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Fall is in full swing and there really is no better time to get your vehicle in tip-top shape before the winter weather hits. Everybody loves fall. The weather is perfect, not too hot, not too cold...aka the best time to service your vehicle! In fact, October is Car Care Month, and we want to help get yours in the service mood! We know that service isn’t always everyone’s favorite part of owning a vehicle, but that’s why we have certified professionals that are eager to do the hard work for you! Our team wants to help you by accommodating you and your vehicle needs. We know how frustrating it is to have your vehicle out of commission, but here at Loughead Nissan, we vow to service your ride in a fast and efficient manner, regardless if it’s a big or small task. However, we know a lot of our customers are avid car fans and know their way around their vehicle's guts. If you’re a DIY fan, we want to help make sure that you have the right tools to get your vehicle in tip-top shape for the winter months ahead. Below you will find 5 tips for your fall car maintenance checklist. We want to make sure you’re thorough with your maintenance so we highlighted important sections of your vehicle that you should give a little more love to. If you have any questions or decided that you just don’t have time to do all this maintenance yourself, just head over to our site to schedule a service appointment for whenever it is most convenient for you! 5 Tips For Fall Car Care: Check Your Tires: Check tire tread depth Look for any signs of wear and tear such as bulges and bald spots Check the tire pressure, and adjust it accordingly using the PSI listed in your owner’s manual or driver’s side door-jam Tire pressure drops when the temperatures drop, so keep a regular schedule of tire pressure maintenance Inspect The Battery: Check the battery connections to make sure they’re tight, clean and free of corrosion Harsh winter weather can be hard on a vehicle battery, so you want to check the battery and charging system before the cold sets in Check Wiper Blades, Defrosters, and Heater: Checking your cooling and heating system is important for your comfort, but it’s also important for your safety, too. Visibility could be hindered in the winter month due to frost, ice, snow, and other elements. Making sure your defroster is working, your wiper blades don’t have any cracks or are leaving streaks across your windshield Generally, wiper blades should be replaced every 6 months Don’t forget the windshield wiper fluid! Most vehicles will warn you you’re running low but it is always a good idea to keep it recommended levels Have Your Brakes Checked: It’s no secret your breaks are important, but in the winter months, it’s important they’re in shape to take on the winter weather. Make sure the brake pads/rotors don’t need to be replaced and have the brake line checked as well. Our team is more than qualified to help give you peace of mind and repair any issues we may find Check Your Lights: Your vehicle’s lights tend to be overlooked, but as the days begin to grow darker sooner, your lights become extremely important Think about the last time you changed your headlights and taillights, if you can’t remember, chances are it’s time to change them! If they’re still running smoothly, give them a good cleaning to create better visibility Schedule A Service Appointment Now!

Your friends here at Loughead Nissan are bummed that summer is coming to an end, but we are also excited to make the turn into the fall season! Fall is the perfect season for automotive anything! Meaning, if you’re looking to slip behind the wheel of a new vehicle now is a perfect time! With brand new 2020 models hitting the lot and tons of amazing offers coming your way, Loughead Nissan is the place to be this fall. But fall is also a really important time for vehicle owners to get their vehicle in tip-top shape for the winter months ahead. If you’re not into the whole DIY stuff, we totally get it, that’s why we're here to do the hard work for you! All you have to do is schedule a service appointment and drop off your vehicle! But for those of you who like getting your hands a little dirty, this week we have a ‘ready for winter’ checklist to help get you started on your fall maintenance...or at least have you schedule an appointment to get these services done! So take a peek below and be sure to stop into Loughead Nissan this month for all of your fall maintenance needs! Battery Power: Making sure your battery is fresh is important. The experts say you should change your battery every 3 years, though you could get away with 5 depending on how much you drive...If you’re thinking to yourself “I can’t remember the last time I changed my battery,” it might be time to do so. Make sure the cables are not loose. With the engine off, see if the cables can slip free from the nodes. Don’t yank, but be firm. Check for corrosion, a white powder that forms around the nodes or clamps of your battery. You can clean this off using baking soda, water, and a toothbrush. Fill your Fluids: It might cost you a little bit more but invest in a “winter blend” type of windshield wiper fluid. These tend to have more alcohol in them and less water so the chance of freezing is less. If your windshield washer fluid tank hasn't been flushed in a few years then it could use it! Be sure not to mix colors; most antifreeze is green, blue or yellow, but be sure not to mix colors. Checking your vehicle's oil is important. If you have not had an oil change in a long time, it might be time for one. Additional Preventative Measures: Buy an emergency kit with cables, first aid kit, flares, battery-powered air compressor and other things that can prevent a minor inconvenience from becoming a major problem. Check the clarity of all your lights. Keeping the gas tank at half-filled can help prevent a fuel line freeze; so can that fuel-line antifreeze mentioned earlier. Tire pressure is important in the snow, be sure that your vehicle’s tires are to the correct PSI. Schedule Service Today!

