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Why Does My Car Shake While Driving?

Does your car shake or vibrate while you drive?  Is the vibration especially noticeable when you reach a certain speed?  If so, the best place to take a look at is your wheels.  Why?  Three of the most common reasons why cars vibrate while driven have to do with problems with or near your tires.  BBC Automotive has serviced plenty of Audis, Jaguars, and Land Rovers with vibration issues.   Here what we know about these situations.

Common Car Vibration Causes While Driving

Although your luxury vehicle is meant to have a smooth ride, simple things can make that ride very rough.  Lok at the symptoms below and their cause.

  • Car shakes when I brake. If ever time you press the brake pedal your steering wheel wobbles, there is a high probability there is an issue with your brake calibers.  When a brake caliber has uneven wear, it can create vibrations whenever the brake pads touch it.  You should either have the calibers re-surfaced or replaced to fix this problem.
  • Steering wheel vibrates at higher speed. Typically, the issue is a tire balance problem.  When tires are unbalanced, a rocking motion can result at certain speeds.  If the problem improves at higher speeds (over 60 mph), it is most certainly an unbalanced tire.  If it does not improve at higher speeds, you should have your tires examined for defects.
  • Vibration occurs with a burning smell. A burning odor accompanied with car shaking is nearly always a sticking brake caliber.  Caliber malfunctions can be sporadic or continually.

Don’t shake off repairs

When your vehicle begins to vibrate, it is a very telling sign that it needs a repair.  The longer you put off the problem the worst, the vibrations will become.  Continual vibrations will eventually affect other parts of your car.

Is your Audi, Jag or LR not riding as smooth as it is used to?  If you are having issues with your car shaking while driving, bring it to us.  BBC Automotive offers fast repairs and professional service at affordable prices. (858) 914-4678

 

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Signs That Your Clutch Needs Replacing

Do you enjoy the control and thrill that comes from shifting gears during your drive?  Many Jaguar, Land Rover, and Mini Cooper enthusiasts do.  However, the beauty of shifting can quickly put you into some ugly situations if your clutch fails.  Hence, the best approach is to recognize the signs that clutches give that there is a malfunction developing.  Here are the most common signs that we at BBC Automotive have addressed for our customers.  If you are in San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Poway, or Encinitas and know you need clutch repair for your Jag, LR, or Mini Cooper, give us a call at (858) 914-4678.

Gear Slippage

A clutch that occasionally slips out of gear, is showing signs of wear.  Mechanically speaking, the clutch plates’ lining has worn to the point where it hinders flush interaction with the pressure plate.  This results in a less than firm grip with the transmission.  Gear slippage can also occur due to a transmission fluid leak.

Sticking Clutch

If you are finding that your clutch pedal sensitivity is change, either becoming harder to engage or failing to release, get it checked immediately.  Usually, there is a problem is due to a failing cable, linkage connector, shaft, or bearing.  Yet, on occasion, we have found cases of blockages or hydraulic seal failure which has resulted in stiffer clutch pedal engagement.

Hot Clutch

Some have found that after driving their vehicle, that they’ll notice smoke or a burning smell from the area near their shifter or under the vehicle.  Such an issue indicates overheating with some of the components of the gearbox.

Your clutch is comprised of several parts including the clutch disc, flywheel, release bearing, pressure plate and control linkage.  We service all of these components and more.  BBC Automotive is at your disposal, if you need help either clutch diagnosis or clutch repair.

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Jaguar Brake Tips

Jaguar brake service San DiegoMost of our Jaguar customers in San Diego really care about their vehicles and ask us for advice. Yet, even they ask questions we can tell that they aren’t simply seeking a quick fix. They like to understand why. We absolutely love this! We could talk about Jaguars, Audis, and Land rovers all day long. Among many of the questions we are asked (specifically by Jaguar owners), brake questions are easily in the top 5 in frequency. Therefore, here are some helpful tips for maintaining the brakes on your Jaguar.

Jaguar Brake Tip 1:

It is vital to maintain the specified level of hydraulic fluid in the brake fluid reservoir. Be sure that you are not mixing or substituting fluid types. Jaguar braking systems are designed to accommodate a selected balance of base stock and additives in brake fluid (usually DOT 4 but verify before adding fluid). By it composition, brake fluid absorbs water, which it is why it is necessary to use fresh fluid instead of old.

Jaguar Brake Tip 2:

Brakes benefit greatly from regular cleaning. Over time dust and debris attaches to the rotor and bad pads. In most cases, this dust will only cause annoying squeaking. Yet, on occasion, certain debris can lead to uneven wear and scaring of the rotor. Simply washing the brakes off as you clean the car will suffice.

