When you buy a car, whether you buy new or used, it’s important to prepare yourself for a future of proper vehicle maintenance. The better maintained your vehicle is, the longer it will last you and the fewer problems it will experience. Properly maintained vehicles are safer, more comfortable, more dependable, and of course, have a better resale value. Here at Thomas Nissan, we do our best to be your number one option for Nissan maintenance. No matter what you drive, we promise to treat your vehicle as if it was our own.
Entrusting your vehicle into the hands of a stranger can be nerve-wracking. You depend on your vehicle to get you and your family to work, to school, and everywhere else you need to go. Vehicles are usually costly investments, and these investments must be protected. At Thomas Nissan, not only will we take the proper care of your vehicle, we promise to be honest and transparent so that you know exactly what you’re paying for. We want to build a lasting relationship with our customers, providing the quality service and quality vehicles that you deserve for years to come.
A properly maintained vehicle is one that visits a mechanic or service center regularly. This could mean every couple of months or every set amount of miles. Each time you visit your maintenance center, there are certain things that your mechanic will make sure to take care of. When you follow the recommended schedule outlined in your vehicle’s owner manual, not only will your vehicle keep running properly for the longest amount of time, but you will also be able to keep your vehicle within its warranty guidelines. That way, should anything unforeseen go wrong, most of your issues will be covered by the manufacturer.
There are many common maintenance needs that a vehicle needs to go through in order to meet these guidelines. Each specific vehicle is different, but for the most part, a properly maintained vehicle will need regular fluid changes and checks. This includes but is not limited to oil changes, transmission fluid checks, antifreeze checks, brake fluid checks, and so on. Additionally, it is important to get your brake discs and pads checked and maintained, your battery fresh, and your tires rotated and replaced regularly. Doing so will keep your car in tip-top shape for as long as possible.
For most vehicles, it is recommended that you get your oil changed every 5,000 miles or six months. This can vary a little bit based on how many miles your vehicle has on it and what kind of oil you are putting in your vehicle, but 5,000 miles is a general rule of thumb. Making sure your vehicle’s oil is in good shape is vital to the smooth working order of your engine. Without good oil, your engine will seize up, and before you know it, the entire vehicle may be totaled. While some people opt to do their oil changes at home, due to the space, time, and tools required to perform an oil change, most people bring their vehicles to a certified technician, such as the staff here at our Nissan maintenance center, to handle the oil change for them.
Did you know you also need to get your transmission fluid checked regularly? Checking and changing your transmission fluid is just as important as changing your engine’s oil: it just isn’t needed quite so often. Most vehicle manufacturers recommend you change your transmission fluid every 30,000 - 60,000 miles. Good, clean transmission fluid acts as a lubricant that keeps your entire transmission running smoothly and effortlessly.
Your vehicle’s battery is very important because you’ll have a difficult time getting your engine started without a good battery. While a properly maintained battery can last for many years, some circumstances, such as regularly leaving your car lights on overnight, parking your vehicle in a place with extreme temperatures, or even just how often you drive your car, can cause your battery to wear out more quickly. In general, it is recommended that you change your battery every 3 - 5 years. Thankfully, it’s easy to check the status of your current battery by visiting our Nissan maintenance center.
Having a set of tires that are in good working order is critical to the safety and well-being of your vehicle and everybody inside of it. Tires that are in good condition are better able to grip the road in the event of a sudden stop, a sharp turn, or even just everyday driving down the road in inclement weather. When your tires are worn out, you are more likely to slip and slide out of control, and that’s a situation nobody wants to find themselves in.
You want to change your vehicle’s tires whenever the tread reaches a certain level. The speed at which this happens depends on many factors, including your driving habits. However, for the most part, it is expected that you will need to change your vehicle’s tires every 25,000 - 50,000 miles. Getting your tires rotated regularly within this timeframe will go a long way in extending their life through more even and regular wear. It is a good idea to get your tires rotated every 5,000 miles when you get an oil change.
Beyond just having tires that have a good amount of tread left on them, it is also important to keep your vehicle properly aligned. When your vehicle is out of alignment, all kinds of parts begin wearing out way before their time. A vehicle alignment is a quick and inexpensive maintenance step, but it can make a world of difference in the safety and dependability of your vehicle. There is really no reason not to get your vehicle’s alignment checked regularly.