If you have a truck or an SUV, there may come a time when you want to tow a boat or a trailer. It is important that you follow some important steps so that you tow safely and don't have any problems with the trailer or your vehicle.

Before you tow, know your vehicle's towing capacity. Towing too heavy a load can damage your vehicle. Make sure that the load in the trailer is evenly distributed. 

When you are driving at night in Salem, you want your headlights to shine as clear and bright as possible. Over time, your headlights can get dirty and dingy, but there are ways that you can clean them up yourself.

One way to clean your headlights is to use toothpaste. Scrub your headlights using a wet rag and some toothpaste. 

Tires are the only point of contact between your car and the road, so it's important to the safety of you and your family to make sure they are always in top condition. Even without the guidance of a tire expert, there are a few things to watch, listen, or check for that will provide clear signs that your tires should be replaced.

One of the easiest signs to notice is strange or excessive road noise. 

Responsible car owners know that keeping oil in your car is vital to the life of your engine, so much so that it's often called the lifeblood of a vehicle. But the importance of motor oil means that some motorists falsely believe common misconceptions about motor oil.

Many drivers believe that they need to change their motor oil before embarking on a road trip, no matter the circumstance, but that isn't always true. 

The difference between cars with front wheel drive and rear wheel drive systems is immense. Through all of the engineering sophistication, it boils down to whether your car transfers energy from its engine to pull, or push the vehicle to produce motion. Front wheel drives use torque to pull, and rear wheel drives utilize engine output and a long drive shaft to push.

Both drive systems provide reliable power and efficiency, but they each have advantages that require special attention to maintain. 

Most dealerships offer a warranty with every vehicle unless it's a real lemon. However, there are differences in warranty coverage, and just because a car comes with a warranty, it doesn't mean you are protected against major manufacturer defects or things that break on a pre-owned vehicle that were not your fault.

Powertrain warranties should cover your engine and transmission. 

We all know our car needs fuel to run, but we tend to forget how the fuel gets to the engine until the car quits working. The fuel system of your car is responsible for getting the fuel to the engine. At BMW of Salem, we can check out your car and perform fuel system services.

Here are some signs your fuel pump may be the culprit and in need of replacement.

When you take your car to the mechanic, you hear him referring to an oil change and oil viscosity as if they relate, and they do. The question is, how important is oil viscosity when it comes to changing your oil?

To most drivers, all they have to do is get their car to the mechanic for their oil to be changed. 

The exhaust system takes a lot of punishment. It is exposed to high temperatures, weather, noxious fumes, road salt, and gravel thrown up from the road. Knowing the materials that your exhaust system is made from will help you choose one that has the longest life and resistance to the elements.

When we think of the mechanics of our car, we think of stop and go. The gas pedal, controlled by gasoline, makes it go and the brakes, controlled by brake fluid, make it stop. While we seldom forget about gasoline, we tend to forget about brake fluid until the brakes fail to operate properly. Does your car need new brake fluid?