Tag Archives: BMW

Slow Alternator on a BMW

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With summer here full blast, things start to slow down in the world but not everything should be slower, especially your BMW’s charging system! If you are experiencing dim headlights, flickering interior dome lights, slow windshield wipers and turn signals or a weak battery it might be your alternator. The alternator on your BMW powers the electrical system for the whole vehicle.

Your BMW alternator does many more things these days than alternators fitted in BMW’s just a few years ago. Remember, alternators are a power-plant replenishing the current and electricity used by your BMW’s equipment. From the headlights to the stereo equipment and navigation system, to your seat-heater and air conditioning system, as your BMW uses power to run them, your alternator replenishes what your BMW sucks out of the battery as soon as it’s used. Some BMW alternators may employ “BSD – Bit Serial Data”, these alternator with BSD interface can actively communicate with the engine control module (your BMW on-board computers). The alternator is not linked to the charge indicator lamp, only to the engine control module. The alternator can detect a variety of faults and relay them to the computers on-board to warn or keep fault-codes for your BMW technician to retrieve next time it comes in for service.

So if your BMW is displaying signs of electric system make sure to come in to our Park Cities, Plano or White Rock Lake locations to ensure you do not end up with a dead battery one morning! We can check your alternator, just like a doctor checks your heart with an EKG, so that you know if you need anything before you wind up with a dead battery.

If your BMW Alternator is slow to charge or you find that any of the above described symptoms occurring with your BMW; come into our Dallas location near Love Field if you are in the Park Cities, Love Field, Downtown or University Park area so that we can check your entire charging system, including your battery for a trouble-free operation. Come visit our Plano location if you are in Plano, Addison, Frisco, Richardson or Carrollton area. Our Dallas White rock location is ready to serve you if you are in Highland Park, White Rock or Lakewood area.

BMW Run Flat Tires

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Flat Tire Indicator

 

Run Flat Tire Indicator

 

Run Flat Tire (RFT) Technology

Purpose of the System

BMW Run Flat Tire (RFT) Technology which was first introduced on the Z8, is standard on the E85 (Z4). RFT technology offers large advantages to the BMW driver in dynamic stability with slow or sudden air pressure loss and Deflation Warning. In addition, the spare wheel and jacking equipment in the trunk is deleted which provides additional storage space.

A tire with back up running ability (RFT) will be differentiated from a non-run flat tire by the encircled letter designation on the sidewall (for example: RSC – Runflat System Component).

Principle of Operation

If slow or sudden inflation pressure loss occurs in a RFT, it is still mobile because of the additional high temperature rubber reinforcements that strengthen the side wall. These reinforcements prevent side wall damage when the tire is deflated and also provides support during extreme loads (even when negotiating curves). In addition, the special RFT wheel (rim) grips the tire for sufficient steering, braking and accelerating power.
Note:
- With a sudden inflation pressure loss the vehicle can be driven with a maximum speed of 50 mph for a maximum distance of approx. 100 miles.

- With a slow inflation pressure loss the vehicle can be driven with a maximum speed of 50 mph for a maximum distance of approx. 1200 miles.

System Components
Comparison (cross section) of a standard tire to a self supporting RFT:

BMW Run Flat tires

1. Standard tire (deflated)
2. Self supporting RFT (deflated)
A. High temperature rubber
reinforcements

Note: Because of the self supporting characteristics of the RFT, it is difficult to visualize a deflation, therefore; always verify air pressure with a tire pressure gauge.

 


Car Care Tops List of Holiday Preparations

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As Americans get ready for the holidays, car care tops the list of pre-holiday preparations, according to survey conducted by the Car Care Council.

Both men and women say they are more likely to make sure the car taking them to their holiday destinations is prepared for the trip than they are to iron tablecloths or polish silver.

With millions of people planning to travel by motor vehicle this holiday season, it is important to make sure your cars are well maintained to ensure vehicle safety and dependability as well as to avoid costly repairs.

The Car Care Council recommends the following tasks be performed by your professional auto technician:

  • Check the coolant (antifreeze); coolant should be flushed and refilled every two years in most vehicles.
  • Check the owner’s manual to see if your driving habits are considered “severe”, and if so, have the oil changed accordingly, usually every 3,000 miles.
  • Be certain the heater and defroster are working properly.
  • Check the battery and exhaust system.
  • Be certain the heater and defroster are working properly.
  • Keeps the gas tank at least half full, decreasing the chances of moisture forming in the gas lines and possibly freezing.
  • Check tire tread depth and tread pressure.
  • Check to see that your lights are working and properly aimed.
  • Replace wiper blades every six months.
  • Be prepared for an emergency with the following items in your trunk: ice scraper, windshield de-icer, flashlight, blanket, snacks, and bottled water.

Call Autoscope today and schedule your holiday preparation maintenance for your Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini Copper, Porsche, VW or Volvo.

Is a Radiator Flush a Good Idea this Fall Season?

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There are two situations when you should definitely change your anti freeze liquid coolant in the fall pre-winter inspection. The first is if you have not changed or replaced your coolant in the last two years. The second is if your car is losing water or running in an overheated stage or overheating easily. When you are continually adding water to your cooling system, you are more than likely significantly lowered the level of the coolant in the radiator engine block cooling system to less than half of the mixture. When temperatures drop, you run the risk of the coolant freezing causing major damage to the engine block. You may not think this is an issue in Texas, but remember last year was a cold one!

If you are not adding water or experiencing any overheating issues and you have drained or replaced your ethylene glycol antifreeze in the past two years, you are still in need of an inspection of your radiator and coolant fluids. After performing this inspection, you will know if your vehicle is ready for the cold winter months approaching.

Call AutoScope and schedule your radiator flush before the cold winter months are here!