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DRIVEN: Understanding Winter Tires

With the cooler weather upon us, it’s time to think about switching over to your winter tires. To better understand the importance of winter tires we have shared some information below.

Safety First

Tires are an important factor in safe driving, for both yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road. Below you will find key differences between summer tires and winter tires.

The Amount of Rubber

A higher percentage of rubber in winter tires keeps the tires soft and flexible to better grip the road in cold weather. Driving on winter tires in the summer will cause faster wear, reduce fuel efficiency and create a need for greater braking distance. Because winter tires are more pliable in warmer temperatures, they wear more quickly on hard, dry asphalt.

Tire Tread

Another benefit of winter tires is extra, deeper, grooves, which provide better traction on snow and ice. There are also smaller channels, or ‘sipes’, that allow the tire to keep better contact with eh road surface.

When to Switch to Winter Tires?

We all know that winter tires are for winter driving, but when is the ideal time to make the change-over? Most experts agree that below 10 degrees is when winter tires do best on the road, and above 10 degrees is when summer tires do best on the road.

All-Season Tires vs. Winter Tires

It’s important to note that all-season tires and winter tires have the same grip, that is until the temperature starts to drop. As the weather gets colder all-season tires start to lose their traction, while winter tires gain grip. With this in mind, “all season” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t switch over to winter tires to combat Canadian winters.

Your car will skid if you drive on summer or all-season tires in winter – see for yourself what that looks like and how winter tires fare in the summer.

DRIVEN: Top 5 Day-trip Destinations

Almonte:
Almonte is a scenic mill town on the Mississippi River, near Ottawa. Their 19th-century main street offers galleries, boutiques and antique shops. Excellent restaurants and specialty shops make Almonte a foodie haven, offering lovely inns and B&Bs, some in historic homes along the river. There’s lots to see and do, including a thriving arts community and the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum. https://almonte.com

Merrickville:
Having officially been dubbed Canada’s Most Beautiful Village by Communities in Bloom, and with more designated heritage buildings than any other Ontario community of like-size, Merrickville is a unique and vibrant Victorian village on the Rideau Canal. Less than an hour’s drive from both Ottawa and the U.S.-Canada border, the Village of Merrickville and the surrounding rural area of Wolford love to celebrate their history and culture. Join in and enjoy its heritage, natural attractions, delightful restaurants and shops, small town hospitality, and its all-round, year-round enchantment. https://www.merrickville-wolford.ca/

Perth:
When you first visit Perth, Ontario, you just might fall in love with it. Whether you stroll through the beautifully landscaped Stewart Park, sit riverside on a restaurant patio or shop in the downtown heritage core, you’ll feel it. You’ll look up. And around. And soak it all in. That’s when you realize you’ve arrived in a magical little town that you didn’t even know you loved. Until now. www.perth.ca

Chelsea:
The gateway to Gatineau Park, the rural municipality of Chelsea prides itself on its culture and picturesque setting. The town’s art galleries, boutiques, cafés, restaurants and other gourmet stops give the area an incomparable charm that is felt year round. The municipality is also proud of its heritage, having designated two cemeteries as historic sites and developed the Meech Creek Valley Route. https://www.tourismeoutaouais.com/en/services_en/chelsea/

Wakefield:
Wakefield offers a warm welcome with a variety of cafés, pubs, galleries and boutiques. For the outdoor enthusiast, Wakefield is a four-season playground. Located on the northern edge of Gatineau Park, one can cross-country ski or snowshoe through over 200km of some of the finest trails in Eastern Ontario or Western Quebec in the winter, or hike or mountain bike those same Gatineau Park trails during Spring, Summer and Fall. Rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard for the day and paddle the Gatineau River, or experience dogsledding, horseback riding or other guided adventures only a short drive from the village. http://www.destinationwakefield.com/about/

Otto’s BMW Ottawa Gatineau Auto Show 2019

DRIVEN by our History

If you’ve dropped by our new showroom on Hunt Club Road, you’ve likely come across our storied red 1957 BMW Isetta on display near our new business centre. In honour of this special icon in automotive history, we wanted to share a story from www.bmw.com.

What is a BMW Isetta?

