How to Check Your Vehicle's Fluids

An oil change is one of the most important services that you can perform on your car. Focusing on preventative maintenance ensures you keep your car running efficiently. You can avoid a lot of expensive and inconvenient repairs simply by learning when it's time to schedule an oil change. At Coulter INFINITI, we have a comprehensive service center where we can perform oil changes and other services your vehicle may need. Not sure if you need an oil change? We're here to help. 7 Signs You Need Your Oil Changed It's Your Scheduled Time Your owner's manual will provide you with a recommendation on how often you should change your oil. Depending on the engine, it may be every 3 months/3,000 miles or even every 5 months/5,000 miles. Obviously, the more time you spend on the road, the more frequently you should be getting oil changes. If you can't remember the last time you got your oil change or the sticker from the last oil change shows that you're overdue, you'll want to get scheduled with a service center right away. The Oil Level is Too Low Oil levels should be maintained so that it can lubricate all the moving parts of your engine. If there's not enough oil, it can lead to burning smells, grinding gears, and more. The oil level is something that you can check on your own. Just pop the hood and use the dipstick inside of the oil reservoir. If the oil level is lower than what is indicated, it's time to get an oil change. The Oil Consistency is Off Just as you can check the oil level with your dipstick, you can do the same to check the oil consistency. If it looks a bit too sludgy, it's because you need an oil change. Often, as the oil is filtered again and again, your filter gets clogged - and that makes it hard to keep the oil at the proper consistency. Once it becomes too much like sludge, it can end up clogging various systems and be ineffective at lubricating the various parts. As such, you'll want an oil change so that your oil filter can be changed, and all the old oil can be drained out and replaced with new oil. There's Exhaust Smoke Oil is meant to run through your vehicle smoothly. If it starts to get too thick or has too many contaminants inside, it can become unfit for the engine. When that happens, you'll often see smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. You may even notice a burning smell. The smoke is usually a tell-tale sign that you need an oil change. There are Vibrations and/or Knocking Sounds Oil is what lubricates the various parts so that everything runs smoothly. If you start to hear knocking sounds, it's usually because there is insufficient lubrication. The vibrations in the steering wheel and the overall vehicle (especially when it's idling) are because the engine is struggling without the lubricant. A routine oil change will usually eliminate the vibrations and the knocking sounds. Your "Check Engine" Light is On Most cars today run diagnostics to help you avoid major problems with the engine. If your "check engine" light comes on, it's usually because diagnostics have indicated that there's a problem. You don't want to ignore the light or clear the code without talking to a certified technician. Often, the light comes on because your oil is not at the right consistency, it is too low, or it is creating too much exhaust smoke. Fuel Efficiency Has Dropped One of the top reasons to get an oil change is because it can help you to maximize your fuel efficiency. Gas is expensive, so you want to get as many miles on a tank as possible. If you start to notice that you're not getting the same number of miles that you used to, it may be that your engine is having to work harder. Routine oil changes help with engine performance. So, if your engine isn't performing properly, it will impact fuel efficiency. Rather than wait to see if the fuel mileage improves naturally, get scheduled for an oil change. Schedule Your Oil Change Today When you buy a car, your goal should be to take care of it so that it goes on to last for as long as possible. Many engines can easily go 200,000 miles or more with the right amount of preventative maintenance. Oil changes are easy to schedule at Coulter INFINITI. When you're ready for your oil change, call us or schedule an appointment online.