Can you believe July is right around the corner? Us either, but with summer in full swing we are sure that your next summer getaway will be here sooner than later and before you hit the road it is a good idea to make sure that your Nissan is in tip-top shape! One of the most overlooked maintenances is topping off your fluid levels. But what are fluid levels? What levels are you topping off? Don’t stress it, we’ve got all you need to know in this week’s blog! So take a peek below and if you need help topping off your fluid levels, schedule a service appointment today and we can get your vehicle back into tip-top shape in no time! Fluid Levels: Oil What it does: cools your engine, lubricates moving parts, keeps moving parts clean What to do: change it regularly (dealer recommendation) and check it monthly Coolant What it does: regulates your vehicle’s temperature. Where to find it: in a reservoir near the radiator. What to do: if the level is low (level is indicated on the reservoir) take the vehicle to the shop to get coolant topped up. Power Steering Fluid What it does: helps you steer the vehicle Where to find it: a reservoir at the base if windshield. What to do: same as above, if the level is low take your vehicle to the shop to get the fluid topped up. Brake Fluid What it does: helps braking mechanisms work properly What to do: if the level is chronically low, your brakes could be wearing out. Windshield Washer Fluid What it does: helps clean windshield of dust, debris, bug guts, etc. What to do: if you run out, get more at your local gas station and just refill the clearly labeled tank. Service Your Nissan NOW!

Spring is in full bloom and there is no hiding the fact that the rain is falling! Although the rain brings beautiful flowers, trees, grass, and everything else, rain isn’t our favorite weather condition, especially when your wipers are not in tip-top shape! Wiper blades are extremely important to the driver’s safety, yet many of us tend to overlook maintenance for our wipers. This might be because many of us don’t know when it is appropriate to change our wiper blades. Well, no more! This week we are bringing you all you need to know about your wiper blades including what to look for when the time comes and how to prolong their lifespan! So go ahead, take a peek below and see if it might be time to change your wipers! If you find that your wipers are in need of replacing and you’re looking to replace with genuine Nissan wipers, be sure to stop in or order your wipers online right on our site! What to look for: Broken frame: detachment from frame arms Metal corrosion: specifically at joints and claws Cracks, tears, or missing pieces in the rubber Check squeegee’s wiping edge, if it is rounded the wiper blade will be unable to make strong contact with the windshield Maintenance tips: Wiper blades should be checked at least every six months and changed out once a year. Weather conditions play a vital role in the life of your wiper blades and can sometimes cause them to deteriorate at a quickened pace. Check over both the squeegee and the metal frames to avoid common problems like streaking, skipping, splitting, and clattering. By doing this you will avoid reduced visibility when weather strikes. These tips can help your blades: Clean your windshield each time you fill up your gas tank Gently wipe off any dirt or oil with a damp towel that has built up on the rubber squeegee. Replace Your Wipers Here!

Servicing your vehicle is a necessity, but keeping on top of all the things that a car needs is a lot to handle. The truth is you could bring your vehicle to the dealership to get serviced every time you need something done, but a lot of things your car need are simple enough for you to do from the comfort of your own home. The best part, you can save yourself a little money when you do some DIY work. Although, that doesn’t mean all projects can be done yourself. If you find that your vehicle needs attention that you can fix on your own, we suggest calling the professionals to eliminate any additional costs or damage. Like we said above, there is a lot of this that come along with servicing your vehicle, and remembering to keep an eye on it all can be impossible. That’s why this week we did the hard work for you and we created the ultimate winter car checklist! From short-term check-ups to long-term check-ups and even seasonal check-up! So take a second to make sure you’ve checked off all of the boxes. If you will be traveling this holiday we suggest you stop in for regular maintenance and to make sure your vehicle can make the trip. If you find that your vehicle needs any work that you might not be able to handle yourself or you just don’t have to do, schedule an appointment with us through our online service scheduler. We have certified technicians that can help you get your Nissan back on the road in no time! Winter Car Checklist: Short-Term Check-Ups Check oil and coolant levels Replace air filters Make sure your vehicle’s tires are filled to the recommended pressure level Check Tread depth and make sure it is thick enough to make it through the winter Check all of your lights, this includes headlights, turn signals, brake, and parking lights Oil and filter replacement Rotate your tires Waz vehicle to protect exterior paint from cracking in winter weather Long-Term Check-Ups: Transmission fluid level Transfer case fluid Inspect shocks and struts Coolant fluid exchange Check spark plug Serpentine belt Front and/or rear differential Season Check-Ups: Replace windshield wipers Battery performance check Change Tires Check coolant levels Service Your Ride Before Hitting The Road!

