The knowledge bank From German Automotive
Knowledge Bank
Automotive news, insights and guides brought to you by the team at German Automotive
A brief history of Volkswagen
Of the ten top-selling car models in history, three are Volkswagen; the Beetle, the Golf and the Passat. Not one for...
A brief history of Skoda
Founded in 1859, Skoda has had a very interesting history as both a state-owned and privately owned car...
A brief history of SEAT
Although it is an impressive 67 years old, SEAT is one of the younger car manufacturers, and its sporty cars show that...
A brief history of Porsche
Porsche are one of the most well-known brands in the world. Synonymous with luxury and style, Porsche has become just as much of a status symbol as designer clothes or luxury holidays. But how did the car manufacturer become the luxury icon it is today? Let's...
A brief history of Mini
Cute, iconic and unmistakably British, the Mini is an instantly recognisable little car with a devoted fan base. Despite its diminutive size, it has space for four passengers and even room for luggage in the boot. In 1999, the Mini was voted the second most...
A brief history of Mercedes-Benz
Alternately referred to as Benz, Mercedes or Merc, Mercedes-Benz is about as much of a household name as is possible within the automotive industry. The mere mention of Mercedes conjures far more than just cars. Such brand recognition and identity, arguably...
A brief history of BMW
BMW are one of the most well-known, established car brands in the world. Producing both executive and city cars alike, BMW has a rich and interesting history. In fact, BMW started as three other manufacturing companies. So how did it become the prestigious car...
A brief history of Bentley
Far more than just a luxury automobile, a Bentley is a statement. Owning one says you’re either fabulously rich or would rather drive a Bentley than have a place to live. Bentley represents British elegance like no other. The Queen’s private limousine is a special...
A brief history of Audi
Audi is one of the best-selling luxury automobile manufacturers in the world. However, the origins of the German brand are complex and colourful, to say the least. Behind the name of every car company, there’s a story. Sometimes it’s as simple as the name of the...
How to Jump-Start a Car – The Complete Guide
You turn on your car, but it doesn’t start.The battery is dead.No big deal. We’ll show you exactly how to jumpstart your car with this guide.While jumping a dead battery is super simple, you’d be surprised by the number of people who have no idea how to do it. And...
How to Change an Auto Fuel Filter
With practically every new car on the road, today powered by fuel injection, keeping the fuel system clean is critical. A tiny grain of dirt can clog injectors, leading to erratic performance and lousy gas mileage. Changing your auto fuel filter every 10,000 to 15,000...
How to Rotate Tires
Learn how to rotate tires the right way with this guide Rotating tires is more than swapping the tires around. How you rotate your tires depends on factors specific to your vehicle. We'll show you all you need to know to rotate your tires the right way. Why rotate...
10 car cleaning tips
Washing your car can be a bit of a bore, especially if it doesn’t end up much cleaner than it was when you started. But do it right, and your car can look like a gleaming new showroom model and be a place you actually want to spend time in.Don’t just throw a bucket of...
Keep Your Car In Shape This Spring by Maintaining These 7 Fluids
A great way to keep your car in good running shape between major tune-ups is to check the car fluids yourself. It’s an inexpensive and simple way to prevent engine wear or damage, and save money at the auto shop. While checking the car fluids in your car is a fairly...
Here’s Your Basic Car Maintenance Schedule
More than ever, people are looking to maintain their vehicles at home. Knowing what exactly needs to be done on today's vehicles, and when to do it, can be challenging. That's why we've broken it all down for you by time and mileage in one comprehensive service...
How to Plan Your Dream Road Trip
The open road has few rivals but there's one thing that comes a close second to the joy of a road trip: planning one. Getting excited about the car & the places you'll see just enhances the anticipation. There's a skill to planning the perfect road trip, though....
The ultimate guide to car parts and what they do
How much do you really know about the inner workings of your car? Do your eyes glaze over as soon as you open the bonnet? Do you know your alternator from your radiator? Many drivers who love getting behind the wheel still have no idea what’s going on under the hood....
