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.

April showers bring May flowers… at least, that’s how the aphorism goes. Of course, here at Flemington BMW, we know that every month, including May, is a month where we feature new specials! Maybe the April showers brought savings? We’ll hazard a guess that that’s what happened. Anyway, you can save a bunch on your favorite BMW models, which means that you’ll have more left over for the fun stuff, like a trip to Disney with the kids this summer, or sending the best care packages to summer camp… stuff like that. Take a look!

First up is the 2018 BMW 3 Series 330i xDrive, which says “luxury” from the minute you open the driver’s side door! With features like supple leather seating, a performance engine under the hood, tech that you need in this busy world, and the unparalleled feeling that comes from driving a BMW, this is the perfect vehicle for any driver who wants to enjoy their journey to the fullest. And for only $43,500 or $367 a month, you’ll also be saving your hard-earned money.

Next is the 2018 BMW X1 xDrive 28i – a fantastic sports activity vehicle that has all the luxuries you’ve come to expect from a BMW with the added sense of adventure that you’ve always wanted. With the Convenience Package, Luxury Package, or any of the other additional options added on, you’ll be driving in the lap of luxury and looking great doing it. For $38,750 or $375 a month, you’ll also be saving money, and that’s truly fantastic.

Looking for something still sporty but a little more compact? Hello, the 2018 BMW X2 xDrive28i is calling! For $39,050 or $380 a month, you’ll have the sleekness and excitement that come from driving a top-of-the-line BMW sports activity vehicle. From the city to the great outdoors, there’s nothing better than the feeling you get when you’re behind the wheel of a new BMW. Experience that feeling every day!

Finally, the sedan that does it all. In the 2018 BMW 4 Series 430i xDrive, you’ll have superior control over the road from behind the wheel. With the amazing performance that BMW is known for, you won’t feel like you’re driving a sedan – it’s a high-performance machine that’s sensitive to your every touch. Tech, premium packages, and fantastic additional options mean that you can create your perfect BMW and enjoy the drive every day you’re in the driver’s seat. The best part? With the special pricing this month, it can be yours for $45,365 or only $442 a month. Can’t beat that with a stick.

Stop in today for your test drive and to ask our pros about the BMW lineup. We can’t promise you won’t fall in love with all of them!

*Specials expire 5/31/2018. See specials page for details.

With the advent of warmer weather, we’re exiting winter (aka pothole season) and entering spring (aka construction season). When workers are on the road, you need to be extra careful when you’re driving along. Not only is it important because you need to keep those workers safe, but also because in most places it’s illegal to speed in work zones and you can get fined much more for doing so. Lanes are also tighter and traffic patterns are much harder to follow. Here are our tips for staying safe in construction zones this spring!

Stay Alert – don’t get distracted by your radio, your passengers, your coffee, your phone, or anything else, especially when you’re driving in a construction zone. Give the road your full, undivided attention.

Keep your headlights on – even during the day, it’s a good idea to switch on your headlights if you don’t have DRL’s.

Did we say pay attention? – Watch for road signs, brake lights, and other vehicles to see if people are slowing down, what the speed limit should be, and other important information about the traffic pattern.

Merge in time – don’t wait until the very last second to merge into the correct lane. If you see a sign that says “Lane Closed Ahead,” then get into the lane that’s going to be open and just stay there. You can zoom past that old lady in a Buick after you pass the construction area. Patience is a virtue!

Don’t tailgate – that being said, don’t be right up that old lady’s tailpipe the entire time you’re stuck behind her. That’s not only rude, it’s illegal.

Obey the speed limit – Sure, you can go fast in some places, but if the work zone speed limit is 45 then slow the heck down and obey the speed limit! There are probably workers on the road working mere feet from where cars are, and you don’t want to get into a really serious accident. Also, ticket fines are doubled for speeding in work zones. So, there’s that as well.

Change lanes safely – don’t drive like a maniac! When you’re still in a construction area, change lanes like you are that old lady in the Buick and be safe about it.

Watch for flaggers and follow their instructions – don’t ignore those people with flags. They have a job to do and you can get ticketed for ignoring flaggers.

Expect the unexpected – work zones are one of the places on this earth where chaos has a tendency to reign, and you should not expect driving in one to be smooth sailing. Trucks, other vehicles, and machinery can enter your lane at any time and you need to be prepared.

PATIENCE IS KEY. This is in caps because it’s important. Be patient. It’ll be good.

We have all encountered a horrible pothole in our lives. It’s just a fact of driving – one minute it’s smooth going, and then BOOM, you are driving over what feels like a crater the size of whatever killed the dinosaurs. Potholes are not only inconvenient, though – they’re also dangerous, if they’re big enough and deep enough. Keep reading to find out more about how potholes are formed, what they can do to your vehicle, how to avoid them, and how to fix the situation!

First of all, the way potholes are formed is through water seeping into cracks in the pavement, freezing in the winter (i.e. why potholes are worse in the winter and spring) and expanding due to the power of chemistry or physics or whatever science it is that says that water expands when it freezes, and then that expansion weakening the pavement and causing holes to form under the repeated stress of thousand-pound vehicles driving over the weak spots daily.

But how do you avoid a pothole? Simple, don’t drive over one!

