bmw mechanic - Motorwerkes

How Does Your BMW’s Heating System Work?

1 November 2016

This component of your BMW is responsible for a great deal of comfort during the winter months, but how exactly does it work? Let’s examine a typical car heating system and find out how you can keep it running smoothly.

Basic Structure

Your heating system warms up incoming air and circulates it throughout your interior. It does this by using a system of openings, ducts, fluid, heat-exchange equipment, HVAC controls, and more. In fact, your heating system is closely intertwined with your A/C system. You may not be able to tell by the name we use for the chemical, but coolant plays almost the same role in heating that it does in cooling, only the fluid is used to transport and apply heat rather than reduce it. This system typically uses the same blower fan that your A/C system does as well.

A Closer Look

Air entering your vehicle through its front ducts must be warmed by the heater core and pumped into your interior by the blower. Your heater core can basically be thought of as a miniature radiator. Coolant is heated by the engine before flowing to the heater core, raising its temperature so that air sent through it by the blower is warm by the time it flows into your cabin. The specifics of how your heating system behaves to provide you with the right conditions is determined by the settings of the HVAC controls on your dashboard, the type of temperature control you particular model employs, and other factors.

Common Issues

Whether you’re having trouble getting it to reach the desired temperature, the airflow is not adequate, or it’s just not working altogether, common issues can be attributed to a number of different causes. Any problems with your coolant, whether in its cleanliness or quantity, will probably lead to problems with your heating, so checking this is always recommended. If you have a coolant leak, it should be repaired as soon as possible. The same goes for faulty blower, thermostat, and of course your heater core. The more attentive you are and the quicker you get those repairs done, the better!

Whether you want to keep you winter drives warm and comfortable or you’re experiencing a particular problem, the BMW certified technicians at Motorwerkes are eager to offer you the highest standard of service. Call (403) 768-3166 to schedule an appointment!

Viscosity, the Weather, and Your BMW

10 October 2016

Remember last week’s article on synthetic motor oil? We briefly touched on the importance of viscosity, but it’s a key characteristic to keep in mind for both oil and other fluids in your BMW. This is especially true now that it’s getting colder out there.

Going with the Flow

Many critical mechanical components in your BMW rely on the proper flow of fluids. Your transmission needs its fluid to stay lubricated, not to mention to receive power properly from your engine via the torque converter. A power steering system needs its hydraulic fluid to flow cleanly and freely in order to transmit power successfully, and similarly, your brakes rely on efficient flow of brake fluid to transfer and amplify pressure into power for effective braking. What these and other fluids have in common is that their viscosity determine their success in performing their responsibilities.

Cold Weather

The higher the temperatures these fluids are subjected to, the lower their viscosity. Meanwhile, the lower their temperatures, the more viscous they become. As winter hits and ambient temperatures drop, it’s good practice to keep in mind how the fluids in your BMW will be affected and how this will in turn affect the performance of the vehicle, not to mention the integrity of its parts. If you don’t pay much attention to regular fluid changes and do not use approved fluids, issues like locked-up power steering, dragging brakes, or excess stress on your engine during cold startups could be just around the corner.

Tips for Proper Care

Ideally, your BMW won’t get to the point where you experience the worst consequences of poorly-flowing fluids. Thanks to synthetic fluid technology, viscosity problems are usually quite simple to prevent. The number one tip is to follow your owner’s manual and get recommendations from a local BMW certified technician as per your vehicle. Depending on a number of factors, you may need to switch to an oil with a viscosity rating that renders it less resistant to flow. As for other fluids, always be aware of how they will be likely to perform in particularly cold conditions and ask your technician which types will perform best on a cold drive!

Notice anything unusual with your engine, transmission, or other fluid-reliant components? The BMW certified technicians at Motorwerkes can provide you with specialized advice and more. Call (403) 768-3167 to give your vehicle what it really needs!

Taking Care of Your BMW’s Windshield Wipers During Summer

1 August 2016

Whether you’re on a summer road trip or you’re just driving around Calgary, you’re always relying on your BMW’s wipers in one way or another. Let’s take a look at how you can care for them, so they’ll do a great job for years to come.

How They Work

Windshield cleanliness and visibility are important for both safety and a pleasant driving experience. Mechanically, your wipers need to achieve a substantial amount of back-and-forth velocity to get the job done. This is accomplished by an electric motor providing rotational motion to a worm gear drive. The worm gear reduces the speed provided by the electric motor while multiplying its torque. The resulting rotation is converted into back-and-forth motion by a linkage system. The speed at which your wipers are moved typically depends on what setting you’ve selected with your wiper switch, but many BMW models have rain sensors that control their wipers automatically.

Wear and Tear

In order for all this engineering to give you the best results, everything has to be in good shape. The first thing to deteriorate or degrade is usually the rubber of the blades. This is especially pertinent during summer, as you’ll probably be using your wipers to clear off materials that are far more abrasive than just moisture. Dust, dirt, plant debris, and the summer heat accumulating on the glass can take their toll on the blades of your wipers over time, not to mention your windshield itself. If you have any chips or cracks from oncoming pebbles, this can also cut into the rubber, damaging them further.

Maintenance Tips

If you haven’t kept an eye on the condition of your blades, they’re probably squeaky, leaving streaks, and not keeping things as clean as they should. If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to replace the blades. It’s recommended to do so at least once a year. Keep both your windshield and blades as clean as possible through manual washing. This will prevent buildup of grainy materials, bits of plants, and other unpleasant stuff. And don’t forget to pay attention to the mechanical state of things. Bad joints, corrosion, and other signs could mean the need for repair. Wipers are just one of many components that you can have checked out by a local BMW expert!

The Motorwerkes team is here to look after every aspect of your BMW. Need a checkup or an oil change before taking that road trip? Get in touch with us by calling (403) 768-3168 today!