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You may not think there are benefits to maintaining a clean engine, but there are a few. A clean engine not only looks great, but it also helps to identify if there are any oil leaks and where they're coming from. Use the following information to clean your engine as a proactive measure.

First, buy a few cans of degreaser from BMW of Fairfax parts department or any parts store in Fairfax. After detaching the negative battery cable, spray the entire engine. Make sure you get in all the tight crevasses. Depending on the age of the engine, you…

A compact spare tire is not the same thing as a full-sized tire. A compact spare tire is smaller than a standard full-size tire. It is also meant to be used temporarily. In fact, you should not drive for more than 40 miles on a compact temporary tire. It is also designed to be used when the car is being driven at a lower speed. It is designed to be used until you can get to the tire store and get a new one.

The reason that compact spare tires are smaller is because full-sized tires may not fit inside…

BMWs are some of the nicest and most popular vehicles. However, in order to protect your vehicle and get the most out of it, you will have to make sure that it receives regular maintenance. There are several factors that will determine how often you need to get your BMW serviced. This includes the vehicle's model, trim and year. You will most likely need to get your vehicle serviced every 5,000 to 7,000 years.

You don't want to take your vehicle to anyone. It is best to take your vehicle to a BMW dealer. They know…

When you're driving in Fairfax, road hazards can cause damage to your tires. If you've bought BMW tires in the past, your vehicle's tires may be covered for replacement if they're damaged due to a road hazard. This hassle-free service ensures that you get back on the road quickly.

BMW Road Hazard Tire Coverage provides coverage for up to $600 for each tire. BMW OEM tires, OEA tires, winter tires, or secondary plus equipment that was purchased on or after February 1, 2018 are covered for 

If your car battery is dead, you might be able to charge it with jumper cables and another vehicle. If you don't have both of those things, a battery charger may work.

To use a battery charger, you should start with both your car and the charger turned off and the charger unplugged. Locate your battery and the two terminals, which are labeled with a positive and a negative symbol. The charger should have a red and black clamp. The red one goes to the positive terminal and the black one to the negative.

 

Motor oil is something that's really necessary in order for your vehicle to function properly. Routine oil changes are imperative. However, BMW of Fairfax is aware that there are some common rumors out there regarding oil and oil changes. Let's take a closer look.

People think that you should check the color of your motor oil periodically to see if it needs to be changed. The color actually isn't important. Black oil or dark oil could just signify that the additives in the oil have begun to work. Look for grit or sludge in your oil instead…

Should a vibrating brake pedal raise alarms? In truth, anything that seems wrong with the brake pedal or other aspects of the braking system should be concerning. When the brakes don't work as expected, the potential for an accident increases.

Pressing down on the brake pedal should bring the car to a stop without any unfortunate surprises. A "soft" brake pedal might go all the way to the floor, and the vehicle might not stop right away. In such a situation, rear-ending another car becomes a possibility, along with other potential mishaps. 

Windshield wiper blade replacement is a cinch for our BMW of Fairfax service team. Knowing when and how to replace your wiper blades is part of our job. However, we think it's good for you to know what we look for when making this determination.

Wiper Blade Integrity

Usage during inclement weather and general exposure to the elements can wear wiper blades down. Oils from car wax, environmental debris, moisture, ultraviolet light and high heat/cold can make wiper blades brittle, hard or too eroded to function properly. 

If you feel your car pulling to the left or to the right, it may be time to get its alignment checked. Vehicles may start to pull after hitting a curb, running over a pothole or because you turned the steering wheel too aggressively.

The good news is that checking a car's alignment is a relatively easy and affordable process. In a matter of minutes, a technician can likely diagnose the issue and take appropriate action to fix it. However, failure to fix an alignment problem could result in a car that gets fewer miles to the gallon or…

At BMW of Fairfax, we want to make sure your vehicle is properly prepared for the spring. Whether you visit our service center or take the DIY approach, there are a few things you will want to do.

Be sure that you prep for the warmer months by flushing and refilling the cooling system with new coolant. By taking care of the radiator, it will ensure that it's capable of cooling down your engine properly.

It's also a good idea to refer to your owner's manual for preventative maintenance. You can be sure to get your vehicle…