As a rule of thumb, you should always fill your gas tank when the meter hits the one-fourth level. If you miss this marker, pay attention when the fuel warning light comes on! Driving on an empty gas tank is not only dangerous, it’s also bad for the car. We explain why you should never let your VW or Audi reach near-empty fuel levels.

Why Is Driving on an Empty Gas Tank Bad?

Safety is a primary concern. It’s dangerous when your car comes to a halt in the middle of the road. Besides the safety element, you can also seriously damage the vehicle’s fuel pump. When gas is low, the pump sucks the remaining fuel from the bottom of the tank. The pump ends up sucking debris that rests at the bottom, which ends up contaminating other parts.

Do not Rely Only on the Fuel Gauge

We mentioned the one-fourth rule earlier because it gives you some buffer. Most modern cars indicate the approximate miles remaining before fuel runs dry. However, this number isn’t always accurate and is calibrated depending on your driving habits. If you constantly drive on the freeway, for example, then it might not reflect miles remaining when driving on local streets. Continue Reading →

The winter chills are right around the corner. Your car will feel the effects of the cold as much as you will. Winter car maintenance for German vehicles is not much different than that of American-made cars. Following these maintenance guidelines ensures that your VW or Audi car remains in peak operating condition.

1. Battery Care

Some German models have an absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery. This battery has an above-average lifespan of five to seven years. However, it’s also known to die suddenly, without warning. We suggest a replacement if winter is approaching and the battery is more than four years old.

2. Coolant Refill

Coolant is just as important in the winter as in the summer because engines are still capable of overheating. Top off the reservoir but be sure not to overfill. Many German models use a pressurized cooling system that is susceptible to malfunction if you exceed the fill line. Only use a coolant formula compatible with your car. Some German cars require a specific formula. Continue Reading →

Most vehicles have a valve cover gasket. VW and Audi models are no exception. Like any other car part, this component requires periodic replacement to ensure smooth engine performance. What happens when this part wears out and how might this affect car health?

What Is the Role of the Valve Cover Gasket?

As implied in its name, the valve cover is an encasement that protects the valves and cylinder head hardware. The gasket acts as a seal between the valve cover itself and the cylinder block. When the gasket deteriorates, it will leak oil. This will lead to damaged valves, lifters and cylinder heads. It might even lead to a cracked cover.

Symptoms of a Worn Valve Cover Gasket

One of the first symptoms is a burning oil smell. When the gasket deteriorates, compressed oil escapes. When the engine is running, the oil drips on the hot fuel intake or cylinder block, causing the burnt smell. Of course, a burning smell can indicate other problems. A mechanic will need to diagnose the cause. Continue Reading →

VW and Audi cars are notable for their smooth handling and overall reliability. However, this doesn’t mean they’re not prone to occasional problems. No car brand is immune to recalls. In fact, VW and Audi both issued a separate brake recall. How does this affect your vehicle?

Affected Models

The recall pertains to all of the following models:

For Audi: the 2018 Q5 and SQ5

For VW: the 2018 Beetle, Golf, Passat, Atlas, Sportswagen, and GTI

We recommend bringing your vehicle to an Audi and VW repair shop or to the dealership for an inspection. A technician may need to bleed the brakes. Continue Reading →

Buttera Motors isn’t just a VW and Audi repair service. In recent years, we have expanded to become an RV and truck rental service. Now, we also have a limited inventory of pre-owned vehicles for sale.

What’s in our Inventory?

As of the date of this post, we have several Volkswagen models in our inventory. These include several pre-2000 Beetles, as well as a recently-sold camper van. We understand some folks may be on the fence about older used cars. That’s why we have serviced every vehicle to ensure it runs properly. We are, after all, a German-specific automobile repair shop. That is who we are first and foremost. We specify any changes on our vehicles, such as whether it has a rebuilt transmission, has a replaced fuel line, etc.

We expect our inventory to expand in the coming months to include additional Audi and VW models. Continue Reading →

Some German car owners have brought their vehicles to our shop after noticing low fuel pressure. This is especially common in certain VW and Audi models. We’ll explain the symptoms of low fuel pressure and why this occurs.

What Causes Low Fuel Pressure?

The cause for low pressure is premature wear in the camshaft follower. Subsequently, this causes damage to the drive lobe in the intake camshaft. The engine design includes a tappet or camshaft follower that rides between the intake camshaft and fuel pump shaft. Low pressure occurs when the constant friction from the pump shaft causes a hole to form on the camshaft follower.

