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LEGAL DISCLAIMER - BMW and the BMW logo are trademarks of BMW AG, registered in the US and other countries. The information contained in this FAQ is for entertainment purposes only and in no way reflects BMW of North America's or BMW AG's views or opinions. Use of the information contained in this FAQ is at your own risk. No warranty can be made for the content accuracy of the authors' material. Opinions expressed are entirely those of the authors. Reproduction and distribution of this material in a modified form is strictly forbidden without expressed written permission from the authors. All rights are reserved.
Q. How should I winterize or prepare my car for long term storage?
A. For a vehicle which will not be driven or even started for a long period of time, several key steps should be taken. First off, change the motor oil, top off the gasoline, and add a product called Stabil (prevents the chemical break down of gasoline) to the fuel tank. Specially designed mats and over inflation of the tires to about 50 psi will prevent tire flatspotting or you can roll your vehicle a foot or so every couple of days. Another option some have employed is to use jack stands to raise the entire vehicle, although this does not allow suspension components to rest in their intended position. Disconnect the battery (make sure you have your radio code first). A more efficient alternative to disconnecting the battery is to use the BMW Advanced Battery Charging System or the original Battery Tender. For lengthy storage periods (greater than one month of non use), remove the spark plugs and coat the cylinder walls to prevent flash rust. A recommended option is to use specially made desiccant (absorbs moisture) canisters which take the place of the spark plugs. Do not use the emergency brake, instead use wheel chocks. Finally, cover the vehicle to prevent dust build up in areas difficult to reach.
BMW Advanced Battery Charging System
P/N 82.11.0.026.663
Q. How do I remove the air bag stickers from the visor?
A. A product called Goof-Off works well at removing the sticker and any residue. After the sticker has been removed, be sure to treat the vinyl with a non-silicone vinyl protectant.
Q. Where is the best place to mount a radar / laser detector?
A. You want to mount the detector as high as possible on the windshield for a maximum line-of-sight. However, do not place the unit in the tint band as this will impede laser detection performance. A suggested location is to the left of the rear view mirror just below the tint band. An alternate location is to centered on the windshield just below the rear view mirror.
Q. How can I contact someone at BMW other than the dealer?
A. Visit the BMW North America or call BMW Customer Relations at (800)831-1117 (Mon. - Fri., 9 AM - 7 PM EST).
Q. Where can I find the official BMW M Power book?
A. Unfortunately, the limited print book is no longer available on BMW's website.
Q. Where can I find websites with useful M3 information?
A.
Q. Where can I find BMW icons for my computer?
A. A fantastic set of BMW mouse pointer icons (for Windows) can be found at http://www.kwyjibo.com/bmw/.
Q. What are the commonly suggested brands for...?
A.
| ITEM | BRAND |
|---|---|
| air intakes | Active Autowerke, Dinan, ECIS, Jim Conforti |
| air filters | ITG, K&N |
| clutch stops | Ron Stygar, UUC Motorwerks |
| exhaust systems | Active Autowerke, B&B, Dinan, Strömung, SuperSprint |
| leather treatments | Lexol |
| performance chips | Bell, Escort, Valentine 1 |
| radar detectors | 100 |
| speakers | a/d/s/, JL Audio, Stealthbox |
| suspensions | Bilstein, H&R, Koni |
| tires | Bridgestone, Dunlop, Michelin, Pirelli, Toyo, Yokohama |
| waxes | Blitz, Meguiar's, Zaino Brothers, Zymöl |
Q. How does one interpret the VIN?
A. Information regarding the logic behind the VIN sequence can be found at http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/all_vin_chart.gif.
Q. Who is Ron Stygar?
A. Ron spends countless hours helping the BMW community with repairs, modifications, advice and just about everything else BMW related. Visit his web page where you'll find some of the most useful BMW related information on the internet at http://www.unofficialbmw.com/frame_ron.html.
