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We can help you with basic ECU tuning all the way to full fledged race ready monsters.  Get ready for Spring driving at Alex’s Autohaus!

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One of the world’s most successful brand of everything auto, BMW, has some new features that would make people in the past question their existence. Turning heads is the Head-Up Display feature where important information such as GPS directions, mph, and the fuel meter can be displayed just beyond the windshield to provide the driver with the convenience of concentrating on the road while being able to see the info necessary projected in front of them. If it’s comfort you are looking for nothing beats the ability to personalize your vehicle like Rolls Royce. From refrigerators to safes and even humidors you can have your car leave you with the sensation that you are in a private jet with you in the cockpit.

For you speed demons that also worry about the environment look no further than Audi’s FSI (Fuel Stratified Injection) system that delivers more power while consuming less fuel. The system implements two charge air supply modes: a stratified and homogeneous depending on the load size.  At a full load the FSI Direct Injection ups the compression to deliver better efficiency. Another member of the green team, packing a walloping 795-horsepower plug-in hybrid is the Porsche 918 Spyder prototype that just recorded one of the best ever times for a street-legal vehicle on the 12.8 mile track in Nürburgring Nordschleife. This car has exceeded even the highest of expectations and is expected to be in development within a year.

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Now today’s vehicles don’t require major services as frequently, but to avoid having major problems arise, you must have your car’s fluids and filters serviced every 30,000 miles.
It is a good idea to have your oil changed at a reputable BMW Repair Salt Lake City facility that will check the status of these items every 3,000 miles when you get an oil change and then having an all-out, bumper to bumper inspection done once, or even better, twice per year. We have advanced from the days of distributors, timing adjustments and idle screw adjustments on carburetors. A tune-up today generally consists of replacing spark plugs, plug wires, the fuel filter, the interior and engine air filters, performing a complete fuel system cleaning, as well as flushing any dirty fluids. Now this is a generic list, some cars won’t need all of these services, but on the other side, some may require more. So how do you know if you need a tune-up? There are four major indications that you are due, or overdue, for a tune-up.

First is mileage. Consult your owner’s manual to see when your specific manufacturer recommends servicing for a tune-up.

Next would be if you have noticed increased fuel consumption. The best way to keep an eye on this is to monitor your gas mileage at every fill up. To accomplish this most accurately, fill up your tank to the top every time and use your trip odometer. If you reset the trip odometer after every fill up and you fill the tank, then when you look at how much fuel (in gallons) the tank took and divide that by how many miles are on the trip meter, you will come across your exact miles per gallon on that tank.

If you notice a knocking or pinging sound upon acceleration, that is a definite sign the vehicle needsBMW Repair Salt Lake City service. Occasionally this can be caused by an octane of gas that is too low, but if you are putting in the recommended octane listed in your owner’s manual, then a tune-up inspection would be required.

Lastly would be hard starting, meaning the vehicle will crank and try to start, but it may take a few tries before it does. No starts are the leading cause of emergency roadside calls, all stemming from a lack of maintenance.

Although cars don’t require service as often, many interpret this as them not needing service at all. Drivers tend to neglect preventative maintenance because there aren’t any noticeable signs of a problem right now and want to wait until there is an issue. But as the maintenance keeps getting pushed aside, problems and damage are surfacing slowly and growing in severity, leading to a much higher repair bill when a noticeable problem occurs. The engineers that design the cars today don’t create the recommended service intervals on a whim. Much research goes into deciding the optimum mileage increments to have components or fluids replaced. Following these BMW Repair Salt Lake City guidelines will ensure the longest life out of your vehicle and the lowest cost per mile of driving.

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Fact: Age Matters!
According to the great rulebook of insurance policies, the older you get, the less you’re going to pay. Studies show that once you jump the age of 25, your policy’s cost will slowly decrease.

Myth: Tickets will Up Insurance Costs 100% of the time
While it’s not uncommon for insurance costs to go up after a ticket is paid, it’s not necessarily a nail in the coffin for your bank account. In fact, if it’s a minor ticket and you have a fairly clean record, then your insurance company might not make any adjustments.

Fact: Location Determines Cost
Let’s do a hypothetical: let’s say you have a 2003 Toyota Celica, and you live in the heart of New York City. Do you think you’ll pay the same as someone else with a 2003 Toyota Celica who lives in? Probably not. Insurance companies look at traffic volume and population when determining rates.

