Month: May 2020

A low brake pedal is better described as a brake pedal that sits almost to the floor, or one that needs to be pumped repeatedly for the brakes to work. Oftentimes, a low brake pedal also feels “spongy” or soft when you press it, in comparison to how a normal brake pedal might feel which requires more pressure to brake. So, what can cause your European vehicle’s brake pedal to sit low, and is it something that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible?

The first thing to check when seeing your vehicle’s brake pedal sitting low is the brake fluid. Low brake fluid is a typical cause of a low sitting brake pedal, and is usually caused by a leak somewhere in the system. If you notice that your brake fluid is low, it’s important to get this resolved as soon as possible. Adding brake fluid to the reservoir may help you avoid brake failure, however it won’t fix the issue if there is a leak somewhere in the system. Our professionals will perform a thorough inspection of your vehicle’s brake line to determine where the leak is and fix it so that your brake’s hydraulic power is restored.

If the fluid is fine, there could be an issue of air in the brake lines. Air in the brake lines prevents the proper hydraulic pressure from being generated when you step on the brakes, which is why the pedal feels spongy. This can be fixed by bleeding the brake lines, which helps to remove any air. The issue could also be with the alignment of the drum brakes, which can cause the pistons to knock back.

Other symptoms of bad or failing brakes include:

• Loss in brake power
• Pedal has to be pumped to initate brakes
• Squealing noise when braking
• Vehicle pulls to one side when applying brakes

The best thing to do if you notice that your brake pedal is sitting low or feels spongy is to bring your vehicle into the experts here at Bavarian Workshop as soon as you can. It’s never a good sign when your brakes aren’t working as they should, and the sooner our experts take care of the issue the better off your vehicle will be. For European vehicle brake repair in West Hills CA, give us a call or stop by Bavarian Workshop today!

A properly working vehicle is supposed to be smooth and quiet. For example, when you first start your car and are still in park wait to switch into drive, your car is idling. When it’s idling, your vehicle should be still and only have a light purr. However, if you notice that your vehicle is super shaky while it is idling, this is an indication of an issue. Typically, the shaking seems to come from the engine and may be accompanied by rattling noises. If you’re experiencing this, it’s time to have your engine inspected.

Here are some of the potential causes of a vehicle that shakes when it is idling:

• Worn out spark plugs
• Bad timing belt
• Lose hoses
• Wrong fuel/air intake
• Damaged motor mounts
• Oxygen sensor failure
• Bad vacuum hoses

The causes listed above are just some of the common reasons why you might be experiencing a shaky car while idling. While some fixes may be small, others can be more extensive and can get worse over time if ignored. An engine problem can begin to affect surrounding parts and systems, and typically the check engine light will also be illuminated on your dashboard. However, we don’t want you to stress! The sooner you get your vehicle into our experts, the faster you’ll be back on the road with a top-performing vehicle again.

This is why we encourage you to get your vehicle into Bavarian Workshop as soon as you notice a shaky vehicle. We can get to the bottom of the issue quickly and determine what repairs are needed to fix your issue and restore your vehicle back to its best!