This is the most common problem that we see at Metric Wrench Billings.

And just a friendly reminder, don’t EVER work on the electrical system of your car when the ground wire is still attached to the battery! You can severely damage yourself as well as your car!

Volkswagen Auto Repair, Do Your Brakes Need Repairs on your VW?

Don't Take Chances With Your Brakes - Repair Them Now!
Brake repairs - critical?
Of course! Your brakes keep your family safe.
Brake repairs and parts for Volkswagens - expensive? You bet! Brake rotors for import cars, unlike domestics, are built with minimal thicknesses to save weight - meaning they can't be "turned"; they must be replaced.
Brake rotors for imports are also more sensitive to warping from heat, and overheated brakes are the second most common cause of failure (first is wear-and-tear).

Save money on Volkswagen brake repairs and parts with these tips:
Use Your Eyes & Ears to Inspect Your Volkswagen's Brakes
Visually inspect your brakes' condition at least every six months.

When installing a new fuel pump to avoid fuel system problems in your Volkswagen:
Tip #1: Whether a fuel pump is mounted inside a fuel tank or externally, the inside of the tank should always be inspected and cleaned if rust or debris is found in the pump or filter. Replacing a pump without cleaning a dirty tank will doom the new pump to premature failure.
Tip #2: If you're replacing an in-tank fuel pump, always disconnect the battery to prevent any unwanted sparks. Then drain the tank before removing the tank straps and opening the pump's retaining collar. Keep all flames and sparks away!
Tip #3: When installing the new fuel pump, always replace the filter screen and use a new O-ring or gasket for the sealing collar.
Tip #4: Do not "test" a new pump before it has been installed by jumping it. Running a pump in a dry condition with no fuel to lubricate it risks damaging it. Do not run the pump until fuel has been added to the tank. Also, replace any braided or rubber fuel lines that are flaking or cracked with the correct type of EFI hose.

Got a car problem? For more information about Audi, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes repair in Billings, Montana, please contact the professionals at Metric Wrench today!

Audi Auto Repair Tips - Ways to Reduce the Cost of Audi Repair

In today’s tough economic climate, we are all searching for ways to reduce our cost of repair no matter if you drive an Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes or any vehicle. Like everything in the world today, auto repair does not come cheap. If you are experiencing trouble with your Audi, then these tips could help in reducing the cost of repairs.

Check the Warranty of Your Audi
Before bringing your Audi to Metric Wrench Billings, check if it is still covered by the warranty. If it is, then you need to contact your car dealer immediately and tell about the problems that you’re experiencing with your Audi. You can get free service and parts replacement if the Audi is still within warranty. The car dealer and the manufacturer will be the one responsible for repairs.

The Do-It-Yourself Repair
If you understand cars and knows the basics of car repair and maintenance, then you may be able to repair some things on your Audi by yourself. You will not pay for services which are really expensive now.

If repairing your Audi yourself, take advantage of free auto repair manuals which can be found abundantly on the web. You can find general repair manuals and model-specific car repair manuals.

There are also sites that have repair manuals exclusively for Audi cars. Specific Audi problems are listed on these sites. You only have to choose which manual to use and start repairing your Audi.

Simply download these free repair manuals. They are usually formatted in PDF or Word so you can print them easily. Just follow the steps in the manual and you can surely troubleshoot the problem bugging your Audi.

Finding Car Repair Shops
In case you don't know anything about car repairs, then don’t attempt to fix Audi yourself, you can cause more damage and end up with an even costlier repair bill. You should bring your Audi to Metric Wrench Billings and let the certified technicians repair your car.

Take your Audi in for regular checkups-we recommend that you follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for these, but this will assist in preventing some Audi repair issues in the future.

For more information about Audi, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes repair in Billings, Montana, please contact the professionals at Metric Wrench today!

