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Month: October 2021

BMW Door Lock

Common Causes of Door Lock Failure in a BMW

When you purchase a BMW, you expect it to work flawlessly, and most of the time, it does. However, like any machine, it will occasionally run into problems that need to be fixed. One of these possible issues is with the door locking mechanism.

Imagine getting out of the grocery store one day with your cart laden with all the food and supplies you purchased, only to discover that the doors to your BMW won’t unlock. It could be worse when attempting to get out of your vehicle after a lazy Sunday afternoon drive and finding yourself locked inside. When the door lock fails, these are the sorts of things that can happen.

The Breakdown

A trusted and experienced BMW mechanic will be able to fix the problem, but it can be helpful for your peace of mind to understand the possible causes of this malfunction so that you will know what to look for.

  • Key fob malfunction: Back in the early days of automobiles, cars used regular keys to lock and unlock. With the advancement of technology, however, car manufacturers have found safer and more secure ways to ensure your vehicle stays closed and locked. Key fobs are the more secure option. Normal locks can be picked, but key fobs are specially coded to work for your unique vehicle, making it much harder to break in. However, that also means that if they stop working for some reason, that security can work against you. You may find yourself either unable to unlock the door or unable to lock it. There are options, such as replacing the battery in the fob to see if it works, but that is assuming you have a spare battery on you. Many times, you will have to call for roadside assistance to get your door open.
  • Electrical problems: Like a lot of things in modern vehicles, your BMW’s door locking mechanism is powered by electrical energy. This means that if you’re having other electrical problems in your vehicle, it could cause the doors to malfunction as well. If you notice, for example, that only one door is having trouble locking or unlocking, that could be a sign of some kind of electrical malfunction, such as a blown fuse or a faulty connection. Be sure to pay attention to other signs of electrical problems, such as your dashboard lights being dim or the cabin interior lights malfunctioning. The sooner you detect a problem, the sooner you can bring it in for diagnostic testing and repair, possibly sparing you from being locked out of your BMW.
  • A bad door lock actuator: The door lock actuator is essentially the middle man between your key fob and the lock, interpreting the buttons you press on the fob to tell the lock what to do. It uses gears to make the lock either engage or disengage as needed and sensors to determine which of those actions is necessary under the given circumstances. Essentially, if this piece of equipment stops working for whatever reason, then the lock on your BMW’s door will remain in whatever position it was in indefinitely before the actuator broke. In some cases, the problem could be random, where sometimes the actuator will work and sometimes it won’t, but it could also just cease to function entirely. In either case, it’s a good idea to bring your vehicle in for repair as soon as you start having trouble.

BMW Door Lock Failure Causes

How to Get Help With Your BMW’s Faulty Door Lock

While it may not be the most dangerous of malfunctions, BMW Door Lock Repair a faulty door lock is definitely annoying and should be fixed as soon as possible. However, it’s not advisable to attempt to fix it yourself unless you are skilled with car repair and have a lot of experience working with BMWs specifically. BMWs are very unique and require specialized knowledge and equipment to be repaired properly. Also, working on electrical systems can be dangerous.

Rely on our trusted mechanics at Euro Plus Automotive. We are conveniently located for customers in and around Canoga Park, Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles County, California. We specialize in the maintenance and repair of luxury European car brands such as BMW, so you can trust that we have the expertise necessary to fix your door locking problems quickly. Contact us today to set up an appointment!

Audi Car

Our Top Professionals Give Recommendations on How to Maintain Your Audi Under Budget

While Audi is known for high-end luxury and performance vehicles, they are also known to be expensive to repair when things go wrong. This can be a major concern for Audi owners who wonder what they can do to mitigate the possibility of high repair bills in the future.

While adhering to your owner’s manual on service intervals is a good start, it can also be beneficial to learn more about how variations in driving style and environment can change when maintenance ought to be performed so you’re ahead of the curve in keeping your Audi in good shape. So what should you be thinking about when trying to maintain your Audi under budget?

Maintenance Items for Audi

There are several aspects of routine vehicle maintenance that can help extend a vehicle’s life in the long run.

  • Oil changes: Often car manufacturers of modern vehicles recommend oil changes every 10,000 miles. This varies by specific make and model, but it is often recommended to do this sooner. This is because oil is technically the lifeblood of your Audi (and any internal combustion engine), and contaminants within it can cause engine damage. It’s advisable to change oil every 5-7,500 miles, depending on the car itself and type of oil used. If you have a performance or sports car Audi, you should opt for every 5,000 miles (or even sooner depending on how you drive the car) for oil changes, as performance engines are naturally under more stress and strain than economy engines. Further, using full synthetic oils means you will need to change the oil less frequently than if you use conventional oil.
  • Air and cabin filters: Usually these filters are recommended to be inspected every 20,000 miles, but it’s best to look at them any time you have your Audi serviced. This ensures dirty filters can be replaced or cleaned if reusable filters are installed. The air intake should be as clean as possible to reduce the chance of dirt and debris being sucked into the engine. Note that if you live in a particularly dusty area, it’s likely you will need to change filters more often than someone living in a region with less dust.
  • Brake fluid: Brake fluid is generally to be replaced every 30,000 miles or 3 years, whichever comes first. You should do this sooner, however, if you drive a performance Audi, especially if you drive it hard, such as at a track or other automotive events.
  • Coolant: Coolant is often replaced every 40,000 miles. However, if you have any part of the coolant system replaced, such as the radiator, hoses, thermostat, etc., it’s important to go ahead and replace said coolant to avoid contamination.
  • Tire rotations: Rotations should be done every other oil change, unless your Audi is a crossover or SUV, in which case it ought to be done every service.
  • Spark plugs and timing belts/chains: For spark plugs, it is best to consult your owner’s manual for the recommended intervals. The same is true for timing belts, which are often recommended around 80-90,000 miles. Timing chains, however, do not usually need to be replaced at regular intervals. They can, however, show signs of needing replacement such as your check engine light illuminating or a clicking sound from the engine bay. If you notice these, have the Audi serviced as soon as possible to prevent damage.
  • Transmissions: Check your owner’s manual for the interval for your Audi. Do not neglect this vital component as it’s essential to getting your car in gear, literally!

Monitoring the fluids, timing, and ignition components regularly help ensure your Audi is in good shape and can warn of impending trouble. These are aspects of a regular maintenance schedule that when attended to prevent catastrophic damages and high repair bills in many cases.

Budget Audi Maintenance Tips

Euro Plus Automotive for Audi Services

At Euro Plus Automotive, we have been Audi Car Tire Rotation providing service to German and Japanese vehicles for over 30 years. We only hire individuals with expertise in specific makes and models, so you can be confident your vehicle is being attended to by an expert.

We provide year-round maintenance services from ASE certified technicians and do so at a fraction of the usual costs. Euro Plus Automotive can be found at 7107 Canoga Ave in Canoga Park, California 91303. We also serve the nearby areas of Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles County, CA. Our hours are 8:00AM-5:30PM, Monday-Friday. Call us at 818-710-8244 to schedule a convenient appointment!

* Audi Car image credit goes to: vesilvio.

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