Your vehicle represents a major investment. However, the investment doesn't stop at the initial purchase. To protect and ensure the life of your vehicle, it's imperative to have regular preventative maintenance. While everyone knows about the importance of an oil change, having regular wheel alignments holds a place in the preventative maintenance hierarchy as well. Simply put, wheel alignment improves the safety of your vehicle by keeping the right amount of tire in contact with the road. Wheel alignment also prevents your vehicle from pulling too much to the right or left. Even so, many customers often ask us, "What is a wheel alignment" and "How do I know when it's time for a wheel alignment?" Fortunately, the team at the Coulter INFINITI Service Center has you covered. Let's take a closer look at the wheel alignment service as well as a few tell-tale signs that you need to have your wheels aligned. What Is a Wheel Alignment? While the name of the service is "wheel" alignment or "tire" alignment, it actually has very little - if anything - to do with your wheels or tires. A wheel alignment refers to the adjustment of your vehicle's suspension. The suspension system is tasked with connecting the vehicle to the wheels, which determines the way your vehicle and tires make contact with the road. How Often Should I Have My Wheels Realigned? You should have your vehicle's alignment inspected and realigned at least twice a year or whenever you purchase new tires. You may need to have your wheels aligned more often depending on your driving habits. You should also have a wheel alignment or inspection if: You venture off-road often, You have a sharp impact with a pothole or curb, You notice your tires are wearing unevenly, You have other suspension parts replaced, You have steering components replaced, Notice your vehicle pulls or drifts to one side, You lower or raise your vehicle, You get in an accident, or You notice your steering wheel isn't centered when your tires are pointing straight. What Are the Signs I Need Wheel Alignment? As with most parts of your vehicle, it may offer distinct signs that your wheels are out of alignment. Here are the most tell-tale signs that your wheels need to be realigned: A crooked steering wheel. If you are driving straight and your steering wheel is crooked, you may need a wheel alignment. One simple test is to pay attention to your steering wheel logo. It should be straight if you're driving straight on a road. The tires wear too quickly. Every tire has a mileage rating, which indicates how many miles you should travel before needing to replace the tires. In the event your tires wear significantly faster than the rating, you should have your alignment inspected. Your tires wear unevenly. When you have your tires properly rotated, they should wear evenly. However, if your tires are wearing unevenly, you could need a wheel alignment. Weird noises from the steering system. Your vehicle is designed to make noises, but hearing strange noises from the steering system could indicate you need a wheel alignment. The vehicle pulls to the left or right. When driving on a straight road, your wheels should generally continue straight and hold the path. But if your vehicle veers to the right or left, you may need a wheel alignment. Squealing tires. When you turn corners, your tires shouldn't squeal. If they do, it's most likely due to a misaligned suspension. Why Should I Have a Wheel Alignment? At the very core, having properly aligned tires will ensure you enjoy the best possible driving experience. On the other hand, if your vehicle is out of alignment, steering could be more difficult. It could hinder your ability to do quick maneuvers, which could spell disaster in an emergency situation. In addition, proper wheel alignment can help your tires last longer and deliver a smoother drive by ensuring all wheels are pointed in the proper direction. And, poor wheel alignment can cause your vehicle to guzzle gas more quickly, reducing your MPGs. Simply put, it makes dollars and sense to have your wheels realigned. Contact Coulter INFINITI for Wheel Alignments Although proper tire alignment is extremely important, it's often overlooked. Part of this may be due to the fact that tire misalignment can be very subtle. Fortunately, the experts at Coulter INFINITI can help. Our ASE-Certified mechanics can perform fast and efficient wheel alignment inspections. We leverage the latest and most advanced precision equipment coupled with the best expertise to check your alignment and repair as needed. Contact Coulter INFINITI today for wheel alignment services.

At Coulter INFINITI, our factory-certified automotive techs regularly perform different kinds of maintenance to keep your vehicle running at its best. An oil change is one common task and if you've ever had questions about it, check the following for answers. What Does Oil Do? Your car engine consists of many moving parts, such as pistons, valves, and the camshaft, that would rub against each other if it weren't for motor oil. This liquid's main function is to minimize friction and reduce wear while ensuring that engine parts move smoothly. Your engine then lasts longer with fewer mechanical breakdowns. Oil also transfers heat. Due to friction, the movement of parts creates heat in your engine block that could cause a fire if not dissipated. The oil absorbs the heat and discharges some of it in the oil pan where the fluid is stored. Finally, the oil contains additives, such as detergents and friction modifiers, which prevent the buildup of dirt and grime in your engine. It helps prevent sludge, protect engine components, and increase operating efficiency. How Do I Know When I Need an Oil Change? Your car tells you when you need an oil change through the following signs: The Oil Change light comes on, which indicates that your vehicle does not have sufficient oil. You can check the dipstick to see if you have enough of the fluid and add more oil as a temporary stopgap until you see a mechanic. Your owner's manual will tell you how to check the dipstick. You hear knocking and other engine noises. When you don't have sufficient oil to prevent components from brushing against each other, you'll hear all kinds of rumbling and knocking as one component hits another. Your engine may be slowly falling apart without oil. The smell of oil fills your car's interior. This can be caused by an oil leak or an overheating engine. Smoke from the exhaust. If dark smoke rather than a milky vapor comes out of your tailpipe, you may have an oil leak. How Often Should I Get an Oil Change? You don't want your vehicle to get to the point of showing any signs that it needs an oil change. Instead, you should follow the recommended schedule listed in your owner's manual, which is typically every 7,000 to 10,000 miles or about twice a year for newer models. Older cars may need oil changes every 3,000 miles. Can I Change My Own Oil? Yes, oil changes are something you can do yourself, and the procedures are listed in your owner's manual. However, the process can be dirty, especially if the oil spurts out in a direction that you're not expecting. You may make amateur mistakes, such as using the wrong oil or not noticing a leak or other problem. You'll also need to own tools such as a rubber mallet and wrenches, as well as the oil, a container to hold used oil, an oil filter, and oil filter gasket. You also have to bring your old oil and filter to a facility where it can be properly discarded. However, oil changes are free for the first year of owning your INFINITI. After that, the cost difference between you and a professional for your own changes my amount to under $20. You have to decide whether the inconvenience is worth the cost savings. What Happens During an Oil Change? The mechanics at Coulter INFINITI remove the dirty old oil, which may be full of sludge, from your engine and replace it with an oil that is suited to your car's needs, whether it's a synthetic blend, fully synthetic, high mileage, or conventional. We also change your oil filter, which may have become saturated with gunk and other detrimental substances. Finally, we perform other tasks, such as: Check other essential fluids and top them off as needed. Look for leaks throughout the engine. Battery test Brake Inspection Check belts and hoses, tire pressure, and undercarriage for any damage. Give the exterior of your vehicle a complimentary car wash. You can wait in our customer lounge while enjoying complimentary coffee and snacks. If you need to get going, we offer Lyft service to and from an agreed-on destination.