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 and our Governor were facing off. Mr. Angelides was wanting to tax services, such as auto repair and our Governor was against it for several different reasons, most notably, that it is bad for the consumer and the small businesses. So, there were a lot of people that were paying attention to this and helped keep it from happening.

But, now in the guise of taxing “services”, such as “haircuts”, it’s going to be a target that could be reached, if the people of the state don’t realize what is going on. Yes, that’s right. Now they, (the legislative budget analysts), are saying that “haircuts” and “other” services should be taxed. Let’s face it, a tax on a haircut is a lot less than a tax on a major service or repair to your vehicle.

So, it looks as if the wording, (aka spin), has been changed by the legislative analysts. (Aren’t they tricky)? However, the outcome is the same. We understand it to mean that you would be paying taxes for the work/labor/service of your computer repair person, your auto body or repair shop, your local handyman, electrician or frig repair person, (not just your favorite hair stylist)!

All of us are already being impacted by the higher price of fuels and we hope the legislators will be smart enough to see that taxing “services” is just not a good idea.

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 notes and that beautiful smile that brightens our day, every time you walk through our door. Our buddy, J.J. who stops by, just to say “hi” and grab some candy for the road. Aileen, and Pam, who both have been coming here since the old garage days. Kevin, we love hearing about all of your cross country trips! Of course, we also enjoy your stimulating conversation! Gordon, it’s always a treat to work with you. Jeff and Beth, we know it’s a trek for you, but we are so glad that after all of these years and miles, you still come to us.

It would take days of postings to say thanks to everyone. You are the best and we appreciate each and every one of you. Thanks to all of you.

Goodbye to Yoshiki, Dusty, Jim, Bill and Bernie. These guys touched our lives in small but significant ways just by being who they were and enjoying those BMW’s with us. One an Origami master who surprised us with his artistry. A 30 year veteran school teacher. Another, an engineer turned fisherman who shared the catch of the day with us. Another a POW and Veteran with a life history that would leave us amazed and grateful.

May 2008 be a year of happiness, good health, and peace in your heart. May all of your roads traveled, be pleasant, (and may they always be in your BMW).

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 under more flexing and stressing every time you turn your steering wheel. Typically, those are the boots we see fail. The rear boots, (usually), do not fail until the vehicle is older or higher mileage.

There’s no mystery here, just get your car up on a lift at a shop that specializes in BMW and have them checked out. They are usually easy to see.

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 restricting flow of the fuel, which in turn is making that fuel pump work harder. You’ll want to change that fuel filter at 60K or every 5 years. BMW decided to drop those fuel filter changes in the services for models after 1999, but we see the ramifications and suggest otherwise. We want to help you get the maximum use out of your fuel pump in your BMW. Happy Motoring!

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 inside the duct! Of course, we eventually did retrieve the little culprit. All in days work, at The Driving Machine.

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! Let’s see, this could lead to new striping on the streets which is probably an emitter of some kind of particulate pollution or excessive fuming of the something or other! Someone will be doing a “study”….and we will probably being paying for it with a new “fee”. Not a tax, but a “fee”…oh, the possibilities are endless.

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 the women, let things go….because they didn’t really “know”…and that the guys “know”. (From our perspective…wrong, wrong and wrong again)!

That is definitely not the case with our female customers. What we notice, is that when they feel or sense something is not right, they call us right away, or get it looked at promptly. In many cases we are just answering their question to help them understand what is going on, and let them know if anything needs to be monitored. Our female BMW owners are not afraid to ask any question. The bottom line is that no one wants to risk a break down, or be without their BMW when they need it, (we know how busy you are)! And, girls, thank you for paying attention to those lights on the control panel.

Just wanted to say that our BMW ladies are involved and knowledgeable about their vehicles. Our female clients really love their BMW’s, and in our opinion, are not “harder” on their vehicles. Go Girls!

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 other vehicle for that matter), when it’s time for maintenance or repair. Besides, most of us know what happens when competition becomes scarce.

The agreement is probably not perfect for one on either side of the issue. However, it seemed to be preferred by the major manufacturers to avoid legislation that was looming by Congress.

Now, this is not to say that there may never be a need for legislation. But, for now it’s working for you and for us. Happy Anniversary.

Reminder!

If you have received your notice from the DMV and it’s time for a smog test for your BMW or other vehicle, you may want to do it within the next few days.

The new EVAP test, (mandated by our California Air Resources Board and implemented by the Bureau of Automotive Repair), is going into effect on December 1st, 2007. If you can get it done prior, it’s probably a good idea. As with any new state mandate or computer upgrade, the first few days can be “problematic”, shall we say. We expect a modest increase in the cost of the Smog Test at most shops, due to the new equipment that everyone had to purchase. Now, let’s just hope it cleans the air, before they mandate we stop wearing cologne, perfume, stop using scented candles, air fresheners in cars, etc.. Those fumes..they are everywhere!

Now, it would not occur to most of you, but lack of regular scheduled maintenance on your BMW can be harmful to your heater blower motor. You do not want to be on the way to “grandma’s house” for the holidays, and find out that your blower is not working.

If the micro filters are not changed as required, they become blocked. This condition is hard on your blower motor. In some cases, it can cause malfunction or in a severe situation, even burn out of a component. (Have you ever had your hairdryer overheat and stop because that little screen on the back of the unit is full of lint? Similar situation, but a much cheaper fix).

Yes, we have said it previously. But, our job is not finished until every BMW owner is at least following a regular maintenance schedule!

A BMW repair facility that specializes in BMW will know when to change these micro filters to avoid more costly problems.