3D Printers Can Make Car Parts

3D printing has come a long way over the years, with many people treating it as a miracle technology that can create anything. That may be an exaggeration of what the technology is capable of, but there is no denying that it can be used for amazing things. 3D printers have been used to create everything from replacement machine parts to custom-made prostheses, and now some companies are using 3D printing to fabricate replacement car parts.

The Benefits of "Printing" Car Parts
There are some obvious benefits to using 3D printing to create replacement car parts, the most obvious of which is that can eliminate the need to hunt down rare automobile parts. Anybody who has ever tried to restore a classic car or even just repair their old vehicle knows how hard it is to find the right parts for a particular job. Some have to search high and low to find what they are looking for, and when they find it they sometimes have to pay an astronomical price due to its rarity. Theoretically, a 3D printer can fabricate these parts easily as long as their specifications are programmed into the printer. It may not be ideal for those who want authentic classic parts, but it could be enough to keep an older vehicle on the road.

3D printing can also allow manufacturers and designers to create prototypes of new engines and other parts. Using a 3D printer to create these prototypes to see how they would function is considerably cheaper and easier than building a new engine from scratch only to find that it needs to be redesigined. The printed prototype doesn't have to be used in a vehicle; the fact that it can be an inexpensive means of testing out a theoretical device is often enough for manufacturers.

The only real disadvantage to using 3D printing for car parts is that the resins that are used in the printing process may not be tough enough for certain applications. 3D printing can yield some durable results, but they may not always be able to hold up to high stress and heat. There may come a time when 3D printing can create something that is better than traditional automobile parts and equipment, but until then, anything that is fabricated should be used wisely and with caution.

Do you know the difference between summer tires, all season tires, and winter tires?

When it comes to buying a tires for your vehicle, the large selection of tires can be confusing. What is the difference between summer tires, all-season tires, and winter tires? Use this guide to help you choose the right tires for your needs.

Summer Tires

The summer tires are beneficial when you are dealing with dry roads. Summer tires are built for agility and speed. Summer tires usually have shallow tread depth as they are designed for speed. Despite what a lot of people believe, summer tires actually provide great traction in rain storms. Winter driving requires an upgrade to all-season tires or winter tires.

All Season Tires

The majority of car owners will opt for all-season tires. An all-season tire is set to handle all types of weather from rain to snow. Most people feel the all-season tires are designed to handle rain better than summer tires, but this is not true. The summer tires do a great job gripping a road, even in the rain. With the all-season tires, the main grip ability is for the snow. All season doesn’t mean a tire is set to have great performance for all weather patterns. The all-season tires prevent you from needing to change your tires in the spring and the fall. If you live in an area without a great deal of snow, consider a lower rated all-season tire.

Winter Tires

The winter tire is designed to provide plenty of grip during a snow storm. In deep water at high speeds, the tire need to stay in contact with the pavement. The tread pattern of the tire will provide the gripping ability a car needs to stay stuck to the road. Compare customer ratings of the tires to ensure they will be able to give adequate grip during a snowstorm.

Choosing a Tire

Summer tires are not adequate to handle snow, but they can handle rain for the most part. The problem is ice. A tire needs to have a soft, grippy tread to provide the ability to grip the road. If the car is slipping often in the snow, it is important to change to winter tires. Review the original manufacturer’s tires to find out what tires they recommend for the vehicle. 

Safe Winter Driving

Driving in bad weather conditions can test even the best of drivers, so here are a few tidbits to know about to learn how to handles these driving conditions:

Quit while you’re ahead! If you do not need to go out, don’t! Every time you drive in bad weather is risky, no matter how safe or equipped you think your car is. The number one advice for professionals is avoid driving in this weather at all costs.

If you do need to go out however, like to go to work, go to the grocery store, or pick up the kids from school, make sure to be safe.

Practice, practice, practice! If you are new to driving or new to an area of the country plagued with weather unconducive for driving, make sure to test out your car’s handling capabilities in an open parking lot where you can really figure out how your car will drive in bad conditions, and you can practice driving in these conditions with more confidence.

Is the road clear? If the snow plow has not come by yet, try not to go out, even if you think the snow or ice is not thick enough. Less than a centimeter of ice can send you flying off the road and into the hospital or a repair shop. Always wait for them to clear the road and salt your driveway as often as you can.

