German Auto Repair, Service, and Maintenance

BMW • Audi • VW • Mini Cooper

Oil Change & Lube—BMW, Audi, VW, Mini Cooper

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

Is your car’s maintenance light on? Perhaps the sticker on your windshield indicates that it is time for a service? Are you getting ready for a trip? A regular oil change and oil filter replacement is vital to the health of your car, so call Performance Motor Works today to schedule an appointment!

Performance Motor Works provides a complete set of repair, service and maintenance services for your German car—including BMW, Audi, VW and Mini Cooper. The most important repetitive maintenance service you can perform to ensure your German auto will have a long life and serve you well is an oil change, filter change, and lube service every 4,000 miles for regular motor oil and every 7,000 miles for synthetic motor oil.

Today’s engines use higher engine oil pressures and increased engine oil flow rates to help optimize engine performance and emissions. So it is critical to maintain proper oil pressure and flow. Insufficient oil flow, low oil pressure or oil starvation causes a lack of lubrication which can result in poor performance and even engine damage. Regular engine oil and filter changes that follow the vehicle’s maintenance schedule or oil life monitoring system will help protect the engine from wear and tear.

Our factory trained technicians will not only quickly and efficiently change the oil and filter in your BMW, Audi, VW and Mini Cooper, but they will also perform a comprehensive 25 point inspection to identify any performance or safety issues with your car that you may not be aware of.

Performance Motor Works can help you maintain your car with our oil and lube service that include:

  • Oil and filter change
  • Lube Service
  • Engine flush
  • Synthetic motor oil available
  • 25 point inspection service
  • Check and refill fluids

To ensure the longevity and performance of your BMW, Audi, VW, or Mini, contact us today to schedule an oil and filter change and lube service.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Describing Your Auto Problems – Helpful Video

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace
Comments (0)
Categories : Advice

What are some types of TPMS are in use today?

TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring SystemIndirect System: Uses the ABS wheel speed sensors to monitor the rolling radius of the wheel and tire assemblies. Rather than directly monitoring tire pressure, the ABS measures the rotational speed of each tire. If one tire starts to spin faster than the others, the ABS determines that a tire has become smaller and has likely lost air pressure. This is done by measuring tire rotations within a given distance. A tire that has a reduced rotation that meets a predetermined percentage is considered to be low on air pressure.

TPMS Overview

Direct Systems : This system monitors the air pressure in the tires with a wheel mounted sensor. The direct type of TPMS can detect actual pressure levels and transmit the information to the driver more quickly. Tires are monitored individually by sensors attached to a special tire valve, or strapped to the drop center of each wheel. Each sensor monitors and transmits tire pressure and temperature every few minutes. The temperature is monitored to compensate for cold and warm pressure variations. In order to reduce battery consumption, the sensors revert to a “sleep” mode when the vehicle is parked or not moving. During this “sleep mode,” sensors may only activate and transmit signals about every 45 minutes.

Picture Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensor

To avoid damaging sensors when mounting and demounting tires, it is beneficial to know where the sensors are located. Sensor assemblies are commonly attached to the valve stem, with the valve stem acting as an antenna to assist with transmitting RF signals. They may also be strapped to the drop center of the wheel. If this is the case, the sensor assembly should be located in-line with the valve stem valve stem acting as an antenna to assist with transmitting RF signals. They may also be strapped to the drop center of the wheel. If this is the case, the sensor assembly should be located in-line with the valve stem.

To avoid damaging sensors when demounting tires, do not break the bead within 45 of either side of sensor assembly locations. Be careful not to damage sensors when mounting tires as well. Sensors are not repairable and require replacement if damaged or when their

tpms3battery is completely drained. It is recommended that the sensor be carefully “dropped into the tire” prior to demounting to avoid damage. When reinstalling the sensor, it is suggested that the locknut, gasket and valve stem be replaced and torqued to the proper specification. It is also necessary to use the proper valve cap as it is also an integral part of the system. It may be necessary to reprogram the TPMS when the tires are rotated, when a new sensor is installed, or after the vehicle loses power. This usually requires a scan tool andmay involve the use of a special magnet. Refer to the vehicle service manual to

properly reprogram the TPMS.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

