Recently, I explained the benefits of having a diagnostic run on your BMW, (under certain circumstances), as needed. You want to avoid having “parts changed out”, and not really getting to the problem. That really is not going to save you either, time or money. One thing to remember about the newer cars, (due to those computer controls), is that they can “compensate” for a problem and sometimes you can keep driving about town. But, one thing leads to another and pretty soon you have multiple fault codes, (or trouble codes), that need to be tracked down. So, now your diagnostic “tree” will be more involved.

Be wary of places that offer “free stuff”, when it comes to fault codes and check engine light diagnostics. Telling someone what a printout reads, and actually getting to the heart of the matter are two entirely different processes. It is the “interpretation” of the data that is important and will give you the best value over the years and miles of enjoying your BMW.

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Excerpt: Most of our clients understand the value of diagnostics when it comes to their BMW. In some situations with your BMW, it is the only way to verify and get to the heart of the problem.For some people, it’s not easy to understand the value of a “running diagnostic tree”, when it comes to their car. Sometimes, it is someone who is so sure they know exactly what is wrong with their car, (because their friends car did the same thing or it happened to them in their old beater), so why can’t we just start replacing parts…

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Excerpt: Happy 2008!Today, this little tidbit of information is just a blip on the radar screen of our news in California, but one that you may want to pay attention to if you are a consumer of auto repair services, haircuts or both!Since we have a very large deficit in the budget of our State this year, the legislative analysts are looking at ways to bridge the gap of about $15 billion. So what that means is that they are once again looking at possibly taxing “services”. This has been looked at previously, most recent being when Mr. Angelides…

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Excerpt: We want to thank everyone here at The Driving Machine for their great contributions to helping our clients everyday. We know we have a great team of people here and of course, we could not do it without you! To our customers, thank you for giving us another year of your trust and friendship. So many of you stop by throughout the year with fresh baked cookies, (Rachel, and Beth), cakes, wine, or beer, (Dave and Mary). The Tufts family made some beautiful and delicious treats for us this Holiday. Polly, thank you for your kind…

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Excerpt: CV boots protecting the axle joint on your BMW serve a few different purposes. First of all, they are there to keep the axle grease on the joint, as well as preventing road debris and water from damaging your axle. Because they are composed of a rubber material, they eventually crack or split causing the axle lubricant to spray out, and become depleted. On the BMW’s it is necessary to remove the suspension to replace the boot.The outer CV boots on the front of the vehicle (on the 4 wheel drive BMW’s, such as an X5) are…

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Excerpt: Now that gasoline costs are much higher in the U.S., sometimes the urge to just let that fuel tank run almost dry is so tempting. This is not a good idea, especially on the newer vehicles.It may be harder on the wallet, but it is also harder on your fuel pump. The older fuel pumps were “external” units vs. the newer ones, that are “internal”, and running that tank almost dry can lessen the life of those units due to heat buildup.Another item to consider is your fuel filter. When the fuel filter becomes dirty, it is…

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Excerpt: So many of us are enjoying those cool little, teeny tiny phones that can slip and slide and disappear almost anywhere. I mean that was what we wanted. The smaller the better, right? Thin, please make them thin! Your phone, can never be too thin or can it?A few days ago, a client discovered that the little iPhone had slid off of the seat, under the passenger seat and actually into the small heat duct that heats the floor area of the back seat.Seriously. Someone called and the ring tone was now coming from somewhere…

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Excerpt: Well, Daimler-Chrysler announced a few days ago, that their SMART car has over 30,000 orders to produce and deliver for customers. Production is trying to keep up with the demand for this 40 miles per gallon vehicle.Now, besides the great gas mileage, one of the other features of the tiny car is that you can park it “nose to curb”. If this is fact, then it will also attract people who prefer not to parallel park. But, if people begin parking, nose to curb, the ramifications of the old parking stripes is something to consider! …

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Excerpt: Last Friday we saw a famous syndicated automotive news column that asked, (and they answered), the age old question. “Who is harder on cars? Men or Women?” (Now, they threw in some other “relationship stuff”, but we’ll stay focused on the “car stuff”). They indicated that they felt that men were “not as hard” as women on their vehicles, because men had a tendency to know when something is awry with their car and get prompt attention, (before it becomes a bigger or potentially more expensive problem). And we’ll paraphrase somewhat, but, that…

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Excerpt: A milestone for consumers of automotive repair was just reached, but many of you probably did not even realize it!It was the 5th year anniversary, (October), of the Automobile Manufacturers Information Agreement. This was an agreement reached to insure that your independent repair facility, (vs.the manufacturers dealership or “center”), will have the information, tools and training available to repair your car. It is estimated that about 75% of repairs and maintenance, (after the initial warranty) is performed at your local independent shops.Living in the U.S., we love having the choice of where to take our BMW’s, (or any…