Ralph Foglein, owner of European Auto Works in Sunnyvale and a 28-year veteran of the auto repair industry, says finding a mechanic who knows the intricacies of your particular vehicle model will ultimately benefit your car’s longevity. “Also, look for someone with whom you feel you can have a good working relationship. If you find a mechanic who meets these two criteria, you should receive an excellent repair.”
Just as you should find a mechanic who has knowledge about your vehicle, so too should you know the specific maintenance guidelines for your car. If you have a BMW, for example, you can replace normal maintenance parts and still see improved engine performance. Here are some common parts:
Spark plugs
Spark plugs are good indicators of an engine’s condition—removing and inspecting them can tell you a lot about how well the engine is running and what may be causing problems. All spark plugs should be removed and checked every five years or 60,000 miles to prevent them from seizing in the engine block and causing expensive repairs in the future.
Oil filter
Oil filters are easy to replace and help prevent unnecessary engine wear. An oil filter’s job is to remove soot, rust particles and other solid contaminants from the oil. They should be replaced once a year or every 10,000 miles.
PCV breather filter
The PCV breather filter assures only clean, filtered air is drawn in through the PCV breather. A clogged breather filter prevents the PCV from siphoning away the blowby gases and moisture created by engine combustion, resulting in oil breakdown and sludge buildup. PCV breather filters should be replaced at factory recommended intervals.
Oxygen sensor
Your oxygen sensor(s) should be replaced at recommended intervals (typically at 100,000 miles). A worn oxygen sensor drastically changes energy settings.
Vacuum hoses
All vacuum hoses should be checked and replaced as needed. Even a slight leak can cause major performance problems; in some cases, the car won’t even run if there’s a vacuum leak.
Temperature sensors
Temperature sensors control the fuel injection, cooling and exhaust systems. Poor BMW performance can definitely be caused by faulty temperature sensors.
