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The heart of your vehicle is the engine and as a responsible car owner, you have to make sure your vehicle’s engine stays in tip-top shape...especially during the winter months. One of the easiest ways to keep your engine running smoothly is to make sure that your engine’s oil is clean. You should be checking your engines’ oil at least once a month, and if your oil needs to be changed often you could find yourself dishing out tons of money to the professionals. Want to save some money and check it yourself? Check out my how-to below and save your money for something nice! However, if you’re in need of assistance changing your oil, we invite you to check out our monthly service specials to help you save big on the service you need most! Just save your coupon and schedule your appointment online, then leave the rest to us! Checking Oil: How To Open the hood. Prop it so it stays open. Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel. Dip the stick all the way back in. Pull it out again and look at the oil level. If it’s in the middle of the hatched/indicated area, you’re good. More is better, less is okay, but if you’re lower than the recommended amount you’ll need to get your oil topped up and have your system checked for leaks. Look at the oil quality and color. If there are a lot of particles or if the oil looks sludgy, you need to get it changed as soon as possible. Put the dipstick back in. Close your hood. Top Of Your Oil Now: https://www.flemingtonbmw.com/serviceappmt.html

If you’re hitting the road for Thanksgiving, then you know how important it is to be prepared when you’re hitting the road. You want to know how the weather is going to be, make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape, and prepare for that holiday traffic. But with the days winding down you might not have time to get everything figured out. Luckily for you, we’ve got all you need to know below. Check out our and be sure to schedule a service appointment if your vehicle is in need of some well-deserved TLC. Driving Tips: Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. Make certain your tires are properly inflated. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up. If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy, and snowy weather. Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand). Always look and steer where you want to go. Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle. Long-Distance Driving Tips: Watch Weather Reports Service your vehicle before hitting the road Keep at least half a tank at all times If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress, if needed. Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice, or mud if you slide off the road Tips For Driving In The Snow: Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for gaining traction and avoiding skids. Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Make it known what kind of driving assistance you have (AAA, Roadside Assistance, etc.) Service Your BMW Before Hitting The Road: https://www.flemingtonbmw.com/serviceappmt.html

Thanksgiving is only one week away and that means that your dream of friends, family, football, and food (of course) are all about to come true But if you’ll be traveling to your turkey dinner this year, it is important to make sure that your vehicle is in tip-top shape to get you and your loved ones from point A to point B safely. Lucky for you, your friends here at Flemington BMW have your back! Below you can find a list of to-do maintenance you should check before you hit the road! If you find you need help with any of your services, be sure to schedule a service appointment and our team will get your vehicle back into tip-top shape in no time! Tires It’s no secret your tires are important to your performance If your tire tread is looking worn-down, has metal showing through the rubber, or crack and cuts it might be time for new ones Engine Fluids Your engine needs clean oil, coolant, and transmission fluid to run properly and maintain maximum performance Check all fluid levels before hitting the road and make sure your oil change is up to date Brakes and Brake Fluid Bad brakes and depleted brake pad fluid are a dangerous combination Get your brakes and their fluid checked before a long trip and test your brakes capacity Don’t Forget The Travel Tools It is always smart to equip your vehicle with tools for an emergency Be sure to pack a first-aid kit, flashlight, blanket, umbrella, phone charger, and some snacks Also, ensure that your spare tire is fully inflated and that you have the proper tools to change out a blown tire Travel Safe Remember to follow the speed limit, use turn signals when changing lanes, look out for debris and tire shrapnel on the road, and be wary of wet and icy surfaces Schedule Winter Service Now: https://www.flemingtonbmw.com/serviceappmt.html

