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Your BMW battery plays a critical role in starting your vehicle and powering important electrical systems. While BMW batteries are built for reliability and performance, they are still a wear item that benefits from smart habits and regular care. Here are three helpful tips to extend the life of your BMW battery from BMW of Montgomery.

1. Limit Short Trips When Possible

Frequent short drives can prevent your battery from fully recharging. Starting your BMW uses a significant amount of power, and quick trips may not give the alternator enough time to replenish the battery.

If you’re in Montgomery with a BMW X5, you should schedule your oil changes every 10,000 miles or once per year, depending on how much you drive. That said, other conditions and driving habits may change this recommended BMW X5 maintenance schedule, and the Service Center at our Montgomery BMW dealer is here to help.

When your vehicle won't start, it's not always the battery that is at fault. In older vehicles, the starter can be the culprit. Following are signs to look for when your starter is beginning to fail.

A grinding noise that sounds like the noise that occurs when you hit the starter right after turning on the ignition indicates that the gears may be worn out. A whining noise indicates freewheeling, which means the gear is not engaging the flywheel. 

At the first sign of the engine overheating, action should be taken. The longer this issue persists, the chances of complete engine failure increase. If the radiator hoses are not secured to the engine or radiator, coolant is leaking out and making the engine work harder.

The radiator cap could be missing, or worse, it might be the wrong one for your vehicle. If the cap cannot contain the high pressure of the coolant, evaporation is leading to the engine overheating. 

Tire pressure is crucial to safety on the road, which is why most car manufacturers create ways for drivers to monitor the amount of air that is in their tires. Many vehicles on the road today have a system with a sensor that is directly linked to the casing. This system determines how much air is in the tire and notifies the driver if underinflation is an issue. There are also indirect tire monitoring systems that do not do much to tell drivers of improper pressure.

Many take the tire sensor on their vehicle for granted, but underinflation is a…

Older vehicles do not provide the smooth ride that we know of today. Every little bump and pot hole in the road was felt by the passengers. Luckily, thanks to modern technology, modern cars have a much smoother ride. That is why we here at BMW of Montgomery want to be sure you know the basics of your vehicle's suspension.

Your suspension can be thought of as a shock absorber. Instead of the car itself hitting other metal, it instead rests on the suspension, meaning that the hit is not as pronounced as it would have otherwise been. 

Good brakes are essential for operating any vehicle safely, regardless of the age or odometer reading. Brakes should always be inspected at least annually, with a good practice being inspection at every tire rotation. Auto manufacturers generally suggest inspection at 12,000 miles if not done annually with regular servicing.

Newer model vehicles with automatic brake systems are in particular included in this maintenance schedule because there are more components that could malfunction than in a typical older model car or truck. 

You're driving on the highway when the driver in a car near you turns his/her emergency blinkers on and needs to move to the shoulder of the road. Or, you see that a car has been in an accident and an ambulance and tow truck are behind you, trying to get to the vehicle. What do you do? In situations like these, you should be aware of move over laws.

These essential laws are in effect in all 50 states, and help to keep drivers and roadside personnel safe. If a first aid or police vehicle is trying…

Not having your tires inspected regularly will cost you money in the long run, but it could also put you and your passengers in danger on the roads. Here are just a few of the numerous reasons to get your luxury car to BMW of Montgomery for tire inspections often.

The wearing patches on the tire are troublesome for two reasons. First, the car will take longer to come to a stop if you need to slam on the brakes in an emergency. Second, your car is going to have a harder time gripping the surface of the road. 

When you are in need of a spare part that can keep your car’s quality in check, then the professional service technicians here at BMW of Montgomery are ready to assist you. Our stock of genuine BMW auto parts is well furnished to guarantee your windshield wipers, shock absorbers, or brake pads the best quality.