Oil Changes
Oil changes and fluid replacements keep the individual components of your car going strong. When it comes to changing them out, stick to the manufacturer recommendations for your Nissan to ensure healthy performance for many years to come.
Take Care of Your Car
Fluids allow movement within the car, keep everything cool, and ensure that the power and pressure in the vehicle is always at the right level.
What Are the Advantages of Changing the Oil and Fluid?
- Avoid costly repairs like transmission replacement.
- Minimize friction and extend life of the engine.
- Improve gas mileage.
- Increase the lifespan of the brakes..
- Keep the car at the proper temperature, even in high-pressure situations.
Types of Engine (Motor) Oil
Semi-synthetic, synthetic, mineral or natural are the most common types of engine oil. Your car likely has one or two types that will work best in it, and it helps to have a trained mechanic take a look so you know more about what you’re paying for when you get an oil change. You’re looking for the oil that will give you the bare minimum of contact between the different metal components of your car.
That thin film separates the internal workings of your car to keep your car running smoothly. Waiting too long to change it can result in system failure, leading you to an extremely expensive repair bill.
Not only does engine oil decrease the negative effects of combustion, but it prevents internal deterioration too. Look for the viscosity level on the oil you choose, which will tell you how thick the liquid is.
Each oil has a rating that tells you more about how the oil will react in different temperatures. For example, a very low number followed by a W in the rating (e.g., 0W20) tells you that your car is much more likely to start in the dead of winter. The number after the W will tell you when the oil will begin to thin once it starts to warm up.
You’re looking for the oil that will retain its viscosity, regardless of what the temperature is. Essentially, the higher the viscosity index, the better. A trained mechanic at Ted Russell Nissan can help you navigate both the oils and the manufacturers, so you’re guaranteed the best performance of your car.
Overview of Motor Oil
Semi-Synthetic
- Fuel economy savings
- Gives your car more protection than full synthetic
- Three times better at reducing engine wear than full synthetic
- Starts working within the first 10 minutes.
- Requires less oil changes than full synthetic
Full Synthetic
- Excellent at performing in extremely cold temperatures
- Can reduce the amount of fuel you use
- Reduces the amount of deposits, which increases the life of your engine
- Aids your engine in power and performance
- Works quickly to coat the moving parts of the engine
Mineral
- Gives your car the basic protection it needs to function
- Will require more frequent changes than other oils
When Should I Get an Oil Change?
Benefits of the Fluids in Your Car
Transmission Fluid Helps You Shift Gears
Your automatic transmission is reliant on transmission fluid to go from one gear to the next without giving you any trouble. Transmission fluid is red, so it’s easy to identify if you do have a leak. The fluid has a filter built-in to keep it clean, but eventually you’ll start to lose fluid over time. This can lead to shifting trouble or transmission damage. Transmission replacement is an expensive repair, so check your fluids if you’re sensing any type of problem as you accelerate on the road.
Coolant Prevents Overheating
Your engine is under a lot of pressure when you drive, and the coolant is what regulates the temperature. Always check the coolant when the car is completely cool. It’s normally stored in a white container to the side of the engine. There are only two markings on the semi-translucent container: high or low, making it easy to see if you need more.
Brake Fluid Helps You Stop on a Dime
The fluid is what allows your foot to activate the cylinders which then work with the calipers, rotors, and pads to make your car stop. Over time, the fluid can boil though, which releases gas bubbles. This is what’s happening in your car if your brake pedal feels spongy when you press down on it. For a firm experience that doesn’t require you to pump your brake again and again or press the pedal all the way to the floor, call Ted Russell Nissan to top off your fluids.
Service Hours
- Monday – Friday: 7:00am to 6:00pm
- Saturday: 7:00am to 4:00pm
- Sunday: 1:00pm to 6:00pm
Parts Hours
- Monday – Friday: 8:00am to 6:00pm
- Saturday: 8:00am to 5:00pm
- Sunday: 1:00pm to 6:00pm