Extend the Life of Your Vehicle With Tips From Metric Wrench

With the economy what it is, motorists have been paying more attention to keeping their current vehicle running properly than purchasing new ones. Vehicle owners are looking for improved dependability, economy, performance, safety and ownership satisfaction.

In 2008, R. L. Polk & Co. reported that the median age of passenger cars in operation has increased to a record high of 9.4 years.

To extend your vehicle's life, make sure to keep up with routine maintenance and regular checks of key areas, such as brakes, engine, undercarriage, battery and engine belts.

Make certain that your brake lines, master cylinder, brakes shoes and/or caliper pads are maintained and not worn. Take care of your engine, the heart of your vehicle, and be on the lookout for all drivability problems.

Have the certified technicians at Metric Wrench Billings check underneath your vehicle, including U-joints, half shafts and CV-joints. Examine battery cables and posts and make sure they're clean to avoid corrosion.

Engine belts are extremely important and can greatly affect engine performance. Make sure belts do not have cracks or missing sections.

Costs are always a concern; in a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), vehicle repairs cost an average 34 percent more at new car dealerships than at independent repair shops, resulting in $11.7 billion in excess costs annually to consumers.

Save money by having you’re the suggested manufacturers checkups for your vehicle done at Metric Wrench Billings, which offers value and convenience to your vehicle maintenance plan.

Take good care of your car so that it can take care of you. If you are concerned about the life of your vehicle, visit Metric Wrench Billings today to have a certified technician check it out for you. Visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your vehicle solutions today!

Prevent Avoidable Problems and Play it Safe by Changing Your Brake Fluid

According to recent studies, 5% of all serious vehicle accidents are caused by maintenance neglect. Preventative checks will greatly extend the life of your vehicle.
Specialists should always check: fluids, tire inflation, battery, lighting systems, and belts. Brake fluid, in particular, is important this time of year, with record weather hitting many parts of the country.

For many, topping off the brake fluid seems a no-brainer, but what about changing the fluid?

According to the Car Care Council (carcarecouncil.org), brake fluid can become contaminated in 2 years or less. This is because the fluid absorbs moisture, which makes its way through the vehicle's hydraulic system. With heavy braking, moisture in the overheated fluid vaporizes (boiling point of water is lower than that of brake fluid) and braking efficiency is reduced.

At Metric Wrench Billings, we feel that it is best to follow the manufactures recommendations. However in the thirty + years of business I have seen very few brake failures due to not changing the brake fluid and I have serviced a lot of cars that probably haven't had the brake fluid changed until the brake master cylinder or some other part fail. Would they have lasted longer if the fluid was changed? Maybe.

The greatest concern is the fluid will boil due to the heat of hard braking and the brakes will fail. Then it becomes a liability issue, which is probably the main reason the manufacture recommend it every 2 years. The boiling as you know is due to the moisture adsorbed by the fluid lowering the boiling point.

The brake fluid is basically a closed system with a small vent in the reservoir cap and this is the only place that air with moisture can enter the system. In the state of Montana I would guess the amount of moisture that gets into the brake fluid through that vent hole is pretty slight.

Common errors I've seen in servicing/changing brake fluid: Changing only the fluid in the reservoir and not bleeding/flushing the system. This does nothing to prevent the fluid from boiling in the calipers or wheel cylinder which is where the boiling will occur. Using the incorrect fluid, there are several types of fluid, DOT3, DOT4, DOT5 etc. The main difference is the boiling point of the fluid. Using fluid from a container that has be sitting in the shop open to the air. Not bleeding/flushing the fluid when the brake pads or shoes are replaced.

Because of the liability, we suggest following the manufactures recommendations for changing brake fluid. We are careful to use the correct fluid and always bleed the brake with pad or shoe replacement.

Take good care of your car so that it can take care of you. If you are concerned about your brake fluid, visit Metric Wrench Billings today to have a certified technician check it out for you. Visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your vehicle solutions today!

