Northeast Columbia Auto Repair

Driving Habits That Save Lives and Wallets Photo by Farzanah Rosli on Unsplash Research psychologists define a habit as “a process whereby context prompts action automatically, through activation of mental context”--essentially, a habit is when we do something automatically because the situation calls for it. A lot of what we do while driving could be defined as “habit”, though we may just think of them as road safety rules. We barely think about turning on our blinkers, checking both ways before crossing a street, or braking at stop signs. Through experience and lots of practice, these are just habits we’ve built.  Habits are simpler to build than you think.  Your basic driving habits keep you safe on the road. Though they might not feel easy to do at first, the more you practice, the more automatic they’ll feel–just like turning on you ... read more

BMW And The American Identity Photo by Josh Naidoo on Unsplash   BMW and the American Identity go hand-in-hand. You know we appreciate our BMWs at Brown Motor Works Northeast in Columbia, SC. But even for those less interested in the BMW, it’s hard to deny the influence BMW has had on American culture and tradition. Let’s take some time to highlight historical reasons why BMW is foreign-made but could still be considered an American classic. BMW and American History BMW is short for Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft, and their first vehicles were designed and manufactured in Germany in 1916. This was just before the 1920s when America would become the international hot spot for automobile innovation and manufacturing ... read more

Photo by Sofia on Unsplash AC Services To Help You Survive The Cruel Summer! Summer is finally here, and most of us are ready for the adventures ahead. However, summer is also a time when cars experience many heat-related issues. We have your back on how to be prepared and ahead of the game to survive the cruel summer! Tips For Surviving And Thriving The Cruel Summer Test your AC: If you are driving your car out and about and your vehicle fails to cool you down from the summer heat, you might need to check your AC. You will most likely need more refrigerant or to replace your air filters.   Get a fresh car wash: This might be obvious, but car washes help get rid of road slats and grime that can cause damage to your car's paint and undercarriage, which is hard to see.    Check your tire pressure: The road is extra hot during the summer, and drastic temperature cha ... read more

Photo by Zan on Unsplash  If You Are Planning To Buy A BMW, Here’s What You Should Know When we plan on buying something, like a car, we like to do the most research we possibly can. A car is an investment that can possibly pay off when and if you want to sell it.   When you plan on buying a luxury vehicle, one of the top brands that come to mind is BMW. BMW vehicles have a long and prestigious history known for their sophisticated appearance and comfortability. They have a wide variety to choose from, including high-performance SUVs and sports cars. Luckily, we will go over our best tips on what you should know before buying your first BMW. Things to know about BMW One of the best and fastest ways of getting to know BMW cars is to go to a dealership and ask the salesperson questions. Ask them things such as mileage, maintenance cost, and warranty information. It ... read more

Photo by Artiom Vallat on Unsplash Why Changing Your BMW Battery Should Be Done At Brown Motor Works Spring is here, and April is National Vehicle Maintenance Month. Most of us have gotten through spring cleaning and preparing for the warmer months ahead. One thing that could be easily missed, especially if you own a BMW, is checking the status of your car battery.   Now, why is a car battery so important? Your car's battery is extremely important as it powers your car's electrical systems, including powering up your car and turning on all your lights. It is crucial you get your car's batteries checked during spring because your car's battery may have drained faster than usual if you live in a colder climate.    There is a pretty common thought around car batteries; that is, you can do it on your own. That might be true for most car owners, but for BMW o ... read more

Photo by Rodan Can on Unsplash Spring is the season of new beginnings. With spring beginning in the month of March, we want to remind you that there are always some preventative measures you can take to show your BMW some love.    After a winter season, your car could have experienced some undetectable damages that you could have easily missed, such as freezing engine fluids, dying car battery, decreased tire pressure, and so on. That is why we are here to give you some great tips to have your car ready for spring!    Schedule an oil change: How long has it been since your car received an oil change? Getting your oil changed might be an obvious tip but oil changes after a winter season are extremely important because it gives your car an optimal chance for longevity and performance.   Have your battery tested: Getting your car battery tested is a great way to do ... read more

Photo by Leon Dewiwje on Unsplash   February is the month of love, black history month, and the beginning of tax season. Thinking frugally is sometimes seen as cheap, but we know that's not necessarily true. Being frugal can lead to saving money for a rainy day or even your BMW.  Why would you want to wait till the last minute to do your taxes when you can get ahead of the curve and start the year off strong! If you get a tax return of any kind, your BMW could use the extra love that your tax return can bring. We always recommend you upkeep your BMW to have the best return on your investment.  Preventative maintenance is the key to keeping your BMW in tip-top shape. What things should you look out for as your BMW ages?  Faulty Coolant Systems: Your BMW's coolant system is important because it keeps the engine at an optimum temperature that prevents it fro ... read more

Photo by Andy Wang on Unsplash   Few initiatives have been as speculated and discussed last year as “Project Titan.” We know so far that this project will serve as Apple’s official attempt to conquer the automotive world and potentially compete with the 800-pound gorilla in the room, Tesla Inc.    Although the hardware empire of Tim Cook is still relatively silent regarding its self-driving technology ambitions, Tim Cook has previously hinted at it, including in this interview with the New York Times, saying:    “In terms of work we’re doing (in that field), I’m g ... read more

Photo by Fernando Marques on Unsplash   What do you get for the BMW lover who has everything they need in their car? Accessorize. There’s lots of wonderful add-on products to enhance a BMW fan’s driving experience!   The BMW driving club is one of the most active across the whole car industry, and if we had to make a list of all the gifts the fandom would enjoy, a book would be the more appropriate medium, instead of an article! However, we’ve never been ones who would run from a challenge. Here are four gifts that we think are some of the best gifts for BMW lovers!   BMW Fusion Tumbler - Let’s face it, most of the bottles and cups ... read more

Photo by Liviu C. on Unsplash   So it’s time to hand over your precious BMW to the next generation of drivers in your family. This is both an exciting and slightly scary process because it’s not so simple as people make it out to be. Incredibly irritating is the fact that your kid (inheriting your car) will have to pay a used car tax which has never been a fun experience.    Keep in mind, most states can allow you to avoid this tax, but only if you are gifting it to an “immediate” family member, such as your spouse, kids, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings. But, as we said, that’s in MOST states.   Although there are a lot of steps to take and a lot of paperwork to do when passing ... read more