Competition BMW of Smithtown

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OCTOBER CAR CARE: MAINTAINING YOUR CARS LIGHTS

Most car owners tend to pay the least amount of attention to their cars headlights and taillights. However, your cars lights are extremely important when it comes to your overall safety. Your lights allow you to see the road during the night and in low light conditions. Not only do they allow you to see the road, they allow others to see you on the road! Maintaining your cars lights is extremely crucial during the winter time considering it gets dark earlier this time of the year.

Here at Competition BMW of Smithtown, we compiled a small list of tips on how to maintain your cars lights.

  1. Dust and debris can layer on top of the cover of your headlights, taillights, and brake lights. Getting your car washed can help solve this problem. The interior of your lights covers should be cleaned as well. You can look at your vehicles owner’s manual for instructions on how to remove the bulb covers, or you can see a professional and have them do it for you.
  2. When you change any of your lights, it is important to understand that even if one light needs to be replaced, you should replace both. You do not want to be driving with one light significantly dimmer than the other.
  3. You should see a professional if you feel your lights are not as bright as they should be. Waiting too long can result in one or all of your bulbs going out. And what’s worse than driving in the dark with dim lights? Driving with no lights at all! It’s best to get your lights checked by a professional as soon as possible to avoid this from happening.

Here at Competition BMW of Smithtown, we highly recommend scheduling a service with a professional to take care of your car. Stocked with the best quality BMW parts, we ensure you that your BMW vehicle will receive the best possible care. We are here to help make driving as safe and enjoyable as possible for you. Whether or not you are concerned about your cars lights, our service center offers many other vehicle services. If your 2020 BMW M340i needs a wheel alignment or your 2019 BMW x3 xDrive30i needs an oil change, whatever the issue may be, our team is here to help! Equipped with the latest equipment and tools, our highly trained technicians can help diagnose, solve and repair any issues that may arise on your BMW vehicle. Feel free to contact us or schedule a service online! Visit us today at Competition BMW of Smithtown located at 599 Middle Country Rd, Saint James, NY.

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Black Friday at Competition BMW of Smithtown

Stop by our Competition BMW of Smithtown Service Center on November 29 th, 2019 for Black Friday and receive a complimentary multi-point inspection! While you wait, we can shuttle you to and from the Smith Haven Mall! No need to look for parking in a hectic parking lot, get all your holiday shopping done while your car gets serviced!! What is a multi-point inspection? At our Service Center, our highly trained staff will check your vehicle to determine if there’s anything that should be done to keep it performing well and to improve its longevity. This includes checking fluids including oil, transmission, brake, and even wiper fluids, belts & hoses, tires, shocks/struts. Smith Haven Mall is located in Lake Grove, New York and serves as the main mall for the “Mid Island” area of Long Island. For those of you who live in Smithtown, Kings Park, Port Jefferson, and Hauppauge, the Smith Haven Mall is the place to be to get your holiday shopping done. With 148 shops and restaurants, including Apple, Macy’s, Forever 21, Sear’s, Sephora and much more, you’ll be sure to find great deals and get the most out of your Black Friday shopping. Be sure to check out our service specials here at Competition BMW of Smithtown and see how you can save! Come in November 29th, 2019 on Black Friday to get your car serviced and receive a complimentary shopping bag! Contact us or schedule a service online! We look forward to seeing you at our BMW dealership located at 599 Middle Country Road, Saint James, NY!

Why You Should Change Your Windshield Wiper Blades

Poor visibility of the road is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Having good quality wipers is crucial to your overall safety when driving. Whether or not you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain or snow, it is important to maintain your wipers throughout the year. Your vehicles wipers will get worn out over time, even if you don’t use them that often. It is recommended to change your windshield wiper blades every six months. Here at of Competition BMW of Smithtown, we compiled a small list of helpful windshield wiper blade tips. Inspect Them at Home Inspect your wiper blades to see if any pieces of the rubber is chipped or broken. You can do this by lifting each windshield wiper arm off the glass and running your finger along the rubber edge. If your blades seem to be in good condition but aren’t cleaning properly, you can clean them by using windshield washer fluid or glass cleaner with a damp rag. Clean off any debris that is on the rubber and the area of the windshield where the wiper blades sit. Replace Your Wipers Be sure to always replace your wipers blades as a pair. If one blade is worn out, the other blade will soon be worn out too. You do not want to wear one blade out quicker than usual by making it do more work than the other. Buying New Windshield Wiper Blades Remember that all windshields are built differently. When buying new wipers, you should know the year, make, and model of your vehicle. You should also measure your existing blades to make sure you are buying the right size. Here at Competition BMW of Smithtown, we recommend seeing a professional. With a Parts Center located in our dealership that is stocked with the best quality BMW parts, we will help you find the best fit windshield wiper blade. Whether you need an oil change for your BMW X5 xDrive40i or a tire alignment for your BMW X7 xDrive40i, our highly trained team will gladly help. Schedule a service online or contact us today! We look forward to seeing you at our BMW dealership located at 599 Middle Country Road, Saint James, NY!

SIGNS OF LOW CAR COOLANT/ANTIFREEZE

Your car’s coolant/antifreeze is the most important fluid underneath the hood of your vehicle. Serious damage can be done to your vehicle if your coolant/antifreeze is running low. What does coolant/antifreeze do? Coolant/antifreeze circulates throughout the engine, maintaining the temperature of the engine to prevent it from overheating. Depending on the model and year of your car, you may experience an automatic engine cut-off if it is running low. However, if your car is not equipped with this feature, you may damage or even destroy certain parts of your vehicle. Warning signs of low or no coolant/antifreeze: Dashboard warning light: When coolant/antifreeze is low, your vehicle may notify you on its dashboard. However, not all cars are equipped with this feature. Rising temperature gauge: A rising temperature gauge may be due to an increase in your engine’s temperature. Automatic engine cut-off: Most modern cars are equipped with an automatic engine cut-off feature. When coolant is low, your engine will start to heat up. The feature will automatically shut off to prevent damaging the engine. Once your engine cools down, you will be able to drive your car again. Poor fuel economy: If you notice your car is burning through gas a lot quicker than usual, this may be due to a lack of coolant/antifreeze. At the right temperature, your car engine will burn fuel efficiently. When the temperature of your engine changes, it does not burn fuel efficiently. Internal heating system not working properly: If your heater is blowing constant hot air or not working at all, a larger problem may reside underneath your vehicle’s hood due to a lack of coolant/antifreeze. Distinct sweet smell: Coolant/antifreeze has a very unique sweet smell. If your vehicle’s coolant/antifreeze leaks, you may notice a sweet smell arise in your vehicle’s cabin. If you are unsure about the status of your vehicle’s coolant/antifreeze, bring your car in for a service at Competition BMW of Smithtown! Our highly trained team at our Service Center will gladly help you and provide you with the service you need to ensure you that your car is ready for the winter season. Whether it be a tire replacement, oil change, or even just an inspection, our team is here to help. Be sure to check out our service specials and parts specials! Contact us or visit us today at Competition BMW of Smithtown located at 599 Middle Country Road, Saint James, NY! We look forward to seeing you!