Give yourself more time. Give yourself more time with almost everything in these dire conditions. Do not drive too fast, and give yourself time to stop because the loss of traction you will get. Also, give yourself more time to get from A to B, because you do not want to speeding or freaking out while driving in these conditions, because it can be extremely dangerous. The general rule is leaving three times more space and time driving in winter weather.

Helpful Hints:
-Don’t use cruise control, especially on icy roads.
-Be more cautious on bridges and overpasses since these will freeze faster than the rest of the road.
-Put your lights on at all time, and keep them and your windshield clean to not risk reducing your visibility any more.
-Even all-wheel drive vehicles are not fully able to deal with this sort of weather, so do not assume that you can drive faster or your car will be safer.
-If you are stuck on the side of the road, do not keep spinning your wheels. Instead, spread gravel, kitty litter, sand, or salt under your tires to gain traction to get out.
-Notice how there are already tire marks in the snow from previous cars? Survivalists suggest not following the track and instead straddling them, because snow being driven over again and again will turn to black ice and it will be like driving on a frozen over lake.
-When driving uphill, all of these are even more important, because the grade will reduce tractions and increase gravity, which is exactly what will lead to a car sliding down the hill.

Winterizing Your Car

Winter is a time of year that brings snow, sleet, frozen ice and dangerous driving conditions. Despite hazardous weather conditions that make driving difficult, for most drivers, hibernating all winter is not an option. If you find yourself needing to get somewhere at a time when the roads are covered in snow or ice, there are many ways to ensure that your drive is as safe as possible.

Auto Advice Every Driver Needs- It is never a good idea to warm up a vehicle in an enclosed space, such as a garage. Starting and warming up your vehicle inside of a garage causes increased carbon monoxide in the air, which can be lethal. It's also a good idea to never let your gas tank be more than half empty during the winter. Empty or near empty gas tanks are more prone to freezing. All drivers should have their vehicle inspected before winter hits in order to make sure that your vehicle is ready to handle the treacherous weather conditions.

Auto Advice for SUV and Truck Drivers- When driving in wintery weather conditions, your tires are the key to staying on the road. Mixing radial tires with other types of tires is not a good idea during the winter months. It is also crucial to ensure that your tires are fully inflated before driving. Accelerating and decelerating slowly is the best way to navigate slippery roads while driving a large vehicle. Once you get to your destination, ensure the exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow or ice.

Auto Advice for Sedan Drivers- If you are driving a sedan on wintery roads, it can be easy to lose control of your vehicle. Never use cruise control while driving through wintery weather conditions and avoid using your parking brake when driving on slick roads. Using low gears only is the best way to create the most traction on the road.

Auto Advice for Motorcycle Drivers- Motorcycles are one of the most difficult types of vehicles to maneuver on icy or snowy roads. It is best to avoid driving a motorcycle during snow, sleet or hail. Tire chains can make driving a motorcycle in the snow much safer. It is also crucial to ensure that the battery is in good condition before taking your bike out on the road.

Too Flush or Not To Flush

Your auto mechanic recently did some maintenance on your automobile, and suggested that you needed a brake fluid flush. Right now, you're probably feeling a bit confused about having the work done, and wondering how much money it will cost you. You might also be thinking, "Do I really need to have this done?" Well, here is some good advice about why it is important to have the old brake and flushed on your automobile. You can avoid getting taken for a ride, so to speak, and ripped off by your auto mechanic, when you get a second, or third opinion from other auto mechanics. However, if your current auto mechanic suggests that you need these types of repairs, make certain that you get the work done right away.


Flushing The Brake Fluid On Your Automobile 

When the brake fluid in your automobile turns black, you should have the repairs made to keep your brakes functioning properly. Flushing the old brake fluid from your automobile can help remove moisture and debris from your system. Look for a reasonably priced auto mechanic with a good reputation that will completely flush the old brake fluid out of your automobile. Some mechanics perform various brake flushing methods, such as suction or pressure to flush out the old brake fluid on an automobile. However, before you attempt to have any repairs made, always read your owner's manual. Then, determine, which brake flushing method is best for your automobile. Be sure to ask your friends and family about their auto mechanics, and which type of brake fluid flushing method he uses, when they have their brake fluid flushed. 