Getting your BMW into tip-top shape for the fall/winter seasons can seem like a lot of work. However, when you choose Flemington BMW for your BMW service, it’s a lot easier! Our team of certified professionals are here to help you with any service big or small, in a stress-free, hassle-free environment. So if you’re not into DIY work or you’re just too busy to get your BMW maintenance done in time for when the seasons' change, schedule your service appointment today! However, if you love getting your hands dirty, we’ve got you covered too! Below you can find set-by-step instructions for your automotive fall cleaning! Take a peek and get started today! Before you know it, your BMW will be shining like new! Car Battery: Pop open your hood and brush away the dust. Fall is a great time to inspect your car battery to ensure there are no issues down the road when the colder weather creeps in! Make sure your engine cables and terminals are in good shape and retighten if necessary for good contact. Make sure there’s no corrosion or dirt build-up. If this is the case, this would be a good time to disconnect and clean them up. If your vehicle is newer and you have a maintenance-free battery with no removable caps, there’s not much for you to do besides peeking around the remainder of your hood to ensure there are no leaks, breaks, or issues. Headlights: Many new vehicles have LED headlights that you can’t just pop out and clean, so you might need scheduled maintenance with our team if this is your situation. If you still have non-LED lighting, it’s important to clean/replace your headlights to avoid haziness. Clouded headlights can be a safety hazard, compromising night vision, and reducing the effectiveness of your headlights. This is especially dangerous in winter, where conditions are less than favorable and the darkness is more consistent. You can purchase a headlight cleaning kit, or use household items such as a toothbrush, baking soda, and the owner’s manual approved products. Tires: Tire maintenance is always a must, not just during the winter months. However, your tires play a crucial role in your vehicle’s winter performance. The first thing you should do is to check your tire tread. When your tread is 2/32" your tires are considered bald and you will need to replace your tires immediately. If your tire tread is above this you’re okay, but should consider replacing soon if it’s closer to balding. Most vehicles are purchased with all-season tires, which provide good performance all year round. However, if you live in a very snowy area, we highly suggest purchasing snow tires. Once your tires are on and in good condition, we suggest scrubbing away any dirt, grime, or buildup. Wash & Wax: Chances are your vehicle needs good washing after all your summer travel. Between dirt, dead bugs, and even beach sand, your exterior probably isn’t shining like it used to. Give your vehicle a good cleaning, this means the top, sides, underneath, and even the tires. Once you’ve washed your car, it’s a good idea to wax your vehicle’s exterior. Getting a car wax is a great way to keep your car’s finish looking new. Waxing can be tricky, so be sure to check your owner’s manual for safe products from your vehicle or leave it to the pros in our service department! Wipers: Windshield wipers maintenance is regularly overlooked. However, your wipers are extremely important for your vision behind the wheel...especially in the fall and winter months. Leaves will be falling very soon, and rain is no stranger to the fall months. This means you’ll need strong wipers to clear the leaves and rain off your windshield. Right after the leaves comes the snow, and anyone who has driven in a snowstorm knows how important your winters are. If your wipers are leaving streaks of water on your windshield, it’s time to replace or clean them. Although drivers rarely change them, wipers break down pretty quickly. In fact, they should be changed every 6-12 months. Interior: It’s time to say goodbye to the trash that’s taken up a vacancy in your car! After traveling all summer long, it’s only normal your interior needs a little pick me up. We suggest grabbing a garbage bag, your vacuum cleaner, and some multi-surface cleaner. First started by taking everything out, and we mean everything! Then, vacuum away crumbs, dust, and whatever else is in there. Don’t forget to clean off whatever item you’ll be putting back in your vehicle. Then it’s time to dust, spray down your dash, console, gear shift, radio system, and of course windows! Finally, put whatever you’re keeping back inside your cabin in a neat and orderly way, and toss whatever is remaining! Leave Your Fall Service To Us! Schedule Your Appointment Here: https://www.flemingtonbmw.com/serviceappmt.html

