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A Brief History of Green Engineering at BMW

1 September 2016

A particularly prominent aspect of BMW’s forward-thinking design philosophy these days has been eco-friendly and fuel-efficient engineering. From electric motors to carbon fibre chassis, let’s take a look at a few examples throughout the past 40 years.

Their First Electric

BMW was working on an all-electric design as early as 1969. The result of their efforts was the 1602e, which debuted in Munich at the 1972 Olympic Games. It could recharge upon braking, but was limited by the sheer weight of the battery pack, which was little more than twelve lead-acid batteries packed together under the hood and weighing in at over 700 pounds. BMW was nonetheless determined to continue developing electric vehicle design strategies as eagerly as the improvement of battery technology would allow them to, following up with the LS Electric in 1975.

Oil and the 3 Series

From the OPEC oil embargo in 1973 to the Iranian revolution in 1979, the 70s were racked with political tension in the Middle East that lead to gas shortages and skyrocketing prices. As well as many aspects of the automotive industry, the fuel crisis ended up influencing BMW’s design of the 3 series. By the mid-late 1980s, an “e” at the end of the model number came to mean that you were getting the variant with the most optimized fuel economy. The “e” itself referred to “eta”, a letter in the Greek alphabet often used to signify efficiency. 1985’s 325e offered 28 miles to the gallon, pretty impressive for the time. The 325 would later be subject to continuing electric experimentation with the 325iX from 1987 to 1990 and the BMW Electric from 1992 to 1997.

Recent and Future Efforts

After further experimental models, not to mention the launch of the i3 and i8 in 2013 and 2014, BMW now contains all plug-in hybrid vehicles under the “iPerformance” designation. The recent 740e and 330e, for instance, combine a 2.0 litre turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. BMW’s development of electric and hybrid cars is as varied and ambitious as ever, exploring lightweight carbon fibre design, eDrive technology, and more. With everything from commuter hatchbacks like the i3 to futuristic concepts like the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, they’ve come a long way from that sluggish 1602e!

However high-tech your BMW is, taking care of it should always be a top priority. Give Motorwerkes a call at (403) 768-3169 to make sure it’s in the most qualified hands!

Summer and Your Fuel Economy

22 August 2016

As we know, the shifting seasons affect many aspects of our BMWs. You’re probably aware of how difficult it can be to optimize gas mileage during winter. Summer, however, has its own way of affecting fuel economy.

A Few Advantages

One of the upsides that summer offers is how quickly you’ll get to operating temperature. You won’t need to wait after ignition in the middle of July! The gas usage this saves can certainly make a difference. You’ll also be using certain electrical components less than you would in the cold, such as heating and defrosting. This avoids some forms of strain on your BMW’s engine. It’s also important to note that the average winter drive is inefficient and slow due to traffic congestion and more cautious speeds. Even if you do get a chance to pick up the pace, you’ll get higher aerodynamic resistance in cold air than warm air. Both of these factor promote better fuel efficiency during the warmer months.

Cooling and Airflow Issues

Despite these advantages, there are some downsides. Air conditioning is probably the number one factor you should bear in mind, as many of us try to get as much out of our A/C as we can during hot days without giving it much thought. This can be pretty taxing on your engine for prolonged periods of time. Your first impulse may be to drive with the windows down more often, but this will take its toll as well! The last thing you want to do is compromise the sleek aerodynamic character of your BMW with increased drag as the air flows into the vehicle.

What To Do

While it might seem like you’re out of options, you don’t need to worry! It’s all about timing. Open windows won’t bring wind resistance up by a significant factor at the lower speeds of your neighbourhood. But, once you hit the freeway or even speeds a bit lower, it’s wise to go for the A/C instead. Keep the temperature as warm as you can while still maintaining comfort. If your interior has built up heat while parked, it’s better to tough it out the heat and open the windows to aid circulation before blasting the A/C and giving your engine more work. And of course, don’t run your A/C with the windows open!

