Signs Your Car Needs an Oil Change

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.

Are you concerned that something is wrong with your vehicle? If so, you need to work with the right team. At Coulter INFINITI, we encourage all of our drivers to work with a local dealership. You need to work with someone who has the right level of training and experience to help you take care of your vehicle. At Coulter INFINITI, our team has an unparalleled level of experience, and we can leverage all of it to provide you with the service you deserve. Learn more about some of the benefits of working with a local dealership, and contact us today to make an appointment with a member of our team. Fast Service Without a doubt, one of the first reasons why you need to partner with a local dealership is that you get access to fast service. Your time is valuable, and you need to make sure you do not spend more time at the dealership than you have to. If you want to get your car in and out as quickly as possible, you need to go to a local dealership. For example, we have a very large department, so we can handle a large number of cars at the same time. Therefore, we can get you in and out as quickly as possible without sacrificing the level of service you received. The Best Products You also need to make sure that the best possible products are being used on your vehicle. For example, if you go to the local dealership for an oil change, you need to get access to the best oil. If you have a problem with your air conditioner and you need to get it repaired, you need to know that you are getting the right refrigerator. If you do not go to a local dealership, you do not know if you are getting quality parts and service. At Coulter INFINITI, we always use the best parts on your vehicle, so you know that your car will work well when it rolls off of our lot. The Right Training If you do not go to a local dealership, how do you know that the person has the right level of training to work on your vehicle? At Coulter INFINITI, all of our mechanics are properly licensed and insured. This means that they have proven that they have the right level of experience to work on your vehicle. Furthermore, we have many years of experience serving the local area. During the time that we have been in the industry, we have stayed on top of the latest advancements in our field. That is how you know you are working with mechanics that have the right experience to help you take care of your car. Transparent Estimates Finally, we understand that when you come to our dealership, you are concerned about how much money it will cost. You can rest easy knowing that we will always provide you with an open, honest, and transparent estimate before we get started. You will never have to worry about being surprised by hidden fees, and we will always work with your insurance company when you can. We have developed our reputation in the local area by always taking care of our customers. We will never charge you for something you do not require. If you have questions about pricing, simply reach out to us and ask. Call Coulter INFINITI To Make an Appointment In the end, these are just a few of the top reasons why you should trust a local dealership to help you. At Coulter INFINITI, we always put the needs of our drivers first, and we believe that this is reflected in the quality of the service you will receive if you partner with our team. We know that you have choices, but we encourage you to reach out to us to speak to our service center. We will provide you with the service you are looking for. If you would like to learn more about how we can assist you, contact us today to make an appointment with a member of our team.