Metric Wrench’s BMW, Mercedes and Audi Blog featuring all of the latest information from around the automotive industry, the latest industry news, view expert opinions, or just join discussions about your BMW, Mercedes or Audi with other enthusiasts from around the world.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Metric Wrench, BMW Repair in Billings MT Shares Some Tips on Taking Care of Your BMW

In the past, working on your own vehicle was no big deal, but today with the advancement of computers, gadgets and gizmo's, you’re better off taking your vehicle to a qualified mechanic like those at Metric Wrench in Billings Montana. And while it’s a good idea to have your own mechanic, there are definitely things that you can do that will assist in keeping your BMW in tip top shape as well as looking nice too, and the things that you can do are easy!

The first thing that you can do is to check your oil. If you check it on the same day each month it’s easier to remember. If you own one of the newer model BMW/s that doesn’t have an oil dipstick, you’ll want your mechanic at Metric Wrench Billings to show you how to check your oil by way of reading your on-board computer or you can read the instructions in your owner’s manual.

It’s a BMW, treat it with respect, clean it when it gets dirty! Get that dirt and the environmental products off your car so that it doesn’t do any unnecessary damage.

Check your tire pressure, remember that having your tires properly inflated can save on gas too! Another thing that you can do is to open and close your windows and sunroof on a regular basis, this will allow for them to lubricate and function properly. Window regulators (the tool that makes them go up and down) needs to be replaced most often on cars that don’t use them very often. So just remember to open and close all of your windows from time to time, even if you don’t use them.

BMW’s are designed to be low in the front and this can prove to be problematic when they come in contact with the bumper strips that are in parking garages. These bumper strips can tear bumpers and fender liners. If you park your car in one of those garages, park your car about a foot shorter into the space so that you don’t connect your bumper to concrete.

Beside the fact that there is freon used in your AC, there is also a fair amount of oil used to keep the compressor as well as a variety of other components running to their full capacity. If they sit for an extended period of time without being used, this can lead to a loud compressor and dry seals. If you live in MT, you should run your AC for a few minutes a couple of times in the winter to keep it moving.

Okay, now this tip is really important, open the hood of your car. Even though you may not understand what is under the hood, most people will notice if something in there that doesn’t belong, like twigs and branches or if there is oil all over the engine or belts are cracked, this can prevent your car from breaking down in the future.

And here’s a tip that you are sure to love, drive that baby! BMWs hate to sit and do nothing, they enjoy being driven. Have fun, enjoy your car, but don’t abuse it.

And finally, know the maintenance of your vehicle, keep a journal. Know what repairs have been done to your BMW, what needs to be done will help to keep your BMW purring like a kitten. If you hear hear an odd noise or your car does something strange, write it down, how fast you were going, all of the details about the circumstance, this will help your Metric Wrench Billings mechanic to get to the root of the problem and solve your issue.

None of these tips are extremely hard. Remember, Metric Wrench Billings mechanics don’t have your car on a daily basis, you do. Staying on top of these effortless things will minimize how much you spend on service per year, avert avoidable damage to your BMW, and keep as much of your car’s value as possible, if you ever decide to sell, you will have a BMW that is in tiptop shape.

Monday, October 6, 2008

Nitrogen in Tires

The big buzz in the automotive world today is whether filling your tires with nitrogen instead of air is beneficial. NASCAR has been using nitrogen in tires for years, so what do they know about nitrogen in car tires that you don’t?

Well for starters, what NASCAR knows and what you may not know is that you are already inflating your tires with nitrogen, true story. But then again, you are also filling your lungs with nitrogen when you breathe. You see the air that you breathe and the air in your tires is the same and is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen and 1% of other gases.

