Avoid Having a Tire Blowout

Having a tire blow out while you are driving can be very dangerous, as the force of the blowout can cause the vehicle to swerve sharply or even flip over. In order to avoid this happening, take these steps to ensure that your tires are in good condition.

Having tires that are underinflated is a major cause of tire blowouts. Check your tires frequently to ensure that they are inflated properly. The correct inflation pressure can be found in your owner's manual, on the glove box door, on the doorsill or on the fuel door. While checking the pressure…

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Diagnosing Your Brake Pedal Problems


If you have ever been minding your own business and driving through the streets of Saint Louis and suddenly felt as though your brake pedal was a bit off, then you might need to get it checked. There are a couple of reasons why your brake pedal might feel a bit off, and if it does, you might need to get it checked before you are a danger to yourself and others. If you have something like air in the brake line, you might realize that when you push down on the brake pedals, you are not getting the same…
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Learning How to Test a Car's Battery


The only way to determine if a car's battery is fully functional is to properly test it. The tool used to measure a battery's state of charge is called a voltmeter. A voltmeter is offered as a digital or analog measurement. Not only is the digital voltmeter easier to use, but it also offers a more accurate read. Before testing, it is important to turn off the car and all electrical components and protect yourself with rubber gloves and goggles. The positive voltmeter lead is connected to the battery's positive terminal, while the negative lead connects to…
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Understanding Motor Oil Viscosity Ratings

A better-informed driver is a happier driver! When you bring your vehicle in to our service department at Autohaus BMW in Saint Louis for an oil change, we're more than happy to answer your questions regarding the meaning of motor oil viscosity ratings.

The higher a motor oil is rated for viscosity, the slower it moves. A 10W-30 motor oil rating indicates a 10W viscosity when the engine is cold, and a 30W when the engine runs hot. This the reason we often recommend a...

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Don't Let Outside Air In Unfiltered


The outside environment is filled with all sorts of gross smells, this is especially true in areas with lots of vehicle traffic. Diesel fumes, pollen, mold, dust, all sorts of things that can enter your vehicle only to breathed in by you or your loved ones. One of the ways this is reduced or prevented is by passing the air through a cabin air filter. It helps remove these smells and particulates from the air before being brought into your vehicles cabin.

At Autohaus BMW in Saint Louis we carry the cabin air filter you need for your vehicle and…
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Kitty Litter vs. Salt: Which is Better?

Salt has been a common material to keep in a vehicle as an emergency resource during the winter time. It melts the ice on the snowy and icy roadways, and has proven to be effective over the years. However, it is more expensive than a popular alternative: kitty litter.

Salt is so high demand in the winter time and can be difficult to come by. Kitty litter works in a different fashion from salt. It absorbs the moisture around it, allowing the vehicle to gain traction. It can become slippery when left in place for long periods of time. 

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The Origins of Horsepower

Horsepower is a common unit of measurement in the car industry. It is also used to sell vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers and anything else with an engine. It was originally developed as a marketing tool to sell steam engines to coal mine owners.

James Watt was an inventor and marketing genius. He had developed an efficient new steam engine that could replace horses in the coal mines. He needed a way to convince mine owners to try his new engines. He decided to develop a formula that could concretely compare the engine to the average work horse. 

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Have You Heard of Slow Down and Move Over Laws?

It is almost a norm that at one point vehicles do break along our highways in St. Louis, MO. In all the states of the US, there exists a set of laws that guide other drivers on what to do when they come into contact with such a situation. The disturbing part of the scenario is that quite a good number of drivers in America have not heard of the laws.

Recent research by Mason Dixon Polling & Research found out that up to 71% of Americans had never heard of the Move Over Laws. The laws require that as you…

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