The BMW Isetta is a microcar that was produced under license by the Bayerische Motorenwerke between 1955 and 1962. The “Motocoupé” is based on a design from the Italian manufacturer Iso Rivolta and is known as a bubble car. Isettas typically had a door in the front and a single cylinder four-stroke engine in the back.

The Bubble Car as a Cult Car

The BMW marketing department came up with the term “Motocoupé” for the bubble car. In Germany, the Isetta was affectionately known as a “Knutschkugel” (cuddle coach). There was no better car for zipping around in a city or for short distances. Because it was 7.5 feet (2.28 m) long and weighed a mere 770 pounds (350 kg), it was more manoeuvrable than almost any other car. And two adult passengers could sit next to one another just like in a “regular” car. The Isetta was the only microcar where that was possible.

Since the door opens to the front and the steering wheel and steering column swing with it, it’s easy to get in and out. Luggage goes on the outside on a luggage rack that mounts onto the back. Buyers knew what they were getting: the Isetta was no mini sedan – it was a new kind of car. It was the right kind of car for the 1950s.

All Isettas had a canvas roof, similar to today’s sunroof. Not because of customer demand, adds BMW Group Classic Expert Klinger-Köhnlein, but because an emergency exit was mandatory since you entered the car through a front door.

The Isetta was a Top Seller

The Motocoupé became a much-needed best seller. At only 2,550 German marks (about 1,450 US-dollars or 1,300 euros today), the Isetta was a car most people could afford. And Isetta drivers didn’t need an expensive car licence, all they needed was a motorcycle licence.

Vintage BMWs: the Legend Lives On

Even today, the BMW Isetta has lost none of its fascination and still stands for a certain lifestyle. “At the BMW Welt in Munich, the Isetta is the most popular exhibit,” says Klinger-Köhnlein. Quite a few visitors even take it for a spin to get the full 50s nostalgia experience.

Want to check out the 1957 BMW Isetta for yourself? Visit our new state-of-the-art facility at 660 Hunt Club Road in Ottawa.

TOP 5 SUMMER DRIVING TIPS

Turn Your Lights On
During the summer months, the sun rises earlier, and sets later. If your headlights don’t automatically turn on, remember to activate them sooner rather than later, especially when driving on unfamiliar routes.

Stay Calm
While this may seem obvious, don’t let your emotions or bad mood affect your driving. Take a deep breath and try to stay patient. As much as possible, try and take routes that you enjoy, where the scenery is relaxing and patience-inducing.

Take an Advanced Driving Course
Taking an advanced driving course can help improve your driving skills, not just on the track, but on slippery pavement, on off-road trails, and during emergency manoeuvres. You can take what you learn during the course and easily apply it to everyday driving in order to make you a safer and better driver.

Be Safe
Put your seat belt on correctly and adjust your seating position. The lower seat belt strap should lie over your hips, not your stomach, to ensure it is comfortable and safe. Sit upright behind the steering wheel, with both hands on the wheel.

Share the Road
Sunny summer days usually mean more cyclists and pedestrians, making it especially important to be aware of what’s going on around you while you’re driving. Shoulder check for cyclists, and be prepared to yield even if they don’t have the right of way. Also, after parking, check for passing cyclists before opening your door.

BMW DRIVER ESSENTIALS

BMW Driver Essentials strives to make your journey enjoyable wherever you go. These services include unique modifications and unique personalized solutions for your driving needs and accessory options that complement your lifestyle. We’ll outfit you with everything you need to tackle the road ahead.

Visit bmw.ca/driveressentials to learn more. Contact us today for more details.

2018 BMW X3: RENEWED AND IMPROVED

The third generation of the popular BMW X3 SUV will make its debut in our showrooms as early as 2018! Indeed, the 2018 BMW X3 was completely redesigned and improved in order to present an even more dynamic style, more powerful performance and even more luxurious conveniences.

Two versions will be available: the xDrive30i and the M40i. The first model is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder inline twin engine producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the second model is the first in the range to offer the M Performance package, which gives it a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder inline engine of 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

The cabin is full of luxurious details and materials. Enjoy its maximum comfort level, surrounded by a load of exclusive decorative elements. Don’t miss the dashboard and the centre console, which both offer exceptional refinement. As well, a new application for mobile phones will allow you to see your X3 in 360° real time.

