Preparing Your BMW for Winter: Essential Maintenance Checks

If you want to get the best performance out of your BMW, it’s important to take steps to prepare your vehicle for the tough winter ahead. Extreme temperatures can have a drastic impact on how well a car performs, so be sure to schedule BMW maintenance to winterize your vehicle before the first cold snap.

Preparing Your BMW for Winter: Three Essential Maintenance Checks

1. Battery Health Test

Car batteries tend to have a hard time in extremely cold weather, which is why it’s a good idea to park your vehicle in a spot that is protected from freezing temperatures. Whether you’ve had battery issues in the past or not, you should have a BMW mechanic perform a battery health test to ensure your battery is prepared for cold starts in the winter.

2. Tire Service

It’s crucial for winter driving safety to have tires with enough tread on them to provide optimal traction on icy, rainy, and snowy roads. Tires with adequate tread can produce enough resistance on slippery streets to avoid hydroplaning or unstable handling. A BMW mechanic can assess the tread wear on your tires and recommend new tires if your tread is running low.

You should also have your tire air pressure inspected to ensure your tires are inflated enough for winter driving. Cold weather can reduce tire pressure, so you may want to increase your air pressure at the dealership. Some drivers may even consider switching to winter tires that are specially designed to perform on snowy and icy streets. 

BMW of Bloomfield Hills offers storage of summer tires for a small fee, when you switch to winter tires.

3. Fluid Service

You will also want to have all the fluids in your vehicle checked. Motor oil has a tendency to thicken up in colder weather, so it might be a good idea to switch to engine oil that is formulated to stay thin in freezing temperatures. With fresh motor oil, your engine will be able to start with less strain when the temperatures drop. Antifreeze is another fluid that should be stopped off to prepare for winter. 

When Should You Schedule BMW Maintenance?

If you live in a place that experiences heavy snowfall and below-freezing temperatures early in the winter season, then it might be best to book service for your BMW in mid-to-late autumn. By scheduling winterization service in the fall, you will have enough time to order genuine replacement parts if a BMW mechanic determines your vehicle needs extensive repairs or preparation. Additionally, scheduling service early ensures your vehicle is prepared for unexpected weather. 

From scheduling a battery test to rotating your tires, all of your winterization service needs can be met at your local BMW dealership. Book your winter service appointment at BMW of Bloomfield Hills in Bloomfield Hills, MI.