You’ve done it, you’ve worked hard to become the new owner of a brand new BMW vehicle. We completely understand the pride that comes with that. That’s why this week we want to help ensure that you know how to maintain your BMW properly so that it never loses its sparkle. Below you will find helpful maintenance tips for the interior, exterior, service suggestions, and more! If you find your vehicle needs service or are looking to schedule a service appointment, head over to our site to request an appointment for whenever works best for you! Not yet a BMW owner? Well, let’s change that! Browse our available inventory now and schedule your test drive at Flemington BMW today! Tips For Maintaining Your Luxury Vehicle: Important Service: Luxury cars require regular maintenance to perform at the level you expect from them We suggest get familiar with our service department and regularly scheduling maintenance with our certified professionals Regular oil changes are important to ensure you luxury vehicle runs as smoothly as possible Seating Suggestions: After investing in your dream vehicle, it’s important to keep up with maintenance inside and out to ensure your vehicle stays new To keep the seats pristine and premium, we suggest vacuuming them twice a week Other interior features we  suggest vacuuming include, e floor, doors, dash, consoles, etc.—to maintain the luxury status. If your seats are leather, use a leather cleaner in conjunction with a microfiber cloth to do a surface clean of the seating areas. Tire Tips: It should become a good practice to check your tire pressure whenever you’re filling up your tank Maintaining the health of your tires is extremely important to your vehicle’s performance: without properly taking care of them, they can become a painful problem that’s hard to fix. Whenever your tire treads wear down to <1.5mm, it’s time to replace your tires. Attain A Desirable Exterior Your dream vehicle is jaw-dropping, we get that! That’s why we want to help it stay that way. Regularly having your car washed is paramount for ensuring the luxury status you worked so hard to attain. Before polishing your car, be sure to do research or ask service professionals which is best for your vehicle’s exterior During this process, it’s also a wise investment to inspect the windscreen wipers. If they squeak or show visible signs of wear, replace them. Request Your BMW Service Appointment Here! >> https://www.flemingtonbmw.com/serviceappmt.html

Let me set the scene, you’re out on the open road, windows down, music up and all of a sudden your vehicle starts making a weird noise and your vehicle starts to slow down. You pull over to the side of the road, smoke is pouring out of your engine and you’re not sure what’s happening. Or maybe you blew out a tire. Either way, this is not how you wanted to be spending your summer road trip and now you’re regretting not stopping in to see us service your BMW before you left for your trip. No worries though because luckily, you haven’t left yet and there’s still time to service your ride! In fact, this week we have a few summer car care tips to help get you through the summer and ensure that you steer clear of any breakdowns! Check them out below and be sure to schedule your appointment today! Make sure your battery is prepared for high temps Many people think battery issues only happen in the wintertime but that’s not true. In fact, extreme temperatures have an impact on your battery, no matter if it is the heat or the cold. Heat and vibration are your battery’s worst enemy which will lead to an internal breakdown and eventual failure. So, make sure your battery is securely fastened in your vehicle, properly cleaned, and charged ready to go. Keep your tires properly inflated Your tires should always be filled to proper PSI levels, but driving on under-inflated tires can cause tires to overheat and eventually blow out which is extremely dangerous to yourself, your passengers, and other drivers. Make a note to check your tire’s PSI at least once a month (even the spare) and be sure to do so when they are cold for the best, most accurate reading. Keep your engine cool An overheated engine is very common in the hot, summer heat. But if you keep your coolant at the proper levels and periodically flush out your engine, the chances of your engine overheating are slim! If you choose to top off your coolant yourself, be sure to let your vehicle cool down and NEVER open your radiator cap when the engine is hot! Inspect what’s under the hood Oftentimes, we forget about all the components that are working hard under the hood to help get us to where we want to be during the summer months! Well, we’re here to remind you to give them a look over. Check on your engine’s hoses, drive belts, and anything susceptible to heat-related deterioration. These things can lead to a breakdown which is what we’re trying to avoid. So, spend a few minutes when your vehicle is cool & make sure there are no cracks, soft spots, or any other signs of poor condition! Schedule Your BMW Service Here!

Checking your vehicle’s tire pressure is actually more important than you probably thought. In fact, during the winter months, you should be checking your tires every day before you head out. You're probably thinking what? Every day before I leave is a lot. Yes, it can be but also doing this quick check will better your drive and enhance your safety out on the road. This week we want to tell you why you should be checking your tires PSI and why it’s so important. Trust us, it’s most definitely worth taking the few seconds to take a quick glance! Proper PSI will help optimize performance and your vehicle's fuel efficiency. This is especially useful if you tend to run your A/C or heat for long periods of time and increasing gas prices). Avoid sidewall flexing and tire squirm when properly inflated. Avoid potential dangers like collisions, blowouts, heat build-up, and potential rolling hazards. Correct PSI improves durability and performance designed to match the specific needs of your vehicle. PSI stabilizes the tire’s structure, blends responsiveness, traction, and handling. Extreme temperatures and driving conditions will affect your tire’s PSI. Underinflated tires can wear prematurely due to being soft and unable to maintain their proper shape. Overinflated tires can wear unevenly due to being rigid and hard. It can also lead to a tire blowout. If your vehicle has been sitting for a long period of time, chances are the PSI is incorrect and you will need to fill up the tires. Vehicles that sit without being used have a tendency to have under-inflated tires. Your tires will last longer and the tread won’t wear out as easily if your tires are always properly inflated to the correct PSI. Service Your BMW With Us Today!

