Colder winter weather means running the heater and defrost much more.
Might be time to replace your cabin filter and be sure no varmints are hanging out.
Found this in today's servicing of a Mini Cooper R60. The customer lives up in the Santa Cruz mountains.
I know I would not want to be breathing air through this filter,, let alone have these buggers inside my car chewing things up.

VW Direct Ignition Coils

This seems to be the latest trend as I've seen 4 or 5 cars this past two weeks with coil failures. Possibly weather related from last months rain.

 Today while I was servicing a VW Touareg spark plugs I found the coils looking rusty along with the plugs themselves. The spark plug tube for cylinder number 6 was filled with water and dirt. After the worn plugs were replaced, I cleaned the wet coil and blew it off with air. I test drove the VW and it had a misfire. My scanner quickly identified the failed cylinder being the flooded coil.
When I received the replacement coil it appears they have been trying to solve the moisture problem with this rubber hat to shed the water away instead of inside the spark plug wells.
The new coil solved the misfiring issue today and hopefully for the future.

Audi and Porsche use the same coils.

E90 Intake valve carbon

If anyone has an E90 with 30-50,000 miles you may want to consider having the intake valves cleaned. 

The older engines had injectors squirt fuel onto the valve, but that is no longer the case with the direct HP injection systems used today. They have designed these engines with 2 intake valves and when they become restricted your engine cannot breathe well.

This is a common problem on Audi and Mini as well.

I have the walnut blaster and proper adapters for the job. 

Come on by and have me restore the power you had when your engine was new. 

R56 Dash warning lights

While inspecting this Cooper S the CBS data showed the brake fluid had not been serviced and had a 0% of life value stored, also 3% left for the front brake pads, 0% for the rear brake pads. Actual brake pad inspection revealed close to 6mm remaining front and rear brakes. But the rear pad warning sensor was zip tied to the hose and broken, the caliper boot had been torn when this "mechanic" relined the rear brakes. (The piston needs to be turned while retracted into the caliper with a special tool and if the proper care isn't taken the boot can tear causing much more damage as seen here.) The repairs were made causing more damage and not setting the computer for the proper monitoring of the brake components. 

I suggest you be sure your repair shop has the proper tools and knowledge to repair your car safely & properly.

Mini and BMW Certifiied as well as Autologic equipped. 

Trunk Auto close not working

This Mercedes CLS500 had a trunk that would not auto close when you pushed the button. With a little bit of poking around I found the culprit. A broken wire. Three wires connect the switch to the module. One broken in two, one other the insulation had broken all the way through. I replaced all three with a new section of wire. Soldiered and shrink wrap for a long term trouble free repair.

E320 Visit Workshop warning message

If your Mercedes is promting you to 'visit workshop' you won't need to travel far for help. This car just needed a typical brake repair. Easily taken care of for you in one day. If your car is telling you something then stop on by and I'll be happy to sort it out for you.

Here is the reason for the warning in the picture below.

If you look close you can see the worn brake pads next to the new ones.

All set now with the new parts installed.

Retractable Top Problem

Retractable top lights flashing, windows not rolling back up. 

Lexus SC430

Using my factory scan computer found B2520 code for lock switch malfunction.

Upon inspection found it would not lock due to a broken gear in the lock motor.

Boy am I happy to have the proper info and tools for these cars.