car dealerships calgary - Motorwerkes

Is Your BMW’s Suspension Damaged?

15 March 2017

While all repairs should be done before the issue gets worse, some forms of damage are more urgent than others. Problems with your suspension can not only lead to very costly damage, they can compromise the safety of your drive. There are a few key red flags to look out for.

Suspension 101

Some drivers might assume that “suspension” only encompasses parts like the shock absorbers, but it’s important to consider your tires and their level of pressure as key components of the overall system, not to mention the frame and steering system. Your suspension determines your handling, braking, ride comfort, and other factors. It ensures that your tires maintain consistent contact with the surfaces it moves across, that the vehicle is insulated from vertical acceleration due to the characteristics of these surfaces, and that you can maintain control over your steering.

The Feel of Your Drive

Because your suspension is largely responsible for drive comfort and control, many of the most common problems are expressed in how things feel. For instance, if you experience a bit of resistance or pull to one side in your steering, or if your ride starts to feel unusually rough or bumpy, your shocks or struts could be in need of maintenance. Your BMW depends on its shocks to remain stable against many different forms of momentum and energy, such as when braking. The feeling that your vehicle sinks forward during a stop is therefore something to watch out for as well.

Looking and Listening

Always listen for unusual noises when turning or moving over rough surfaces. Check the tread of your tires to see if the distribution of wear is normal. If you see concentrated wear on one or two of them, this could mean uneven distribution of weight. Sometimes you can even spot suspension issues by checking to see how evenly the body of your BMW sits above the ground. Take a look at the shock absorbers themselves, as the presence of moisture or oil could mean a leak. Pay close attention and be sure to get the right maintenance as soon as you spot a problem!

Notice anything unusual with your BMW that may indicate a problem with your suspension? Our team of certified technicians is experienced, dedicated, and ready to help you keep everything in top condition. Call (403) 768-3168 to find out what the Motorwerkes experience is all about!

4-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive: Knowing the Facts

8 March 2017

Today’s BMWs are engineered to offer you the most comfortable, reliable, and safety-conscious drive possible. This comes in the form of many different features, but two of the most well-known are 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Think they’re the same? Think again!

4-Wheel Drive

As opposed to front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, a 4-wheel drive system distributes power between both axles and is often a mode that you can switch on or off when driving your vehicle. Both axles are given a fixed and equal divide of torque so that a greater degree of control is possible. Its strength lies in its ability to prevent you from spinning out or losing control in unpaved, uneven, and low-traction conditions, such as heavy slush and snow or off-road areas. As a term, it is sometimes used interchangeably with all-wheel drive, but this is a mistake, as there are many important differences.

All-Wheel Drive

4-wheel and all-wheel drive have many of the same ideas behind them, but they are executed in distinct ways. Firstly, all-wheel drive isn’t really a switchable feature in the same way that 4-wheel drive is, as vehicles equipped with it are specifically designed to provide the advantage of dynamic distribution of power between all four corners of the vehicle. All-wheel drive vehicles do the dirty work for you, changing the behaviour of the drivetrain and differential based on constant input from the wheels so that you don’t have to “activate” it. Unlike 4-wheel drive, this also allows your system to adapt when switching between different conditions and terrains.

Safety and Maintenance

As great as these features can be for giving you a helping hand in adverse conditions in order to stay safe and in control of your vehicle, you should be wary not to depend on them too heavily. Smart driving habits are mandatory no matter what features your BMW comes with, and the same goes for smart maintenance. Routine preventative checkups are the best way to make sure that your drivetrain, axles, and other components are in good shape. Don’t delay your repairs, otherwise you’ll pay a hefty price later on, both in terms of your budget and your safety!

The better you know the inner workings of your BMW, the better you’ll be able to spot a problem before it gets worse. Always be conscious of your vehicle and seek out quality BMW-certified maintenance. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3168 to find out what we can do for you!

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!

Understanding Traction and Stability Control

17 October 2016

With rainier weather, wet leaves, and eventually ice and snow, the next few months call for a close look at some of BMW’s technologies for safer, more effective driving. Traction control and stability control are two perfect examples.

Dynamic Stability Control

The acronyms may be similar, but DSC and DTC are actually two different but related technologies implemented in your BMW. In fact, one can be considered as contained within the other. Dynamic Stability Control is the “brain” of your chassis that helps to improve safety and greater control in loose, wet, or rough road conditions. It is constantly receiving information from all over your vehicle through sensors, from the speeds of each wheel to lateral acceleration, yaw, gas pedal and steering input, and more. By monitoring all of this information and calculating them against a simulated ideal model, it’s capable of correcting your steering, brake pressure, and even engine power.

Dynamic Traction Control

Meanwhile, in many models, Dynamic Traction Control is a component of DSC that specializes in optimizing traction. It does so by closely monitoring your wheels and becoming active when it detects that loss of traction has occurred, such as on a wet road. While DSC works its magic by reducing engine power and autonomously applying brake force if necessary, DTC mostly gets the job done by allowing for a small but effective amounts of wheel slip and spin while collaborating with your DSC system to keep you in control. The combination of both systems is particularly useful when accelerating from a stop, rocking your vehicle out of a sticky situation, or going uphill in slippery conditions.

In Use

DSC is an integral part of your BMW, allowing for safe and precise driving in a wide range of conditions. As such, it’s activated by default. Turning it off is outlined in your manual, but this is generally not recommended, especially during fall and winter. Meanwhile, DTC usually needs to be switched on via a button on your dash. It’s highly important to maintain a balance between recognizing how well-engineered these systems are while not relying on them too heavily. You should utilize and trust them when they’re needed, but no technology is a substitute for smart and safe driving!

Traction, stability, and skilled driving are important year-round, but they’re particularly relevant this time of year. Keep your BMW in solid, safe condition with a detailed inspection. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3167 to make an appointment!