If you’re like me you leave the work to the professionals, but what if I told you that if you rolled up your sleeves and got a little dirty you could save yourself a lot of money! I’m not saying every fix can be a DIY project sometimes we have to leave it the professionals, but there are a handful of DIY projects you can do to save a couple of bucks! This includes keeping all of your fluid levels at the proper spots! So pop open that hood (there is a lever inside your vehicle) and fill up some fluids! If you feel that you aren’t able to do this on your own we advise you ask for help or get professional help! If you need help filling you fluids give us a call or come into Loughead Nissan, we’d love to help! Oil Your oil cools your engine, lubricates moving parts, and keeps the moving parts clean. You should change it regularly based on dealer recommendation and check it monthly! Coolant Coolant regulates your vehicle’s temperature. It is located in a reservoir near the radiator. If the level is low (level is indicated on the reservoir) take the vehicle to the shop to get your coolant topped up. Power Steering Fluid This helps you steer the vehicle. It’s located in a reservoir at the base of your windshield. Do the same as above, if the level is low take your vehicle to the shop to get the fluid topped up. Brake Fluid Brake fluid helps braking mechanisms work properly. If the level is chronically low, your brakes could be wearing out. Windshield Washer Fluid As you probably know, this helps clean your windshield of dust, debris, bug guts, etc. If you run out, get more at your local gas station and just refill the clearly labeled tank. Maintenance your vehicle with us!

Some of us are what we’d call “handy,” which means that we are good at fixing things and not having to seek out the help of professionals. However, when it comes to cars, no matter how handy you are there are still some repairs that you should always leave to the pros. Sure, it’s an expense, but I for one would rather pay and know that the job is being done right than leave it up to chance and risk a seized engine. First of all, don’t touch the transmission. Don’t even change the fluid. If you mess up the transmission you’re in for a much more expensive repair than you had on your hands before you decided to try and repair it. Windshields are another thing that you just need to bring to glass professionals. Even those store bought kits that say they fix cracks are lying to you. Just get a pro in there and you’ll be set. Anything to do with wiring has been off-limits for me for a while, but I need to remind us all that trying to tinker with anything in the car that has a lot of delicate electronics is a bad idea. So no putting in a new sound system on your own! Do you know how bad electrical fires are? Stay away! Don’t think about touching the fuel pump, either. This is not only a very precise part, but it requires precise installation and even the smallest mixup can total your engine from the inside out. The final thing on my list is engine diagnostics. This should be a no-brainer. The little code reader you can get that turns off the check engine light doesn’t actually fix anything, so why waste money that you could spend on getting what’s making the light come on repaired? Scheduling Service Is Easier Than Ever!

How often do you check your oil? Let me guess - you don’t, really, unless someone specifically asks you to. Well, let me ask you to do it at least once a month. Take your phone out right now and set a recurring monthly calendar event to check your oil. How about Saturday morning? That’s a great time to check out your car, and maybe even clean it out a little while you’re at it. If you don’t know how to check your oil, it’s really simple, and everyone can do it. Here’s how to get that done - did you make a calendar event? Open the hood. Prop it so it stays open. Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel. Dip the stick all the way back in. Pull it out again and look at the oil level. If it’s in the middle of the hatched/indicated area, you’re good. More is better, less is okay, but if you’re lower than the area you need to get your oil topped up and have your system checked for leaks. Look at the oil quality and color. If there are a lot of particles or if the oil looks sludgy, you need to get it changed as soon as possible. Put the dipstick back in. Close your hood. We’ll Change That Oil For You Though

