Tag: Oil Change

Posted on

DIY BMW Oil Change

The oil in a car’s engine serves a number of functions, including lubricating the moving parts (which are placed under immense pressure whenever the car is running); keeping the engine clean by preventing the buildup of debris and flushing any grime away; keeping the engine cool so that it can run at a stable temperature; improving the gas mileage of the vehicle; and promoting the longevity and reliability of your vehicle.

As time passes, some of the oil is burned up in the fuel tank when the engine ignites, and whatever is left becomes less effective as is sits around in the oil tank, ageing. It is for this reason that the car’s oil levels and oil quality must be given just as much care and attention as the other parts of the engine, and needs frequent topping up or changing.

In your new BMW, it is recommended that your first oil change should be approximately a year after you purchased it, or 10,000 miles, whichever is sooner. This is usually offered as a complementary servicing by a BMW garage. However, other car manufacturers suggest that your oil should be changed every six months or after 5,000 miles.

Knowing which the most accurate estimate is hard to say, and it varies between every model of car. Checking the manual for your vehicle will give you a better idea for when you should consider first changing the oil, but this will again depend on how you use your vehicle and the conditions in which it is kept. Older cars will go through oil faster than a brand new one, and cars used for intensive haulage or off-roading will also have a higher requirement for fuel. In these cases it may be desirable to change the fuel as frequently as every 1,000 miles.

Whilst it is desirable to get your car’s oil changed by a licensed garage, it is still possible to do it yourself from the comfort of your own garage:

  1. To begin with, ensure that you are working on hard, flat ground and that the existing oil will be cool by leaving the car turned off for a while. Even a short drive can heat your car’s oil up to the whopping temperature of 480°F (250°C).
  2. First, drain the existing oil from the oil tank from the bottom of your car.
  3. Remove the old oil filter (you may need to use an oil filter wrench).
  4. Lubricate the rubber gasket on the end of the filter. You should use some of the new oil to do this.
  5. Fill the new oil filter until it is about ⅔ full.
  6. Screw the new oil filter back into place by turning it in a clockwise direction. Screw it on as tightly as you can by hand.
  7. Refill the engine with oil. Always check first how much oil your engine will hold and fill to ¾ of that volume.

Managing the oil well for your car by not letting it get so low that the oil alert appears on your dashboard may seem expensive and time consuming in the short term. However, as time goes by you will reap the rewards in the form of a healthy and long-living engine which does not need for numerous repairs and replacement parts.

 

RELATED ARTICLES:

When It Pays to Have An Oil Change

Never Underestimate The Power Of An Oil Change!

Posted on

Getting Your Vehicle Road Trip Ready This Summer

Summer is still in full swing, which means there is plenty of time to hit the road and go out on an adventure. Using your own vehicle instead of renting is an excellent way to save money on your trip. But before you head out in the road, you may want to consider bringing in your vehicle to have it looked at. Having a BMW mechanic look over critical components of your car can help you to travel everywhere you need to go and everywhere in between. Car maintenance is key if you wish to have your last. The key services you should have done to ensure roadworthy performance include:

Oil Change

The oil change is essential for all engine function to run smoothly. Before long trips having an oil change done, especially if it is near servicing is ideal. While going over the mileage a little won’t necessarily hurt anything, a fresh oil change can help boost your MPG. Getting better fuel economy on long trips is great for saving a little bit of money at the pump. An oil change will also ensure that the fluid level is correct and where it should be.

A/C Check

Your vehicle’s air conditioning is vital. When temperatures reach over 100, driving in an unairconditioned car can feel more like torture than an exciting time waiting to reach your destination. An A/C check will inspect the freon, make sure the blower motor is working correctly. If your freon is low, the air conditioning will not blow as cold as it should. The elements of a car’s air conditioning system should only be handled by a professional. It can be very dangerous to try and fix issues with any pressurized system.

Coolant Services

Overheating is a common problem on long road trips. Having your upper and lower radiator hose inspected for signs of breakage or tears and making sure the coolant levels are correct will go a long way in keeping your engine cool on out of town road trips. A technician may also look over your radiator for any signs of damage that may lead to overheating. If you have had trouble with rising operating temperatures, have those addressed beforehand.

Tire Rotation/ Tire Replacement

Tires need to be in optimal condition for any drive you take. Older tires or those with worn out tread can potential blowout while driving. This is a very unsafe condition. Tire rotation will move the worn tires to the non-driving axle for better durability. However, if after a tire inspection you need to have a tire replaced, you should do so before hitting the road. A tire popping while out on the road will mean costly towing service and delays. Tire rotation is a simple service that should be done periodically and is part of most manufacturers recommended routine service.

