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Anticipating and Preventing Issues With Your MINI

10 April 2017

Last month’s blog on the MINI looked at a few of the key reasons this marque has become one of the most beloved automobiles out there. Just like any vehicle, however, there are issues that you can anticipate and prevent through good routine maintenance. Here are some examples.

In the Engine

There many different problems that may crop up in any vehicle’s engine if you don’t maintain it adequately, but some are more particular to the MINI. For instance, some Mini Coopers utilize a variable valve timing system, which optimizes camshaft timing to make for more dynamic valve lifts, giving you better torque and fuel economy while reducing emissions. In order for this system to work, the engine oil needs to be moving as cleanly and smoothly as possible. Be sure to keep up on your oil changes so that you can prevent a compromised VVT system.

Clutch & Transmission

Oil changes aren’t the only routine maintenance you need to stay on top of. Get a recommendation from a certified Calgary MINI technician on how often you should be having your transmission serviced. If you don’t follow this interval, your MINI could end up with very preventable but quite costly transmission problems, a rattling timing belt, and other issues. Pay attention to your driving habits as well. If your MINI is a manual, for example, don’t be too hard on your clutch, unless you’re hoping for clutch failure!

The Radiator

Every vehicle needs a radiator in good shape to keep its entire system cool. This depends on a number of different parts, but two of the most important are the water pump and thermostat housing. In some MINIs, it’s not uncommon for these parts to run into problems if they’re not taken care of or replaced after the right amount of time. A thermostat housing or water pump that has been pushed past its limits will give you a coolant leak, and this can spell trouble for other many other components of the car. As always, attentive maintenance by an expert will keep even the most common problems at bay!

No car lasts forever, but it will last its longest when you seek out only the most experienced maintenance and repair specialists. Motorwerkes now extends all of its BMW services to MINI, so give the best team in Calgary a call at (403) 768-3161 so you can prevent common issues!

When Should You Remove Your Winter Tires?

1 March 2017

Driving safe and taking good care of your BMW during winter is all about preparedness. One of the most important elements of this is a quality set of winter tires. However, once the end of winter comes near, you may be wondering when it’s safe to switch them out.

The Right Tire for the Right Season

Unfortunately, it’s still quite common for drivers to opt out of using winter tires during winter, and many people mistakenly assume that all-season tires are adequate for snowy, slushy, and icy conditions. The truth is that switching to winter tires when necessary is very important for your safety and the condition of your BMW, not to mention gas milage and the longevity of the tires themselves. Removing them at the right time is crucial, as the tread on winter tires will wear down considerably faster in warm weather.

Temperature Is Everything

The main environmental factor determining the performance of any type of seasonal tire is temperature. Each kind is specifically designed to do their job within an optimal temperature range in order to give you the best control relative to road conditions. It is sometimes recommended to remove your winter tires when temperatures start to exceed 7 degrees, but the exact figure will often depend on your tires. The weather will vary from year to year, but a more general rule to follow would be to make the switch at the beginning of April.

Things to Consider

Switching out your winter tires at the right time is just one component of keeping them in good condition for as long as possible. Storage is another. Keep them in individual tire storage bags and store them in a space that isn’t too hot or humid. They shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight either. Avoid stacking other objects on top of them, as it’s important to eliminate any stress from their surface so that they stay in good shape. Most importantly, choose the right set! A local BMW-certified technician will be able to make a recommendation just for your vehicle.

Making a smooth transition between winter and spring is important for the cleanliness and mechanical health of your BMW. Motorwerkes is here to help you with any aspect, from repairs to a post-winter inspection or detailing. Call us at (403) 768-3168 to schedule an appointment!

Winter, Your Vehicle, and Visibility

20 February 2017

No matter how advanced your driving skills may be, or how well you take care of your BMW, there are other variables during winter that can present themselves on the road and cause trouble. The better you take care of your windows and understand visibility, the safer you’ll be!

Windows and Windshield

You may think that unless you’ve ended up with a crack or other conspicuous problem then you’re good to go, but there are many more things to consider. For instance, you should always pay attention to the condition of your wipers, as they’re working overtime in winter weather. Don’t scrape too hard when removing ice from glass, and never use hot water, as the abrupt temperature change can lead to cracks. Take advantage of your defrosters even before scraping, and keep glass surfaces as clean as possible so that you can see clearly.

Interior and Exterior Lights

Headlights not only help you see, but they also let other drivers see you. Slacking on headlight replacement is one of the more common causes of road hazard when it comes to visibility. Be conscious of how long you’ve had your current bulbs in and replace them accordingly. Keeping the plastic of each headlight and tail light assembly clean and free of debris is also important. Avoid using your brights when in a particularly snowy situation, as this can create a reflective glare that is dangerous in and of itself. Don’t forget that turning your dome light on when driving at night is also no a good idea.

