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You've probably seen the blue ASE signs that our team proudly displays here at MINI of Charleston? What exactly is ASE and what's its importance? Great questions. We've got your quick intro.

ASE Certification

ASE is short for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Certification indicates that a service technician or service department possesses the highest level of expertise. There are 52 different types of tests designed to gauge advanced proficiency in various sub-specialties, such as collision repair, school bus, truck equipment and even parts.

Have you ever seen a clay bar? It looks like Play-Doh or another putty substance. You can mold it and fold the clay bar to rub across your car’s paint, removing all kinds of imperfections, dirt, grime, deposits, insects, and road tar.

The clay bar technique can buff out most imperfections and improve the luster of your paint. It can create a glossy, wet finish after a car wash. However, to use a clay bar, you’ll need to apply a lubricant first. Clay barring doesn’t scratch your 

It is always important to know and maintain the suitable amount of air pressure in your vehicle's tires. The right amount of tire pressure is often located on your vehicle's doorjamb, which is also the suggested amount of inflation from the manufacturer. You can also check the manual offered by the dealership.

Tire pressure also depends on various factors, such as the type of drive system you are using, either front or all-wheel drive, and the vehicle's weight. Inflation also affects every aspect of the tire, such as tread contact shape, handling characteristics, and load-carrying

Getting a flat tire can be a real hassle. It can be intimidating if you've never changed one before. The team here at MINI of Charleston want our customers to understand their vehicles thoroughly. Knowing the difference between a compact temporary and a full-size spare tire is the first step to becoming more familiar with your vehicle.

A compact temporary spare tire is often commonly referred to as a donut. It's a smaller version of your car's regular tires. This scaled-down tire is especially useful in smaller cars because they won't take up too much trunk…

Hydroplaning is a dangerous occurrence that sometimes happens to vehicles when it's raining. If your tires are not able to scatter water properly, a layer of water can build up between the tires and road, which causes hydroplaning. When hydroplaning occurs, it feels like your vehicle is skidding, and you may lose control of braking and steering.

Don't panic if your vehicle starts to hydroplane and try to avoid hard braking. If you slam on the brakes, the front wheels will slow but the back wheels could lock, and this could cause a spin out.

Is the Battery Dead

Car batteries, unfortunately, cannot last forever and often times fail at the most inconvenient times. If you notice that your vehicle’s headlights are dimmer than usual or that your vehicle is starting slower than normal, then the battery may be going bad. Routinely testing the battery in your vehicle will allow you to avoid being surprised by a faulty battery.

Use a Multimeter

A multimeter is a great and essential tool that you will need to use in order to check the battery that is in your vehicle. 

Our experts at MINI of Charleston are always standing by to help motorists. One way that you can improve safety when you're out and about is to have a roadside emergency kit. There are an abundance of roadside emergency kits on the internet, or you can make one on your own.

Basic roadside emergency kits typically come with a first-aid kit, jumper cables, a flashlight, batteries, and a tool kit. If you live where there's snow and ice, then blankets and an ice scraper should be included in your kit. A quart of motor oil and coolant are…

Your vehicle is made up of multiple systems. Your engine system is made of many parts, and if one of those parts is faulty, it can cause the engine to malfunction. Engine gaskets aren't complex parts, but they play an integral role in how your vehicle's engine performs.

Gaskets are very durable. They can stand up to extremely hot temperatures and excessive pressure. The purpose of gaskets is to act as a perfect seal between two surfaces so that fluid and gas doesn't escape or mix. Gaskets are made from a variety of items, which include composites…

At MINI of Charleston we know how it feels to look out the window and see thick sheets of rain falling. It’s time to leave for work, but driving in the rain can be dangerous. What do you do? The car is in the garage, so no need to worry about getting wet here. It’s a different story on wet roads though.

Turning on the wipers can help keep the windshield clear, but be aware that unless the indoor and outdoor temperatures are close to equal you may have to deal with the glass fogging up with the…

Exhaust leaks are common, and it’s crucial to take note and have it repaired. There are always signs which show that the exhaust is leaking.

Loud noise

It is manifested through loud noises from the engine. It is often the main sign of a leak.

Poor fuel usage

When you need to fuel your vehicle more times than usual, it signifies your vehicle's exhaust leaks. It, therefore, forces you to fuel a couple of times due to inefficiency.

Odor

A leaky exhaust usually emits a strong smell in the air. The car owner should, therefore, take it for…