Myth: Expensive Cars cost more to insure
Yeah, this is true part of the time, but the “loss history” is the real juggernaut. This is when insurance companies look at how many claims they’ve paid on certain cars in the past to determine rates. Sometimes, parts for more expensive cars cost less than parts for cheaper cars. For example, a $30,000 sports car might have more expensive parts than a $45,000 SUV, resulting in more expensive insurance.

If you want more info on what effects insurance costs, then stop by your local Salt Lake City VW Repairlike Alex’s Auto Haus or give us a call at 801-566-6115 today!

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Tires

If your tires are: over/under inflated, misaligned or worn down, then you’re not just losing gas mileage—you’re putting yourself and your passengers at risk! Keep in mind that altitude and heat affect pressure greatly, so be sure to check your tire’s pressure with a gauge every time you stop for gas. Misalignment makes your tires to work against each other, causing your tires to wear out pre-maturely. Oh, this ALSO kills your gas mileage. If you have any questions about your tires, consult an ASE-Certified tech at a Car Repair Salt Lake City.

Fluids

You know the drill here. Change your oil and filter, check your transmission, coolant, and washer fluid reservoir. In fact, go ahead and double up on washer fluid—you never know what sort of conditions you’ll be driving in, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Wiper Blades

On the subject of washer fluid, what good would it be to have plenty of washer fluid but wiper blades that are inefficient? Ask yourself: do your wiper blades smear more than they clear? Then it’s time to get some new ones. Ask a Salt Lake City Mechanic for the best kind of wiper blades for your vehicle.

Tune-Up

Hands down, the best thing you can do for your vehicle before a summer trip is to take it down to a VW Repair Salt Lake City for a pre-trip inspection. Besides, there’s no harm in having a professional look at your vehicle to ensure you are 100% ready for your trip.

If you need a pre-trip inspection before your next summer road trip, stop by a reliable Auto Repair Salt Lake City like Alex’s Auto Haus or call (801) 566-6115 today!

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One simple thing you can do is to kick some bad habits you might be employing. Here are a few things from your local Salt Lake City BMW Repair to make your car run better for longer:

Not Using the Parking Brake: This one can be easy to space. But by simply pulling your parking brake when you park will add years to your transmission’s life. Even if you’re on a flat surface, activating the parking brake will relieve tension on your tires and brakes. It’s like running around with your shoes on but your laces untied. You may be able to get around alright, but the likelihood of an accident occurring is that much higher.

Riding Brakes Down a Hill: Many apply their brakes down steep hills because it makes them feel safer. But the practice causes your brake pads to heat up and wear out much faster. To counteract this, when cruising down a hill switch between stepping on the brakes and letting off of them to relieve your brake pads.

Starting your Car the Wrong Way: This one’s simple to do, but difficult to remember. Before you turn off your vehicle, turn off your wipers, lights, GPS, and climate control. By shutting these things down, your car won’t be using as much energy when it starts up. This will preserve the engine.

Waiting until the “E” to Fill Up: At the end of a long day, stopping at the pump is the last thing you want to do. But when you let your car run down to empty, you risk having sediment sucked into your engine, which will pollute the fuel injectors and cause major damage.

You can avoid costly repairs and keep your car running by kicking these bad habits. By having a preventive maintenance plan in place at your local Salt Lake City BMW Repair, you will prolong the life of your vehicle and save money in the long run. A Salt Lake City BMW Repair like Alex’s Autohaus would be happy to help you with anything your vehicle may need. Stop by or call (801) 566-6115 today!

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It is important to listen to the sounds that your brakes make when you press on the brake pedal.

If there is a squeaking noise it could be because of friction from the brake lining. Under extreme conditions this can damage the pads, lining, brake drums and rotors.

A grinding noise may indicate that the brake pads are worn. When metal grinds against metal the contact could damage the drums and rotors. The only noise you should be hearing from your brakes is silence.

Another thing to be conscious of when you are braking is whether or not your vehicle is pulling to one side. If your car is pulling to one side, it may be caused by worn or uneven brake linings or a damaged brake line. Brakes can also drag because of a contaminated fluid or if they are out of adjustment.

A car may have a leak in the brake system, air in the brake lines, or may need a brake adjustment if you have to pump your brakes in order to stop. These ailments may also cause your brake pedal to sink to the floor board when you are stopped at a light.

If you suspect anything may be wrong with your brakes, it is imperative that you have your car inspected at a trusted BMW brake repair shop with ASE Certified Technicians. With brakes, you can never be too careful.

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