Washing Your Car This Weekend…

Planning on washing your car this weekend? Here are some things to think about:



- Use products sold specifically for cars/trucks. Household cleaners can contain harsh detergents, abrasives and additives that strip the wax from the paint and damage the finish.



- Clean your wheels with a wheel cleaner that removes brake dust, which can blacken your front tires.



- Be sure to follow the directions on the container of your cleaning products because applications can vary.



- Once your vehicle is clean and dry, check the vehicle for foreign particles on the paint, then apply a wax as directed.

The wax will protect the finish and make subsequent washing easier.

Hope you have a great weekend!

What is Torquing?

Yes we said tourquing and not twerking! Have you ever had an entire wheel fall off while driving? Hopefully not – however without proper and accurate torquing and retorquing you, you and whoever is riding with you as well as other motorists could possibly be looking at a very dangerous situation.  And it happens more than you think! That’s why at Metric Wrench Billings we encourage you to bring your vehicle to a professional when removing the wheels.

What is torquing?

Torquing is the process of specifically tightening your lug nuts at the proper pressure. Each vehicle has different manufacturer specifications for how the lug nuts should be torqued. Problems that can occur:

·      Under and overtorquing-The studs your wheel is secured to are actually designed to have a specific amount of “stretch”. The proper torque stretches the stud JUST enough for it to securely lock with the bolts. An under-torqued lug nut will not lock correctly and an over-torqued lug nut will over stretch the stud, both cause stress.

·      Broken studs- The extra movement caused by a loose nut can stress the stud and cause it to fail. The overly tightened lugnuts can over stretcha nd stress the lugnut, causing failure as well. Replacement will be needed immediately and this can also cause the wheel to fall off while traveling.

·      Expensive Brake Problems- The biggest issue with over torquing is warped brake rotors. This is often caused by mechanics who tighten lugs improperly using a pneumatic gun.  This can cause uneven tightening accross the hub surface of the rotor. Because one or more wheel nuts is not as tight as the other the rotor pressure is unbalance when you apply the brakes. Once a rotor warps it can be difficult and costly to undo.

·      Stressed bolts- Without proper torquing to stretch the wheel stud, you are putting extra stress on the bolt and the hole the stud passed through. This is seen while driving, as it stresses the wheel assembly. This can also lead to a wheel falling off.

·      Extra stress on steering system- Under torquing can cause the wheel/tire to slightly “wobble” while driving and can cause the car to pull to one side while driving. All in all, this puts extra stress on the steering system.

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!

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!

Common Tail Light, Turn Signal and Brake Light Failures

One of the most common tail light, turn signal and brake light failures is burned out bulbs. Unfortunately, glass replacement bulbs are a reality for any vehicle owner. Time and the elements take a toll on your bulbs, leading, inevitably, to failure. Having the right bulb on hand to replace that blown light will keep you legal and safe on the road. You can replace your bulbs with colored bulbs to add a custom look to your vehicle.

Another problem commonly found in BMWs, is after you change all of the bulbs, the check light remains on. That could be caused by the wire harness cable that connects to the light housing; one of the pins could be burned and melted. This causes a slight voltage irregularity thrown to the computer telling it there is a fault even though the lights still work. So check all your wire connections very closely and see if you have any abnormalities or burned out pins.

Having problems with your turn signal? If your turn signal stops working or isn’t working all of the time, use hand signals until you can get it fixed to avoid a huge fine! A turn signal is also known as the electrical connection and switching, there are two types of dashboard turn signal telltale indicators, left and right green indicator lights on the vehicle's instrument cluster, and a cyclical "tick-tock" noise generated electromechanically or electronically.

And did you know that International regulations mandates that turn signals are required to blink on and off, or "flash", at a steady rate of between 60 and 120 blinks per minute.

If you’re having problems with your turn signal, it’s best to have a certified technician at Metric Wrench check your vehicle to see what’s causing the problem, to correct it and to reset all lights and warnings.

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!