Dashboard Warning Lights Guide
Modern cars are filled with electronics and packed with sensors to monitor how your vehicle is behaving. It’s important to know what car dashboard warning lights mean because you might be able to avoid a car breakdown or full-on failure. So here's what the different...
Tyres: The Ultimate Guide
Tyres are possibly the most important part of your car. The four rings of rubber wrapped around your wheels are the vehicle’s only connection with the road, and without them, you wouldn’t be able to drive. Many factors govern what makes a good, safe and legal tyre....
UK Towing Capacity Guide: What can your car tow?
Towing is all about weight, how much your car can tow, how much it weighs and how much you are legally allowed to tow on your licence. The laws are the same whether you are planning a family holiday in a caravan, want to tow a horse trailer or want to do a one-off...
Tips on Towing for First-Timers
Some of the most fun you can have involves hitching up a trailer and driving off into the sunset. Hauling a trailer isn't for the faint of heart though. It pays to be prepared. Whether you're heading to the lake or hitting the dirt track or heading off to the job...
What Your Car’s missions Are Telling You
You probably see this all the time. The car in front of you is spitting out puffs of white from its tailpipe, while the car next to it appears to have no emissions. Sometimes it accelerates, leaving a thin trail of water pouring out. At other times, it's even worse...
Road trip tips to save fuel and money
With summer on its way, it makes sense that you'll want to save some fuel and money on your holiday. Here are some road trip tips that can help. Tyre inflation: Think about how tough it is to ride a bicycle with a low tyre. That's because an underinflated tyre has...
Anti-Lock Brakes vs. Power Brakes
After the '60s, power brakes were the preferred feature on most vehicles and usually came standard on newer cars. Then, starting in the '90s, anti-lock brakes (or ABS) came along. What's the difference, anyway? Let's break this down a little bit. POWER BRAKES When you...
What to Do When Your Car Won’t Start
It's a terrible feeling when you get into your vehicle to go to work, turn the key, and it won't start. We can't help with you being late, but maybe we can figure out what's wrong with your vehicle. Here's where to start...when your engine won't start. CAR WON'T CRANK...
How Does a Turbocharger Work?
Auto manufacturers have almost exclusively used turbochargers in sports cars or race cars in the last couple of decades. Considering their main purpose is to provide a large boost in power, that does make a lot of sense. Now that automakers need to improve the fuel...
How To Use A Car Jack Safely
If you ever need to get under your vehicle for some inspection or repair, you’ll need to know how to raise your vehicle safely to avoid a possible disaster.
Understanding Gasoline Direct Injection
Fuel injection has been standard on new vehicles since the ’80s when the carburettor finally went the way of the dinosaur.
Understanding Your Brake System
Usually, we don’t think much about our car’s brakes. We step on the pedal and the car slows down or stops, and that’s it.
My Car’s Making A Car Noise
As your car or truck ages and accumulates more miles, it’s likely to develop some interior squeaks or rattles, and that’s perfectly normal.
12 Products You Should Keep in Your Vehicle
We’ve put together a list of things you can easily fit in a trouble bag and stash in some out-of-the-way place in your vehicle.
How Does a Car Water Pump Work?
The water pump’s name is a throwback to motoring’s early days when engines were cooled by water alone, unlike today’s vehicles that use a mixture of water and antifreeze.
How To Change Your Car Air Filter
Your vehicle’s internal combustion engine requires air, fuel, and spark in specific quantities to generate power.
How Does a Car Radiator Work?
Whenever internal combustion engines are running, they’re generating heat, and once the engine reaches its optimal operating temperature, that excess heat has to be removed to prevent the build up of high temperatures that will damage an engine.
How a Car Thermostat Works (and Signs that It Needs Replacement)
Given its small size, one would fit in the palm of your hand, the thermostat plays an oversized role as a crucial component of a vehicle’s cooling system.
How a Vehicle Cooling System Works
An internal combustion engine must have heat to run properly and prevent premature wear, but too much heat has the opposite effect, can destroy the engine, or at the very least cause extensive and expensive damage.
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