R56 ERA MINIS 2006-2014 OIL CHANGE INTERVALS
MINI Cooper Recommended Oil Change Interval for R56 Era 2006-2014
A common conversation we have with our customers is the importance of frequent oil changes, especially on the 2nd generation MInis. It is our opinion that the factory specified interval of 1 year or 15,000 miles is way too long! From 2007-2011 the interval was 1 year or 15,000 miles, but then suddenly in 2012 they went back down to 1 year or 10,000 miles. Given the number of oil related troubles the 2nd gen. Minis have had, it is no wonder that MINI/BMW would reconsider the longer interval. We have no knowledge as to why MINI dropped the interval back down to 1 year or 10,000 miles, which was the original service interval for the R50/R53 models, but we suspect that the high cost of repairing engines under warranty finally prompted MINI to re-think their longer service intervals. This may also be due to consumer behavior, as in the consumer not bothering to check the oil unless a warning light appeared or it was time for their scheduled service. We don’t feel like MINI will ever acknowledge there is a problem with their longer service intervals because it would obviously open them (MINI & BMW) up to future litigation.
What MINI considers “normal” oil consumption is 1 quart every 800 miles, so you can see how waiting 10,000-15,000 miles to change the oil could damage the engine. These engines only hold 4.4 quarts of oil, so even being just 1 quart low on oil can be detrimental to the engine. When the engine gets to be even 2 quarts low they can jump timing and cause all sorts of other damage. Low engine oil can cause the timing chain and/or guides to break from lack of proper lubrication. Low oil can also cause the check engine light to come on because of engine knock or vanos (engine timing) codes related to low oil flow. The majority of the problems these vehicles have is directly related to the long service interval and not checking the oil regularly.
These cars are not equipped with “low oil level” warning lights only a “low oil pressure” warning light and there is a big difference between the two even though they are related. When most cars have a “low oil level” light come on it just means to add oil to prevent damage. When you have a “low oil pressure light” come on it means that NO oil is circulating through the engine which can cause catastrophic damage. Oil is the life blood of your engine and when you starve it of this vital fluid it can cause not only immediate damage, but long term engine damage from lack of lubrication. Your engine spins at thousands of revolutions per minute (RPM’s) so you can imagine what would happen if all of these metal parts are making contact with each other, and there is no oil to cool and lubricate them. If you are ever driving your MINI and the “low oil pressure” light comes on, pull over and add oil as soon as it it safely possible.
Whatever the reasons, it’s a good thing to see the interval shortened. At Haus of Mnis & BMW we recommend changing your oil every 6 months or 5,000 miles whichever comes first. If you follow our recommended interval you will save yourself thousands of $$$ in repair costs and a lot of heartache. We also recommend checking your oil in between oil changes to be safe and we are happy to check it for you FREE of charge. These are great little cars when they are maintained properly. The maintenance interval you see in your owner’s manual is the bare minimum that the factory recommends to keep your vehicle covered under warranty, but if you plan on keeping the vehicle past the warranty you will save yourself a lot of money in the long run by changing the oil more frequently than what the factory recommends.
An oil change for your MINI at The Haus is $59.95 so doing 2 oil changes a year would cost you approximately $120.00. To replace an engine on one of these cars costs between $7,000-$10,000 depending on whether you went new or used, so it would take roughly 58-83 years worth of oil changes to equal the cost of an engine replacement. Oil changes are an inexpensive and effective way to keep your MINI on the road and your ownership costs way down.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment to get your MINI’s oil changed please give us a call at 855-572-MINI (6464)
CVT Transmission Failure
MINI Cooper CVT Transmission Problems: How to Repair
A common problem that a lot of 2002-2006 MINI Cooper owners have experienced is a failed CVT transmission, even with considerably low mileage. CVT transmission stands for Continuous Variable Transmission which is an automatic transmission that can seamlessly change through different gear ratios. Owners may experience a slipping transmission, a transmission that will only shift in to the following gear at extremely high rpm’s, or the transmission will not engage at all.. These are just a few examples that a driver would experience when a CVT transmission is starting to fail.
Several years ago there was a class action law suit brought against BMW (MINI parent company) for these notoriously bad transmissions, and MINI was forced to repair or replace these transmissions under warranty. The recall to replace these transmissions under warranty expired in 2014, so unfortunately for owner’s of older Mini Coopers who are on the hook for the repair cost if they fail.
