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Starting Your Car During Winter

19 December 2016

Depending on a few different circumstances, such as the model and age of your BMW as well as how you store it, you may occasionally experience a little trouble when starting it on a particularly cold day. Let’s take a look at why this might be and what you can do.

False Starts

Getting into the car and starting it up in the morning isn’t always the most pleasant process when you’re in the middle of winter. Your heating system won’t start doing its job until the engine has warmed to its proper operating temperature, but even before that, some drivers might have difficulty getting the ignition going. As many of us know, your BMW depends on many different types of fluids to work, not to mention your battery and your spark plugs. All of these can be affected by extreme low temperatures, so they’re the first things to keep in mind.

Possible Culprits

Naturally, gasoline has a tougher time burning when it’s been sitting in your engine losing all of its warmth overnight. Many forms of engine oil will change in viscosity, becoming thicker and therefore working against the engine when it needs to get in motion. If you’re overdue to replace your spark plugs, their age is an important factor when it comes to ignition, so harsh winter temperatures on top of that certainly don’t help. And of course, winter cold can put a significant damper on the electrochemical reaction that your car battery depends on to help start your vehicle.

Taking the Right Steps

Overcoming the inconvenience of winter ignition trouble is easier than you think. Park in a garage or under some form of shelter any time you can. Be sure to turn off all electrical components before turning the ignition. When you do, don’t keep the ignition active for too long, otherwise you could overheat your starter. Depending on how cold it gets and the condition of your vehicle, using a block heater might be helpful. In any case, if you do run into persistent problems and suspect battery or spark plug issues, be sure to take your BMW in for a checkup as soon as possible!

Experiencing any issues with your BMW this winter? Come by Motorwerkes, and we’ll be happy to take a look. Our BMW certified technicians have decades of combined experience and are dedicated to giving you the best results. Call (403) 768-3168 to set up an appointment!

Is Your BMW Ready for Winter?

9 December 2016

Preparedness is one of the most important qualities for any responsible driver. When the weather starts to get a bit more extreme, this is especially true. Everything from the condition of your BMW to the safety of you and your passengers depends on how you get ready for winter!

Gearing Up

The state of your vehicle itself is important, but some drivers might underestimate the importance of having the right supplies and equipment ready throughout the season. If you’re planning a road trip to visit family for the holidays, it will be critical to have the right things at hand in case you find yourself in a sticky situation. In addition to the usual scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, and batteries, you should also have a blanket, lighter, sand (or kitty litter) and handheld shovel for getting unstuck, and road flares. Of course, you should never forget that first aid kit!

Preparative Maintenance

The sooner you can take care of essential winter maintenance, the better. Switch out your tires for a high quality winter set if you haven’t already. A comprehensive check-up from a trusted technician is always a good idea. Attention should be paid to everything from the levels and condition of fluids to belts, hoses, electrical components, brakes, and more. You’ll want to keep a particularly close watch on your tire pressure, as this tends to sink a bit in low temperatures. Pay attention to the details and don’t delay if you think something needs work.

Mindful Driving

Winter preparedness isn’t just about what tools you have at the ready or the shape that your BMW is in. It’s also about knowing how you should adjust your driving habits. Staying safe and in control is key no matter what time of year it is, but with all those slick surfaces, lack of traction, and decreased visibility, this time of year has a way of presenting a few complications into what would typically be an uneventful drive. Be smart and moderate about your input, bear in mind increased stopping distances, and be sure not to accelerate when cornering. It’s good for you and everyone else you share the road with!

If you haven’t covered your bases for winter, now is a great time to have a certified technician get your BMW ready for the months ahead. From fluid changes to full inspections and maintenance recommendations, call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3168, and we’ll take care of it!

Road Salt and Your BMW

5 December 2016

Dealing with harsh Canadian winters involves all kinds of important measures and habits to optimize safety, maintenance, and more. One that we take for granted is road salt. It helps to mitigate the possibility of dangerous frozen surfaces, but how does it affect your BMW?

What Exactly Is It?

We see road salt every day during winter, but what is it made of? The material that is spread across roads during winter is typically a mix of halite (the unrefined mineral form of sodium), sand, and additives designed to provide consistency and traction that is favourable for application on roadways. In particularly low temperatures, additional chemicals are used to ensure that the salt can effectively do its job. The chemical makeup of halite allows it to melt snow and lower the freezing temperature of water it comes in contact with.

The Good and the Bad

Road salt and similar materials are necessary for winter safety, whether it’s on the road or on pedestrian surfaces. That being said, there are many reasons why it’s smart to stay aware of its effects and address them efficiently. Salt has a way of promoting corrosion in metals, particularly in the form of iron oxidation (in other words, rust) that can take a toll on many parts of your BMW. Driving kicks up a lot of this material into the exposed underside of your vehicle, leading to plenty of unpleasant cosmetic and mechanical consequences, such as exterior staining and damage to your paint, damage to your exhaust, subframe, coil springs, and more.

