Your BMW or MINI is doing a self diagnostic every time you turn on the ignition. Of course you see those lights illuminate on the instrument cluster/panel upon start up and bulb check. Then the “self checking” begins and if all is OK, the lights turn off.
The units such as your ABS (which basically has a computer processor) are all going through a dynamic circuit check for you! It is monitoring the input circuits for any incorrect voltages and is also checking the output controls or messages. If there is a problem the computer will activate the warning light to you. If all of the hundreds of tests are passed, the indicator goes out.
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In the Netherlands, the government has proposed an 8 cents per mile tax. They are wanting to use GPS technology to track drivers use and tax accordingly.
Love that GPS technology! They could use this tracking to vary the tax by specific high traffic areas or times. They could also use it for advertising! (Just kidding – that was my U.S. America heritage coming out). But…the creepy possibilities are pretty endless aren’t they?
Happy Motoring!
Diagnostics is a system of tests and analysis to either rule out or determine a specific problem with your BMW or MINI. Because a diagnostic is best performed hands-on with your BMW or MINI, it is usually not done successfully over the phone or over the front counter.
The good part is that because we are BMW and MINI specific we can usually troubleshoot and get to an issue in a more timely manner. Even though we are very experienced and specialized, it is not in your best interest for us to “guess” what is going on with your BMW over the phone or via e-mail. When your BMW, (and most cars for that matter) were not as complex, it was tempting, and usually easy for a good mechanic to tell you what was wrong just by listening to your engine. After all, isn’t that what engineers do? Find that fix just by instinct – they know what to do.
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You may not think about the health of your BMW or MINI belts, but they play a very important part in the operation of your BMW.
The older models used V belts, but the modern BMWs and MINIs have the serpentine style belts that basically weave around the components they drive. Your belts have to have the sufficient grip on the mechanical parts such as the water pump, alternator, and AC compressor. If one of your belts should break while you are doing some highway driving, it can cause severe engine damage. That is just another reason why it is so very important to have your BMW or MINI on a regular scheduled inspection and maintenance program.
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I guess if you only had one or two pair of pants that needed to go to the dry cleaners, it would be very important that they are finished and returned the same day. Dry cleaning takes forever, like 5 days to a week! I don’t always get it, but I see alot of pants there besides mine. OK. But, it’s only a pair of pants and it’s taking a week to get dry cleaned?
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We have mentioned the BMW CCA a few times over the years as a way to meet other BMW enthusiasts. What we haven’t mentioned, is that they have an outstanding “Car of Your Dreams” raffle held at the Oktoberfest 2010.
Deadlines for purchasing the tickets is August 16, 2010 at 5:00 p.m., EDT.. We actually know a shop owner in Austin who won the prize a few years back. That gives some hope that maybe this is our year!
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Today is get-a-way day for those wanting to get an early start on the July 4th celebrations. Freedom and the birth of our great country. What a fantastic holiday we are celebrating!
By now, we hope you have had your BMW or MINI serviced and checked out. If not, you will want to check your tire pressures, (the psi for your specific vehicle is listed on the door panel sticker) check your tires for any nails, and of course, check all of the fluid levels. You can usually call a local independent BMW and MINI shop if you have any questions. Or call us at (408) 446-9727. Remember, your BMW or MINI manual is also a good reliable source for info.
Remember to check your own fluids! Like drinking plenty of water and keeping some with you in the BMW or MINI, just in case the traffic gets slowed or stalled.
Have a fun and safe Fourth of July holiday and enjoy the road!
In many ways the modern BMW auto tech job is somewhat similar to that of an IT person. In earlier days of electronics in BMW’s, the information between a few control units was through signal lines that were individually dedicated. Eventually, the wiring harnesses became pretty large as the electronics grew, and grew so did the BMW wiring harness. If you have seen those completely exposed during repair, you know we are talking miles of wires. It became necessary to go to a bus networking system.
So now you have the possibility of some 60 control modules, (depending on your BMW or MINI model) reading input from the hundreds of sensors, processing that data and then sending the output to your individual BMW’s components. This is beautiful, but, if a problem is indicated, electrical diagnostics is necessary. The only heavy lifting here has to to with the brain. Why not more female techs?
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For you and your BMW, MINI, and all of your household cars; July 1, 2010, another mandatory regulation by the California Air Resources Board, (to be implemented by the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair) is finally in effect.
So what does that have to do with me? In California, what this means for you, is that in most cases wherever/whenever you take your BMW, your MINI, or any other car for repair, service or maintenance, your tires should be inflated to the proper psi that is listed on the sticker on the door pillar by your auto tech and documented on your invoice or repair order.
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In the last 6 weeks, we have had 4 customers with older, classic BMW’s as the 1974 2002 or 2002tii. These 1970 era BMW’s are cute, mpg friendly, and fun to drive. Driving a BMW that is 36 years old has it’s upsides, but it’s not for everyone.
The downside is that one has to make a serious decision. Am I going to keep this BMW baby goin or not? And how much do I want to invest to enjoy just drive my classic BMW? Do I want to perhaps bring it up to a level that is close to perfection, (as in 90-98 pts) and do an all out full restoration? Yeah, that would be fun to drive to shows around town such as BMW CCA events, the Palo Alto Concours or just to turn heads. Sweet! So in that situation, it may be time to call the body shop for some serious numbers as restorations usually go. Mmmm….maybe not so sweet. Does it have some great memories or sentimental value that cannot be measured in dollars? OK. There ya go!
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