Be sure that before you leave if your due for your routine scheduled maintenance to have it performed. This includes the 30k, 60k, and 90k services. If your air filter needs to be changed, it’s a good idea to have this done as well. It can improve fuel economy along with an oil change. Have your German car service done with the best at Ryan GMW.

Posted on

Proper Engine Maintenance Tips

A used BMW can offer fantastic features for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Who doesn’t love saving money on an inexpensive sporty luxury vehicle? Many of the concerns surrounding owning a used a vehicle is if it can it run like new, and will it last a long time? Since previous maintenance records may or may not be available, there are services you should have done when you get a new to you used BMW. The following checklist of items will help restore some of the power loss, make the engine run more smoothly, and possibly give you better fuel economy.

BMW Tune-Up

A tune up can go a long way in an older vehicle that has some higher mileage on it. A common problem with vehicles is random misfires. It can cause power loss and stuttering in the motor. An easy way to correct this problem and give you a smoother ride is replacing the spark plugs and wires. Roseville BMW Mechanic, Ryan GMW can run diagnostics on your BMW to find out the source of your check engine light if there is one illuminated, and perform a tune-up.

Oil Change

The initial thing you should always do when purchasing a used vehicle, and want to ensure the motor will remain healthy is giving it a fresh oil change. It may be the case that you don’t know when the last oil change was performed, so it is always a great idea to have one done just to be on the safe side.

Air Filter Replacement

Engines need air flow, more importantly, clean air that is free of debris and particles. A clogged or dirty air filter will restrict air flow from getting into the intake causing sluggish performance. Replacing an old air filter that shows signs of age or is dirty will help with regaining lost performance and increase fuel economy as well.

Replacing Leaking Gaskets

Older motors and higher mileage motors can become prone to leaks. It can occur in some places including the oil pan, and the valve covers. If you spot any oil leaks, it is a good idea to have them replaced. This way you won’t run out of oil, and risk possible engine failure. An expert BMW mechanic can remove parts and their gaskets that are leaking and apply a new gasket to stop the leaks.

Try a Fuel Injector Cleaner

Fuel injector cleaners are an inexpensive additive that is inserted into the gas tank. Usually, the product contains a detergent that will clean many parts including the fuel line, injectors, and the cylinder head valves. Fuel injectors can clog over time, and this can cause your engine to be erratic and have a rough idle. Fuel injector cleaners can solve this problem by eliminating any debris that has been stuck to the injectors. It is a worthwhile product that might just make your used BMW feel like brand new again. Visit us for more details!

Posted on

When It Pays To Have An Oil Change

The engine of your car is the heart of the vehicle. It would make sense that you should have maintenance done on it, to keep it running at its best. One of the most honest services you can have done routinely is to have an oil change. An oil change service can be performed for many different reasons. The oil change will consist of draining all the old oil out from the pan and substituting the oil filter with a new one. Aside from having this routine maintenance done, what are some other signs that it would be beneficial to have an oil change?

The Oil Is Black

When you put fresh oil into a vehicle, it will be a light brownish color. The longer you go between oil changes the engine oil will start to darken. When oil gets to the black state, it is not benefiting your vehicle’s engine at that point. You will be able to tell the color of your oil just by checking the end of the dipstick.

The Oil Filter Will Become Full

The reason an oil change will be necessary is to change the oil filter out. The job of the screen is to stop any particles that are not healthy for your engine from being circulated. Over time the filer can fill or possibly become clogged. It will allow for those particles to escape. Once this happens, you could be putting your motor at risk.

Engine Becomes Loud

If you are used to having a quiet motor, then this one will be an easy sign to spot. Over time, and the longer between oil changes, the engine will develop a sound that is much louder as it is running. A lack of lubrication mostly causes it. If you were to think about what metal on metal was to sound like, that is what is going on under your hood. It is important to have oil put in as soon as you notice your engine making a different sound.

A Check Engine Light Appears

Sure it’s one thing to a few miles over when you are due for an oil change, but ultimately forgetting to have the service done for thousands of miles can hurt your engine badly. If you go too long, a check engine light will appear, and this spells issues, especially in a variable valve timing car. The bonus to getting an oil change, the light will be gone.

Oil Changes Can Spot Larger Problems

Going back to the engine gets the louder problem, one of the reasons an oil change can be beneficial at that time is to spot any possible damage that may have happened. When metal on metal happens in an issue, metal flakes will become present in the oil. An oil change will be able to determine if you have large particles present. If there are significant chunks of metal found, it could spell disaster, but the cost of a rebuild would be cheaper than a whole engine replacement.