Knowing the Weather

Planning ahead will serve you well in just about any circumstance. This is true for preventative maintenance and repairs, and it’s just as true for understanding the conditions of the road before you head out for the day. Check the weather and be mindful of any advisories. The more prepared you are, the safer your drive will be. Prior to getting in, starting up, and pulling away, be sure to clear your entire vehicle’s exterior of accumulated snow, not just the windshield and rear window. As usual, it’s wiser to avoid taking chances and instead stick to common sense!

There are many components to road safety, no matter what season you’re in. Whether it’s making smart choices on the road or in the garage, Motorwerkes is here to help you stay in the know. For maintenance, repairs, and more, call us at (403) 768-3165 to make an appointment today!

Signs that You’re Being Too Hard on Your BMW

23 January 2017

Even if you’re attentive of how well your BMW is maintained, there are plenty of ways you can affect the health of our vehicle without being completely aware of it. Many can be categorized as driving habits, but not all of them. These examples will help you stay more aware.

Your Brakes and Transmission

One key to long-lasting brakes is to be smart about your driving and to avoid the assumption that you can rely on them for everything. Always calculate your distances wisely and be attentive of your stopping, both in terms of pressure and frequency. It’s also not uncommon for drivers to abuse their transmission without realizing that they’re doing so. Avoid sudden shifts from reverse to drive. If you’re driving manual, try not to rest on the transmission all the time, or you may be putting unnecessary stress on the system. And don’t ride the clutch either!

Your Engine

It can sometimes be tempting to rev up the engine or accelerate aggressively from a stop. While it’s great to enjoy the power of your BMW, it’s possible to enjoy a higher driving experience without compromising safety and the health of your engine. You don’t want to put excessive strain on your drivetrain, and you certainly don’t want to wear out your brakes with the inevitable hard stop that will follow. You should also avoid driving for too long with a low tank of gas, otherwise you could end up with unfriendly sediment in your fuel line or the need for a fuel pump replacement.

Other Bad Habits

Even if you pay close attention to all of the factors noted above, you never know which habits could be going unnoticed. For instance, it’s usually a bad idea to carry excessive loads, so be sure that you know the limits of your model before carrying large amounts of extra cargo. Not only does it affect your fuel economy, it’s not particularly good for your suspension, drivetrain, or brakes either. Last but not least, don’t fall into the habit of ignoring potential problems and putting off regular maintenance. Always watch out for anything unusual, and when it doubt, take it to a BMW certified technician!

Being equipped with the right knowledge and having a local technician to trust for maintenance are the two most important ways to make your BMW last. We’re here to help with both! Call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3165 to find out what we can offer you.

Why Is Routine Oil Service So Important?

16 January 2017

There are many rules of thumb to keep up with when it comes to taking care of your BMW. Staying on top of your scheduled maintenance is one of the most important, and particularly when it comes to oil service. If you’ve ever wondered why, we’ve got the answers.

Oil and Your Engine

An engine is a complex mechanism comprised of many moving metal parts that tend to rub up against one another at very high speeds. Naturally, this creates friction, and motor oil is there to make sure that this friction doesn’t get out of hand. Over time, however, that oil is exposed to a lot of heat, oxygen, and other factors that add up to oxidation and other changes in its molecular structure. The result is a sludgy version of what it used to be, too viscous and unclean to do its job. In fact, at this point it has more capacity to harm your engine than help it.

Understanding Oil Service

The main goals of an oil servicing are to drain the used oil from the oil pan, replace the used oil filter with a new one, and add clean oil to the engine. However, an oil change is an excellent opportunity to gain an overall sense of the condition of your vehicle. Therefore, a truly skilled BMW oil servicing will take you a bit further in terms of value and detail. Our oil services, for instance, include a complimentary 40-point visual inspection that can uncover any number of issues worth addressing. Topping up of all fluids and a tire pressure check are also good moves!

Securing a Routine

Developing the ability to stay on top of routine maintenance of any kind is important no matter what model of BMW you have. Once you’ve decided to follow your local technician’s recommendation for your vehicle and not to avoid or put off that oil service, this will be the perfect precedent for you to set a higher standard of care. It will mean that you can establish more positive car ownership habits that will save you money in the long term and keep your car on the road for as long as possible!

Your BMW deserves expert routine maintenance, and you deserve the best possible experience to go along with it. If your vehicle is due for oil servicing, the team at Motorwerkes can provide this and so much more. Call us at (403) 768-3165 to find out what we can do for you!