BMW Ireland’s Guide to Maintaining your Car during COVID-19

During this unpresented times owners may have concerns over the maintenance of their cars, BMW Ireland have put together a list offrequently asked questions for customers with some practical matters to help keep your BMW ready for its next journey.  BMW is committed to supporting customers affected by the closure of our retailers during the coronavirus restrictions.

The BMW Ireland Customer Care Team are always on hand to provide further advice and help with any queries customers have about their vehicle. They are available by phone on 1890 719 421, customerservices@bmw.ie or visit HERE.

How long will my battery last during a period of non-use? 

Car batteries, like any battery, discharge when used.  Your car will take power from the battery even when locked and parked, as it is uses the battery to power essentials such as the car alarm.

How long you leave a car without starting will depend on the condition of your car's 12-volt battery.  A BMW with a healthy battery should last at least two weeks, without needing to be started up to re-charge.

If, as part of your essential-only travel, your engine runs for approximately 20 minutes once a week, the battery in your car is unlikely to go flat. 

Do not lock/unlock or switch on the ignition without driving the car unless necessary.  Prevent listening to the Radio, using your headlights, heating or air conditioning system without first starting the engine. These excessive 'wake ups' of the vehicle electrical systems should be minimised. 

What to do to my tyres when parking a car for an extended period of time?

Check the tyres to make sure they are at the recommended pressures to prevent cracking of the sidewalls and flat spots. Check the valves and valve caps for leaks and that the valve caps fit properly.

If storing the vehicle for longer than 3 months, increase the tyre pressure to 3.5 bar.  Remember to adjust the pressures to the recommended values prior to driving the vehicle.

Will my car being parked for a long time affect my brakes?

Your brakes will be affected by an extended period of non-use.  You may see surface rust on the brake disc after even a short period of time.  With prolonged periods of non-use, brakes and handbrakes can become corroded and require replacement. 

Using your car at intervals, sufficient to charge the battery for example, should keep your brakes corrosion-free.  Remember to drive with caution if your brakes show signs of light surface corrosion as stopping distances may temporarily be extended.  If you have any concerns about it is important to seek expert advice.

What fuel level should I have when parking my car for long periods of time?

Ideally think about storing your BMW with a full tank of fuel to avoid any condensation build-up.

How long will my battery last when not using the car?

An Electric Vehicle or Hybrid High Voltage battery will last for weeks when not being driven, as a Li-Ion battery has a low self-discharge rate. The car can be left connected to a home charger 'wall box' as charging will stop once the battery is fully charged.

A BMW’s Battery State of Charge can be seen and monitored in the vehicle or via the Connected Drive app on a smartphone.

How often should I clean my car?

The General advice is to wash your car every 1-2 weeks where possible. Benefits may include removing any external influences that may cause damage to the paintwork (e.g. bird lime), clearer visibility which contributes to safer driving and of course, keeping your BMW looking at its best!

Is my warranty affected by Coronavirus?

BMW is committed to supporting customers affected by the closure of our retailers during the coronavirus restrictions. Customers requiring a vehicle service during the delays caused by Coronavirus can rest assured that your warranty will be unaffected by this disruption.  All cars serviced within 3 months or 3,200kms (whichever is earlier) of the service indicator will be protected in full by any applicable warranty. 

For customers with a warranty expiry during the coronavirus restrictions (from 14th March 2020 onwards), we will extend your warranty coverage until 30th June 2020.  End of warranty checks due during this period will also be fulfilled.  Customers in self-isolation beyond 30th June should contact a BMW Centre to arrange for collection and delivery of your car.

Subject to the terms of the BMW Automotive Ireland Legal Notice and Website Use, the information provided is purely a guide on how to keep your vehicle appropriately maintained, in particular during this period of lockdown.  BMW accepts no liability if your failure to follow any one or more of the recommendations in the guide results in damage or loss to you, your vehicle or any third party; or in the event you follow any one or more of these recommendations using inappropriate materials or equipment, which cause damage or loss to you, your vehicle or any third party.

-Ends-

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2019, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 175,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 133,778 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

In 2018 BMW Ireland announced that its retail network will be making a significant €37 million investment across its operations in Ireland and in the process will be creating 120 new jobs over the course of an 18 months period. This substantial financial commitment coincides with the expansion of BMW i, the electric vehicle sub brand of BMW, in Ireland.

The BMW i brand will now become an integral part of all Irish retailers’ operations to sell and service the Group’s current and future range of electrified vehicles including BMW i3, BMW i8, range of plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as the forthcoming BMW iX3 and the MINI Electric. Of any manufacturer, BMW Group has the highest market share for new car registrations in Europe and in Ireland sales of electric/hybrid BMW and MINI Vehicle in 2017 went from 173 units sold to 336 units sold in 2018. We anticipate the sales of hybrid to grow considerably in the years to come. 

As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility, BMW supports a different charity each year, an area that BMW Group Ireland takes very seriously. For the past two years BMW Ireland has support Temple Street Children’s Hospital. BMW Group Ireland not only provides a financial contribution through fundraising events but also offer their time in the charity environment through volunteering, applying their skills to a non-profit cause and lending of products, services and other resources.

www.press.bmwgroup.ie

@ BMW Ireland Facebook

@ BMW Ireland Twitter

@ BMW Ireland Instagram

@ BMW Ireland LinkedIn

@ BMW Ireland YouTube

For further information, please contact:

Laura Condron | Corporate Communications & Events Manager | 086 047 7549 | Laura.Condron@BMW.ie

For further information, please contact:

Aisling Brogan | Corporate Communications & Events Manager | 086 014 6474 I aisling.brogan@bmw.ie