What is Serpentine Belt?

These days, belt manufacturers have all but abandoned Neoprene for serpentine belt applications, instead opting for EPDM rubber.

In the next video from Inside the Brands we take a look at the effects this change in material has had on belt wear and service.

The video made and copyrighted by CRP Automotive.

High tech world of modern cars, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Porsche

BMW, MERCEDES BENZ, Porsche and most modern high tech automobile contains or describe their efficient powerful engines with some words as twin turbo, twin scroll turbo, valvetronic, vanos adjuster and many more.

What do they mean?

For us, auto mechanics, for auto motive technicians and for the mechanically inclined may be not so complicated, but for the general public they are rather confusing names and descriptions.

Please let me try to help you explain the core description of all of this technical information.

Twin turbo means two turbo chargers, twin scroll is a single turbo with a special way of routing of the exhaust manifold which is more beneficial for a quick way to make the turbo more efficient without using multiple turbo chargers.

Many of this technologies are meant to do one thing and really one thing to make the modern lightweight piston engines more efficient and powerful at the same time.

Efficiency is the new buzz word for most manufacturers. They spend millions on research and development trying to minimize fuel consumption by reducing the internal friction by making the internal reciprocating or moving components to the bare minimum and reducing the pumping losses by installing turbo chargers.

There are no small details escape their attention, every single component has been lightened or redesigned to the absolute lightest possible, including using the lightest motor oil to minimize friction.

Unfortunately their efficiency comes at a cost of reduced life span compared  to the engines ten years ago.

What is Vanos and Valvetronic?

The Valvetronic system is a BMW variable valve lift system, in combination with variable valve timing. BMW’s Valvetronic system allows infinite adjustment of the intake valve timing and duration.

BMW’s Variable Valve Timing system is called VANOS (Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung). It controls the intake and exhaust cam timing (double Vanos) independently to achieve the best power while reducing emissions and fuel consumption.

We hope this sheds some light on this common use of technical descriptions by their respective manufacturers which perhaps somewhat confusing to the public.

We wish safe and happy motoring, if you have any questions please call us at any time in our regular business hours. Telephone: (1) 905.795.0419

Enjoy the ride.

 

Lowered 3 Series BMW

Hello,

If you ever read my blog, you may know by now, I’m not a big fan of people (most cases young drivers) lowering their cars, for many obvious reasons. One of them is as a picture shows, if you ever have a head on collision the X5, or with any other similar height SUV due to its ride height (and extra weight on top) will plow over the hood of the lowered 328i and may decapitate both the driver and the passenger at the front.

Lowered BMW 3 Lowered 3 Series BMW

This became a major concern of mine since my daughter started dating a young gentlemen whom has the “cool” lowered 3 series which she rides in occasionally. So I am as a father, concerned about her well-being. I have expressed my opinion about the subject to both of them and got them thinking about the possible consequences if their luck runs out.

This is for all the parents to know what is this new fashion can or capable to to their loved ones if their lowered car gets hit by some inadvertently. Therefore all you parents with teenage kids please let them know the consequences of dropping their car to the ground is might be cool, but it is dangerous, since it will perhaps kill or cripple them, if they get into an accident, and that is a unacceptable price to pay for any fashion item.

I have one more thing to say; Before you spend your hard earned money on lowering your vehicles suspension system, be a BMW or not, you should make sure it complies with the regulations. There are major changes to the Ontario safety regulations.

Please read my earlier post.

Thank you for reading and enjoy the ride.

All the best from Techmax.ca.

Contact us for more details at:  (1) 905.795.0419

Related:

Our exclusive, cutting edge, 3D laser alignment diagnostic tool

First Plug in Hybrid Sports Car the BMW i8

BMW i8 is a plug in hybrid that brings together the advantages of innovate electric motor and combustion engine technologies.

Check out the next video for more.

Intelligent Connected Cars

Are you ready? The future of smart technologically advanced cars are coming. Ready or not they’re on the way to you and to your family with unimaginable technology to make your driving a lot safer and a lot less stressful at least.

BMW i Vision Future Interaction
Concept Car provides an outlook on the networked cockpit and the user interface of the future.

We already have self autonomous automobiles with many advanced intelligent features at a price point which is quite affordable. We already have intelligent transmissions, when the car navigation system sharing information with the car’s transmission and the engine computer to choose a different gear due to changing topography.

