For those of us who do not drive our BMWs year round, this time of year is both an exciting change in weather and always a rush to knock out the little maintenance checklists that grow while our cars hibernate. While it is second nature for the folks who are accustomed to storing vehicles, if this is your first time pulling a car out of storage, then this list is definitely for you. In this article, we will run through some basic tips for ensuring your car is roadworthy this spring and show you our favorite products to help get the job done quickly and easily.
BMW Oil Change & Engine Flush
The first thing we do when pulling our cars fresh from their winter slumber is immediately perform some basic services. While oil does have a shelf life, it should be longer than your winter. However, while it is stored, what will happen is any gunk, possible contaminants, and whatever else may be in your engine will settle to the bottom. This is a good opportunity to de-gunk your engine and extend its operational life farther. LIQUI-MOLY is our go to choice oil. LIQUI-MOLY has been awarded as Germany's best oil seven consecutive years for a reason: their dedication to lubrication technology specifically engineered to provide the most consistent friction control over the widest range of temperatures makes their oil our first choice.
For the driver who may be worried about some leaks or noticed new puddles under their car after a winter, LIQUI-MOLY Molygen oil is going to be an appropriate choice. This unique oil contains an ultraviolet-sensitive dye that reacts when lit with a UV flashlight, which will allow you to easily pinpoint those pesky hard to find oil leaks. Beyond the gimmicky nature of their green oil that glows, their patented molecular friction control offers exceptional engine protection and contains key additives for smoother, more consistent, and quieter engine operation.
BMW Fuel System Flush
Ideally, your BMW was stored with little to no gas in the tank. While old leaded gasoline can still fire right up and will not varnish your fuel system, modern gasoline that contains ethanol has a shorter effective life and will cause problems if left stagnate for long periods. LIQUI-MOLY has a fuel system additive specifically designed to clean and maintain your fuel system; this is highly recommended after the long winter nap. Best results can be seen when including this additive with the fresh gasoline.
Now would also be a good time to change out your BMW fuel filter too. Is there a power gain from a fuel filter? No, but regular replacement of the fuel filter will ensure plenty of fuel is available for the engine to make power with. The fuel filter is easily accessible on most cars and replacement is straight forward.
BMW Coolant Flush
Some may keep coolant in their cars for the winter while others do not. It is not what we would call entirely necessary, but we highly recommend storing your car with antifreeze in it to prevent drastic temperature changes and from anything drying out. When you are ready to pull your BMW from storage, make sure you flush and refill the coolant system with fresh coolant. The same principle stands with flushing your coolant as it does with oil; antifreeze, if you have seen the pale-blue crud around your hoses, does congeal over time if it dries at all. Flushing your system will ensure it is full of fresh coolant and will function properly.
To ease the refilling and bleeding process, we encourage every BMW owner to use the Schwaben Coolant Refill and Purge Tool. This handy device creates a vacuum in your coolant system by sucking all the air and coolant left in the channels. You then turn the valve and the system is shock-filled with fresh coolant without the risk of introducing air into the system. This time saving tool is the fastest way to bleed a coolant system, but it is also very effective at determining whether you have a leak in the system because you won't be able to draw a vacuum on the system if a leak is present. We also offer Evan's Waterless Coolant for exceptional cooling properties to tackle even the most stubborn BMW cooling issues.
BMW Coolant Flush DIY Video
BMW Power Steering Fluid Flush
Once again, another fluid system that sometimes is missed in basic inspections is your power steering system. On older vehicles, this system can easily spring a hard to spot leak from a fitting, line, or the reservoir itself. If you did not leave cardboard under your car to catch any potential leaks, it is a good idea to just check your fluid reservoir. We like to physically inspect the lines during our oil change just to see if any fluid buildup is present. ATF is a lower viscosity than engine oil and does not leave the same gunk; it will leave an oily film on the lines, however, which will indicate a slight leak. Power steering lines and washers are an easy replacement and can save you embarrassment in the parking lot by not groaning like a protesting child in the toy aisle.
Alongside physically checking your power steering lines, it is a good idea to give your BMW a once-over and inspect other major systems. Visually inspect your brake pads and rotors just to be certain it isn’t time to change them. Look at your ball joints, bushings, engine mounts, and tie rods as well, as ozone depletion, temperature changes, and moisture can cause those to fail if they sit without flexing for long periods. Finally, visually inspect your tires and look for any signs of dry rotting. If you stored your car with the wheels and tires on and the car on the ground, you may have flat spots in your tires. If this is the case, replacing your tires is critical.
Finally, you are ready for a good car wash and detail before an enjoyable drive! Your BMW should be refreshed, happy, and ready to take you to the car shows, the track, or just around town in the summer weather. Of course, all your maintenance needs, tools, and performance upgrades can be found right here at Turner Motorsport. Make sure you grab LIQUI-MOLY oils and additives, the Schwaben Air Purge Tool, and genuine BMW coolant for the best results!
