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A Guide to Purchasing the Right Winter Tires

18 January 2016

Here in Alberta, purchasing winter tires for your BMW is one of the most important components to responsible driving on icy and snowy roads. Combine the tips in our previous blogs on winter maintenance and winter driving with this brief guide to winter tires!

The Importance of Winter Tires

Winter tires can sometimes be a bit of an investment. However, if you choose the right ones, it’s an investment in your safety and the safety of others. It also goes without saying that a set of winter tires is likely cheaper than the repairs that you’ll need after a collision. Overall, driving in cold conditions is at its safest when all of the proper steps have added up. Winter tires are the upgrade that will complement your smart driving and knowledge of your vehicle to make for great driving even on the coldest days.

How They Work

There are a few clever approaches to engineering that make good winter tires as effective as they are. Generally speaking, they are optimized for a greater degree of grip in low-traction environments as well as resilience in lower temperatures. Because the rubber compound is a bit softer, you’re getting better traction because the material can remain flexible in response to the road. Put this together with greater tread depth and careful design of the siping and you have a considerable improvement in winter handling. Don’t use them year-round though, as they’re not designed for higher temperatures!

Things to Keep in Mind

It’s a good rule of thumb to stick with the original equipment specs and, more specifically, avoid undersizing the tires and overwhelming them with the weight of your vehicle. The loss of tire pressure with dropping temperatures should also be kept in mind. When it comes to the decision between run-flat or regulars, we see that run-flats come standard on most BMWs because much of the engineering of the vehicle is designed specifically for their use. They’re also good for avoiding the pain of changing tires in the snow. Some may find, however, that they do not offer the longevity or traction of regulars. This and other considerations will vary widely, so getting a personalized opinion from a specialist is always a good move.

Need more help optimizing your BMW for the best and safest winter performance? Motorwerkes is a trusted team in Calgary that can help you with your BMW motor vehicle. Get in touch with us at 403-768-3168 to see what we can do for you!

Your V8-Powered X5: Why Is It Smoking from the Exhaust?

18 January 2016

Despite the ingenuity of our favorite BMW vehicles, we can’t forget that they are complex pieces of machinery which are mass-produced at a rapid pace. As such, small mechanical flaws are bound to appear. The subject of this week’s blog is a particularly common one you may have experienced yourself.

The Problem

If you own an X5 powered by an N62 or N63 engine, you may have noticed smoke emitting from the tailpipe in greater thickness than is normal. It may be white or blue in hue, and may show up most often as a puff during acceleration after a long idle. Keep in mind that different thicknesses and colors of smoke emission may occur in a variety of vehicles, so if you’re not sure how closely your issue fits this profile, further research or a professional smoke test may be in order. These symptoms aren’t necessarily unique to the N62 and N63 engines, but BMW owners and mechanics have found it to occur very consistently among them.

What Causes It

The causes of the issue are related primarily to your oil and your crankcase vent valve. More specifically, it is due to a manufacturing flaw in the quality of the valve seals. When engine temperature rises, the valve seals harden. This causes oil to get by and eventually burn, producing the smoke. In addition to the more obvious symptoms, this leads to a significant problem in oil consumption which can lead to further complications down the line if things aren’t taken care of promptly.

How to Solve It

Depending on how long the problem has gone untreated, the fix may be quite simple or involve a few extra steps and considerations. In general, however, a valve repair is necessary as your immediate action. Then you’ll need to consider the frequency of your oil servicing. Keep your interval at about 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers between each oil change. Make sure you let the specialist know of any other issues that have cropped up and describe the symptoms with as much detail as possible. This will ensure better service and a longer life for your engine!

Motorwerkes is dedicated to keeping you informed on the most current and noteworthy info regarding your BMW, not to mention providing the utmost in repairs, upgrades, and more! You can get details on our services by calling us at (403) 768-3163 today.

Safety Tips for Driving Your BMW During Winter

4 January 2016

Even with the most up-to-date BMW at your fingertips, a lot of care and responsibility is needed to look out for your passengers and other drivers. This is especially true during winter, so consider a few of our recommended safety tips for driving your BMW in cold and icy conditions.

Keeping Your Cool

First and foremost, it’s important to stay in the right state of mind when thinking generally about winter driving and when you’re on the road. Drivers will often fall into one of two mindsets: unreasonable tension or risky overconfidence. Before considering any of the technical stuff, don’t underestimate the importance of staying both relaxed and alert, not to mention avoiding assumptions about how good your driving is!

Vehicle Layout & Traction

With rear-wheel drive, less weight over the drive wheels sometimes means a disadvantage in traction, particularly when starting. This can be offset by keeping something heavy in the trunk such as tools or even sandbags. While your vehicle is likely equipped with traction or stability control, the weight distribution of that RWD layout and the possibility of fishtailing are things you should always take into consideration.