Affected Models

Low fuel pressure is especially common in Audi and VW models with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. This engine is prevalent in the Audi A4, A6, S4, and S6. For Volkswagen, models with this engine include the Tiguan, Passat, Golf, and Jetta. Continue Reading →

You may have had an auto shop experience where the mechanic told you he couldn’t diagnose the problem with your vehicle. The eventual advice was to take your car elsewhere. Motorists are rightfully baffled when an auto shop has difficulty diagnosing problems with an imported car. However, is it really a matter of can’t, or won’t? The truth may surprise you.

Why Repair Shops “Can’t” Diagnose Your Car

Here’s the truth only industry insiders know about: In most instances, they do have the capability of diagnosing problems in your imported car. However, most auto shops only charge for one hour of diagnostics. If they can’t pinpoint the problem within the timeframe, then they’re wasting their time and staff resource. In other words, it’s cutting into their profit margins.

In this scenario, the shop usually instructs you to take your vehicle to the dealership. Repairs from dealerships, though, tend to be far pricier since their technicians usually work on commission. Continue Reading →

Do you have vacation plans for summer? This is the perfect time for a road trip. However, a lengthy drive, combined with the summer’s heat, can be taxing on any vehicle. We can’t overstress the importance of a summer pre-trip inspection.

Pre-trip Inspection Basics

Most auto shops provide pre-trip inspections. What exactly does this entail? What’s included? Our inspections cover these areas:

• Battery: we check for corrosion, and gauge its estimated remaining life. Hot weather is just as bad as cold temperatures for batteries.
• Brakes: we examine the brake pads, bushing, calipers, and other components.
• Belts and hoses: we look for signs of fraying, cracking, punctures, etc.
• Tires: we examine the depths of the tread and the sidewall. We also ensure it has just the right amount of air according to manufacturer specifications. A tire check is really important; poorly maintained tires are more prone to a blowout under summer conditions.
• Windshield wipers: we check the wipers, which are almost always overlooked. The Kirkland area does experience summer rains.

Best Cars for Summer Trips

People tend to think of SUVs and pickup trucks as ideal for cross-country trips. However, smaller vehicles actually make for a nice experience if traveling as a smaller party of two or three. The AARP actually listed the Volkswagen Beetle among its list of best cars for summer travel. Both modern VW and Audi cars have the prowess to handle long-distance travel.

If commuting with bulky equipment (e.g. an ATV, Sea-Doo, etc.), then consider renting an RV.

We Do Summer Pre-Trip Inspections

If you own an Audi or VW, then not any auto shop can conduct a pre-trip inspection. Bring your car to Buttera Motors; our crew is versed in pre-trip checkups for German models. A summer pre-trip inspection prevents a breakdown that can totally ruin the fun.

Pre-Trip Inspections and RV Rentals

VW and Audi service in Bothell, Bellevue, Kirkland, Kenmore, Redmond & Woodinville

Sludge is a car engine’s worst nightmare. The accumulation of heat and moisture causes the oil to gel, leading to Trouble—with a capital “T”. Oil sludge in turbocharged engines is especially common. If you’re a VW or Audi owner, you may want to take notice.

What’s Going On?

Volkswagen manufactured a 1.8-liter turbocharged engine for the VW Passat from 1997 to 2005. While such engines are renowned for their exceptional performance, they also became hot really fast. Due to the relatively low 3.7-quart oil capacity, the engine bay can quickly overheat. This is especially the case if you frequently commute for short distances or are late on an oil change. Along with VWs from the above years, the Audi A4 from years 1998-2004 have the same turbocharged engine as well. Continue Reading →

Has your car’s electrical system ever inexplicably shut down, only to restart on its own? This can be frustrating to diagnose because this can be due to a number of causes. This is especially the case with VW and Audi cars, which have a more sophisticated ECU than their American-made counterparts. We’ll outline the common causes and symptoms of sudden car electrical failure.

The Main Culprits

Modern cars receive electrical power from the battery and alternator. The battery starts the engine, runs additional accessories when the engine is off, and powers the voltage regulator. The alternator creates electricity to power everything else, such as the headlights, when the engine is on.

So, what happens when everything—from the lights to the engine itself—suddenly go dead before starting up again? Continue Reading →