Just kidding. I mean, if that was your strategy then I’d be all for it, but of course, there are sometimes we have to use our judgment and sometimes where we can’t just drive past the potholes. In order to avoid a bad scrape, avoid puddles on the road. Unless you can see with your eyes from a moving vehicle that the water is just resting in a thin layer on the surface of the road (most likely when it’s just begun to rain), try to drive around the puddle. Water is very effective at hiding the true breadth and depth of a pothole and you could be in for a very nasty surprise.

If hitting the pothole is unavoidable, well, we’re all praying for you. Other than our thoughts and prayers, the thing that can actually help you in this dangerous situation is slowing down (not a sudden slam-on-the-brakes stop, a rapid yet somewhat gradual stop) and going over the pothole slower than you would have otherwise. If you really feel that it was a deep and disastrous encounter, then you might be well served by pulling over immediately afterward and making sure that your tires are all good and your vehicle is not broken or cracked anywhere. If after this encounter your steering wheel wants to go one direction or another and you have to actively counteract that as you drive, then your alignment probably got messed up. We can fix that!

The final step is to be proactive – if you come across a terrible pothole, call your local Department of Transportation or Department of Public Works and report the pothole. Never assume someone else has already done it. The more calls, the more likely it is that the problem will be fixed. Don’t succumb to the bystander effect!

When you’re out on the road with your dog, there are some essentials that you should bring along with you to make your dog’s experience on the road as comfortable as possible – and to save you a headache down the line (in the case of a seat cover)! Keep reading to learn more about the best types of things to keep in your vehicle to make your dog’s journey a little more comfortable and safe!

1. A dog hammock. This is the ultimate in back seat upholstery protection. It hangs on the headrests of the back seat and the front seat and covers the entire back seat, protecting your upholstery from pet hair and scratches from wayward claws and teeth.

2. A harness seatbelt. This is a contraption that connects to your pet’s harness and clips into the seatbelt buckle guy. This makes sure that your dog will be safe from moving around violently if you’re on rough terrain or in a collision.

3. A water bowl (and food bowl) – collapsible bowls are a great idea when traveling because they stow away neatly and can be brought out when you need them. Remember that when you’re in the car, your dog should only have water because they do get carsick, just like humans! Save food for your walk breaks!

4. A crate. If you’re not sure about having your dog in the car and restrained only by a harness, you might want to have them travel with you in a crate. Find one that’s sturdy and large enough for them to stand up, sit down, turn around, and lie down inside of.

5. Blankets, toys, and other comfort items. Your dog likes to be comfortable, just like us, and so if they have a favorite blanket or toy you should bring it along with you on your trip!

With these things in your car, your dog will be comfortable and well cared for. Coupled with a great canine first aid kit, you’re set for any adventure you and your dog go on! Have fun!

When you’re on the road with your family, your first concern is probably to make sure that everyone’s having a good time and staying safe. However, emergencies happen all the time, whether they’re actual road emergencies or emergencies of boredom or even just a papercut that really really hurts. That’s where a good emergency kit comes into play! We’ve got recommendations for a kit that will take care of any emergency that might come your way while traveling – pick your favorites (or pick all of them) and stow them away in a zippable or otherwise close-able bag that can live in your vehicle until it’s needed. Take a look!

• First Aid kit. Some of the items to include are:

  • Band-Aids

  • Hand sanitizer.

  • Antiseptic.

  • Antibiotic ointment.

  • Bug spray.

  • Aspirin (or similar).

  • Cotton balls.

  • Gauze pads.

  • Tweezers.

  • Bandana.

  • Ace bandage.

• Fire extinguisher.

  • Choose a small one that is easy to store.

• Road flares (if not already in your tire-changing tools).

• Jumper cables.

• Rain Ponchos.

• Tarp.

• Flashlight and extra batteries.

• Rags.

• Duct tape

• Scent-free baby wipes.

• Drinking water and non-perishable snacks.

• Multipurpose tool.

Some people believe that spring is the season of flowers, warmer weather, shorter sleeves, and school vacations. Others believe that it’s the time for cleaning – and this blog is firmly with the latter party! This week, we’ll be talking about how to clean and refresh your garage from top to bottom, making sure there’s enough space for your vehicle and helping you get all the junk that accumulated over the winter out and gone for good. Keep reading for our tips, and make sure to share your results with us on Facebook!

The very first thing you want to do is to take EVERYTHING out of your garage. Literally everything. Car, junk, trash, stuff you need… get it all outside into the driveway or onto your lawn and leave your garage totally empty. Then you should start to sort everything you’ve just taken out into two piles, one for things that you want to keep and one for things that you’ve been meaning to throw away or just forgot about. Throw those things away right now. Dispose of chemicals like paint safely, but just get it out of there forever.

With your garage empty, you should sweep and vacuum the floor and dust the corners. If it’s a nice day, you could even hose down the floor! If you’re feeling super adventurous, consider applying an epoxy garage floor kit. It’s a lot of work and a lot of waiting, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for a really serious makeover.

With the space clean, it’s time to take a critical look at your current storage solutions. If you don’t have shelves or wall storage, consider getting some! It’s a great space-saving hack to store things vertically. You can even store bikes on wall racks, which saves a TON of space.

Finally, get everything back into your garage, organizing as you go. You’ll probably spot some things that you thought you wanted to keep but are really junk that you can just go ahead and throw away. You don’t need that in your life. When everything’s back in place (or has found a new home), park your car back inside!