Next lets look at the pros and cons, one pro is that nitrogen is said to improve gas mileage because nitrogen is not vulnerable to pressure changes since it doesn’t contain any moisture. Regular air can hang on to moisture that leads to the air constricting and intensifying considerably more under temperature changes. When it gets cold outside, the moist oxygen decreases, giving way to a decrease in tire pressure. This decrease in pressure facilitates a reduction in gas mileage since there's more tire on the road to generate friction. Increased friction forces the engine to work harder just to move the vehicle forward. On the other hand, in exceptionally hot temperatures, normal air in tires can expand to a potentially unsafe pressure level.

Nitrogen molecules also have a minimal chance of trickling through the tire's rubber walls assisting the tires in preserving their best possible pressure for a greater period of time. Regardless of nitrogen or air, a properly inflated tire should provide you with better gas mileage compared to an under-inflated tire. NASCAR fills their tires with nitrogen because they are looking to squeeze every extra drop of performance out of the car that they can.

The next pro for nitrogen in tires is that it can improve driving safety. 660 highway fatalities and 33,000 injuries happen each because of accidents that are connected to low tire pressure, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. AAA reports that nearly 4 million of its service calls are because of tire issues. Regardless of whether you use nitrogen or air, driving on properly inflated tires can increase handling and control by maximizing the contact area between the tire tread and road surface.

The most important con here is how much that it costs to fill your tires with nitrogen. The average cost for filling your tires with nitrogen is $10 per tire and when using nitrogen valve stem caps need to be replaced more frequently, plus you will need to locate a manufacturer or supplier of nitrogen in your area.

There haven’t been any studies or documentation that proves beyond a doubt that nitrogen does indeed improve fuel efficiency. It all sounds good, but there just has been enough research to support the theory that nitrogen is better for your tires.

Unless your drive in NASCAR, you don’t really need nitrogen in your tires. It’s okay if you’d like to spend a little more to fill your tires with nitrogen to gain the perception of increased gas mileage and less frequent tire refilling. But the truth of the matter is, it's only a perception. The best thing that you can do for yourself and your car is to make sure that your tires maintain their optimal pressure year-round and save the extra money and hassle.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

SAVE AT THE PUMP BY BEING AWARE OF YOUR CAR’S NEEDS

In the face of record high gas prices, the Federal Trade Commission alerts consumers about claims for fuel saving devices and additives. Most have been found to have minimal, if any, affect on fuel economy. However, you can save at the pump by keeping your engine tuned and visiting Metric Wrench today!

Although new technologies claim to increase fuel efficiency, the most effective measures are sensible driving and maintenance. Keep your engine tuned. Studies show that a poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent depending on your car's condition. Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner's manual to save fuel.

Here are some additional tips:

• Change your oil.
Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine. Change your oil as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned.
Under inflated tires cause fuel consumption to increase by 6 percent.
• Check and replace the air filter regularly.
A clogged filter can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption.
• Slow down!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says a vehicle typically loses about one percent in fuel economy for each mile per hour over 55 m.p.h. Consider that a car which averages 30 miles per gallon at 55 m.p.h. would get only 25.5 m.p.g. at 70 m.p.h.

The mechanics at Metric Wrench encourage you to use these tips and start saving money at the pump.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Take My Car to a Full Service Repair Shop to Get My Oil Changed or NOT? That is The Question!

Oil changes in today’s world are totally under rated. People do not understand how important an oil change is and how valuable it is to your vehicle and that is why I am going to outline some very important facts telling you exactly why an oil change should not cost $12.95 and why your oil change is not something you should take lightly.

In broad terms, I will do this by comparing “cheap oil change” to “professional oil change” and I will outline the reasons why professional services like Metric Wrench do
not charge such low fees and why you should invest in a professional oil change.

Why change your oil?

"Clean" oil is the life-blood of any engine and changing it and the oil filter frequently is what keeps the vehicle's engine running smoothly and efficiently, mile after mile. Using the proper oil and changing it regularly can also improve fuel consumption by up to 2%.

However, when vehicles were tested during the Car Care Council's National Car Care Month, over thirty percent of vehicles failed inspections because they had low, overfull, or dirty engine oil.

