Richmond Auto Repair

Tires can be a frustrating and costly part of owning a vehicle, but it’s one of the most important purchases you’ll make for your vehicle. Knowing what’s right for your vehicle and taking into consideration all factors prior to making this costly purchase can seem a little daunting. You will easily spend over $500 for new tires, so you want to make sure you’re getting the right ones! With winter right about the corner, we’re here to give you some guidance, or maybe a refresher, on the different styles of tires, how to determine what’s best for you, and why keeping them in good shape is important.   Before buying any tires for your vehicle, make sure to check your owner’s manual for the recommended tire measurements. The measurements should look something like the following: P215/60R16 94T. If you have any questions or concerns, consult with a professional prior to purchasing anything.   So what are the different types of tires ... read more

As we mentioned in our previous blog post, summer weather can cause wear and tear on your vehicle if you do not take proper precautions. In addition to potential vehicle damage, these items can become damaged, lose effectiveness, or create a mess in your vehicle when exposed to long lengths of the hot sun. In the hustle and bustle of our lives, it’s hard to remember what’s in your vehicle, and sometimes even where in your vehicle that it is. When you’re getting in and out of your car, make sure to double-check your backseat and floorboards for these items to avoid a headache!   Sunscreen   This is almost an issue exclusively for summer. Sunscreen is actually something that should be worn every day, especially if you’re exposed to UV rays. Many facial makeups have sunscreen in them for this purpose. Sun damage and exposure can lead to health issues down the road. But it can also lead to issues in your vehicle! When left inside a hot ... read more

September is a busy time around Richmond, with tons of events and festivals you can attend! Here are a few of our favorite festivals.  Flowers After 5: Flowers After 5 is a terrific way to relax at the end of the day. This event has been going on at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden all summer, but there are still two Thursday events left for you to attend. There’s live music, flowers of course, and more! Note that the September 13th event is also a Fidos event, which means that your dog is welcome, too! Stone’s Throw Down in RVA: This festival on September 8 includes independent craft beer with a full day of music! Proceeds benefit the James River Association, Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton, Virginia Trail Foundation, and Venture Richmond.  Mathews Market Days Festival: This free, two-day event is held the Friday after Labor Day. This yea ... read more

Engines need motor oil, but they need the correct motor oil — one that protects them while operating. Because anything less than that means you’re driving toward serious and expensive repairs.  Motor oil quality in North America has fallen behind engine development, notably with the introduction of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) and Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDI) engines. If you own a BMW, MINI or Mercedes vehicles, chances are you have a GDI or TGDI engine. Here’s what The Euro Shop believes you need to know.   Smaller, More Powerful, Turbocharged Engines Are Now the Norm Fifteen years ago, most automakers began shifting engine production to GDI, and more recently, to TGDI powerplants. Both engine types are downsized, but more powerful, more fuel efficient, and exhaust fewer emissions. So why the shift? First, the engines greatly help automakers to meet the challenging 2025 regulatory fuel economy requirement for 54.5 mpg. I ... read more

Touch Your Roots and Free Your Soul Four Richmond-based road trips to dazzle your visitors   Richmond, Virginia  — located in the crux of American history and culture — is within the day trip to explore on your own, or with visitors and friends. From scenic parkways to historical landmarks and living museums, to sand and surf, to our nation’s capital, so many delightful sojourns await the curious. If I had company coming to Richmond for the first time, here’s are four very different day trips I’d plan to wow them: Mix and Mall It Trek — Make this road trip an overnighter. Head out of Richmond on I-95 to Fredericksburg — you know, the town where George Washington grew up and slept — and book a B&B for the night. Park at the train station and switch travel modes to ride the rails to Union Station in Washington, D.C., which is a short hop, skip or jaunt over to the National Mall — America’s most-visited national ... read more

Vehicles, like you, like to stretch their legs and breathe some clean air. In Virginia, that especially means mountain air. For BMW, Mini and Mercedes-Benz vehicle owners who leave our cityscapes behind, all year-round, mountain road tripping captures our senses. But like any drive, proper preparation and a partnership between you, the driver, and your automotive shop, as your pit crew, is paramount. Here are five ways you can optimize your enjoyment and vehicle’s hassle-free performance when you head for the hills: Be Weather Aware — Mountain weather and subsequent road conditions can change suddenly and often. The elements themselves present challenges, and they can also prompt road debris, flooding, mudslides and more. So be aware, alert and ready to adapt. Check weather reports on your radio or phone app often; be ready to adjust your speed and adjust your following distances; keep your lights on and gas tank half full or more; and store a “go” box in yo ... read more

Ah, Spring! With the change in temperatures come Spring Rains. Sometimes those rains are light, warm, and breezy. Other times, you could be stuck in a torrential downpour. Do you know how to drive safely during the rains of Spring? If you’re uncertain, here are a few helpful driving tips. Make sure your tires are in good condition. How do your tires look? Do they have plenty of tread?  Are they showing signs of even or uneven wear? Are your tires properly inflated? If you answer yes to all of these questions, chances are very good your tires are in good condition. If you aren’t sure, you can bring your vehicle into The Euro Shop in Richmond for a safety check. Know how to react when you hydroplane. Hydroplaning is when your vehicle’s tires lose contact with the road because they’re floating on water. This happens when water pools on the road or during a heavy rain. When you feel your vehicle start to hydroplane, immediately remove your foot off the gas p ... read more

At The Euro Shop, our auto mechanics run like a well-oiled machine, no pun intended. We play on each other strengths to deliver honest, accurate, and thorough auto repair to BMW, MINI, and Mercedes-Benz owners throughout Richmond, North Chesterfield, and Midlothian. While we are servicing your car, we enjoy listening to a variety of music. Kelly Shelton, the owner of The Euro Shop, is an avid music lover, so we couldn’t help but dedicate this blog to the top regional music festivals near Richmond. We are fortunate to have many music festivals happening near Richmond, North Chesterfield, and Midlothian. Some of these festivals may require some driving time, but our auto mechanics would be more than happy to make sure your BMW, MINI, or Mercedes-Benz is ready for the road trip. Here are the top music festivals in Richmond: Richmond Jazz Festival: This festival brings over 10,000 jazz lovers together for the chance to listen to 20 local and national jazz bands fro ... read more