Preventative Maintenance

The Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA) recommends to its members that (1) Brake fluid be tested for contamination at OEM recommended brake system inspection intervals, and (2) that a Brake fluid replacement service be performed, for most vehicles, when testing shows copper content exceeds 200 ppm. The AMRA Technical Committee reached these conclusions after extensive study of industry data, including a review of SAE Papers, US Government reports (NHTSA and NIST) and independent laboratory studies, among other resources. The data showed that this increased presence of copper contamination predetermines the rapid growth of iron con-tamination and corrosion which has shown to impede future brake system performance.

Braking System

What is a braking system?

Braking System OverviewAn automotive braking system is a group of mechanical, electronic and hydraulically activated components which use friction / heat to stop a moving vehicle.

How does a braking system work?

When the brake pedal is depressed, the pressure on the brake pedal moves a piston in the master cylinder, forcing the brake fluid from the master cylinder through the brake lines and flexible hoses to the calipers and wheel cylinders. The force applied to the brake pedal produces a proportional force on each of the pistons.

The calipers and wheel cylinders contain pistons, which are connected to a disc brake pad or brake shoe. Each output piston pushes the attached friction material against the surface of the rotor or wall of the brake drum, thus slowing down the rotation of the wheel. When pressure on the pedal is released, the pads and shoes return to their released positions. This action forces the brake fluid back through the flexible hose and tubing to the master cylinder.

What components are in the braking system?

Components of Auto Brake SystemDisc Brakes
Disc Brakes are comprised of a disc or rotor, a caliper assembly, disc brake pads and the wheel bearings and hardware necessary to mount the components on the vehicle. The caliper is connected to the master cylinder through tubes, hoses and valves that conduct brake fluid through the system.

Drum Brakes
Drum Brakes are comprised of a drum & backing plate, a hub or axle assembly, brake shoes , wheel cylinder, wheel bearings and hardware necessary to mount these components on the vehicle. The wheel cylinder is connected to the master cylinder through tubes, hoses and valves that conduct brake fluid through the system.

Brake Fluid:
Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid used in brake applications for automobiles and light trucks. It is used to transfer force under pressure from where it is created through hydraulic lines to the braking mechanism near the wheels. Braking applications produce a lot of heat so brake fluid must have a high boiling point to remain effective and must not freeze under operating conditions. Brake fluid is also designed to protect against corrosion of the system materials it contacts, however those corrosion inhibitors deplete over time. Excessive moisture is also an issue. MAP continues to seek additional information from brake fluid manufacturers and other technical experts to identify the point of vaporization that may seriously affect braking efficiency and safety.

Your driving type or vehicle usage may affect the maintenance intervals below. You should follow the manufacturer’s service schedule that best matches your vehicle’s operating conditions.

Proper Maintenance Helps Extend Vehicle Life!

Those recommendations may include:

  • Change your engine oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles
  • Check your tire inflation pressure monthly
  • Rotate your tires every 6 months or 5,000 to 8,000 miles
  • Change the engine air filter annually or when visibly restricted.
  • Inspect Brake System every 12 months or 15,000 miles

This article was provided by Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association (AMRA) / Motorist Assurance Program (MAP)

AMRA/MAP believes that this information is accurate and reliable and does not endorse, approve or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, or timeliness; reliance on it should only be undertaken after a detailed review of the applicable OE publication(s).

AMRA/MAP is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims all liability for damages of any kind or consequences thereof, arising out of use, reference to, reliance on, or performance of such information.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace

How To Talk To An Automobile Repair Technician

Saturday, October 10th, 2009

Auto Repair Technician Roseville CAIf you own a BMW, Audi or Volkswagen, and you live in the Roseville area of Sacramento, we are always happy to answer your questions.

Performance Motor Works believes in providing our customer’s with the best possible service at an affordable price. To help educate our customers we have put together some ideas for when you need to have us work on your automobile. Read More→

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • Twitter
  • Technorati
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • MySpace