Failure to change the oil and filter routinely often causes increased oil consumption, increased fuel consumption, premature engine wear, major repairs and in extreme cases, engine failure. Make sure you change your oil to maintain a healthy engine. Metric Wrench understands how important Oil Changes are for your engine's performance.

$12.95 (Cheap Oil Change)


Let’s take a look at what quality you can expect from a cheap oil change.

Ask yourself these questions in regards to the $12.95 Cheap Oil Change:

• Have you ever gotten out of places like that for a mere $12.95?
• Have you noticed that they always try to sell you just one more thing?
• How often do they tell you that you HAVE to have this or that changed too?
• How often do you get away with $12.95? It’s more like $50-$75, quick, yes, cheap no.
• Seldom get the same mechanic twice.
• Stripping the oil drain plug because they aren’t familiar with your BMW needs.

Professional Oil Change at Metric Wrench

An oil change at Metric Wrench usually consists of:

• Quality Service—yes, you have to leave your car for an oil change, but this is an advantage to both you and your vehicle. This provides the team at Metric Wrench with quality time to test drive and generally inspect your vehicle. A little TLC for your vehicle can save you down the road.
• When the light in your vehicle comes on indicating that you need an oil change, this is the perfect opportunity for your certified mechanic to check your car’s major vital parts.
• A PM (preventive maintenance) from a certified mechanic. PM can consist of numerous things like: changing the oil and filter, rotation of tires, brake, belt, hose inspection, testing antifreeze protection, and a thorough road test are the basics that usually take an hour or so…NOT under 10 minutes. Many vehicles are towed every day because they won’t start and the biggest reason for this is loose or dirty battery cables.
• Expertise of the certified staff at Metric Wrench BMW repair in Billings, MT to provide proper PM services.

Do you believe doing all that costs $12.95?

Change Your Oil On A Normal Basis


Metric Wrench BMW repair in Billings MT advises drivers to follow the guidelines given in their vehicle owner's manual to select the correct grade of oil and change it as frequently as suggested by the manufacturer (3,000 to 5,000 miles).

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Metric Wrench Billings: What Do All Those Lights Mean on My Dashboard?

On most Mercedes and BMW’s the instrument panel is absolutely cluttered with warning indicator lights and buzzers. These lights are color-coordinated so that different colors indicate the severity of the potential problem. As you start the car, all of the lights should come on, and as the computer in your car verifies that each component is working properly, the light is turned off. You should only be concerned with lights that remain on for several minutes after the car has been started. Check engine lights can be tricky to repair, so a little help on your part could really save the mechanics at Metric Wrench some diagnostic time, and save you some money!

Treat check engine light as well as all dash lights work like traffic signals. A Red Warning light indicates an immediate danger. Pull over, turn off the car immediately and assess the problem. Symptoms that usually cause red warning lights are engine over-heating, low oil pressure, transmission over-heating, low battery voltage, and brake failure.

Red lights can also indicate a safety issue, so proceed with caution as you maneuver to stop the vehicle. Unfortunately, when the red light is illuminated the problem is at its peek. It can be a matter of seconds before permanent engine damage occurs.

Some common things to look for when a red light comes on are:

• Low anti-freeze, engine oil, and transmission fluid levels
• Low brake fluid
• Missing belts
• Faulty alternator that is not charging the battery or a bad battery
• Safety restraint systems, such as air bags

Yellow Warning lights, (Usually a check engine soon light) indicates "Proceed with caution." The onboard computer system has indicated a potential problem and is alerting the driver. This computer system resets and re-tests all sensors and indicators each time the car is started. The computer system is capable of correcting some minor abnormalities, but if the light continues to come on after multiple car starts, it is probably sensing something that would imply a visit to Metric Wrench is in order.