We are at the forefront of  an automotive revolution of manufacturers having the pleasure to choose from myriad of electronically advanced components. For example artificial intelligence supports, you as the driver,  all this technology is coming together as a very intelligent automobile which was just unimaginable in a few years ago.

Have you heard about Moores law, where the microchip technology multiplies in every two years? Well we are experiencing the automotive equivalent right now, and in the coming years, and decades to come, which will ultimately  change the way you commute and or drive.

Do you remember a cellular phone which was cumbersome and you needed a small briefcase to haul around, or better a big flip phone? Look at your smartphone, would you switch back to your old phone today? I don’t think so.

We have the same going on with today’s modern automobiles. Here is a a examples of technologically advanced car with some AI. There are plenty more to come, imagine when all this intelligence will work together for your comfort and driving pleasure.

Intelligent BMW Laser Headlights


The hot summer days are just around the corner… Is your car AC ready? Air conditioning system’s inspection, service should be done on BMW, Mercedes and even on Porsche too.

Enjoy the ride and feel free to call us  (1) 905.795.0419 with any of your related question.

BMW i8

Take a look at to the BMW i8.

With this BMW video you can get a closer look at the BMW i8. The  BMW i8 built from carbon fibre. The next video explain why BMW decided to use carbon fibre.

Also they give a lot of info about the material carbon, that is used for the BMW i8.

Air Conditioning Service For European Import Cars

Detailed air conditioning system’s inspection  needs to be done in every year even on your European Import Car – otherwise it might cost you more at the end. If your car A/C smells the system must be disinfected.

Smells created by fungi, mold and bacteria. Your car’s ventilation – air condition system takes them all over in your car.

air wayBMW Interior Ventilation System

Air conditioner mold can spread throughout inside in your car every time you turn your air conditioner on. Exposure to mold can lead to numerous health problems, including respiratory disorders and allergic reactions.

Air conditioning mold needs to be removed as soon as possible, to protect your and the health of your loved ones.

Your air conditioning should be checked for proper operation and Freon charge at least once a year. Freon is very hard to contain in an automotive system.  Continue reading…

Klima Fresh now without biocides from Read more about Liqui Moly.

Klima Fresh

Klima Fresh is a new product from  Liqui Moly. Klima Fresh is much more than car air freshener.

It is developed for cleaning, disinfect vehicle air conditioning systems and vehicle interiors, while leave very pleasant – clean smell back.

Many countries have very strict laws for the sale and application of biocides, one of those countries is Canada.

Klima Fresh can help,  because Klima Fresh is now without biocides.

Within a short time (approx. 10 -20 minutes) removes the unpleasant odours.

Odours that are caused by bacteria and or mold in air conditioning systems, ventilation ducts or vehicle interiors.

Easy to use – no need to disassembly the pollen or dust filter. Leaves a pleasant, fresh aroma behind.

Please feel free to call us  (1) 905.795.0419 to make an appointment.

Related: Air condition service form Techmax Auto Repair Inc.

Liqui Moly Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants & Additives

Liqui Moly

The success of a motor oil measured in more than just sold litres and gallons figures, it also includes many different values.

We at Techmax Auto Repair. Inc. only use two German made motor oils. One of them for over 19 years is Liqui Moly fully synthetic motor oils. We also use their proven additives for gas and or diesel engines, which needs no further proof than many of our clients cars passed the three hundred thousand kilometres, some exceeded the half a million in our continued care.

Multiple leading German automotive magazines independently have asked their nearly six million readers to rate the best brand of motor oil in Germany. The magazines were Auto motor und Sport, Auto Zeitung, Auto Bild and Motor Klassik as well they all choose LIQUI MOLY.

This has been Liqui Moly’s victory march for many many years, readers and enthusiast did not choose them by accident, they choose LIQUI MOLY motor oils for their quality. Worth to note they are also have the factory approvals of all the German auto manufacturers as well.

I said quality at above,  many readers who voted for LIQUI MOLY stated, they made their a decision, based on stability, predictability, price and service.

best oil brandThe Auto Motor und Sport and Auto Zeitung readers celebrated their sixth victory for LIQUI MOLY over the years. LIQUI MOLY has been chosen over established names like Castrol, Mobil oil and Shell which is speaks volumes by itself.

The results in Motor Klassik and Auto Bild show an almost identical picture. Here Liquid Moly lubricants was voted to the top position for the fifth time in succession.

