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Is Revving Bad for Your BMW?

15 October 2017

Anyone who owns a high-performance vehicle knows that it’s hard to resist fully indulging in the power that’s at your fingertips when you’re behind the wheel. Revving the engine of your BMW might deliver that great sound and feel, but there are a few things you should keep in mind!

What Exactly Is Revving?

The term “revving” comes from the word “revolutions,” which refers to the rotation of the camshaft in your BMW powered by the engine. When a driver revs their engine, they are producing a sudden increase in acceleration that results in a higher number of revolutions per minute (RPM) exerted by the engine than usual. As the engine exerts itself, it becomes louder, offering the driver an audible indication of their vehicle’s power. Sometimes this is done while driving, and sometimes while the transmission is set to park or neutral. You’d be hard-pressed to find a car lover who’s never done it, but some experts would warn against it.

Its Effects

Why are warnings against revving common? Drastically increasing the activity of the pistons in your engine creates a substantial amount of friction, especially when you’re not in motion and there’s no airflow to cool things down via the radiator. Excessive friction isn’t great for any part of your car, but the effect that this has will be different for a well-maintained vehicle than one that is behind on maintenance. It can certainly accelerate wear and tear, but if the engine is in tip-top shape, a little bit of revving won’t destroy your pistons in an instant.

Smart Habits

There’s nothing wrong with having a bit of fun and listening to your BMW roar, but this comes with a few catches. Firstly, sudden and extreme acceleration while driving isn’t a great idea, unless you happen to be making a potentially life-saving evasive maneuver and have no choice. Secondly, revving a cold engine a soon as you start is something you should avoid, as this is when it can do the most damage. Lastly, stay out of the red on your RPM meter and, of course, keep your engine in good shape with routine BMW-certified maintenance!

When you can balance fun and responsibility, both your and your BMW stay happy. The fun of driving your vehicle won’t last if you don’t take good care of it and take it to the right technicians. Get in touch with Motorwerkes today at (403) 453-0269 and let us know what you need!

A History of the BMW X5

1 September 2017

BMW has a distinctive history of both pushing the boundaries with new models and developing excellent improvements and revisions on time-tested classics. For instance, BMW fans have eagerly awaited the latest incarnation of the X5, so how about a look back at its history?

The Spirit of the X5

As with any BMW vehicle, the X5 was carefully designed to meet a specific demand. In this case, it was to enter the SUV market, as the X5 was BMW’s first production foray into luxury utility vehicle design. Instead of simply calling it an SUV, the company branded it as a Sports Activity Vehicle, highlighting the importance of its design as a crossover vehicle, boasting a balance between on-road elegance and off-road versatility. The E53 was released as its first generation in 1999, and unlike the first generation of the competing Mercedes-Benz M-Class, it utilized a unibody chassis and independent suspension.

Further Developments

After manufacturing the E53 from 1999 to 2006, BMW released the X5’s second generation, the E70. It was bigger and more technologically advanced than its predecessor, enhanced by an optional third row of seating as well as their new iDrive system. When 2009 came around, BMW upped their game. They expanded the X5’s market reach by rolling out a diesel variant and kicked performance power up a notch with the 555 HP X5 M. With the launch of the F15 in 2013, the X5 had entered its third generation, newly equipped with rear wheel drive and improved fuel efficiency.

The Next Step

The third generation has taken the X5 into even more modernized territory in recent years, including 2015’s plug-in hybrid. But what’s new for “The Boss” in 2018? Over the course of this year, the occasional glimpse has appeared from time to time, teasing subtle new design changes to the grille and hood as well as an increase in size and a more spacious interior. It will also boast a new automatic transition and a backup camera, not to mention a host of other high-tech features. BMW’s timeless crossover has definitely still got it!

What new BMWs are you excited about? We all love staying up to date on the latest BMW developments, but don’t forget that keeping your scheduled maintenance in line is one of the key responsibilities of any car lover. Give us a call at (403) 453-0269 to make an appointment!