A vehicle is an investment whether it is new or old, and you should do what you can to keep it in shape. No matter what type of vehicle you decide to purchase, car maintenance in Sacramento is an essential piece of the puzzle. Remember that car maintenance requirements might change along with the seasons, and make sure you care for your interior as well as the exterior. Take your car in to meet with your maintenance professionals on a regular basis to keep everything in working order. Here is a closer look at keeping your BMW in peak condition.

Be mindful of the season.

Although you should be taking care of your BMW all year long, the way you do so will gradually change as the weather does. If you want to keep your BMW in peak condition for as long as possible, you need to be mindful of these changes. The change in weather will impact certain elements of your car care routine more than others. You might need extra traction during the winter; in addition to keeping your BMW in top shape, it will keep you and other drivers safe while on the road. Be sure to check out your oil and filter throughout the year as well.

Take care of the interior.

While it might not have the biggest impact on the performance of your car, you should do what you can to take care of the inside of your BMW. This tends to be a particularly important issue if you have children or pets. If you don’t want to replace the new car smell with the scent of stale French fries and spilled soda, you should give it a good cleaning on a regular basis.

Schedule maintenance services.

Checking on your car on a regular basis is a great idea, but nothing quite compares to professional maintenance. Work with your local car maintenance shop to make sure your vehicle is running as efficiently as it can. Even if you don’t think anything is wrong with your car, preventative auto care can be preferable over repairs.

When you bring your car in to an auto mechanic in Sacramento , your technician will use advanced diagnostic equipment to determine precisely wheat is going on under the hood. Auto diagnostic services have completely revolutionized car repair for today’s modern vehicle owner.

With auto diagnostics, your auto mechanic can use a specialized computer system to check your car for any mechanical trouble codes. In the event that a mechanical issue arises in your vehicle, a special trouble code will enter into your vehicle’s internal system. This trouble code can point your mechanic towards the precise types of repairs that are required by your vehicle. In addition, the onboard diagnostics system in your car stores a record of all past trouble codes and errors. By using auto diagnostics to pinpoint your mechanical issue, a mechanic can make sure that your car is in peak driving condition when it leaves the auto shop.

Your car’s alternator is among its most vital internal systems. Without a properly working alternator, the electrical components in your car will fail to function. A company that offers car electrical repair in Sacramento will be able to diagnose and fix any issue that may be occurring with your alternator. When you bring your German car in for a routine maintenance appointment, your technician may also take the time to check out the quality and condition of your alternator. To help you decide when it is time to visit the mechanic, here is a look at some of the top signs that you need alternator repair.

Illuminated Dashboard Light

One of the top signs that your car needs alternator repair is when your dashboard light becomes illuminated. Your car’s dashboard is equipped with a series of lights that can provide you with a clue into any mechanical troubles that your car may be experiencing. When you find that the GEN or ALT light is illuminated on your dashboard, this is a good indication that your car needs alternator repair.

Dim or Flickering Headlights

Another sign that you may need alternator repair for your vehicle is when your headlight become dim or start to flicker. Your car’s alternator is responsible for sending electrical power to your headlights. If you find that your lights are dimmer than usual, it may be time to have your alternator checked out. By repairing your alternator, you can also restore the performance and safety of your headlights.

Unusual Noises

Finally, you can listen for unusual noises when you are diagnosing an alternator problem in your vehicle. When your alternator is failing, you may hear a strange rattling or banging sound coming from your engine. This rattling noise is caused by bearings that have fallen off or gotten loose in your alternator system. At the first sign of alternator troubles in your vehicle, you will want to schedule an appointment with a top rated mechanic in your area.

A slipping transmission is a serious issue for any car owner. Typically, automatic transmissions are more likely to slip than manual transmissions. In the event that the clutch bands slip or become loose, you may notice some unusual symptoms when you drive. One of the symptoms of a transmission slipping in a German car is failure to accelerate when you step on the gas. Additionally, you may also find that your engine revs unexpectedly as you drive. An auto mechanic offering transmission repair in Sacramento can help you diagnose and fix any problems that may be happening in your transmission. To help you determine when it is time to schedule transmission maintenance and repairs, check out this short video.

German cars are renowned for their fantastic performance and safety. One of the most important auto care procedures that you can schedule for your European vehicle is brake repair. Over the miles of driving, your car’s brake pads and rotors will experience natural wear and tear. If you do not have your brake pads serviced by a technician that specializes in brake repair in Sacramento , your brakes could fail to stop or slow your vehicle adequately. To highlight the importance of brake repair, here is a closer look at how anti-lock brakes work.

Principles of Anti-Lock Brakes

Understanding the principles behind anti-lock brakes is integral to learning about how they function. Anti-lock brakes are designed around the principles of traction. When a car’s wheel skids as it is travelling down the road, the driver can quickly lose control of the vehicle. Anti-lock brakes are designed to prevent skidding, thereby allowing the driver to remain in complete control. Additionally, by preventing skidding, anti-lock brakes allow the car’s braking system to work more effectively without needing to pump the brake pedal.

Types of Anti-Lock Brakes

There are three main types of anti-lock brakes that can be installed in your vehicle. The most common type of anti-lock braking system is the four-channel, four-sensor ABS. With four channels, the anti-lock braking system has a separate speed sensor on each wheel. The sensors tell the anti-lock brakes when the wheels are locking up. A car can also be equipped with a three-channel, three-sensor system or a one-channel, one-sensor system.

