Fuel Efficiency Tips for Nissan Drivers: Save More, Drive Further

Regularly scheduled auto maintenance is a form of preventative care, as it reduces or eliminates the need for later repairs. It also ensures your Nissan maintains its value and continues to work efficiently. As your Nissan dealership, we want to give you a few examples of the types of Nissan maintenance we provide. Oil Changes Regular oil changes help keep your engine clean and prevent damage, as oil additives break down harmful engine deposits and protect against rust. Oil lubricates your engine components, providing a protective coating that reduces friction damage and unnecessary wear and tear. Depending on your Nissan model, it may use conventional or synthetic oil. more Conventional oil needs to be replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, while longer-lasting synthetic oil should be changed every 7,500 to 15,000 miles. Both types of oil become sluggish as they age due to the accumulation of dirt and other minute debris from the engine. This reduces their ability to lubricate the engine effectively. We can change the oil and install a new oil filter while you wait. Tire Rotations Rotating the tires reduces wear and tear on the tread and increases their working life. While you can't prevent the gradual loss of tread due to surface friction, a tire rotation can protect against other forms of damage. Each tire position generates a specific wear pattern. Over time, continued damage to the same tire sections will cause leaks or a blowout. Tire rotations are usually performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, depending on your Nissan model, tire type, driving conditions, and driving habits. Our technicians move each tire to a different position, helping to equalize wear so that each tire abrades at a relatively similar rate. Rotating your tires also reduces strain and damage to other components like the brakes, struts, shocks, and axles. Air Filter Replacement Your engine requires huge quantities of air for combustion. This might seem odd, but it's essential as the fuel requires air to burn efficiently. Air enters through the radiator grille and passes into the engine air filter. The filter's concertina-like folds trap dirt and dust before allowing the now clean air to enter the engine and mix with the fuel. The air filter will become clogged with dirt over time and should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. If the filter isn't replaced, the level of air in the fuel-air mixture drops, and your engine will become fuel-rich. A fuel-rich engine lowers fuel economy, as most of the fuel used doesn't burn due to the lack of air. In addition, the spark plugs, ignition coils, cylinders, and pistons will all suffer unnecessary damage. Book your next maintenance by contacting our service department at Ken Ganley Nissan Mayfield in Mayfield Heights, OH.

A car battery, like all components, has a limited lifespan and will eventually fail. Fortunately, the battery always shows some signs that something is wrong, so you have enough time to replace it before it dies. As your Nissan dealership, we'd like you to know a few signs you need to visit us for a battery replacement. Dim Headlights Dim headlights can be a sign that your battery is failing. When your engine is switched off, the battery supplies power to all your Nissan's systems until the engine is running again. If the battery is weak, it can't store enough power to supply all the systems. This can mean a system receives enough power to switch on but not enough to work as efficiently as it should. more You can test the battery to check if it's weak by rechecking the headlight brightness when the engine is switched on. If the lights burn brighter, your battery is probably running out of juice. Alternatively, if the lights are still dim, you may need replacement headlight bulbs. If the battery seems to be the problem, we'll check it to confirm the diagnosis and install a new one to fix the problem. Check Battery Light The battery light looks like a line drawing of a battery with + and - signs. This light illuminates in response to any issue that affects the electrical system. Sensors are attached to all your Nissan's important components, and they continually supply information to your vehicle computer. These sensors can detect even minute changes in their connected component. A healthy battery supplies 12.6 volts, while at 12.3 volts, it's at 3/4 charge. If the sensors detect the battery voltage at 12.2 or lower, they inform your computer, and the warning light will light up. Our technicians will test your battery, and we can install a new one in minutes if the original is failing. Rotten Egg Smell A rotten egg smell from under the hood means your battery is weakening. This nasty smell is produced by hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a corrosive, toxic gas that can form when a battery is failing. A battery contains sulfuric acid, which is used to provide the chemical reactions that enable the battery to store and supply electricity. The acid slowly breaks down naturally as the battery ages, and hydrogen gas is released as part of the breakdown process. Hydrogen gas wafts out of the battery and mixes with sulfur molecules in the engine compartment, forming hydrogen sulfide. We can't fix the worn battery, but we can install a new one to prevent it from failing. If you suspect your battery is in trouble, contact us today at Ken Ganley Nissan Mayfield in Mayfield Heights, OH.

Imagine how unpleasant it was to drive in the heat of summer before air conditioning? This wonderful device keeps us cool and refreshed no matter the heat outside. If your AC stops working on a warm summer's day, you'll soon notice the difference. Keep an eye out for the following signs that you need prompt air conditioning maintenance at your local Nissan dealership; the earlier you catch and repair a fault, the better. Only Warm Air Blowing Refrigerant is a sophisticated substance that flows through the AC system, turning back and forth from liquid to gaseous form, cooling the air as it does so. If your refrigerant leaks, the entire system will stop cooling your cabin even though air will keep blowing from the vents. more Refrigerant is remarkably hard to see with the naked eye as it's almost transparent and evaporates rapidly in the open air. One of our technicians can inject a fluorescent leak tracer dye into the system and then use a blacklight to locate the leak, which may originate in the evaporator, compressor, condenser, or one of the hoses or hose connections. No Air Blowing at All If air stops blowing from the vents, the blower motor or blower resistor might have malfunctioned. The issue could also stem from a faulty belt or hose, or a problem with the fuse or relay. Additionally, a clogged air intake vent could obstruct airflow, impacting AC performance. Rattling and Other Noises Your AC should be quiet as it cools your cabin. Strange sounds such as rattling or knocking might simply be a leaf or other debris trapped inside the vents. These noises might also mean the compressor's clutch is malfunctioning, which is a little harder to fix. And grinding or squealing noises could point to a worn-out bearing. Smells of Mildew and Mold When left unused for a few weeks or months, moisture inside the air-con system can provide a fertile breeding ground for mold, mildew, and all kinds of bacteria. Then, when you eventually switch on the AC again, the spores from this contamination sweep into the cabin, carrying a very unpleasant smell. As this moldy air can be unhealthy to breathe, it's best to have your AC cleaned right away. Get Quick Air Conditioning Maintenance at Your Nissan Dealership Your car's air conditioner is a complex system with several different components. As such, it's unwise to attempt to repair it yourself. It's far more time and cost-efficient to allow one of our technicians to diagnose and promptly fix the fault. Visit Ken Ganley Nissan Mayfield in Mayfield Heights, OH, to have your AC problems remedied. With swift, courteous service, we can return your car's cabin to comfortable and cool again in no time.