Choosing the right fuel As a BMW owner, you want to ensure that your vehicle is running at its best at all times. Choosing the right fuel is an important factor in maintaining the performance and efficiency of your BMW. In this article, we'll explore the fuel recommendations for BMW vehicles and the benefits of following them. Why following fuel recommendations matters for BMW owners Using the correct fuel is crucial for the proper functioning of any vehicle, and this is especially true for high-performance brands like BMW. Different fuels have different properties and can affect the engine in ..read more

Car AC not blowing cold air? Has your BMW stopped blowing cool air from the car's ac system? Are you not sure how to get your ac system back to work properly? Let's clear some things up and learn a bit about auto ac repair and air conditioners in general. Why is my AC on but blowing hot air? There are several potential reasons why your car's air conditioning may not be producing cold air. Some possible causes include: Low refrigerant levels: If the refrigerant levels in your car's air conditioning system are low, the system may not be able to produce cold air. This could be due to a leak in t ..read more

There are many choices in San Diego to get your suspension issues fixed. You could take it to a BMW dealership (the expensive option), take it to an independent (who may or may not know much about BMWs), or try to DIY it. Obviously being an independent BMW repair shop we're going to tell you to come see us since we have the experience and the tools to get it done correctly. But we wanted to share some basic information on BMW suspension problems, suspension components, and why your car may may be riding rough, veering left or having tire wear issues. What are Some Common BMW Suspension Problem ..read more

Why is it important to change your BMW spark plugs? Spark plugs are an essential component of a vehicle's ignition system, as they provide the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the engine's combustion chamber. Without functioning spark plugs, a vehicle will not be able to start or run properly. Regular spark plug replacement is important for several reasons. First and foremost, worn or damaged spark plugs can cause engine misfires, which can lead to decreased performance and fuel efficiency. In severe cases, engine misfires can even cause damage to other parts of the vehicle. In addit ..read more

BMW is known for engineering some of the best cars in the world, and part of owning a BMW is ensuring that it receives the proper care and maintenance. One of the most important aspects of maintaining your BMW is using the correct engine oil. BMW recommended oil BMW recommends using a high-quality synthetic engine oil that meets the standards set by the International Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) and the American Petroleum Institute (API). In general, BMW recommends using an engine oil with a viscosity of 0W-20, 0W-30 on current cars, while some older models may need ..read more

BMW Check Engine Light Reset: A Step-by-Step Guide If you own a BMW, you may have noticed that the check engine light (CEL) sometimes turns on. This can be alarming, as it indicates that there is a problem with your vehicle. Fortunately, in most cases, it is possible to reset the CEL on your own, without the need to visit a mechanic. In this article, we will explain how to reset the check engine light on a BMW, as well as what to do if the light remains on after the reset. What causes the check engine light to come on in a BMW? First, it's important to understand what the check engine light me ..read more

A super common leak on pretty much most BMW 4 and 6 cylinder engines. M43, M44, M54, N51, N52, N54, N55, N20, B46, B48 and B58. Most will have this leak at some point in their life. But, what is it? And should you worry about it? Well, the oil filter housing is just that, it houses the oil filter. This housing is a separate component that bolts up to the side of the engine block or cylinder head. Engine oil has to pass from the engine or cylinder head to that housing and then back. The oil filter housing gasket goes between the housing and the engine or cylinder head and is there to seal the c ..read more

Driven SD cares! We care about you, your car, and the working relationship that we hope to build with every customer. Every person and every car have a unique set of needs and desires, we try our best to accommodate for all of those variables. Driven SD is here to help you service and maintain your BMW in a way that takes all of that into consideration. We strive to provide accurate and honest condition reports for your vehicle, there are a lot of things that we are going to notice on your BMW that you might be unaware of, and that is ok! It's our job to find the problems with your vehicle to ..read more

BMW brakes, as with any vehicle are one of the most important safety systems in your ultimate driving machine! Without brakes that are in good working order, you are putting yourself and those around you in a dangerous position. Brake pads are a wear-item that require replacement regularly, you can bet that we get a lot of questions about brake pads. Here are some common questions that you might have about the brakes for your BMW vehicle and some information to help you better understand the answers. What is a brake pad? Brake pads are essentially a metal backing plate that has a layer of fri ..read more

Recently at Driven SD we had a request to replace the rod bearings on an BMW E46 M3 as a preventative measure. So we thought we'd share what normal bearing wear looks like at 169,000 on a BMW S54 engine along with what a new bearing looks like. On the left are the upper connecting rod side bearing shells, and on the right are the lower connecting rod cap side bearing shells. The uppers definitely wear more from the downwards force of the power stroke, but that's normal on these engines. There's a lot of debate about replacing BMW rod bearings on these and other S engines at certain mileages. W ..read more