Functions of Anti-Lock Brakes

The anti-lock braking system in a car is designed to help drivers maintain full stopping power at all times as they travel down the road. If the anti-lock brake system’s sensors determine that one or more of the wheels are skidding or seizing up, the system will gently unlock the brakes. With a properly maintained anti-lock braking system, you can ensure that your car is in peak driving condition for every mile that you travel down the road.

When you’re sick, you go to the doctor; but what about when your car is sick? You would obviously take it to a mechanic, but the problem is knowing when your car needs to be seen in the first place. The longer engine trouble goes undiagnosed, the worse off your car will be and the more you will probably end up spending in the long run on repairs. To save time and money, and to keep your car in the best shape possible, visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento if you recognize any of these telling signs of engine trouble:

• Check engine light, oil pressure light, transmission light, and other dashboard warning lights are illuminated
• You feel a jerking, surging, or stalling sensation while driving
• Unusual engine noises (popping, grinding, squealing, banging, etc.)
• Burnt rubber or gasoline smells inside the cabin
• Blue or white exhaust smoke

One of the great things about modern cars is how they keep drivers informed about problems that are developing. A quick glance at the dashboard can tell you if your tires are low, if you need an oil change, or if your car’s battery is drained. Unfortunately, not all dashboard warnings are that clear or easy to understand. One of the reasons why the “check engine” light is so worrisome for drivers is because of the large number of mechanical and electrical problems that can cause the light to come on. The only way to know for sure is to visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento that specializes in check engine light diagnostics . In the meantime, here’s a look at some the reasons your car’s check engine light might be on.

Loose Gas Cap

Faulty Oxygen Sensor

One of the most common check engine light causes in a faulty oxygen sensor. There are a number of reasons why the O2 sensor can fail, including corrosion due to internal engine leaks and using gas with a higher ethanol concentration than the engine is designed to handle. If the O2 sensor is to blame, it’s in your best interest to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible as a faulty oxygen sensor can cause a significant drop in fuel economy.

Broken Thermostat

A car’s thermostat regulates engine temperature by opening and closing to regulate the flow of coolant. Over time, the thermometer can become corroded and fail to properly regulate the engine’s temperature. If this happens, the check engine light can come on so you seek auto repair and fix the broken thermostat to keep the engine from overheating.

Knowing the signs of transmission problems can save you a lot of time, headache, and money. The sooner you recognize that your transmission is going out, the easier and generally less expensive it is to fix as opposed to waiting until the transmission goes out completely and you have to tow your car in for major transmission repair or replacement. Watch this video to learn about some of the signs that your transmission needs to be looked at by a professional.

If you recognize any of these signs discussed in this video, or suspect a problem with your transmission for any reason at all, visit an auto repair shop in Sacramento as soon as possible to avoid a bigger repair bill later on. And if you drive an Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, or Volo, visit a shop that specializes in German auto repair to ensure that your car receives the right services from technicians trained to work exclusively on German automobiles.

You don’t have to be a mechanic to know when something is wrong with your car. You drive it every day, which means you’ll notice when something is wrong based on how it feels or sounds. For instance, you may notice unusual sounds when you apply the brakes. There are a number of issues that can cause unusual brake noises, and depending on the type of noise you are hearing you might be able to troubleshoot or diagnose the problem before it gets any worse. If you hear any of these noises, visit a brake repair shop in Sacramento .

Screeching

High-pitched noises, usually of the screeching or squealing variety, usually indicate that your brake pads are worn down and need to be replaced. Modern brake pads are equipped with wear indicators that emit a high-pitched squeal when the pad has worn down to the point where it needs to be changed. In rare cases, these noises can also indicate broken anti-rattle clips or worn-out brake pad insulation. In any case, have your brakes looked at as soon as you hear this noise.

Rattling

Brake rattle is most often heard when you let up off the pedal, and it usually sounds like someone shaking a can of spray paint. Although brake rattle can happen because of expansion of the brake pads due to heat, this rattle should not be consistent and should never occur while you have your foot on the brake pedal. Under either of these conditions, bring your car to a brake repair shop to make sure it’s not a more serious problem.

Grinding

You know that screeching sound you’ve been ignoring for the past three months? By now it’s probably a grinding sound, and that’s bad news for your brakes and your wallet. In most cases, this noise is heard when brake pads wear out completely and cause the steel backing of the worn-out pad to grind against the brake rotor. If you hear a grinding noise, get your car to an auto repair shop in Sacramento ASAP to avoid expensive repair costs.

When you purchase a luxurious European car, it is important to maintain your investment by bringing your vehicle to a top rated German auto repair facility in Sacramento. From a radiator flush to an oil change and more , your German car maintenance professional can provide you with a full range of services.

One of the car repair procedures that you may want to consider for your German car is the Bluechem premium oil change service. Unlike a conventional oil change, the Bluechem procedure is designed to fully clean, protect, and lubricate the sophisticated components in your engine. During the Bluechem premium oil service, your technician will take the time to fully clean out any gunk and grime that may have built up in your engine. Additionally, the unique Bluechem formula will also help to reduce your exhaust emissions by as much as 96%. If you are concerned about protecting your beautiful new European car, you should be sure to ask your mechanic about the advantages of Bluechem.