Jaguar Brake Tip 3:

Always avoid placing any kind of lubricant on the surfaces of the rotor or brake pads. If this happens by accident, use brake cleaner to remove the lubricant. Let the soiled area dry completely before driving.
We’ll cover other brake tips in our February post. Remember to become well acquainted with your braking system—especially how it should feel and sound. Often brakes will alert you that something is wrong by how the react when applied.
Feel free to bring your vehicle in for a free visual inspection. All of our services are covered by our No Hassel Guarantee. T

The Original Specialist have been in business since 1959 and we take Jaguar repair personally. We offer a free brake system flush ($165.00 Value) with any Jaguar brake repair. Schedule your appointment today.

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Don’t Ignore Your TSBs!

If you haven’t heard of or reacted to TSBs, keep reading. TSBs or Technical Service Bulletins are manufacturer suggested items that call for fixes to mechanical issues great and small. Usually the problem is a reoccurring issue found by the manufacturer and offers technicians the best advice of how to fix the issue. Car owners that familiarize themselves with TSBs, can get problematic issues fixed before they experience future problems.
Consequently, ignoring a TSB for your Jaguar, Land Rover, or Audi repair is shortsighted. But how do you know if your vehicle has a TSB issued? Most TSBs will be announced via letter to the vehicle owner but some are not. Alternatively, you can find out if your vehicle has a TSB or major recall by calling the manufacturer, dealer, doing an online search or by asking a professional independent shop.

Common Questions About TSBs?

What is the difference between recalls and TSBs?
A recall is usually issued when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted an investigation and determined a serious safety hazard exists on a given vehicle. The NHTSA has the authority to require car manufacturers to fix the problem.
TSBs are forwarded by the car manufacturer to technicians to fix reoccurring problems on a particular vehicle. Often the automaker will alert dealerships to have these issues fixed when car owners come in for major repairs.
Does a TSB mean something major is wrong with my vehicle?
Not necessarily. TSBs can involve non-safety issues that can just be nagging or inconvenient for car owners. However, some TSBs can lead to other problems if they are not addressed, which could lead to more costly repairs. This is why it is important to at least know about the TSB.
If you have questions about a TSB for your vehicle, just ask us. We’ll give you the inside scoop on the issue and let you know how serious it really is.
Feel free to bring your vehicle in for a free visual inspection. All of our services are covered by our No Hassle Guarantee. The Original Specialist have been in business since 1959 and we take Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi repair personally.

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Keys to Retaining Your Vehicle’s Value with Proper Maintenance

One of the best advantages of owning a Jaguar, Land Rover, or Audi is that you might have a classic. Due to the hand craftsmanship and brand of these vehicles, owners can keep a valuable gem in their garage if they take care of it properly. As mechanics, we’ve seen some classic Jaguars, Land Rovers, and Audis in horrible condition (and it hurts us to the heart every time).

Here’s some maintenance tips that you can use to make sure your investment retains it’s value.

Keys to Retaining Value

  1. Maintaining documentation of the vehicle’s maintenance, regular and sporadic, helps to substantiate proper owner care.
  2. Be sure to keep the interior and exterior of the vehicle clean and in good condition.
  3. Mileage matters. If at all possible, put less than 12,000 miles on the vehicle annually. This boosts confidence that the vehicle was not overused.
  4. Avoid smoking in the vehicle. The smell of smoke vapor (even vapor from e-cigs) can be extremely difficult to remove entirely.
  5. Make efforts not to eat in your vehicle. Food stains, crumbs, and scents can wreak havoc on car value.
  6. Deal with exterior repairs quickly before they lead to other damage. Scratches, dents, and other blemishes usually rust if left alone for lengthy periods.
  7. Aftermarket customizations almost always lowers the value of any vehicle. Most car enthusiasts are interested in the vehicle not aftermarket accessories, therefore, adding them narrows a vehicle’s appeal.

A vintage Jaguar, Land Rover, or Audi can be quite an asset if it is maintained properly.
The Original Specialist have been in business since 1959 and we take Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi repair personally. We offer the best deals on these specialty vehicle maintenance. Feel free to bring your vehicle in for a free visual inspection. All of our services are covered by our No Hassel Guarantee.

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Should You Be Worried About Car Hacking!

Although all of the new computer aided and operated features in Jaguars, Land Rovers, and Audis have ushered in numerous functions, they also have drawbacks. One such disadvantage is susceptibility to hacking. Yes, your vehicle can be hacked!

But not like in the movies…yet.

