Sommer Car Care

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Archives for May 2023

European Car Mechanic Checklist for Pre-Inspection

If you’re buying a used car, you’re probably wondering if the car has any problems that will cost you money down the line. In this case, having a vehicle pre-inspection is an excellent way to diagnose any problems the car may have to avoid any nasty surprises down the line. The European specialists at Sommer Car Care offer pre-purchase car inspection to ensure that the vehicle you are purchasing is worth the money you’re spending and will make a worthwhile investment. Contact us today to arrange a pre-purchase vehicle inspection.

 

Comprehensive Checklist for Buying Used Car

At Sommer Car Care, we offer a comprehensive checklist for purchasing used European vehicles. During this check, we assess all aspects of the car, including the engine, transmission, gearbox and if the car is manual, the clutch performance. At the end of the checklist, we can advise you as to whether you should purchase the vehicle. We currently offer pre-purchase car inspection for a wide variety of European makes including Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Volkswagen, Porsche, Range Rover, Volvo, Mini.


Transparent Car Inspection Cost

The cost of the car inspection service offered by Sommer Car Care is $295.00 including GST. The service is comprehensive enough for us to be able to advise you on whether you should purchase the used vehicle or not, detecting any mechanical or electrical faults that may cause you problems in the future. We also provide a quote for any repairs that we deem necessary for the vehicle you bring to us for inspection. In doing this, you can further negotiate the price of the car to a figure that is more favourable for you.

 

Holistic Pre-purchase Vehicle Inspection

There’s an old adage that goes “passion for vehicles, costs lots of money”, and this could not be truer when it comes to the world of second-hand cars. Falling in love with a vehicle and becoming attached to it prior to the pre-purchase vehicle inspection can lead to thousands of dollars in unexpected repairs down the line. The vehicle inspection undertaken by the experienced professionals at Sommer Car Care is holistic and comprehensive. We use a checklist of items that include the interior, exterior, under body, tires, wheels, brakes, engine, electronics, and we finish off with a road test. In addition, the equipment that we utilise is Safe-stop for brake, suspension and alignment testing, an array of scan equipment, PicoScope for cylinder balance test, charge system testing and Coolant system pressure test.

 

If you’re looking for a European specialist to undertake a car safety inspection for a car you want to buy, look no further than Sommer Car Care. Contact us online today or call us on 07 3833 9600

What You Need to Know About Brake Fluid Exchanges

Why Brake Fluid is Critical for Your Car’s Braking System

As Euro car specialists, we want to talk to you about something that many workshops overlook when it comes to maintaining your car: brake fluid. Whether you drive a BMW, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Range Rover, Porsche, or any other European make, brake fluid is a crucial component of your vehicle’s braking system. Despite this, many car owners have no idea what brake fluid is or why it is so important to keep it in good condition.

So, what exactly is brake fluid? Simply put, it’s the hydraulic fluid that connects your brake pedal to your brake callipers and pads. When you step on the brake pedal, brake fluid is forced through the brake lines to the callipers, which then clamp down on the rotor to stop the car. It’s a simple yet crucial system that relies on clean, moisture-free brake fluid to function properly.

Signs That Your Car Needs a Brake Fluid Exchange

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, which means it soaks up any moisture it comes in contact with. Even though the braking system is well sealed, there are still areas where moisture can get in, such as the master cylinder reservoir and the microscopic pores on the brake lines and seals. Over time, this can lead to pockets of water in the brake fluid, which can cause a few different issues for your vehicle and your braking system.

First and foremost, water causes rust. This can cause brake callipers to seize and not work, or they can stay engaged and cause abnormal brake wear and other problems. Secondly, the master cylinder can corrode internally and leak, causing fluid loss and a soft brake pedal feel. Finally, and perhaps most frighteningly for drivers and passengers, water in the brake fluid can lead to “brake fade” or loss of brakes due to heat generated from heavy braking. When the water in the brake fluid boils, it turns into steam, which can be compressed and not act on the hydraulic pistons, causing the pedal to sink to the floor and the brakes to become less efficient.

Regular Brake Fluid Exchange is Crucial

To prevent these issues, most vehicle manufacturers recommend flushing the brake fluid every 24 months. This keeps the system free of water and in tip-top shape. At Sommer Car Care, we follow this recommendation, and even go above and beyond by using a specifically designed brake fluid tester that boils a sample of your brake fluid to test the boiling point for accuracy and safety. Most fluid testing devices only measure the conductivity of the fluid, which is not accurate at all.

When flushing the brake fluid, it’s important to use fresh, clean brake fluid and not introduce air or water into the system. That’s why we use an automated pressure bleed system manufactured by ATE. As a leader and pioneer in hydraulic brake systems, ATE also manufactures many service tools and fluids for braking systems. All of these things come together to create a complete solution to keep your brakes working like the day the car rolled off the assembly line.