Have more questions about getting the best performance from your vehicle? Motorwerkes is here to help with all of your BMW questions and concerns. Give us a call at (403) 768-3168 today!

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!

Understanding the Automotive Battery

11 July 2016

The battery is a component that your BMW depends on every day. We’ve written a lot about how important it is to take care of this powerful device, but it’s also helpful to know how it does its job!

What It Does

There are a few things the battery takes care of, but its primary purpose is to provide the burst of electrical current that makes ignition possible. It could be said that around four to five hundred amps are needed for the typical car to get going, but the exact amount depends on a variety of factors. And starting isn’t the only duty that rests on the shoulders of the battery. It’s also responsible for providing power to electrical components in your vehicle when the engine isn’t running, a job otherwise reserved for the alternator. In addition to this, the battery acts as a voltage stabilizer, taming spikes of electrical current that are prone to come from the alternator from time to time.

How It All Happens

The average car battery utilizes lead and lead oxide plates immersed in an electrolyte solution of water and sulphuric acid. A twelve-volt battery will have six cells containing the plates and the solution, producing 2 volts per cell. By reacting with the solution, the lead oxide plates (positively charged) absorb electrons while the lead plates (negatively charged) emit them. Moving through each of the six cells, the electrons accumulate and exit at the positive terminus of the battery, making their way to the starter or other electrical components. When the battery has done its job and the car is running, the electrochemical process is reversed as it charges with electrons from the alternator.

Common Problems

You’re probably familiar with the mistake of leaving your headlights on, and we’ve also made the points of looking out for corrosion on the terminals and avoiding frequent short trips. However, there’s more to a battery than this. Your alternator and battery form a close relationship, so problems with one can be linked to or mistaken for problems with the other. Fortunately, low electrolyte solution levels, uneven concentration of acid within the solution (also called stratification), decaying plates, and other issues can all be diagnosed by a local technician. And such an important component deserves only the best treatment!

How long have you had your current battery? You can always have a load test and other diagnostics done by Calgary’s best certified BMW specialists. Get in touch with Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3163 today!

Summer Vacation: Road Trip Safety Tips

27 June 2016

While you might think that summer is safer than the harsh weather conditions of winter, looks can be deceiving! Here are some road trip safety considerations that will help keep your trip safe and your summer as fun as possible.

Risky Roads

Contrary to what you might think, accidents can be even more common during summer than winter. This is because drivers tend to drive more defensively in conditions that are more clearly hazardous. During summer, you are more likely to encounter construction zones, cyclists, motorcyclists, and heavy pedestrian traffic. When out on the open road or in rural areas, one of the most common collisions that you can have during summer is with crossing animals. Remaining alert is therefore just as important in the middle of July as it is in the middle of February, no matter where you are.

Staying Prepared

The first thing you should be certain of before leaving on a trip is that your BMW is in great operational condition. Everything from an oil change to a coolant flush should be considered, depending when you last saw a certified BMW technician and what work was done. Are you planning on towing a boat or other heavy load? Check to be sure that you know your BMW’s limits as well as the applicable road laws. As always, a comprehensive first aid kit and emergency supplies should be in your BMW at all times. A flashlight or glow sticks, jumper cables, bottled water, the works! It’s far easier to relax when you know you have your bases covered.

Responsible Driving

Driving out on the open road may also make it tempting to push your vehicle a bit harder than usual. As much as you might enjoy that performance upgrade, don’t forget that keeping yourself and your passengers safe — not to mention sharing the road — is priority one. Since road trips in Canada tend to cover pretty long distances at a time, take routine breaks and maintain alertness no matter how empty the road might be. If you’re taking allergy medication to deal with all that pollen, driving drowsy definitely isn’t a good idea. Eliminating risks means making your summer trip the best it can be!

Getting ready for a trip? Be sure to take your BMW in for a detailed inspection! Our team will help ensure plenty of smooth summer drives for you and your passengers. Give us a call at (403) 768-3161 to make an appointment!