What You Can Do

These issues are certainly no picnic if they get out of hand, but if you’re diligent about maintenance then it should be a piece of cake to protect your vehicle from the worst of salt damage. Have your BMW washed and detailed professionally during winter so that you can ensure that the best care is taken to optimize its condition. You should look for not only a basic exterior cleaning, but also a check-up on the condition of the parts that are most vulnerable to corrosion caused by road salt. Be sure to talk with a local BMW expert to get tips for your specific vehicle!

Does your BMW show signs of staining or corrosion due to road salt? The Motorwerkes team would be more than happy to get your vehicle looking and working as great as ever. Give us a call at (403) 768-3168 to make it happen!

A Century of BMW: Looking Back

21 November 2016

2016 is the hundredth year in BMW’s history as a company. There are plenty of excellent concept vehicles being revealed as part of the centennial, but let’s take a moment to look back on some classic landmarks in BMW’s history.

The 328

Produced from 1936 to 1940, the 328 was BMW’s first serious effort in designing performance sports vehicles and one of the earliest models to display the company’s signature kidney grille. Its specs were quite impressive for the time, armed with a 2.0L straight-6 engine that offered 76 HP, not to mention a lightweight aluminum body. It garnered much acclaim and secured over 100 class wins, including the Alpine Rally and the formidable Mille Miglia.

The 507

This late-1950s roadster is often cited as the most beautiful BMW ever built, but its merits don’t rest on good looks alone. Its aluminum 3.2L V8 engine was nothing to sneeze at, yielding 140 HP and giving its competitor, the Mercedes Benz 300SL, a run for its money. Unfortunately, the manufacturing costs of the 507 nearly bankrupted the company, making this model a financial disaster. Still, its status as an icon of vehicle design is undeniable. Even Elvis had to have one.

BMW New Class

Due to rapidly declining profits and other factors, the end of the 1950s was a dark time for BMW. Enter the New Class, a line of sedans and coupes running between 1962 and 1977. Models like the 1500, 1800, and 2000 allowed BMW to enter the midsize sport sedan market with a vengeance. Excellent performance, smart design, and accessibility lead to a surge in financial success, allowing BMW to pay their stockholders for the first time in two decades.

3 Series

The impact of the New Class was significant in BMW’s engineering approach and culture. It led to the 02 Series, which housed such legends as the 2002 Turbo, one of the first turbocharged cars ever. After the success of the 2002, BMW’s carefully-executed approach to luxury performance sedans and coupes would culminate with the 3 Series, established by the E21 in 1975. This became BMW’s best-selling series to date and one of their flagship accomplishments.

Whether you’ve got one of the classics or you’re considering an eco-friendly i3, BMW always has something exciting to discover. To get the most out of yours, call (403) 768-3166 and a certified technician at Motorwerkes will be happy to help!

Does Your BMW Need One of These Common Repairs?

14 November 2016

Depending on how well you take care of your vehicle, a number of different problems and dysfunctions are bound to arise. Thankfully, the issues you’re more likely to encounter over the years are well documented and understood, so here are a few to keep in mind.

Basic Stuff

One of the most common replacements drivers can anticipate is of the oxygen sensor, usually referred to as an O2 sensor. Located in the exhaust manifold, the O2 sensor is designed to detect the ratio of oxygen to fuel that is present in your exhaust. It helps your engine maintain healthy combustion of fuel, as an unbalanced ratio can lead to more air pollutants and potentially engine damage. This, along with a loose fuel cap (another common issue), can lead to poor mileage and cost plenty of money if you don’t have it corrected as soon as possible. Other small but important replacements you may need include spark plugs, ignition coils, etc.

Serious Repairs and Replacements

Catalytic converter replacement is relatively common and can also be particularly expensive. This is because the materials and manufacturing processes involved in producing them are costly and labor-heavy but for good reason. We rely on catalytic converters to prevent the emission of toxic gasses from our vehicles, so avoiding a replacement isn’t a good idea! Failure to replace your battery, meanwhile, can leave you broken down on the side of the road. Finally, a broken axle or noticeably poor alignment are less common, but need to be taken care of immediately.

No Repair Is Truly Minor

Many mechanical and electrical systems in your BMW affect one another, so routine maintenance is critical in avoiding bigger, costlier repairs like transmission repair, head gasket replacement, and others. With the exception of purely cosmetic problems, an issue that may seem insignificant is almost always directly connected to a bigger problem that has potential to get out of control before you have a chance to prevent it. Fuel injector or spark plug problems, for example, can lead to the expensive catalytic converter replacement we mentioned above. The takeaway: don’t delay your repairs!

Any true BMW lover wants to know as much as possible about how to optimize and sustain the performance of their vehicle. Our certified technicians are here to provide you with top-notch service and keep you in the know, so give Motorwerkes a call at (403) 768-3166 today!