The companies reaction was : “Our products’ quality is unequalled by others and the motto Made in Germany is a quality assurance to our clients from LIQUI MOLY as a recognized brand around the globe which chosen 1st place even in our home land, Germany.”

We carry and use a wide selection of motor oils, lubricants and additives from Liqui Moly, in fact we use them every day. Read more about Liqui Moly or give us a call to
(1) 905.795.0419 if you have any related question.

Liqui Moly Volkswagen race carLiqui Moly Race Team Engstler’s Davit Kajaia definitely made an impact on his maiden appearance in the TCR International Series in April 2016. His performance at the wheel of his Volkswagen Golf Gti TCR at the Bahrain International Circuit was so impressive that he was named by the TCR panel of jurors as one of the two candidates for the first Fan Award of the season.

Four Wheel Alignments

The Importance of Computerized Four Wheel Alignments

The most important factors to ensure a long life for your tires is to perform a four wheel alignment under standard maintenance intervals. The vehicle which is properly aligned will ride smoother more comfortably than a misaligned vehicle and will last longer and corner predictably under any road conditions.

Practically it doesn’t matter if your vehicle is front, rear or all wheel driven since there are specifications provided by the vehicles manufacturer. It’s essential to perform a proper alignment on a late model computerized alignment system to achieve maximum accuracy at all times.

4 wheel alignment

Work in progress on Hoffmann (German) 3 D Computerized Alignment Machine in our alignment shop. Click on the thumbnail to view bigger photo.

Alignments should be performed every second year at latest to compensate for suspension component changes over time and counter the effects of road damage to the suspension components.

A precision tuned aligned suspension not just safer but saves fuel and suspension and tire wear as tires are intended to last a very long time by their respective manufacturers.

An out of alignment vehicle may pull or drift and corner poorly due to the drive train reacting to the vehicles misaligned tires. It’s literally becomes a tug of war between components which in turn may cause additional problems, for example  in foul weather may cause a loss of control, if not corrected properly.

Please do yourself, your family and your car a favour by maintaining your vehicle properly. We are here to help to get you there safely. We wish you all the best from your BMW, Mercedes, Porsche technicians at Techmax.

We aim to set your alignment to be the best and most precise possible with our state of the art brand new precision built Hoffmann wheel alignment system.  Please feel free to call (1) 905.795.0419 to make an appointment

Related:

Hoffmann alignment computer machine, with high tech (3D) imaging technology to provide you the most accurate precision guided alignment for your money. Continue Reading…

 

BMW – Mercedes-Benz & Porsche Specialist

The real BMW -Mercedes-Benz and Porsche specialist. How can you tell, really? The number one thing is a real specialist will have only their specialty cars on their lot and in the shop (not a mix and match of vans and trucks and or domestic makes and models) are waiting to be looked after or repaired.

Furthermore any specialist will have relevant vehicle specific software, preferably from the manufacturer of the vehicle to be able to code program the myriad of on board computers and control modules on a modern late model German high tech automobile.

BMW the Ultimate Driving MachineWe are BMW, Mercedes-Benz & Porsche Specialist – Located in Mississauga

The specialist also should have most of their employees training clearly visible to the clients as part of their credentials to prove their qualifications to work on those particular automobiles. Any specialty shop should have their senior techs with decades of experience on the field which is invaluable as to know the common issues of the many different models on the specific makes of their cars.

Last but not least any real specialist shop will have no more than 3 makes as their specialty, as the demand on software and specialty tools increased in the last decade or so, so did the amount of money invested in the relevant tools and training to keep up wit the ever increasing technological advances in today’s modern but rather complex sophisticated automobiles.

As most specialty shops will tell you to  have access to factory and or manufacturer endorsed training and access to the manufacturers own websites is an out most importance second to only to a real seasoned specialty shop technician which  should be familiar to use the manufacturers own model designations and short forms as they should have the model and make specific subscription available at all times to their advantage for a proper diagnosis on today’s highly automated computerized automobiles.

We hope this helps you to choose the right shop for your fine German automobile. We at Techmax wish you safe driving and trouble free motoring at all times. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Thank you for reading.

Bosch ServiceBosch Service in Mississauga

Contact us for more at: (1) 905.795.0419

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Our preventative service program for BMW, Mercedes-Benz & Porsche

German import car’s alignment diagnostic

BMW, Mercedes_Benz, Porsche engines analysis