There are many problems that the CVT can have including the belt breaking, the seals going bad internally, or the Pulse-Width Modulated solenoids on the valve body can go bad. The transmission needs to inspected and diagnosed by one of our professional technicians at Haus Of Minis & BMW to determine if the transmission is actually bad and needs to be replaced. CVT transmissions are very hard to rebuild, and there are very few shops that even attempt to rebuild them, and the ones that do have a very low success rate. The best long term option is to replace it with a new one from the dealer, but this is costly and can exceed the value of the car.
It is very important to change transmission fluid exchange every 30,000 miles as MINI recommends to help prevent these issues.
It does not hurt to do them even more frequently than the 30,000 mile interval just to be safe
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call or would like a free inspection on your vehicle please call your MINI experts at Haus Of Minis & BMW at (855)572-6464 (MINI).
Holiday Hours
From everyone at The Haus we wish you a joyous holiday season. Thank you for your endless support! We look forward to seeing you in 2016. Have a safe and happy New Years!
Holiday Hours 12/24 8AM-12PM 12/25 Closed 01/1/16-CLOSED
Checking Your Vital Fluids
Checking Your MINI Cooper Fluids: Power Steering, Oil, Brake, Transmission & More
To ensure your car is running smoothly in between maintenance intervals, the easiest thing you can do is check your vital fluids to make sure everything under the hood is healthy and at the proper level. The top fluids you should check in your BMW or MINI are; Engine Oil, Transmission Fluid, Coolant/Antifreeze, Brake Fluid, and Power Steering Fluid. You can always stop by The Haus to have one of our certified technicians check, and top off your fluids FREE of charge.
Checking Engine Oil
In most vehicles, you need to open your hood, find the dipstick pull it out and wipe it down. Repeat that process again and you will know if the engine oil level is correct. Some vehicles tend to burn oil faster (turbo charged engines especially) than normally aspirated engines. Some BMW cars do not have a dipstick and require connecting to the car computer, which may require you stop by The Haus and have one of our certified technicians check it for you. We recommend that you replace the engine oil every 6 months or 5,000 miles whichever comes first, this will save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in long term repair costs and a lot of heartache.
Transmission Fluid
You should check your transmission fluid on your BMW or MINI (if possible) on a monthly basis, because it is was keeps the gears on your vehicle moving smoothly. You can check your transmission fluid the same way as your engine oil. On older vehicles there will be a dipstick for the transmission fluid, make sure the vehicle is running so you can get an accurate reading. Transmission fluid should be red and should not smell burnt. If the transmission fluid is low, dark, or smells burnt please contact us for a free inspection. As with the engine oil some vehicles are not equipped with a transmission fluid dipstick, and require help from a technician.
Coolant Level
This fluid is also extremely important because it’s what keeps your BMW or MINI from overheating. Coolant is also known as Antifreeze, without this fluid your car will over heat and in cold climates the cooling system would freeze. You can check this fluid by opening the cap on the radiator or expansion tank. NEVER check if the car is running or is still warm. Once open you should see fluid go up to certain line that you can see inside. If it is low make sure you fill up with the same exact type of fluid. If you are not sure what type of coolant is right for your vehicle, or it is not available, just add water so you do not intermix fluids and contaminate your cooling system. You should check this fluid twice a year, once in the summer and once in the winter. It is recommended that you replace coolant/anti-freeze every 2-3 years (see your owners’ manual).
Brake Fluid
Checking your brake fluid to make sure the fluid is clean is very important. The fluid should never be low. If you ever feel like the brakes are not working properly checking your brake fluid should be the first priority. You can locate where the brake fluid reservoir is in the manual, typically it is on the driver’s side near the firewall. The fluid should be a golden-honey color, if it is turning brown or black it is time to change the brake fluid. It is recommended by the BMW factory to replace brake fluid every 2 years.
Power Steering Fluid
When you start to hear some creaking noises coming from the steering wheel area you may be low on power steering fluid. Open the hood of your BMW and locate the reservoir. If you happen to notice that the power steering fluid is low there could be a possible leak. You should check this fluid monthly and should be replaced every 50,000 miles a preventive maintenance.
Please schedule an appointment at The Haus for a free fluid level check-up and 32 point inspection by one of our factory trained technicians.
Call (855) 572-MINI (6464)
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.
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.
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).
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
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)
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.
Offer expires 01/31/2016