80% Of Vehicles on The Road Need Service

The results are in. Vehicle check-up events at community car care events across the country revealed that 80 percent of vehicles on the road need service or parts, the Car Care Council reported. The overall unsatisfactory condition of most vehicles also reinforces the continued need for consumer education about the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair.

Vehicle inspection forms submitted from event coordinators in several states shows that 80 percent of the vehicles checked during National Car Care Month and Fall Car Care Month needed parts replacement, service or fluids. For example, nearly one out of every ten vehicles had the "check engine" light on. The top problem areas were: motor oil, windshield wipers, air filters, belts and hoses, and lights.

When checking lubricants and fluids, the three top failure rates were: low, overfull or dirty motor oil at 32 percent; inadequate washer fluid levels at 23 percent, and low, leaky or dirty coolant at 23 percent. Additionally, transmission, brake, power steering and clutch fluids were also checked and had failure rates of 17 percent and below. Fifteen percent of vehicles had front windshield wiper failures and 10 percent needed service to rear wipers.

Other statistics of concern included: At least one belt reported as unsatisfactory in 18 percent of the vehicles inspected, and 7 percent required at least one new hose. New air filters were needed in 18 percent of the vehicles, while 7 percent needed new PVC filters. The "check engine" light was on in 9 percent of the vehicles.

Call or visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volkswagen car care solutions.

How to Keep Up with Your Vehicle Maintenance

Median car life has nearly doubled, from 5.5 years in 1970 to more than 9 years in 2000. Engines and drivetrains are superbly refined, as are fuels and lubricants. Equipment developments, and the personnel training to go along with them, have added to this formula for long life.

One thing that has not changed is the importance of regular checkups and change as well; more specifically: oil change. Regular changes of the oil and filter are generally recommended every 5,000 miles, but you should check your owners manual for the specifics on your vehicle. If you just purchased a used car, it’s a good idea to have it serviced so that your certified technician at Metric Wrench Billings can let you know where your car is at for services and if any services need to be completed.

Finally: don't forget about the brakes. Most car owners including BMW, Mercedes and Audi, wait until they hear grinding noises before taking action. Being a bit more proactive - checking to making sure there's adequate material remaining on the brake pads for disc brakes - is a good place to begin. Remember that brakes should be checked every 30,000 - 45,000 miles, and that leaking brake fluid means immediate repairs are required.

Take good care of your BMW, Mercedes or any vehicle to help prevent common tail light, turn signal and brake light failures. Visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your car needs!

Here's Some Helpful Tips For You "unseasonened" Southerners....Just in Case It Gets Below Freezing!

by Jerry Pasman, Automitive Express Centre, Red Deer Alberta.


Here are some helpful hints that could make your winters easier to deal with ...


Keep your Headlights clear with Car Wax! Just wipe ordinary Car Wax on
your headlights. It contains special water repellents that will prevent that messy mixture from accumulating on your lights - lasts 6 weeks.

Squeak-proof your Wipers with Rubbing Alcohol!
Wipe the wipers with a cloth saturated with rubbing alcohol or Ammonia.
This one trick can make badly streaking & squeaking wipers change to near
perfect silence & clarity.

Ice-proof your Windows with Vinegar!
Frost on it's way? Just fill a spray bottle with three parts Vinegar to
one part water & spritz it on all your windows at night. In the morning, they'll be clear of icy mess. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which raises the melting point of
water---preventing water from freezing!


Prevent Car Doors from freezing shut with cooking spray!
Spritz cooking oil on the rubber seals around car doors & rub it in with a
paper towel. The cooking spray prevents water from melting into the rubber.

Fog-proof your Windshield with shaving cream!
Spray some shaving cream on the inside of your windshield & wipe if off
with paper towels. Shaving cream has many of the same ingredients found in commercial defoggers.

De-ice your lock in seconds with hand sanitizer!
Just put some hand Sanitizer gel on the key & the lock & the problems solved!

Take good care of your BMW, Mercedes or any vehicle in this unseasonably cold weather! Visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your car needs!