November - an Important Month for Car Care

Here in Montana, winterizing your car, is not only smart, but essential. November is the perfect time to start getting ready for the big chill; we recommend you visit Metric Wrench Billings to have our specialists check these applications:

• Check coolant (antifreeze) - coolant should be checked every winter, but most manufacturers recommend changing it out completely every five years or 100,000 miles.
• Check tire depth and tire pressure-it’s also time to think about putting your snow tires on your vehicle.
• Change oil – is it time for your oil to be changed? Now’s a good time to schedule that oil change along with your other BMW, Mercedes and car winterizing needs.
• Check your battery and exhaust system
• Ensure your heater and defroster are working properly

Take good care of your BMW, Mercedes or any vehicle to help prevent common breakdowns and an uncomfortable commute. Visit Metric Wrench Billings today for all of your car needs!

Metric Wrench Billings, MT Provides Tips for Fall Weather

Summer days are gone and we’ve all seen the days grow shorter, kids are back in school and excited teens are getting up at 6 o’clock in the morning to take Driver’s Ed! Therefore we must endure increased morning traffic that leads to longer commutes and more wear on your car. To ensure that your car is in peak condition, visit Metric Wrench in Billings, MT to have our certified technicians check these components:

Brakes—increased cars on the road means more stop-and-go traffic. Research shows that stop-and-go traffic can wear your brakes down at a much more rapid rate. Metric Wrench’s certified technicians can provide expert brake repair service.

Gas Mileage—and needless to say, the more you stop-and-go, the fewer miles per gallon your car gets. While Metric Wrench can’t help you with the flow of traffic, we can help assist you in helping your car to get the maximum gas mileage by checking components, that when in optimal condition can increase your gas mileage. Components like checking oil filters, air filters and tire pressure just to name a few.

Engine Belts—did you know that worn belts can dramatically affect your engine’s performance? It’s true and they can also lead to breakdowns, which if your taking kids to school, it could prevent you from getting there on time. The certified technicians at Metric Wrench can check for cracks and missing sections and help you to arrive at school on time!

If you would like more information about tips for fall weather, you can try asking your favorite certified technician at Metric Wrench Billings for some pointers. You can also try searching the Internet for pointers on auto repair. If you have a BMW or Mercedes that needs repair, please contact Metric Wrench Billings, today.

Dealership vs. Independent for Service and Repair

So you’ve asked yourself the question a million times, “Do I take my care to the dealership or to an independent service and repair shop like Metric Wrench Billings?”

And that is a very good question, so let’s take a look at the two and see what the difference actually is. When you purchased your BMW, Mercedes or any new vehicle, you received an owner’s manual along with it. The purpose of this manual is to assist you in maintaining your car in the best performing condition possible. In maintaining your vehicle, the type of repairs and services that your vehicle requires will determine where you need to take your car.

For example, scheduled maintenance like oil changes, tune-ups, fluid checks, brake checks, etc. you can take your vehicle to an independent auto-repair shop like Metric Wrench Billings. You will discover that it doesn’t cost quite as much taking it to Metric Wrench then it does to the dealership. You should also know that Federal law states that you have the right to service your car anywhere that you choose and it won’t affect your coverage.

At a dealership, the technicians are trained specifically as well as certified for all facets of your model’s service requirements. The dealership will also have the necessary diagnostic equipment that is required to maintain your vehicle. However, the technicians at Metric Wrench are also trained and certified in all aspects of your car’s service requirements and are very capable of maintaining the necessary maintenance and repairs of your vehicles, they also have BMW and Mercedes diagnostic equipment.

You need to be sure that wherever you decide to take your vehicle that the service repair shop stays on top of the latest technical service bulletins (TSBs), these are the detailed requirements on how to repair common issues that pertain to a specific vehicle. If your vehicle falls under a TSB service issue and is still under warranty, then the repairs may be done for free, but then you will be required to take your vehicle to a dealership to have the work completed. If your car is no longer under warranty, then you may be required to pay for all services.

Repairs to your vehicle can be basic repairs like changing a belt or something more complicated like diagnosing problems with your electrical system. If the problem is covered under warranty, then by all means go to the dealership so that the manufacturer can pay to have your car repaired. It is also better to go to a dealership if your vehicle has been recalled or the automaker wants to fix or replace a defect. If you have an extended warranty, read the fine print, see who is required to perform the repairs that are being covered.

If your car is no longer under warranty, then it’s just a matter of what repairs need to be done that will determine if you should take your vehicle to Metric Wrench or another reputable independent dealer. Metric Wrench has certified technicians and they are trained to work on your vehicle and have the appropriate equipment for your vehicle and they also stay on top of the latest information available on your vehicle.