Conclusion

Oil changes are the most critical maintenance item you should not put off. Cars now are built to go 5,000 miles or more between them. Oil changes can solve many of these indicated problems and will help your engine last much longer.

Posted on

Change Your Oil, Change The Life Of Your Car

Oil is the heart of your vehicle. It offers the proper lubrication and protection that keeps every car running smoothly and efficiently. An oil change is a pivotal part of regular maintenance of your vehicle. You may ask: how does driving around affect how often I will need an oil change? After all, your car is designed for driving. Here are some of the conditions that will ultimately influence the life of your oil.

Whether your oil lasts or needs changing more often than usual will depend on your driving habits. In ideal conditions, cruising on the highway will allow your oil to stay at the perfect temperature. Fuel and water should not be accumulating under these circumstances. Now, if you are driving at high speeds, your fast acceleration and speeding can raise the temperature of your oil and reduce its viscosity, which will expose the engine to greater wear.

If you drive primarily within city limits, there are also issues that you may encounter that cause you to change oil more often. Frequent starts and stops, which are also common problems on the highway, hurt your vehicle because oil is not able to sufficiently warm up. It may accumulate water and fuel due to prolonged idling. It will cause the build-up of corrosion and sludge.

A regular oil change is basic vehicle maintenance; driving correctly can ensure that this does not need to happen more often than it normally should.

Weather can also affect the oil in your vehicle. At lower temperatures, oil will thicken, and that will reduce pumping efficiency. Thus, it will take longer for your car to reach engine parts so that it can provide the protection and lubrication that it should. On the other hand, warmer conditions can make it harder to keep the motor cool. Engine oils are not designed to perform under high temperatures. These oils will lose the ability to protect the engine’s moving parts as quickly as if they were at optimal temperatures.

You can help to reduce the cost of oil change over time by not pushing your vehicle through unnecessary speeding, stopping, or other demanding conditions. Oils are ultimately designed to operate at higher temperatures and will help keep your engine protected. It will contribute to prolong your engine’s life and help it to run more efficiently.

However, there is something to be said about unpredictability: you cannot always avoid those sudden stops if you have the highway to work each morning. Some conditions simply cannot help. It can be a big help if you are going to pay attention to the status of your engine and when you check the engine oil. Never let this go: your vehicle will suffer for it, and you could lose it prematurely.

Posted on

How Often Should You Oil Change Your Car?

How often you should change the oil in your car will depend on the make and model of the car, how the car is, and what type of oil is put in the car’s engine.

You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on what type of oil you use.

If you prefer to take your car to a shop to have the oil changed; stop by a BMW Service Rocklin shop.

What will you need to do an oil change?

Here are the things you will need in order to do the oil change yourself;

  • An oil drain pan; these can be found in any automotive parts store
  • A few rags; in case you spill the oil
  • The correct wrench or socket
  • Safety glasses to protect your eyes from oil, dirt, rust, and other debris that could fall from the bottom of the car
  • Oil filter: these come in different shapes and size as well as different qualities so make sure you get the correct one for your auto; some oil filters are only good for 3000 miles other one are good for 5000 miles
  • Oil; check your owner’s manual/guide to see how many quarts are required and what weight of oil should be used 10W40 10W30 etc.
  • A jack and jack stands as well as wheel blocks

Step by step guide for changing oil in your car.

If you change the oil yourself make sure you have everything gathered together before draining oil from your car.

Step one: The first step is to put the emergency brake on, block the back wheels with something like a large concrete block, then jack the front up and place a jack stand under each side. This will allow you to have room to get under the car to the oil pan of the vehicle.

Step two: using the wrench or socket loosen the drain plug and allow the oil to drain. Also remove the used oil filter, before placing the new filter on car dip your gloved finger into some fresh auto oil and gently rub it around the gasket “oh ring” on the filter. Hand-tighten the filter, do not over tighten.

Step three: Replace the drain plug, and fill the auto engine with oil. Make sure there are no drips or leaks before taking the vehicle off the jack stands and starting the engine.

Now if this sounds like it might be too intense or you do not have time you can always come by BMW Service for an oil change.

Why oil changes are important?

The reason you need to do oil changes on timed intervals of 3000 or 5000 miles depending on the owner’s guide is to make sure your engine runs well and last a long time.

It is also good for the resale price if you have your records to show you maintained the engine.

If you are in the area, swing by a Auburn BMW service shop to take care of that oil change.