Monthly Archives: March 2021

Car Care, Maintenance

The BMW Owner’s Guide to Engine Oil

Whether you’re driving an old beater or the newest model to roll off the assembly line, there is one thing that every BMW has in common — the need for regular oil changes.

What do you need to know about getting engine oil for your car? Can the handy among us change their BMW’s oil at home? Let’s take a closer look at engine oil for the BMW and everything you need to know about it.

Conventional or Synthetic Oil?

When you drive to your local auto parts store, you have two types of oil to choose from — conventional and synthetic. Conventional oil is petroleum-based while synthetic is manufactured with a variety of chemicals and natural elements. Which one do you need for your BMW? That depends entirely on the year, make and model you’re driving.

The best answer to this question is going to be in your owner’s manual. That little booklet in your glove compartment offers a wealth of information on everything from recommended tire pressure to the type and weight of oil you should use for various seasons.

Does Brand Matter?

There are nearly as many brands of motor oil as there are cars. Does the brand of oil you choose matter, or can you just grab whatever is on sale at your local AutoZone?

Again, we recommend referring to your owner’s manual. You may find that it only suggests weight and type, but there are cases where the manufacturer recommends using only BMW branded oil. This is a bit pricier than what you might find on sale, but it is specifically designed to protect BMW engines. If your manual doesn’t recommend BMW branded oil, there will likely be a list of brands that the brand considers safe to use for their vehicles.

What Color Should Your Oil Be?

You should be checking your oil at least once every couple of weeks just to ensure that it’s maintaining levels. For older cars that aren’t equipped with oil level sensors, you may want to bump that up to once a week. When you do, make sure you’re checking the color of your oil as well as the level. Fresh oil should be transparent and amber in color. Over the course of regular use, it will slowly darken. This is entirely normal over the course of a few months, but if your oil is turning black quickly, it could be the sign of another problem.

The same goes for oil that turns milky or opaque. That is usually a sign that there is water in your oil, which could be from a blown head gasket. That is why checking your oil regularly is so important. If you don’t, it could be months before you spot that problem, leaving it to wreak habit inside your engine while you wait for your next oil change.

Can You Change Your BMW’s Oil?

Many DIY mechanics like to change their own oil and do their own maintenance at home, many only taking their car to the shop for major repairs that they don’t have the tools or experience to accomplish. Can you do the same with your BMW?

The short answer is yes, especially on older models. The long answer is more complex. Many modern BMWs built in the last 10 years or so come equipped with engine covers that make it nearly impossible to work on your own vehicle. In some cases, there isn’t even a dipstick for you to check your oil. That said, there are still ways that you can change your own oil so you can skip your trip to the shop. Just make sure you have everything you need on hand so you don’t have to make a mad dash to the parts store.

How Often Are Oil Changes Needed?

Twenty years ago, getting your oil changed every three months or 3,000 miles was the golden rule of automotive maintenance. Older engines and older oil formulations necessitated these frequent changes, but we’re living in the 21st century. The old rule is a thing of the past. Most BMW owner’s manuals recommend changing your oil every 15,000 miles.

If you don’t drive much, you can get away with this extended interval, but in most cases, you’re going to want to change your oil every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. That way you’re getting the most out of your oil but you’re not pushing it to absolute extremes and potentially putting your engine at risk.

Don’t Skip Your Oil Changes

No matter how new or old your BMW is, it can benefit from regular oil changes. Don’t skip this essential maintenance step, no matter how inconvenient it is. Losing an afternoon to an oil change is still less hassle than dealing with a broken-down car.

DIY

Adding a Gun Rack to Your BMW: 5 Points to Remember

Whether you’re an avid hunter, or just getting started on your hunting journey, a gun rack in your vehicle can be a valuable tool. These racks keep your firearms accessible while ensuring that they’re secure throughout your trip. 

If you’re thinking about adding a gun rack to your BMW, here are a few things that you should remember. 

1. Understand the Legality 

It’s important to understand the legality of using a mounted gun rack in your vehicle. In most cases, gun racks are legal but you may run into some state-specific caveats. In California, for example, you can only store your rifle or shotgun in a mounted rack if it’s unloaded. 

Everything else has to be both unloaded and stored in a locked container, defeating the purpose of the gun rack. If you bring home an AR-15, it too has to be carried unloaded and in a locked container. AR-15s have other regulations to consider, so it’s important to take a holistic view of things if you’re planning to make a joint purchase of a rack and firearm. 

In Florida, it’s only legal to carry a gun in your car as long as it’s in plain sight unless you have a concealed carry permit. Take the time to study the firearm carry and transportation laws in your state to ensure that it is legal to use a gun rack before you start drilling holes in your BMW.

2. Measure Twice, Drill Once

Perhaps the most important thing to remember when you’re installing any aftermarket equipment on your vehicle is to measure more frequently. 

When you’re working on a carpentry project, the old rule of thumb is to measure twice before you cut once. In this case, you’ll likely be doing more drilling than cutting, but you still want to measure twice to ensure that your installation is even and secure. 

You will be drilling into steel or aluminum, depending on the year and model of your BMW. This is necessary to anchor the gun rack. Make sure you use bits designed specifically for drilling into metal. That way, you’ll have a clean hole to work with and you don’t need to worry about damaging your tools in the process. 