In the case of all-wheel drive, it’s common to see a bit of overconfidence when it comes to ice and snow performance. AWD may improve your acceleration, but you can’t rely on it to optimize the safety of your turns! At the end of the day, investing in a good set of winter tires will go a long way toward improving your traction for the season.

Smart Braking, Smart Acceleration

It’s critical to complement this knowledge with good habits in your operation of the vehicle itself. Never forget that your stopping distance can increase by about four to ten times in ice and snow. Go easy on your brakes and your acceleration, keeping all your input moderat and carefully calculated. Reserve your braking for straight lines and avoid it during turns. When accelerating from a dead stop, start in second gear so that your wheels don’t spin against the ice. Most of all, learn and understand the nuances of your vehicle and how it performs in different conditions!

From safety to maintenance and performance, Motorwerkes is a trusted team in Calgary for repairing BMW motor vehicles. If you want to be prepared for winter, call 403-768-3168 to schedule an inspection of your vehicle with our certified technicians!

Choosing the Right BMW Repair Shop

14 December 2015

Your BMW is very important to you, not just as an investment but as a sophisticated piece of machinery that you are passionate about. As such, it deserves to be in highly capable and experienced hands when the need for service arises. But what exactly makes a good BMW repair shop and how do you spot one?

Specialization

This is one of the first things that should be on your checklist. Sure, general maintenance on BMWs can be had at shops that do not specialize in them, but you will almost certainly be in for sub-par service compared to a team of certified and ticketed specialists. Even if a technician may boast a wide range of general experience with vehicles, high-end German automotive engineering is a different beast altogether. Someone with intimate knowledge of BMW design and construction will take note of the things that other mechanics simply won’t pick up on.

The Right Tools for the Job

Going hand-in-hand with specialized expertise are specialized tools. You should immediately rule out a shop that does not skilfully utilize the latest and most sophisticated BMW-specialized diagnostic computers and software such as SSS, AutoLogic, and others. The same goes for access to genuine BMW parts of the highest quality. You don’t want any of your parts replaced with those that were not crafted specifically for your vehicle! Even if a shop is willing to source the right replacements, it will probably come at a higher price and with a longer wait time than if you’re working with someone with swift access to all the right BMW resources.

High Standards and Legitimacy

Even if you find a service shop that has all the technical bells and whistles, what do you know about their history as a company? What have you heard about their standard of customer service? Are they BBB accredited? Ask other BMW owners in your community what their experience has been. Word of mouth is just as helpful as online reviews. Don’t forget to find out what other memberships or accreditations they may have with reputable automotive associations. If the rates are attractively low but the customer service is poor, keep in mind that excellence is priceless and you always get what you pay for!

On the hunt for a shop with extensive BMW-specialized knowledge and high-integrity customer service? Motorwerkes can offer you both. Give us a call at (403) 768-3163 today!

Maintaining Your BMW During Winter

1 December 2015

Here in Calgary we’re accustomed to the safety considerations that come up when driving in winter weather. Many of these are common sense, but don’t forget that how you take care of your vehicle will change as well. So what should you keep in mind about maintaining your BMW when the temperature drops?

Internals

Lower temperatures have a pretty significant effect on the fluids involved in keeping your BMW running. You may remember this from our previous blog on operating temperature. Make sure your antifreeze levels and the viscosity of your BMW-approved oil are appropriate. Don’t forget to have a look at the condition of potentially vulnerable components such as belts and hoses. Checking your battery for corrosion or low fluid levels is also essential. When in doubt, you can always take your vehicle in to get an expert assessment of how things are running. Even an oil change in preparation for winter will make a significant difference in strain on your engine.

On the Outside

Things can also get pretty rough on the outside if thorough winter maintenance isn’t carried out. In addition to getting fixed up with winter tires to optimize traction, check the condition of your windshield wipers. Depending on their age, they may need to be replaced before heavy snowfall kicks in. When you consider road salt as well as ice, it becomes clear that general surface hygiene is very important. Keep your windows, rims, headlamps and tail lamps in good shape by cleaning frequently. All that salt can lead to paint corrosion so don’t loose track of washing and waxing.

Staying Prepared

Last but certainly not least is to stay prepared and geared up at all times. This is key in the context of both vehicle maintenance and safety. Keep your pressure gauge handy to check tire pressure, for instance. As well as the other standards — such as spare fluids, jumper cables, a flashlight, and batteries — stock up on winter-specific emergency supplies like blankets, an ice scraper, and even food items in case of long waits for assistance. Perhaps most critical of all is a first aid kit. Having what you need will give you the peace of mind to enjoy your winter with as little vehicle trouble as possible!

This season, take care of your BMW by seeking top-of-the-line winter maintenance from Calgary’s most experienced experts. Give Motorwerkes a call at (403) 768-3163 today to schedule an inspection!