Well, folks, it’s December and now is the time to get your vehicle ready for the winter if you haven’t done so already. We’ve got all the important tips on how to winterize your car, so keep reading and then go make sure you’ve got everything ready! First of all, assess your parking situation. Do you have a garage? If you can park your car in it, you’re doing great. If it’s full of junk from the summer, clean it out! You should use your garage for its intended purpose, especially in the winter. Next is to check your fluids. Is everything at the level it’s supposed to be? How is your radiator doing? The coolant level is the one you should really be watching out for. You should also start using windshield washer fluid that contains nontoxic antifreeze. Similarly, check on your windshield wipers. Make sure they’re in good shape and that they can handle the winter weather. Consider getting some wipers specifically designed to be used in the winter. Test all of your defrosters and make sure they work. If not, get them checked out soon. Is your battery new? If not, give it a once-over. Are the connections tight and not corroded or rusted? Is everything working the way it should be? Finally, check on your tires. Make sure the treads are still good, and that they are at the right air pressure level. If you tend to get a lot of snow, consider getting snow tires or other accessories (like tire chains) to get you through those slick spots. Come Talk To Our Service Department Today!

Are you gripped with dread, fear, and horror at even the thought of your check engine light coming on? How do you feel when it actually does come on? I know that I am immediately thrown into panic and my brain says something like “well, I guess your car is broken forever now.” Not helpful, brain!!! But then I did a little research on why my check engine light comes on, and apparently, it’s not usually nearly as bad as you might think it would be. In fact, the most common reason can often be solved by just tightening your gas cap. Check out why your check engine light might be coming on in our list below. It could be your gas cap. Seriously, if your gas cap is loose or broken or cracked or totally missing, this could be what’s making that light come on. So if the light appears, the first thing you should do is check on your gas cap. It’s a possibility that you’ve found the solution. If the cap is broken or missing, your dealer can replace it. Spark plugs are also a likely culprit. Everyone needs to get them replaced every so often (usually about 100,000 miles in newer cars) and it might be time for yours to be switched out. Your Mass Airflow Sensor could be to blame. This part tells your car’s computer to add the right amount of fuel based on the amount of air that’s coming in to the engine. When this piece is broken, your emissions increase, your efficiency decreases, and your car might stall. Maybe your oxygen sensor(s) are to blame. Your O2 sensors monitor the unburned oxygen in your exhaust, which tells your vehicle’s computer how much fuel is being burned in your engine. When the sensor is broken, your mileage can decrease. Don’t wait too long to get this checked out. It could also be your catalytic converter. This is also a reason your check engine light might be coming on. If this part is broken or faulty, it won’t reduce your exhaust gases like it’s supposed to, which in turn will decrease your MPGs and mess with your acceleration. Get this fixed IMMEDIATELY, even though it is the most expensive repair on the list. (Note: if you need to get your O2 sensors replaced but don’t do it, you can burn your cat out.) If That Light Is On, Budget For Service

Is it time for you to get an oil change? Facts: if you’ve got a light on your dashboard that says you have maintenance required, then yes! It is time. But I bet you don’t know how to calculate that frequency yourself, or what you need to be doing to maintain the health of your engine in the meantime between oil changes, do you? Well, if you don’t, here you go. If you DO know, then good for you! Teach your kids what they need to know. If you don’t have kids, teach someone else’s kids. So, first, the frequency of changes. They used to say that every 3,000 miles or six months was how often you should get your oil changed, but that’s definitely not true anymore. Depending on what type of oil is used, how many miles are on your engine, how hard you drive your car, where you drive your car, and what type of engine you have are all factors that go into determining how long you should go between oil changes. Your dealer is the best source of this information, but your owner’s manual is a close second. Next, making sure your oil is in good shape! You should check it once a month. It’s a really easy process - simply open up the hood, pull out the oil dipstick (yellow handle, labeled, near the engine) and wipe it off with a clean cloth. Dip it in again and take a look at the oil when you pull it out. If it is between the two marks on the end of the dipstick, you’re good. If it’s a little higher, then that’s fine. If it’s low, then you should top off the oil - of course, before you do this you should know what type of oil is in your engine so you don’t mix and mess something up accidentally. You should also check for small particles in the oil - if there are particles, you should get your oil changed pretty soon. This is a good thing as it means the particles aren’t getting stuck to the inside of your engine parts, but you should still get your oil changed. And that’s it! Good luck, and remember - coupons are your friend. Special Price On Oil Changes? Yes Please!