So, the battery in your vehicle has gone dead and you’re left stranded. Well, before you start making a thousand calls trying to figure out what you should do, take a minute to relax! There are certainly worse and more expensive things that could have happened to your vehicle. Luckily, jump-starting an old, dead battery is an easy task to accomplish and this week we are going to tell you how you can do that so if you ever find yourself in this situation you know what to do. So, buckle up and let’s get started! Grab your jumper cables. Whether you are a new driver or experienced, it’s a good idea to own a set of jumper cables and keep them in your vehicle. If you don’t have cables, call a friend who does have a set or look for a good Samaritan who is able to help you. Both vehicles should be in park or neutral with the engine turned off. Next, you want both of the vehicles to be in either park or neutral, engines turned off, and parking brakes engaged in both of the vehicles. Attach one of the red clips to the positive terminal of your battery. Attach the other red clip to the positive terminal on the other vehicle. Attach one of the black clips to the negative terminal on the battery of the other vehicle. The last black clip should be attached to an unpainted metal surface on your vehicle that is a safe distance away from your battery. A metal strut that holds the bonnet open is perfect for this. Start your vehicle and let it charge. If your vehicle starts right up, let it run for a few minutes and then disconnect your cables. If your vehicle does not start, make sure that all cables are connected to the proper terminals and have the person helping you, run their engine for about five minutes. Once more, try starting your vehicle. If your vehicle still will not start, your battery might be beyond help and you’ll need to replace immediately. If it does start, wait a few minutes and then disconnect the cables and be on your way! Service With Flemington BMW And Save!

August is the perfect month to service your vehicle. Why? Well, we’re just getting over some extreme heat and we’re quickly headed into some cooler temperatures. And, if you’re like me, you didn’t know that extreme temperatures (hot or cold) can play a big role on your vehicle’s performance and overall health. This week, we want to help you SAVE while getting your precious BMW back in tip-top shape for the upcoming months! Check out the offers below and stop in to see us to redeem! Receive VIP Savings this month only, and take $30 OFF any factory recommended service over $150.* Whatever type of service your BMW needs, excluding tires*, Flemington BMW will help prepare your ride for whatever may be thrown its’ way in the upcoming miles!! Tires, tires, tires - August is the perfect month to swap out your old tires. This month, take advantage of our tire special and Get 1 FREE when you buy 3* or $50 OFF when you buy 2.* Plus, more when you choose to replace your tires with Flemington BMW! Are you part of the Road Hazard Tire Coverage Program? If not, you’ll most definitely want to think about joining through Flemington BMW! This program makes tires purchased at Flemington BMW eligible for 12 months of replacement coverage at NO additional cost. That means whatever life throws at you, your tires are covered! It’s time to service your BMW! Stop in to see us today or schedule your appointment online, hurry these offers won’t last long and it’s time to service your beloved BMW! *All offers expire 8/31/2018. See service specials page for full details. Get Your Service Coupons Here!

