Maintaining Your Wyoming Valley BMW X3 in Wilkes-Barre, PA

Your BMW X3 Sport Activity Vehicle is one of the American-made versions of the Ultimate Driving Machine, built at Plant Spartanburg in Greer, South Carolina. It may speak German with a Southern accent, but it is still an extremely capable vehicle from BMW. Able to carry people, pets and things on their daily journeys, BMW X3 can respond at a moment's notice.

But in order to keep it so responsive, it needs to be properly maintained by BMW certified technicians, following the company's service schedule designed to address, repair and replace all vital components in your BMW X3 vehicle. The benefits are twofold: They help to keep your service costs down, while at the same time, keeping your vehicle's value up.

First up: According to BMW, "Basic" service on your BMW X3 should occur every 5,000 miles. During this time, your Wyoming Valley mechanic will first check for open campaigns and recalls, followed by a change of motor oil and oil filter.

Next, they will rotate your BMW X3 tires and check the tire tread depth. If you are using synthetic motor oil, this step will be bypassed until the 10,000 mile mark because of its longer lasting characteristics.

Next, they will inspect the tire pressure of your BMW X3 for the correct PSI rating. An inspection of all exterior lights happens next, followed by an inspection of the brake pads and rotors. A topping off of the fluids is next followed by a multi-point inspection with print out.

BMW has divided service periods into 5,000 mile intervals. At each interval, they have scheduled an oil change and tire rotation along with other minor inspections.

Speaking of oils: Oil is the most important fluid in your BMW X3 vehicle, its purpose is to lubricate and cool the engine internals.

Your BMW X3 can use conventional motor oils but BMW and the mechanics at BMW of Wyoming Valley recommend a high-performance synthetic motor oil instead.

Benefits of synthetics include longer life and the ability to withstand thermal breakdown. That way, you will visit the service department at BMW of Wyoming Valley less frequently than before. Change the synthetic oil in your BMW X3 every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.

During this service, your BMW X3 Wyoming Valley mechanic will also replace your oil filter, which prevents dirt and debris from entering the inside of your BMW X3 engine.

While the synthetic oil change occurs every 10,000 miles, there are other basic service intervals that occur at the 5,000 and 10,000 mile mark. Tire rotation, a tread depth analysis and pressure check are all on the table, as are an examination of the exterior lights, and front and rear brake components, including brake pads and rotors.

Finally, a multi-point inspection and topping off of the fluids, as well as a check for any open campaigns and recall notices happens, all with the purpose of keeping your BMW X3 performing like a BMW.

At 15,000 miles, your BMW X3 is due for an intermediate service. If you are using conventional motor oil, it's time for a change. If synthetic is what's inside, you are good for another 5,000 miles.

In addition, your Wyoming Valley BMW X3 mechanic will inspect the condition of the engine air filter, the in-cabin air filter, the drive boots, the operation of the cooling system, the brake fluid levels, the fuel lines, a check for coolant leaks, a complete inspection of steering, exhaust and suspension components, and finally a reset of all maintenance and warning lights.

A major service occurs every 30,000 miles in which all the examinations that occur during the Basic and Intermediate services will once again occur here. But this BMW X3 service goes further, by adding the replacement of the air filter, in-cabin air filter and an inspection of the ignition wires and distributor cap.

These schedules cover the basics, but that's not all there is, is there? Items like windshield wipers should also be paid attention to, as well. Critical to the safety of you and your BMW X3, they do wear out and it's not because they have been used too much. Instead, UV rays, high heat and humidity all conspire to shorten the life of windshield wipers and they actually do a good job of it, too.

These elements, along with extreme cold at other times of the year, can cause the rubber to powder away or become brittle and break. We recommend their replacement every six months. Just stop by the service and parts department at BMW of Wyoming Valley for a set of Factory-Approved windshield wiper replacements. Our service team will be happy to see you. Need directions? Google "BMW mechanics near me" and there we are.

Other aspects of car care need to be monitored and corrected at various times. They include a wheel alignment on your BMW X3 SAV by the Wyoming Valley Service department. Kind of like a visit to the chiropractor for your vehicle, you'll know you need it, if your BMW X3 drifts off to the left or right while you are cruising down a straight highway.

Before your BMW X3 heads to the alignment rack, ask that your BMW's tires are rotated before they perform the alignment service, to insure they receive equal wear at all four corners. Consult your BMW X3 owner's manual for more information.

Tires: You can't go anywhere without them so it's important you check them on a monthly basis. In addition to the checks performed on your vehicle by your BMW of Wyoming Valley service technician, you can check your tire's air pressure with a common pressure gauge.

Reach in your pocket for a Lincoln head penny, and you have your tire tread depth checker, too. Simply place a penny with a crisp rendering of President Abe Lincoln head first into BMW X3's tire tread.

If the tire treads cover "Honest Abe's" ears, you are good to continue on. If you can see any air above Lincoln's head, it's time for an immediate change. Bald is for babies, eagles and old men. Not your tires.

The Parts Department at BMW of Wyoming Valley will have exact replacements for your BMW X3, all at competitive prices.