Blog - Motorwerkes

On a Trip? Here’s How to Spot the Right BMW Technicians

15 August 2016

If you’re going on a road trip this summer, it’s important to be prepared for any car troubles that might come up. This is why you’re best prepared when you know how to spot a trustworthy BMW specialist wherever you go.

The Scenario

Let’s say you’re visiting relatives in another city. While driving around, something about your drive feels a bit off. Could be an issue you’re experiencing when switching gears, maybe your brakes are screeching, or perhaps your BMW is leaning more to one side than another. A long period of time on the road can be hard on your vehicle, especially if you haven’t had a checkup or servicing in a while and are encountering poor road conditions like potholes. This stuff is also likely to happen even when you’re driving around here in Calgary! One of your best methods of preparedness is knowing how to identify a trustworthy and experienced BMW specialist.

The Credentials and Resources

A Certified BMW Technician will have at least five years of experience and detailed knowledge in BMW servicing. This experience can’t just come from anywhere, your technician should have acquired their skills in an official BMW dealership environment, surrounded by and heavily involved with all of the best BMW service technologies. Some car technicians work on a wide range of vehicle types without going particularly deep in one or the other. Your ideal BMW expert, on the other hand, will be a true specialist in luxury German automotive engineering. Their shop will be well-equipped not only with the resources to offer you genuine BMW parts, but also approved diagnostics computers and software.

The Service

No matter where you are, the service shop you end up choosing needs to have more than just the certifications and the gear. Their team needs to be able to provide a personal touch and a level of effective communication that will make your experience as smooth and productive as possible. While some shops might assume that they can use their skills and experience as a replacement for good customer service, the truth is there’s no substitute. The merit of a BMW-certified crew is measured just as much by the happiness of their clients as the level of their technical expertise!

If you’re looking for a team of certified BMW technicians with all the approved resources at hand, Motorwerkes is Calgary’s best. Call us at (403) 768-3168 to find out why our clients always drive away happy!

How Is the Condition of Your Upholstery?

8 August 2016

As we’ve written recently, summer heat can really build up and take a toll on the interior of your BMW. That means there’s no better time to think about how to keep your upholstery looking and feeling great!

The Conditions of the Season

Summertime means more UV light, more heat, and often more dirt. Your BMW’s upholstery will inevitably come into contact with all three of these throughout the season. Without diligent care, you’ll probably start to see discolouration, staining, or even cracking if your upholstery is leather. Using your sun shade and maintaining a regular cleaning routine is a great place to start when fighting these common seasonal concerns. If you do a good job of making that beautiful interior last, it will not only improve your sense of comfort, but it will also contribute to a better resale value for your vehicle.

Leather

Your leather needs to retain its natural oil content and withstand UV exposure, which can be accomplished a few different ways. The most important is to vacuum frequently and keep abrasive materials like dirt and grit away from your surfaces. Basic, routine detailing can usually be done with a damp non-abrasive cloth, followed by buffing with a dry one. Specialized leather cleaners as well as leather conditioners and UV protectant are often used, but the right leather cleaning kit will depend on your particular interior. You should always follow the recommendations of your manual or a trusted BMW technician. If you use the wrong leather care product, you could make things worse!

Other Materials and Surfaces

Simple cleaning of fabric upholstery can be done with specialized fabric shampoos or even a 50/50 mixture of water and dishwashing liquid. Vinyl is particularly straightforward to maintain, as a good household glass cleaner and a non-abrasive cloth will usually do the trick for routine upkeep. In all cases, you should always stay on top of your vacuuming and make sure the vacuum brush you use won’t damage the surfaces. Whether your interior is leather, fabric, or vinyl, a professional detailing can make a tremendous difference. From steam cleaning to specialized leather maintenance and more, it can pay off to explore your options!

If your BMW’s interior has seen better days, an expert detailing could be just the thing you need. Motorwerkes now offers detailing services, so be sure to give us a call at (403) 768-3168 to make an appointment!

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!

Your BMW’s Exterior on a Hot Day

25 July 2016

Along with being fun to drive and admirable in terms of engineering, BMWs just look great. However, summer can really take a toll on the appearance of your vehicle, and we’re not just talking about dust and dirt.

Your Paint Job

The paint job on your BMW is one of its most distinguishing characteristics and an important part of what makes your vehicle really feel like your own. With enough extended exposure to direct UV light, that handsome look may fade, become discoloured, or even chip if proper care is not taken. Two other common culprits are bird droppings and water stains, which can do their worst damage when baking in the sun for a while. This isn’t just important on a cosmetic level. Your paint job is a key part of your vehicle as an investment, so it should be looked after accordingly.

Things to Look For

While sunlight and heat may have the most direct effect on larger outside surfaces, they can also do their fair share of damage to other areas, including your interior. For one thing, wiper blades that haven’t been used or pulled away from the windshield can start to experience damage in all that heat. Keep an eye on these as well as your dashboard and upholstery. Find out from a local BMW technician what protectors are recommended for your interior surfaces. Consider the possibility of window tinting if yours are not adequately tinted already, and don’t forget to use your sun shield!

The Importance of Prevention

Mitigating sun damage to the exterior is often a matter of washing, drying, and waxing your car frequently. Better yet, having a professional do it for you will get you the best results. However, as with many potential problems, prevention is key. It’s recommended to park your BMW in the shade rather than the sunlight as often as you can. Investing in a quality cover is also one of the best forms of protection you can opt for, particularly when it comes to bird droppings and water damage. With your BMW looking good as new all summer, you’ll be able to truly enjoy the season.

Motorwerkes can offer you all the help you need to keep your BMW in excellent condition year-round. From detailing to full Inspection 2 service, call us at (403) 768-3163 today and we’ve got you covered!

Is Your Battery Holding up in the Heat?

18 July 2016

Last week’s blog took you through the function of a typical automotive battery. Like any aspect of your BMW, the health and efficiency of your battery can be affected by various surrounding conditions. Since summer is in full swing, let’s take a look at heat.

Why It’s Important

On that summer road trip, miles from the nearest service station, there are few things worse than a dead battery. A car that won’t start can really leave a dent in your trip. Since it also powers a number of components when the engine is off, a dead battery means no air conditioning on a hot summer day while you’re waiting to be towed! Whether it’s the functionality of important electrical devices or protection regulation of voltage spikes from the alternator, your BMW depends on its battery. Looking after its condition is non-negotiable whether it’s summer or not!

Summer Temperatures

We’ve indicated the importance of maintaining your battery during winter, but late July can be just as troublesome as mid-February, if not more. Like any part of your BMW, it has an ideal operating temperature — which varies based on what you have — and peak summer temperatures can easily edge their way higher than the comfort zone. Heat is prone cause the water in the battery’s electrolyte solution to evaporate in minimal but significant amounts over time. It can also accelerate the process of internal corrosion. This adds up to a shorter lifespan if you don’t take good care of it.

Keeping It in Good Shape

If you want to keep your battery strong year-round, you should remain diligent about routine maintenance and inspections. As always, keep it clear of corrosive residue and watch out for signs of damage to the casing and terminals. Looking out for dirt, plant debris, and other materials that may have found their way onto the surface is also recommended. Above all, make sure your BMW and its battery get a thorough inspection by a certified technician, especially before and after big trips. From there, you can always ask them for detailed advice on what considerations your particular battery requires at home!

Whether you’re hitting the road for a vacation or just need a routine checkup, our team of expert BMW technicians is ready to help you optimize the life of your battery and more. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3163 today!