You bought your BMW for a good reason – its superior performance, good looks and reliability, to name a few. You know you have to keep up with regular service appointments and maintenance to make sure you get the best ride possible. While you may have brakes and oil changes front of mind at all times, you may not think too much about routine tire maintenance and care.
Yet many BMW owners neglect this task and then wonder why their vehicle isn’t performing at its best. When you properly care for your vehicle’s tires, you can avoid expensive repair services down the road.
The truth is, your BMW’s tires directly impact your vehicle’s fuel efficiency as well as occupant safety. Damaged tires can lead to serious accidents that put everyone involved at risk. Here are some top tire care tips you can follow to ensure your BMW remains in tip-top shape.
1. Keep the Tires Properly Inflated
First off, always make sure your BMW’s tires are properly inflated at all times. Under-inflated tires can cause accidents because they reduce the ability of your vehicle to stop in a timely manner. You don’t want to run the risk of blowing a tire, especially at high rates of speed on the highway. This can make you quickly lose control, and disaster can occur.
Additionally, under-inflated tires can decrease your vehicle’s gas mileage. Why? When not inflated properly, your tires won’t roll as easily, and an increase in rolling resistance requires more energy. This in turn leads to poor fuel efficiency.
Check your vehicle’s tire pressure weekly or monthly. Put this on your calendar so you don’t forget. You can check the air pressure using a tire gauge. To get the most accuracy, check the air pressure when you haven’t been driving around for a while. Ideally, the tires should be cold.
This is how you can easily check your air pressure:
- Take off the end cap on the air valve.
- Attach the gauge to the valve stem and depress it.
- Repeat a few times to get multiple readings.
- Settle on the most consistent reading.
- Repeat for all other tires.
Most BMW models should have their air pressure set at 32 PSI. But to be sure, check the sticker on the inside of the driver’s door or consult the owner’s manual. If under-inflated, go to a gas station fill ‘er up with the tire air pump.
If you notice your tires are regularly lose air, a leak could be to blame. You’ll need to take your BMW to a trusted mechanic to determine if this is the case. They may be able to plug it or suggest a new tire depending on severity.
2. Rotate the Tires Regularly
Next, make sure your tires are getting rotated on a regular basis. That’s because your tires wear differently depending on which position they occupy on your vehicle. For example, the front tires wear faster on the outer edges, while the rear tires wear more evenly. To ensure an even wear across all four tires, have them rotated whenever you bring your BMW in for service, or at least every other time.
In general, tires should be rotated every 3000-6000 miles or every six months. By extending the useful life of your tires, you can save a lot of money in the long run. Heck, BMW tires aren’t cheap!
3. Keep Your Tires Balanced
Tires can become imbalanced if you have an uneven distribution of mass, usually the result of tread wear. You will know you have imbalanced wheels if your steering wheel vibrates. Your mechanic will be able to balance your tires, usually at the time of tire rotation. Be sure to let them know if your steering wheel has been vibrating when you drive.
Like tire rotation, getting your tires re-balanced will help them wear more evenly so you get a smoother, safer ride.
4. Check the Tread
You can’t stop quickly or efficiently when the treads of your tire are compromised, especially if it’s been raining out. Be sure to inspect your tire treads on a regular basis and replace them as needed.
Here’s a quick tip: place a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head facing you and upside down. If all of Lincoln’s head is visible, the tread depth is under 2/32 inch. This means it’s time for replacement.
5. Check Your Alignment Twice a Year
Twice annually, have your BMW service center inspect your alignment. Improper alignment can lead to rapid and uneven wear of the tires. It can also result in a host of other issues that can affect driver safety and optimal operation.
You may have a misalignment if you notice:
- Your car pulls or drifts to the left or right.
- The steering wheel vibrates or shakes when driving particularly at high speeds.
Your mechanic will be able to adjust your alignment and bring it back to manufacturer specifications. This will ensure your tires will rest perpendicular on the ground, parallel with one other.
Contact Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza
If you’re in need of new tires for your BMW or you’re having issues with the steering or suspension systems, bring it to Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza in Fort Worth. Our skilled technicians can troubleshoot the issue and recommend the necessary new tires or repairs. Get peace of mind knowing we have deep knowledge of BMWs because we work on them every day.
To schedule your appointment, contact us in Fort Worth TX. We are conveniently located at 2425 Cullen St. in Fort Worth, TX, and are open Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for your convenience.
Our Services
Alternator Replacement
Nobody plans for their car to stop working. No doubt it’s an inconvenience when an alternator replacement is suddenly necessary. Big questions loom, like how long it’ll take to do an alternator replacement, and how much the job will end up costing.
Auto Air Conditioning Repair
Dealing with auto air conditioning repair brings about a few different problems. The heat outside can get pretty intense, making you incredibly uncomfortable whenever you go anywhere in your car. On top of that, the worry about how much an auto air conditioning repair will end up costing is stressful.
Auto Electrical
Most people realize that owning a car means some maintenance and repairs, but auto electrical service can add an unexpected level of stress to the experience. Vehicle owners often wonder how long such problems will take to resolve, and just as important how much it’ll end up costing.
Brake Repair
Any brake repair work should be taken seriously and performed with care. After all, you have a lot riding on your brakes every time you press down on the pedal. At the same time, we at Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza understand you might be concerned with how long a brake repair job will take and cost. One of our main objectives is to make the process painless, delivering superior customer service to make you a repeat customer.
Diesel Repair
Many shops don’t understand the specialized nature of diesel repair. It’s a different process than working on gas-powered vehicles, with plenty of unique considerations that must be taken into account. At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza, we understand the importance of your diesel vehicle. You want diesel repairs or maintenance performed correctly the first time.
Emission Repair
No one anticipates needing an emission repair, but the time does come. Instead of worrying about what it means, trust the professionals to resolve the problem quickly and completely.
At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza we understand that car trouble, including a necessary emission repair, can create some stress. That’s why we work hard to make your customer experience second to none. Our goal is to ensure you’re so pleased that you keep coming back to us.
Engine Repair
Dealing with engine repair issues can be stressful. You cannot use your vehicle, your ability to get around is limited, and you’re left wondering how big the final bill will be. At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza we completely understand your concerns. Along with our engine repair expertise, we provide excellent customer service. In fact, we measure our success by whether or not you want to return to us for future maintenance and repairs.
Oil Change
Every vehicle needs an oil change service at regular intervals, or else some pretty big problems can crop up over time. Dirty oil will slowly wear away at different engine components, even leading to complete failure. Take the time to guard against a huge bill.
Transmission Repair
Dealing with a transmission repair can be stressful and potentially expensive. It’s a critical part of any car, because without the transmission working properly you literally won’t get very far.
Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza understands your automotive needs. That’s why we work hard to do more than just fix your vehicle, providing you with the best customer service around. Our goal is to make every one of our customers happy, then see them again for future car maintenance and repairs.
Truck Repair
Your truck works hard just like you, so having it out of commission simply isn’t an option. Not only does an ailing truck limit how you get around, but it keeps you from tackling tough jobs. On top of it all, the stress of wondering what’s wrong, along with what your truck repairs will cost, hangs over your head.
Wheel Alignment
If you’re driving down I-35, do you feel like you’re in control of your vehicle? Are you fighting the steering wheel to hold your car straight in its lane? Or is your steering loose, causing you to wander between lane markers? You probably need a wheel alignment.