2018 BMW X3 SUV

Want to be one of the first to try it out? Stay in touch get all of the details!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKENDS!

You have until August 31, 2017 to benefit from our incentive!

For a limited time, shop on Mondays and receive $500 off in-stock BMW models. Indeed, in keeping with our 50-year tradition, Otto’s is closed on Saturdays all summer long to allow our staff to enjoy time with their friends and families.

Enjoy your weekend promotion

Our “Canada in style” event is still running as well! Celebrate Canada 150 with the very best offers of the year. But hurry up—offers expire July 31, 2017!

Any questions? See one of our representative for details.

SPOTLIGHT ON THE ALL-NEW BMW X3

The 2018 model of BMW’s mid-size SUV is finally improving its image. As the last update goes back to 2011, this new version is welcome!

For 2018, the BMW X3 is sprucing itself up. Its design, both exterior and interior, is entirely renewed, including a new chassis, state-of-the-art engines and the latest technologies. Modern, strong and unique, the 2018 BMW X3 was completely redesigned for a flawless high-end product that will surely please customers.

Depending on the version selected, under the hood you’ll find a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine with 355 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with this power, the BMW X3 can go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, making it the fastest SUV in its range! The basic model, on the other hand, will feature a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that generates 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, reaching 100 km/h in 6 seconds.

All-new BMW X3

Stay in touch of its arrival at our dealership!

CANADA IN STYLE

It’s time to celebrate Canada 150 with the very best BMW offers of the year, thanks to our “Canada in style” event!

For a limited period, lease the 2017 BMW 320i xDrive Demo from $399 per month, taxes extra, based on 48 months at 1.9% lease rate, including $1,500 delivery credit, $1,000 sale credit and $1,500 loyalty credit. You could also lease the 2017 BMW 330i xDrive Demo from $479! Also lease the 2017 BMW 230i xDrive Coupé Demo from $499 per month, taxes extra, based on 48 months with only $2,500 due on delivery or the 2017 BMW 430i xDrive Coupé Demo from $649 per month, taxes extra, based on 48 months with only $2,500 down.

Canada in Style

Hurry up! The offers expire on June 30th, 2017. Visit us today.

THE ALL-NEW 5 SERIES TOURING

Have you seen what has just joined the new BMW 5 Series? The ever-popular Touring!

It comes with all the same features found in the Sedan, such as all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering and roll stabilization. On top of all this, it ensures an incredible drive thanks to the M Sport Package, including balanced weight distribution, rear wheel drive and straight-six cylinders. Most importantly: the trunk volume grows to 570 to 1,700 litres while loading by up to 120 kg!

Take a look through the latest photos of the 2017 BMW 530d Touring:

BMW 5 Series Touring

Any questions? Contact us!

*Pictures from bmwblog.com

Media

2018 OTTAWA GATINEAU INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

2016 OTTAWA FERRARI FESTIVAL

2016 OTTAWA REDBLACKS

2016 OTTAWA GATINEAU INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

THE OTTAWA FURY FC CAPPED OFF A GREAT SEASON BY DROPPING BY OTTO’S BMW FOR A VISIT! GREAT SEEING YOU NICKI AND MASON – COME BY ANYTIME! #‎OTTOSDRIVINGFURY‬

Ottawa Fury FC

A NIGHT AT A REDBLACKS GAME WITH OTTO’S BMW

BMW M4 – “ULTIMATE RACETRACK”

This summer saw the launch of the next generation BMW M3 Sedan and new M4 Coupé. BMW Canada celebrated this highly anticipated launch with an adrenaline-filled video!

MOTOR TREND: BMW M3, M4 FIRST DRIVE
“…BOTH CARS ARE AN ABSOLUTE BLAST TO DRIVE!”

BMW M3 and M4

“Allow me a moment of crankiness and I’m quick to whine about how BMW’s M division has been lost for the better part of the last decade, building cars (SUVs even!) with stupid-quick acceleration and face-twisting grip, but with all the soul of a microwave and the road feel of a panzer. The current M5 and M6 are uninspiring at best, and even the last-generation M3 didn’t put a big, goofy smile on my face until it was howling near its 8400-rpm redline. Unless it was pushed hard, it wasn’t a special, memorable car. Sure, Fat Elvis could still sing, but his spirit was broken.”