Major service for your BMW is recommended at the following intervals:
- Every 20,000 miles, or every two years: inspect and replace fuel filters
- Every 30,000 miles, or every three years:
- Replace brake fluid (after the first replacement, every 60,000 miles)
- Replace transmission fluid on manual-transmission BMWs
- Every 60,000 miles, or every six years:
- Replace engine air filter and spark plugs
- Inspect and replace brake pads and brake rotors, as necessary
- Replace transmission fluid on automatic-transmission BMWs
- Every 90,000 miles, or every nine years: replace timing belts and hoses
Unlike the minor service which mostly involves engine oil and filter replacement and tire service, major service is more involved and detailed work. Most drivers know regular oil replacement is necessary for the longevity of their engine; the major service items are even more critical. The fluids in your vehicle are important parts of your vehicle. As well as lubricating moving parts they remove and retain contamination. Before your fluids are saturated with contamination they should be drained and refilled. Engine oil lubricates and cools the engine. Transmission fluid transmits power from your engine to the axle, smooths out the shifts from one gear to another, and prevents the transmission from overheating. Differential fluid cushions axle gears and prevents wear. Brake fluid carries brake pedal pressure to the brake pads at each axle. Radiator fluid, (antifreeze), keeps the engine at the proper temperature and stays in liquid form at below-freezing temperatures. Power steering fluid transmits steering wheel motion to the front wheel steering mechanism.
Filters remove and hold contamination; they need regular replacement. Your engine is an air pump, and when the air filter becomes clogged with dirt you get decreased performance and fuel mileage. If your transmission performs poorly, such as jerky shifting, transmission filter and fluid replacement may be all it needs. To work properly, the fuel injection system needs a constant, high-pressure flow of fuel. To ensure this occurs regular fuel filter replacement is a must. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water from the air. This results in corrosion of brake parts and an abnormally low boiling point of the brake fluid. When brake fluid boils your brakes will not stop the vehicle. Gear oil in your differentials breaks down over time by shearing of oil molecules as the gears mesh together. Also, as gears wear metal particles accumulate which can increase gear wear unless gear oil is periodically drained and refilled.
Spark plugs trigger combustion of the fuel-air mixture in your engine’s cylinders. The electrodes of these parts wear out causing decreased fuel mileage and performance. In your interest, these parts should be replaced on the manufacturer’s schedule.
Timing belts connect the cams to the crankshaft causing intake and exhaust valves to open and close when they should. The timing belt is made of a fiber composite that holds up well but eventually wears out. If this belt breaks catastrophic damage may occur requiring an engine rebuild. At the least, a broken timing belt will strand you until a tow truck arrives. Replacement of your BMW’s timing belt at 90 thousand miles or 9 years of service is good practice, as is replacing coolant hoses. A burst coolant hose will certainly strand you; if you don’t notice the engine overheating you may need a complete engine rebuild.
Besides these items that will be done on a major service, our technician will inspect all items that could give you problems, such as shock absorbers and windshield wipers. When shock absorbers wear out it results in increased tire wear, poor steering, and bad ride quality. When windshield wipers wear out, they will not give you a clear view of the road ahead when you most need it.
At M & R Automotive, we have state-licensed and ASE-approved service technicians who perform these procedures frequently. Call or visit our website to get a quote and book an appointment for a major service or any auto repair you need.