When was the last time you changed out your windshield wipers? If you did it last before the onset of winter, then you’d better believe it’s past time for you to replace those old wipers with brand-spankin' new ones! The ravages of winter can really damage your wipers, and with the spring rains that are a hallmark of the current season, you’ll need the best wiping ability possible… and those old wipers just won’t cut the mustard. Take a look at some indications that it’s time to change your wipers, and how to take care of the new ones once they’re installed! You should take a look at your wipers at least every time you get gas. When you’re inspecting your wiper blades, look for the following: Broken frame, which is the detachment of frame arms at joints or connection points. Metal corrosion, especially at joints and claws. Visible cracks, tears, and missing pieces in the rubber squeegee’s edge. Flex the rubber squeegee back and forth to see if it is still flexible. Aged squeegees will have difficulty conforming to the shape of your windshield and create streaks. Check the squeegee wiping edge for rounded edges which can prevent the wiper blade from making strong contact with the windshield and reduces wipe quality. Tug to ensure that the wiper blade has been securely installed on the wiper arm. Check to make sure that the squeegee is secure in the wiper frame. As we (should) know, the materials that your windshield wipers are made of are not ones that will last until the end of time. There are a lot of ways that the world around you can degrade your wipers: Sun: Ultraviolet light and ozone deterioration Oil: Car waxes and exhaust hold rubber-deteriorating oil Airborne debris: Sand, mud, and dust carried in the wind Moisture: Acid rain and salt water (in moist air both near the shore and inland) Now to the signs that your wipers need a change. There are a few to look out for, and if you experience multiple items on this list at once then it’s definitely time to head over to the auto store to buy new wipers. Streaking: occurs when the rubber squeegee dries, hardens and cracks. It can also be caused by tree sap, road tar and other foreign substances collected on either the glass or the blade. Skipping: occurs when the blade develops a curvature from lack of use (e.g. left in the ‘parked position’ for an extended length of time). Wearing: occurs with extensive use and is when the rubber edges are rounded instead of squared. Splitting: caused when the sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the rubber squeegee, causing it to break down and separate from the frame. Bent refill vertebra and bent frames: cause inconsistent contact with the glass surface, creating streaking or skipping. “How do I take care of my wipers,” you ask? Well, it’s easy! Clean your windshield every time you fill your gas tank. Gently wipe the rubber squeegee with a damp paper towel to remove any loose dirt or oil. Never use your windshield wipers to de-ice your windshield. Instead, either use an ice scraper or use your defroster to melt snow and ice. Pull your wiper blades away from the windshield during winter months to prevent ice build up on the rubber squeegee and to prevent them from sticking to the windshield. Find Yourself A New BMW!

We all experience smells in our lives, whether they’re in our homes, our offices, or even our cars. However, there are some smells that mean trouble. Check out our list of what smells those are and what they mean for you and your vehicle. If you smell rotten eggs, it means that your catalytic converter is having trouble. This could be either a fuel injection problem or that your cat is failing because there’s hydrogen sulfide in your exhaust causing the stench. Get this repaired as soon as possible. If you smell sulfur, it is a gear lubricant leak that should be repaired. The leak is coming from either the manual transmission, the transfer case, or the differential housing. The smell comes from a sulfur compound in the oil. Look under your car for oily puddles. If you smell maple syrup, it is your coolant leaking. Coolant contains ethylene glycol, which smells sweet but is very toxic. This is an easy fix but should be repaired. If you smell gas, it’s gas. Easy peasy. This means you have a leak in your fuel injection line or a fuel tank vent hose in your engine. If you have a newer car, this is a real concern. If you smell hot oil, it’s hot oil. Another easy one, this means you have an oil leak, and the oil is dripping (or spraying) onto the exhaust manifold and burning while your engine is running. Try to find the leak and stem it but really you should take your vehicle in for service and repair as soon as possible. Service Costs Less With These Specials

Changing your tires sounds an awful lot like something that is not only a chore but something that takes a million years to do and that you honestly have no idea when you need to do it. But, hey! Here is a blog that takes at least the guesswork out of your tires. It’s still up to you how much you want to belabor the task… but I would say just get ‘er done! So, the trick for tires is making sure they’re not bald. This is really easy to do if you have one tool: a common penny. Yeah, seriously, a penny. Put the penny into the tread of your tire with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires are BALD, son!! Get them changed ASAP. If not, you’re still good. If you are still worried, though, use a quarter and do the same thing. If you can see the top of Washington’s head but you couldn’t see the top of Lincoln’s, then you’ll probably be due for a tire change sometime this year (and with winter coming up, you might as well just do it). If you can’t see the top of ol’ George’s noggin, then you’re solid. Your tires should really be changed about every five years, so it’s important to make sure you’re keeping them in tip-top condition for those five years. Make sure they’re always properly inflated, make sure you change them out for winter tires (if that’s the kind of person you are) when the winter season comes, and just make sure you don’t endanger them by, I don’t know, running over glass or nails or whatever with them. And as always, here at Flemington BMW, we can answer any tire questions you might have, whenever you have them! Service Specials Abounds!