bmw dealers calgary - 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!

What Makes Summer Tires Unique?

13 June 2016

It’s always important to change your tire type based on the season. Now that the roads are getting warmer, let’s take a look at what goes into designing a summer tire and why they’re a smart choice for this time of year.

The Material

Because their conditions demand different performance and behaviour, summer tires (sometimes called “performance” tires) differ from winter tires in rigidity and elasticity. The tread compound of a summer tire is comprised of less pure rubber than winter tires, giving them just the right balance of softness and hardness to handle well in a variety of conditions, just so long as it’s not ice or snow! The compound is also made to hold up in higher temperatures where the softer winter tire would be more likely to fail. Summer tires are made to operate best at temperatures above 7 degrees celsius, and once they go below that, they harden and lose traction.

The Design

Treads, siping, and other structural characteristics also play a critical role. Since they’re not meant for winter and don’t need to push through muck or slush, summer tires possess a more shallow tread depth. Their sidewalls are also generally stronger than those on winter tires and the tread pattern is carefully designed with large grooves and fuller blocks. Unlike winter tires, which are designed with finer and more intricate siping patterns, summer tires prioritize a dynamic shaping strategy without worrying about digging around in the snow. As a result, using a summer tire during winter is likely to fill up those larger grooves with too much icy material!

The Performance

While you might assume that summer tires don’t perform so well in wet conditions, the opposite is actually true. Thanks to the combination of the tread compound and tread pattern, summer tires are able to keep a good grip on the road and optimize turns and stopping distance in both dry and wet conditions. With high performance summer tires, you’ll get directional treads that do a particularly good job with hydroplaning resistance. The design of winter tires, on the other hand, puts first priority on dealing with ice and snow rather than fluids. Because of these differences, failing to switch tires as the roads heat up is a sure way to compromise both safety and performance!

Have you fitted your BMW with a pair of summer tires for optimized durability and safety? Give the Motorwerkes team a call at (403) 768-3161, we’re here to help you get only the best performance out of your vehicle!