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The BMW 3 Series line of luxury small vehicles is well-loved throughout the world. Auto enthusiasts, professional drivers, and even teenagers all have something to love about the BMW 3 Series. Despite the fact that these vehicles were born on the racetrack, they are very popular off the track as well. 

One reason for the smashing reception the BMW 3 Series receives is the fact that BMW seamlessly mixes luxury alongside driving and handling. As anyone who has driven a high-performance vehicle can tell you - it is hard to balance a smooth ride with incredible performance. 

Motor oil changes are vital to the well-being of your vehicle. With so many myths surrounding motor oil, it’s hard to know fact from fiction. But knowing the facts is as important as the actual oil change itself. Stop in at BMW of Birmingham and speak with our trained auto service technicians.

Two myths that have been around forever are that oil must be changed every 3,000 miles and if it’s black it needs to be changed. The oil is black because it’s been doing its job, which is cleaning your engine. 

If you have ever gotten a flat, then you know the initial panic of not being able to get where you are going on time. You don't have to worry about that if you know how to change your tire and replace with a spare. All you need is a spare tire, jack, lug wrench, and wheel wedges. Alternatively, you may want to have a can of Fix-A-Flat or a flat tire repair kit as well. This can help in emergency situations when you need to get to the shop fast.

Once you have placed the wheel wedges, you…

The scorching temperatures in summer and the frigid cold temperatures in winter are draining to the battery of a vehicle. To check the voltage on your battery, you will need to have a voltmeter. The following steps will assist you in monitoring your vehicle's battery.

• Turn off the ignition and all the lights on your vehicle.
• Connect the voltmeters red lead to the positive battery terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal. 

If the fuel pump in your vehicle is about to fail, you can spot the trouble easily if you know what to look for. Let the BMW parts experts here at BMW of Birmingham help you notice the signs of a failing fuel pump.

1. When traveling at higher speeds, if the fuel pump is about to fail, you'll feel the engine sputtering like you are just about to run out of fuel.
2. If you are trying to tow something or haul something very heavy, signs of fuel pump trouble will reveal itself when the vehicle loses power and can…

With so many different parts in your car’s engine, it is easy to overlook the importance of gaskets. Below is an explanation of the different gaskets and what they do:

• Cylinder Head Gaskets - Often referred to as a head gasket, this part is responsible for preventing combustion gases from entering the cooling system. The head gasket is located between the cylinder head and the engine block. 

It's never fun when your vehicle won't start, and it always seems to happen when you're in a hurry to be some place. Oftentimes it's a dead battery, but sometimes it might be your starter that has gone bad. There are, however, a few signs that can alert you to potential starter problems.

One of the first signs that there is something wrong with your starter is if you hear a grinding noise. If you hear this noise, you will want to take care of it before you damage your flywheel. A second sign is if…

Here at BMW of Birmingham, we have a professional service department staff that is always happy to take care of all your car maintenance needs. We encourage you to learn more about how your vehicle works and how to recognize problems when they arise.

Your vehicle's transmission is an important part that uses special gears to allow your engine to power your wheels. Keeping your transmission in good repair with fresh fluid is essential for good vehicle performance. 

If you are hesitant about checking your car, then one of the reasons that should motivate you is the cost of replacement parts. Even more importantly, checking the cooling system is sort of a step that should never be missed.

Overheating a car engine is never a small problem, because it could result in replacement of cylinder heads and head gasket repairs. Both of these parts, plus labor, easily runs into thousands of dollars. 

Your windshield wipers are an important component on your vehicle during the winter and they work best according to the type of fluid you choose to use with the system. The fluid in your windshield wiper reservoir keeps your lines clear and should never be filled with water. Unfortunately, if you choose to fill your reservoir with plain water, you may discover that it freezes over. Windshield washer fluid is meant to maintain a certain temperature during the arctic chill.

Windshield washer fluid rids your car of debris, bugs, and dirt particles.