Vehicle Maintenance 101: How to Keep Your BMW Running Smooth

Driving a new BMW can make you feel like a million bucks, and if you want to keep that feeling going strong mile after mile, you’ll want to make sure you maintain your vehicle. As your BMW service center, we here at BMW of McKinney want to make sure you have all of the information you need to succeed as a car owner. Plus, recommendations change over time as automotive technology evolves, so a refresher can be helpful even for experienced drivers.

Today, we’re going to go over the routine services and maintenance you need to stick to to prolong the life of your vehicle. If you want to own the same BMW for a long time, regular maintenance will help you do so with minimal issues down the road. Even if you like to switch to a new vehicle regularly, it’s a good idea to keep your vehicle in good shape in order to help it retain value. On top of the economic advantages, there’s also the important fact that proper maintenance helps you stay safe on the road.

Things to Check Every Month

The more often your vehicle gets inspected, the more likely you are to stay on top of things that need regular maintenance. You don’t need to bring your car into the service center every single month, but it can be a good idea to do a monthly inspection yourself to check in with a few important systems and parts. While many of these systems are monitored by an in-vehicle computer on newer models, these computers are susceptible to issues like anything. Checking in regularly is a good failsafe.

One of those systems is your external lights, including turn signals, brake, parking, and fog lights. Take a quick stroll around your vehicle and ensure that none of these have gone out; if any have, come in immediately to get them fixed. You can also check oil, coolant, and windshield wiper fluid levels yourself to make sure that nothing is running low. If you don’t regularly do this once a month, you should at least keep track of wiper fluid during the rainy season and check in on your motor oil before making a long trip.

Finally, there are the tires. Take a look to make sure you haven’t run over anything sharp, and test the pressure with a gauge. Use the “penny test” to make sure the tread depth is adequate. Stick a penny into the tread head first as deep as it will go. If the tread covers the top of Honest Abe’s head, then you’re good to go.

Every Three Months

Most drivers don’t need to come into the service center every three months, but if you’re using conventional motor oil, then it’s a different story. Conventional motor oil must be changed every three months or every 3,000 miles (whichever comes first). No matter what kind of oil you use, it’s a good idea to open up the hood every season and make sure that nothing is visibly wrong. If you see corrosion on the battery, cracks or bulges in belts and hoses, or notice any leaks, then you should come in and get it checked out before it can become a bigger problem. This is also a good time to ensure your wiper blades are in good condition and replace them if they aren’t up to par.

Every Six Months

Now, we come to your regular visits to our certified service center. Twice a year, you should come in for a tire rotation to extend the life of the only parts of a vehicle that make direct contact with the road. You should also get a bi-annual battery performance check if your vehicle is three years old or older. On top of this maintenance, it’s also important to get a regular multi-point inspection, where our qualified technicians take a look at a wide range of vehicle systems and make sure everything’s running smoothly. With a precision-engineered machine like a BMW, it’s important to keep everything in tip-top shape so you can enjoy peak performance.

Every Year

If you’re using synthetic oil, you’ll need an oil and filter change every 10,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. Coolant is also changed out at this time, along with cabin air filters that help you breathe easily. While you’re in for these services, you should get the brakes inspected to check in on your brake fluid, rotors, and brake pads.

Long-Term Maintenance

Things like your ignition system and fuel filter tend to last longer but will still need attention at some point. Fuel filters are changed out every 20,000-40,000 miles. This wide range is because several unpredictable factors can affect their longevity, which is just another reason why it’s a good idea to get your vehicle inspected regularly. Instead of relying blindly on a generalized number, you can have experts inspect your filter periodically and let you know when it needs to be replaced. The engine air filter and spark plugs tend to be changed every 60,000 miles, though they may be replaced sooner if they fail an inspection. Tires can last from about 6 to 10 years and should be replaced when the tread has worn down to 2/32 of an inch.

Reasons to Inspect a Vehicle Off-Schedule

Astute readers may have noticed that if you bring your BMW in for inspection and maintenance every six months, you can double up with maintenance that happens yearly or every few years. Thinking about it that way, it’s quite simple: bring your vehicle in twice a year, and we’ll keep track of what services are due and do what needs to be done all at once. However, there are times when you should bring your vehicle in for service outside of this rhythm. Here are a few reasons to schedule a service appointment, even if it hasn’t been six months since the last one:

• Your in-vehicle diagnostics catch a problem or announce that you’re due for maintenance — if you see a message telling you to bring your vehicle in for service, you should do so. Our technicians will be able to determine whether the issue is with the system that was flagged or with the diagnostic system itself.
• You hear any strange noises like grinding, squealing, or clunking, especially if these sounds appear when you hit the brakes.
• You see abnormal amounts of fluid under your parked vehicle.
• You smell burning or mildew.
• You feel any strange vibrations, especially ones that happen when you hit the brakes.
• You notice that you suddenly need to fill up at the gas station more often than usual or that braking takes longer than it used to.

Get in the Rhythm, and Vehicle Maintenance Can Be Easy and Stress-Free

When all of the regular maintenance a vehicle needs is laid out in one place, it can feel overwhelming. But with a trusted team at your side, it can be easy. That’s why we’re here to help you out. You can schedule your regular visits online to ensure that your appointment times fit into your busy life and that you’re in and out as quickly as possible. If a service visit is going to take a while, we provide complimentary loaner vehicles as needed to keep you on the go. We can also be reached over the phone if you ever have a question for us. We’re not content to simply help you get a luxury vehicle; we want to provide you with a luxury experience where you can sit back, relax, and let us keep your BMW in the best shape possible for many miles to come.