Last year the Defense Department, granted computer specialists Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek the opportunity to investigate various security vulnerabilities in vehicle computer systems. They found moderate success, but they needed to connect physically with the vehicle to access its controls. Most car owners would be able to recognize a computer device linked into dashboard, so this threat isn’t high.
Others have found ways to steal vehicles by cloning remote key codes, recording signals sent by keyless devices, and jamming wireless signals. These techniques show that remote threats are possible and will most likely increase—especially for high-end vehicles. Some car manufacturers do not seem intimidated by this and have embraced wireless web connections. For instance, Audi’s next gen vehicles will be continuously connected to AT&T’s wireless network.

Car manufacturers and part designers are working together to guard against new age cyber-attacks. Several have designed layers of firewalls and other security protocols on Bluetooth and wireless tech. Even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has allocated $2 million toward researching and improving vehicle computer system security.
Currently, car hacking is not a high threat because hackers cannot monetize it yet. Yet, the day may arise when car hacking becomes more lucrative. We may see this occur sooner than later, especially as vehicle to vehicle communication emerges.
The Original Specialist have been in business since 1959 and we take Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi repair personally. We offer the best deals on these specialty vehicle maintenance.

Feel free to bring your vehicle in for a free visual inspection.

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How to Save on Your Audi, Jaguar, or Land Rover Repair

Expensive does not always equate to better. In fact, expensive can sometimes be unreasonable. Auto repairs, for the most part, and related to accumulated wear and tear. Dealership service centers understand this, however, many of them exploit their customers with fear. Owners of high-end vehicles like Audis, Jaguars, and Land Rovers can end up paying thousands annually for maintenance that is not required by the manufacturer.
Consequently, there are ways to save yourself from unreasonable repairs. Here’s a few tips from your local Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi repair, service, and diagnostics shop, The Original Specialists.

Never Neglect Maintenance

Some owners have looked in their auto manuals and seen the manufacturer’s maintenance schedules and acted accordingly. If you aren’t in that group, open your manual up and take a look. This can help you from overshooting regular maintenance. Major breakdowns usually require expensive fixes. Yet, these are easily avoided with a good routine of maintenance. Again, there is a difference between over maintaining and regular maintenance. We believe that you should take the word of the vehicle’s manufacturer over the place that you bought it from.

Use Free Services & Coupons

Free services are sometimes offered at auto repair shops. Items like diagnostic readings, tire rotations, and battery testing are available to nearly every customer. Specials and coupons should not be overlooked either. These can result in big pocket savers when compared to dealership repair prices. see our service specials

Be Inquisitive

Don’t take blanket answers like, “Your brakes need repairs” or “we found some problems with your XXX that need addressing”. This is an easy way to get you writing a blank check. Ask questions about the repair, have the mechanic explain the issue to you, or even show you what is going on before you commit to the price. If you can’t get satisfying answers, you may want to go elsewhere.
The Original Specialist have been in business since 1959 and we take Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi repair personally. Feel free to bring your vehicle in for a free visual inspection. All of our services are covered by our No Hassel Guarantee.

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Benefits of Autologic Diagnostics

autologicjaguarWhy We Use Autologic

There’s just something special about owning an Audi, Jaguar, or Land Rover. And when you get one, you want to take care of it. Sometimes dealer’s lose sight that your vehicle is not just a passing fad but an investment. Consequently, when we service a vehicle, we look for ways to go beyond dealership service. Our specialists can even present ways safely to improve your vehicle’s performance. One way we are able to provide such a high level of service is by utilizing the Autologic diagnostics. This leads us to offer the best Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi repair in all of San Diego.

What is Autologic?

Autologic is a software tool that specializes in providing diagnostics of high quality vehicles. The software is covers a vehicles specification by year and model. Instead of following general techniques, Autologic gives OEM-level diagnostics and comprehensive service functions. It is the only aftermarket system that has these capabilities. When we combine Autologic with the decades of experience of technicians, the results are simply amazing.

Faster and Better

When we use Autologic, we have found consistently faster results that allow us to complete repairs quicker than traditional systems. Additionally, we can use the system to get exact specification for aftermarket components and retrofits. Having this capability is simply essential to making improvements to your vehicle. Other features of the system include:

  • The ability to flash program control modules
  • Versatility to configure car file data
  • Automated air suspension calibration
  • Automated resetting of electronic parking brake motors

The Autologic system gives our customers peace of mind and added confidence in our services. The Original Specialists always utilize the highest tools and resources to diagnose and repair every vehicle.

For more detailed information on Autologic visit www.autologic-diagnostics.com

 

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