3. Choose the Right Rack

As with most gun accessories, there are so many options to choose from that you may find yourself overwhelmed. Unless you’re planning to stick with one gun for the entire life of your vehicle, it’s not a good idea to purchase a rack that only fits a single model. Instead, opt for a gun rack that will fit in your BMW and will be flexible enough to fit any firearm that you want to carry with you. 

If you are planning on bringing home your first gun, but want to have somewhere to transport it, a flexible rack is going to be your best choice. Say you want to buy a larger gun for hunting or home defense. Having a gun rack that only fits handguns won’t do you much good, will it?

4. Hang Your Gun 

Once your rack is installed, the last thing you need to do is hang your gun to ensure that it’s secure and won’t be in your way while you’re driving. Do this before you start moving, if only because the last thing you want to worry about while you’re tooling down the highway is your gun falling out of the rack. 

If you are going to leave your gun in your vehicle while you’re not driving, it’s a good idea to invest in a rack that offers a locking mechanism as well. It will make removing the firearm more challenging if you have to do so in a hurry, but it will prevent casual thieves from making off with your expensive toys. 

5. Show Off Safely

A few decades ago, you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing a gun rack hanging in the back of a truck or the back window of a car. While it wasn’t the best option — especially if you consider the kind of damage extended exposure to sunlight can do to stocks and leather accessories — it was useful for anyone who spent a lot of time out hunting or needed a secure way to transport their guns. 

Today, with changes in legislation, you won’t see them as often but they are still valuable tools for anyone who spends a lot of time transporting their rifles or shotguns. 

Before you break out your tools and start shopping for a rack for your BMW, make sure it’s legal to transport your guns that way in your state. 

Car Care

Taking a Road Trip in Your BMW: 7 Tips

In spite of what popular media might tell you, going on a road trip isn’t something that you should do spontaneously or on a whim.

A bit of preparation can mean the difference between a successful trip and getting stranded somewhere on the side of the road without cell service.

If you’re planning on taking your BMW on a road trip sometime soon, here are some tips to get you started.

1. Start at the Shop

Before you head out onto any road trip, your first step should be to make a trip to your favorite mechanic. Have them give your car a once-over and ensure that everything is in good working order. Start with an oil change and tire rotation, unless you’ve had it done recently.

A multipoint inspection should cover the rest of your bases, from cooling and other fluids to brake and all other major systems.

It might sound like a simple step but if you want to ensure a successful trip, don’t skip your pre-departure inspection.

2. Pack Smart

You’re going to need to pack everything that you’ll need for the trip into your BMW, but don’t just start shoving supplies anywhere that they might fit.

You need to be able to easily access the important stuff like food and clothing, without having to dig through your entire car trying to get your hands on the things that you’ll need. Plan out how you’re going to pack your car, and don’t overfill your cargo spaces.

3. Skip the Fast Food

Fast food is convenient but it’s not really what you want to eat your entire trip. Instead of filling your car with McDonald’s burger wrappers, consider finding a nice quiet spot and breaking out a portable grill. Not only will your food taste better, but you’ll save quite a bit of money by not eating out.

If you’re worried about being able to clean up the grill after you eat, pack some aluminum foil. A ball of foil on a hot grill can work wonders and while it won’t be spotless, it will be clean enough to eat off of or cook on again when you’re ready to stop for your next meal.

4. Plan Your Route

Just jumping in the car and driving might sound like a fun way to be spontaneous, but in reality, it’s a good way to get yourself stranded miles from the nearest gas station when you run out of fuel. Take some time to plan out your route.

Even if you don’t want to plan the entire trip, leaving your final destination up to the whims of the highway, take the time to plan out your day or your next few hours. Pay attention to what’s along your route, from tourist attractions to food and fuel stops to keep you from getting stranded.

5. Figure Out Where to Stop

Stopping often isn’t just good for stretching your legs. If you’re traveling alone or you’re the only driver, you need to have plans in place for stopping for the night. You don’t necessarily need a hotel or motel in every city.

There are plenty of places that allow overnight parking if you’re camping in your car or using a car tent. Just don’t push yourself too hard — driving after being awake for 24 hours is roughly equivalent to driving with a 0.10 blood alcohol level, according to the Sleep Foundation. You might not get a DUI, but your reaction times and judgment are just as impaired.

6. Plan for Exterior Storage

If you’re planning to sleep in your car, make sure you have a way to store your supplies safely and securely outside your vehicle. Otherwise, you might find yourself jammed into whatever extra space you can find, which makes it more difficult to sleep comfortably.

If you have the option, a cargo rack or roof container can be incredibly useful. If that isn’t an option, a locked box and a bicycle chain to lock it to your vehicle could be just as effective, keeping people from making off with your supplies in the night.

7. Leave Only Footprints

This is the golden rule when it comes to things like camping and road trips — or anytime you’re going to be in the great outdoors. Take only pictures and leave only footprints. Deal with your garbage properly, and don’t leave it out there for someone else to clean up for you.

Don’t gather a bunch of souvenirs like rocks or sticks from untouched wild places either. If you need to have something to remember this trip by, stop at a tourist attraction and buy yourself a shot glass.

Stay Safe Out There

Road trips are a great way to explore the country without the insane expense of climbing on a plane. A bit of preparation can make a mediocre trip into something truly memorable.