The more a car owner knows about their vehicle, the more value they typically get out of it throughout its lifetime. This usually involves them learning about lesser known parts of their vehicle such as the timing belt.

That is why our team located right here at Rick Hill BMW of Kingsport are so excited to give you the basics of your vehicle's timing belt. The timing belt is what keeps your engine running efficiently. It does this by opening and closing the valves of the engine at precisely the right times. On average, experts agree that a timing…

The last thing you need is a glare from the headlights of another car and you have a dirt windshield. Our team of highly trained car technicians know how to match your car with the right wipers. In fact, having good wipers is important based on the type of windshield washer fluid you use also. Driving responsibly is dependent on how well you can see out of your windows, but most people only consider the conditions of their car mirrors. Our professionals will work hard to improve your vision during the rain, snow, and other extreme weather conditions affecting your…

It can be difficult to pick out the kind of vehicle that you want to purchase, and it can be hard to know if you will prefer a vehicle with front-wheel or rear-wheel drive in place. You need to figure out which one benefits you more than the other.

Rear-wheel drive is going to give you better balance and better handling. It can help you drive better and feel more confident behind the wheel. Front-wheel drive is going to give you better traction. This will help you get through rain and sleet and snow without as much chance of getting…

The harsh and extreme weather conditions will have a negative impact on your car battery over time, so it is important to understand what is happening under the hood.

When the temperatures stay freezing for long periods, the chemicals within the battery are turning solid too like the oil in the engine. If this occurs too long, the casing of the battery could expand, causing damage to the delicate components within. Once this happens, it is only a matter of time before the battery will fail.

If the weather is too hot, the excessive heat is going to have the…

The internet makes life easier for folks in more ways than they could imagine. Using the online scheduling app for the dealership allows you to book your next service appointment when it is more convenient for you.

Maybe you only have a few hours each week to take care of errands, and that doesn't include sitting in the dealership waiting room for hours until your car gets servicing. Book with the online scheduling app and choose when you want your car serviced, tires rotated, or oil changed.

At some point, all vehicles will need to be serviced whether it's for minor routine maintenance or major repairs. At Rick Hill BMW in Kingsport, TN, you can schedule your service appointment at any time from anywhere that you have Internet access to include mobile devices.

Our online service scheduler is fast, convenient, secure, and easy to understand. Your appointment can be scheduled within a few minutes for any type of service. We will also contact you to confirm your appointment.

We all pretty much know that horsepower is the unit of measure of power for our automobile engine. What many of us do not know, however, is what that term really means or how it was even thought up. It goes back to the late 18th century when James Watt was trying to sell steam engines.

Watt needed a way to convey to his customers how the power in those engines compared to a workhorse, which was the mode of transportation at that time. He noted that a mill-horse could move approximately 33,000-foot-pounds a minute, and thus labeled that…

Today's vehicles are more sophisticated than ever. However, with these enhancements comes a little confusion. One thing of the past that seems to be engrained in many vehicle owners is that they must change their oil every 3,000 miles. Truth be told, this can actually cause more harm than good. The oil and engines of today are advanced enough to go an average of 5,000 miles before even considering an oil change. Some vehicles have even been reported by manufacturers to go 15,000 miles without visiting the service center.

If you're checking out new cars, you've probably done some research. One of the most common things people overlook is getting set up with financing. This can be a daunting task for some people. Finding a car that fits into your budget is a concern for nearly every customer. Our team at Rick Hill BMW recognizes these concerns and has come up with a solution that is beneficial to everyone.

You can now go online, provide some basic information, and get pre-approved for auto financing. The process is quick and simple, and, it also saves you time and…

Don't wait until trouble strikes out on the highway and you are left at the mercy of the towing company, plan accordingly for trouble so you can get back on schedule with your road trip. Consider these safety tips from our staff at Rick Hill BMW before you leave on your next trip.

Use these travel safety tips to keep your holiday travels seamless: https://t.co/5qZkhGa2AJ pic.twitter.com/RpDvAnd4g2

— Cars.com (@carsdotcom) December 24, 2016