bmw calgary service - Motorwerkes

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.

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!

The Origins of the BMW Logo

19 October 2015

One of the most recognizable features on any BMW vehicle is its logo. This timeless insignia has come to represent one of the most respected names in vehicle design and manufacturing, but how did it come about? Let’s dig into the history of our favorite make and find out.

Out With the Old

The BMW logo — or “roundel” to be more precise — has its origins in the logo used for the Rapp Motorenwerke company, the aircraft manufacturer from which Bayerische Motorenwerke as we know it today would eventually evolve. This early logo consisted of a circle containing the figure of a black horse. The words “Rapp Motor” were curved along the top and bottom portions of the circle, not unlike the letters “BMW” on the current symbol. After the expansion and renaming of the company, it was decided to create a new logo based somewhat on the black horse design.

In With the New

Ultimately, it was decided to replace the black horse silhouette with four quadrants of alternating blue and white. This pattern and its colours were taken from the flag of Bavaria, the southeastern German state where Rapp Motorenwerke originated. This is characteristic of the sense of patriotism surrounding the company’s emblem and its historical context, as Rapp Motorenwerke was one of the most important German aircraft engine manufacturers during World War I. The fact that the logo is in the style of an aircraft roundel is in keeping with the company’s roots as a proud and significant contributor to the war effort.

The Propellor Myth

This origin is a bit different from the common myth. Many assume that the alternating blue and white pattern is meant to represent a rotating airplane propellor. This arose from a 1929 BMW technical magazine, the cover of which featured an illustration portraying the front ends of two airplanes. The features of the roundel were drawn into their rotating airscrews, including the BMW text. The illustration is therefore mistakenly credited for the genesis of the roundel, despite the fact that it was published long after the new logo had been established. Decades later, it represents a household name and unparalleled legacy in vehicle engineering and design.

We at Motorwerkes aren’t just experts in BMW trivia, we’re also fully certified and ticketed technicians with the latest hardware and software tools. For Calgary’s best service and performance centre specializing in BMW, give us a call at (403) 768-3167 today!

Managing an Effective Maintenance Schedule for Your BMW

5 October 2015

Ensuring a long life and stable operation for your BMW means knowing what components to service and how often. How you should approach your maintenance schedule in detail will depend on your particular model, but we’ve put together a few guidelines to make sure you’re on the right track.

Oil Service

There’s a lot of heat and friction going on when you use your vehicle and nothing can stop your oil from losing its efficiency as a lubricant over time. Some dealers will recommend intervals that save money in the short term, but we recommend a change every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers. This type of frequency will work wonders for the longevity of your vehicle, not to mention saving you money and stress in the long run, offering your engine and all of its potentially pricey components a much longer life.

Transmission

In the same way that your oil is critical for curbing the friction that happens between all your engine components, your transmission won’t operate properly without adequate lubrication and cooling. Regular and professional transmission service will get the dirty fluid out and the new fluid in, preventing transmission failure, problems accelerating or shifting, and long-term damage. Our general recommendation for maintaining a robust transmission is by having it serviced every 70,000 kilometers. Depending on your vehicle and the overall condition of its transmission, this could mean a fluid change, flush, filter replacement, or combination thereof.

Other Components

Like anything else, your spark plugs will also give in to age over time, which means they’ll produce a less adequate charge than when when they were new. For these we recommend an inspection and potential replacement every 100,000 kilometers. The same interval can be applied to your front and rear differential fluid, as well as your transfer case fluid if your car has all-wheel drive. Never underestimate the power of staying on schedule and trusting your vehicle with the most skilled technicians. It’s for the sake of your vehicle itself as well as the safety of its driver and passengers!

At Motorwerkes, our team of dedicated BMW experts is here to provide your vehicle with the treatment it needs. For a customer experience of the highest standard, give us a call at (403) 768-3167 and ask about available repair, collision, and paint services, as well as our performance centre!