The majority of drivers assume the battery in their vehicle is responsible for supplying power to the vehicle. However, this is why the alternator in the car is so vital for the electrical system to work flawlessly. The car battery instantly sends a jolt of power to the starter motor so the engine can crank over. Once the car engine is idling, then the alternator sends juice to things like the power windows, charging stations, and instrument cluster.

The car alternator operates like a typical generator, getting its power from a crank wheel that is spinning at high speed as…

It’s a good idea to carry a set of jumper cables in the trunk of your vehicle for those moments when you or another needs assistance. They require some care to use them safely, but they’re otherwise very straightforward. One of the main concerns is recognizing which cables represent the positive and negative charge. Another precaution is taking care not to let them touch any other metal surface once you’ve started connecting them to the batteries.

The positive cable is either red or has a stripe. The negative cable is black. Begin by connecting the cables to…

Are you seeing smoke when you try to start your car? Maybe your engine just won't turn over. These are indications there could be something wrong with your starter. Here are four signs that your ignition might need some attention.

1. Grinding - A cringe-inducing grinding noise often results from a worn out starter.
2. Smoke - A number of different problems with the starter, including an electrical short, can cause smoking. 

Auto manufacturers strive to make your driving experience as safe at night - or during limited visibility - as possible. Headlights are your primary defense against driving blind. When a light burns out or is damaged, replacement is a must. If only all headlights were as easily replaced as a lamp's lightbulb, life would be good.

Your desk lamp sits in one place and seldom, if ever, is faced with the bumps, jarring, or road debris that your headlights face on a daily basis. To survive such a rough environment, headlights are held into place with brackets and a dust cover…

Driving a new vehicle can be a really exciting experience. Sure, you may only be driving to and from work each day, but doing so in a vehicle that you love that keeps you safe is important. What else is important is making sure that you perform routine maintenance on your vehicle and make sure it stays in tip-top shape. That way, you can trust that your vehicle will be reliable. A couple of things you should pay attention to is your overall tire tread as well as your tire pressure. Both of these things contribute to how much you…

If you have ever been stranded on the side of the road in the wintertime due to running your vehicle out of gasoline, you know that not only was it an inconvenience but it can also be a dangerous situation. Not having a full tank of gas in your vehicle when you need it in winter conditions could mean that you are at the mercy of the elements. We at Global Imports BMW do not want to see that happen to you.

There is no reason why anyone that has a newer car should follow the 3,000-mile rule that states that you should have your oil changed every 3,000 miles to avoid damaging your engine if you have a newer vehicle. This rule was used back at a time when vehicle technology was not as sophisticated as it is now.

Carrying over this antiquated rule only wastes money and oil. We at Global Imports BMW do not want to see you wasting oil or money because we care about the environment and we know that in these uncertain economic times…

The wiper blades on your vehicle do an important job. They help to clear off the glass that allows you to see the road in front of you. It is important for you to switch out to winter wiper blades when the weather is cold.

Winter wiper blades are important because they work well in very cold temperatures. Other wiper blades might free

If you are like many people, you have a budget to stick to. But if you need to get a new ride, it may be hard to find a vehicle that fits within the boundaries of that budget. If you get a used car, you will be able to find a monthly payment plan to fit your budget, and you will also have it paid off sooner than if you were to buy a brand new vehicle.

Come see us here at Global Imports BMW to take a nice used car out for a test drive today. You will have…

The winter temperatures are right around the bend, and with that comes ice and the occasional threat of treacherous driving conditions. When there is even a little bit of snow and ice on the roads, it could mean a very bad time for driving for Atlanta commuters. We simply aren’t set up for unexpected winter precipitation. This leads to a very interesting question: Which is better for traction in winter? Is it salt, sand or kitty litter?

Rock salt, which is used for de-icing roads, works well to melt the ice or snow.