November 2015

MINI Cooper & BMW Tire Pressure Explained

Check Tire Pressure

It’s time of the year when the temperature in the air is rapidly changing from hot to cold, temperatures in cities across the United States can drastically drop 40-50 degrees from day to night time. When temperatures are consistently changing the molecules inside your tires are expanding and decreasing, and may causing your “Check Tire Pressure” light to show on your dashboard. The “Check Tire Pressure” light usually is 2 parenthesis with an explanation point in the middle, typically is an orange/yellow symbol. If this is the case, please come to Haus of Minis & BMW to have your tires inspected for free.

135_tire_pressure_light

Nail or Object in Tire

Another reason for your “Check Tire Pressure” light to come on, is if there is a nail or screw in your tire causing a small air leak. The tire may not necessarily be flat however there is definitely air seeping from an obstruction. The Haus will do visual inspection on all 4 tires to make sure your tires are within manufacturers specifications.               Please see the picture below to understand how a nail or screw can cause a leak in your tire.

photo

Tire Wear

If you live in cold weather climates please do yourself a favor and check your tire tread frequently. It is starting to rain & snow in some parts of the United States, and it would only be reckless to you and other drivers on the road if you have below the required tread depth. Tread depth is measured in inches. Good tires are measured at 6/32” or greater, okay or medium wear tires are measured between 4-32”-5/32” and tires that need to be replaced measure below 3/32” or below (winter tires need to be replaced at 4/32”). Please take a look at the diagram below to get an idea of bad vs good tires.

To schedule an appointment to have your tries checked out for free by one of our Certfied BMW or MINI Technicians, please call The Haus at (855)572-6464 (MINI).

 

new-tread-worn-tread

BMW Brake Systems

Brakes are one of the most vital systems in any vehicle that we rely on again and again. When your foot applies pressure on the brake pedal, the brake pads make contact with the brake disc as it makes the vehicle come to a complete stop. The goal is to optimize the balance of deceleration behavior, wear and comfort, while maximizing safe operation of the vehicle.

There are various causes that can trigger brake noise in any BMW vehicle such as; driving style, environmental condition (hot/cold weather climates), and prior wear to the brake pads. Extreme temperature (IE summer in Phoenix, AZ or winter in New York) can change the material properties of the brake pads and any lubricant materials, causing noise that will usually go away when temperatures return to normal. The noise is produced by a vibration of brake components. The vibration can build up a resonance which becomes an audible brake squeal. Noise and vibration may occur with increasing wear.

Grooves on the brake disc can occur over a period of time due to material deposits, road debris, contamination and corrosion. The grooves will not affect the brakes functionality. Having your vehicle checked by a BMW certified technician will help to determine if action is required due to groove depth. Average aging and mileage related wear to brakes and discs results in material and dimension changes.

Another key factor in brake noise can come from suspension components and wheel bearings can cause noise when braking and should be check by a certified BMW technician. Corrosion and discoloration on brake discs may happen in moderation during the life of the discs. Slight to moderate corrosion is normal and will not affect the reliability of the brake system. Light surface corrosion on the brake discs may occur with normal brake usage. Extremely strong corrosion can take significantly longer to be cleaned off, usually leads to significant noise when braking and should be replaced.

For new vehicles the break in period for brake pads to get optimal performance is usually within 125-150 miles, but this all depends on the individual driving style.  Applying the brakes gently is a key process within the first 150 miles of use.

If your looking to service your BMW Brakes in Los Angeles, Call us today to schedule a free inspection: (855) 572-6464

Brake

New Certified MINI Technician

We would like to welcome Kyle L. to the Haus of Minis & BMW team. Kyle is a recent transplant to California having just moved here from North Carolina. He worked for Flow MINI in Raleigh before moving out West. He graduated from Wake Technical College with an Associate in Applied Science for Automotive Systems Technology and he also attended MINI Technical Training at BMW University to become a MINI Certified Technician and is also A.S.E. and EPA certified to perform air conditioning repairs.  Kyle brings a wealth of knowledge from his time at the dealership and we are happy to have him on board.

To schedule and appointment please call 855-572-6464 (MINI)

Our newest MINI Technician
Our newest MINI Technician Kyle

Auto Body & Collision Repair

Haus of Minis is a full service, collision, auto body repair, detailing, and automotive repair facility located in Sherman Oaks, CA. Bring your Mini Cooper or BMW in today to receive a FREE estimate. We work with every major insurance company and we ensure that your vehicle is repaired to back to factory specifications.

 

Our services include:

Mechanical Repair

Automotive Paint & Body

Bumper Repair & Re-paint

Paintless Dent Removal

Headlight Restoration

Wheel Repair

 

Please see any of our professional staff at Haus of Minis & BMW to assist you with your insurance company.

We service all of  Los Angeles County, including Culver City, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Sherman Oaks, Encino, Van Nuys, Woodland Hills, Burbank, North Hollywood, Los Feliz, Downtown Los Angeles, West LA.

Please give us a call today (855) 572-6464 (MINI) if you have any questions or to book an appointment for estimate.

Pre-Purchase Inspections For Used Vehicles

At Haus of Minis & BMW we get 5-10 calls per month from current and future clients that are interested in purchasing a pre-owned BMW or MINI. They always ask us what some of the common issues are that we see from the specific model they are interested in buying.

We are happy to assist the customer with clarifying any unforeseen issue that could arise at a later date. It is always beneficial to the person purchasing the vehicle to have it inspected before making the decision to buy it. The number one reason for getting a pre-purchase inspection is that the car may look good cosmetically, but under the hood may need expensive mechanical repairs that are not visible to the untrained eye. During the pre-purchase inspection our certified technicians will raise the vehicle in the air and perform a rigorous 32 point visual inspection so there are no surprises. Another benefit of the inspection is that if deficiencies are found the repairs can be negotiated in to the sale price.There is nothing worse than purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, only to find out later it needs thousands of dollars in repairs that the previous owner did not disclose.

We offer this inspection FREE of charge and it can be done in about 30 minutes while you wait in our comfortable waiting room.

The general inspection includes the following:

Interior (Rips and tears and that all components function properly)

Exterior (Inspect for previous collision damage & corrosion)

Lights (Interior & exterior)

Wiper Blades

Drivability

Hoses

Belts

Battery

Water Pump

Engine & Cabin Air Filters

Air Conditioning

Engine Oil Level

Transmission Fluid

Coolant

Brake Fluid

Power steering Fluid

Washer Fluid

Differential Fluid

Transfer Case Fluid

Fluid Leaks

Tire Condition

Front Brakes

Rear Brakes

C.V. Boots

Exhaust System

Front Suspension

Rear Suspension

Clutch

 

If you or someone you know is considering purchasing a used Mini Cooper or BMW please feel free to give us a call to have your vehicle inspected today by one of our master certified technicians. No appointment is necessary but it is advised, Call 855-572-6464 (MINI) to schedule.

Performing vehicle inspection
Performing vehicle inspection

Offer expires 01/31/2016

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