Some common things that may cause a yellow light (Service engine soon light) to come on, but will probably require an experienced technician at Metric Wrench to diagnose are:

• Anti-lock brake systems
• Emissions components
• Computer-related problems, such as faulty sensors

If you are driving your car and a yellow light comes on, ask yourself these questions:

1. Did you notice problems when starting the car? (Slower to start than normal, etc.)

2. Have you noticed a decrease in fuel mileage recently?

3. What is the over-all running condition of the car? Is the engine misfiring or not performing like normal? Are there any new noises from under the hood? Turn off the radio and listen closely as you drive the car.

4. Do you notice any odors, such as a rotten egg smell, or see visible smoke from the tailpipe or from under the hood?

Make sure to note the exact location and wording of the light that has been coming on, because Murphy's Law dictates that the light will suddenly not come on when you take it in to Metric Wrench.

In some cars, "engine" is the more serious red light, whereas others use "check engine light," which is a yellow caution light. If your mechanic THINKS you are seeing a yellow "check engine light," and your car is indicating a red "engine" danger light, this could be a costly mistake for both of you. Why? You could be having a serious over heating problem and the mechanic is assuming you are having a less serious caution light illuminating. Your mechanic then might give you the "green light" (no pun intended) to proceed with your out of town road trip with the kids. Yikes! So NOTICE the color of the light to give your mechanic the most accurate information.

Start your car and point to the light to ensure good communication of the problem. Intermittent dash warning lights can be a pain and hard to diagnose! Diagnosing the problem in some cases will require the light to be on while your mechanic performs the diagnostic test.

It’s a good idea to keep a "running condition and dash light" log in your car to help your mechanic pin point the root of the problem.

And one last note, it’s a good idea to know which warning lights should light up when the key is turned to the start position (the engine is not started). A warning NOT lighting up that should light up can indicate a problem as well. Most commonly the “Change Battery” light. If the change battery light does not come on when the key is in the start position, but the engine is off, may indicate a problem with the charging system.

AND the check engine light “Service Engine Soon” and “SRS” or “Airbag” light should always come on when the key is in the start position, but the engine is off. There is always the possibility the bulbs have been removed rather than a proper repair.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Resetting the Service Interval Indicator (SII) on Your BMW

20 Pin Socket Deletion

Model & Production Date:
E46 from 6/00
E39, E52, E53 from 9/00
For model year 2001 the E39, E46, and E53 will eliminate the 20 pin diagnostic connector from the engine compartment.

On 2001 3 Series and 5 Series vehicles without the diagnostic connector in the engine compartment, the SII reset tool can no longer be used. Instead, the SII can be reset with the trip odometer reset button in the instrument cluster, following the instructions listed below:

• The ignition key must be in the “O” (“off”) position.

• Press and hold the trip odometer button in the instrument cluster, and turn the ignition key to the “1” (accessory) position.

• Keep the button pressed for approximately 5 more seconds until any of the following words appear in the display: “Oil Service” or “Inspection”, with “Reset” or “Re”.

• Press the button again and hold for approximately 5 seconds until the words “Reset” or “Re” flash.

• While the display is flashing, press the button briefly to reset the Service Interval. After the display has shown the new interval, the following will appear in the display for approximately 2 seconds: “END SIA”.

The system can only be reset again after the vehicle has been driven approximately 50-75 miles (consumes at lease 2.5 gallons of fuel). If the display shows “Reset” or “Re” when resetting, the minimum driving distance has been fulfilled and the system can be reset again. It is possible to interrupt and end the reset procedure by changing the position of the ignition key.

Note: An alternate method to reset the SII is to use the OBD adapter harness (available under P/N 90 88 6 614 300, sent to all BMW centers as part of the Automatic Tool Shipment Program) together with the SII Reset Tool (available under pin 88 88 6 621 110). Fasten the Reset Tool to the OBD adapter harness, and then connect the harness to the OBD/diagnosis socket in the driver’s footwell. Reset the SII per usual procedure.