Frequently Asked Questions

If you don’t see the answer to your question on this page, please don’t hesitate to call us and one of our friendly representatives will be happy to assist you.

Make Your Appointment Call Now Get Directions

Make Your Appointment


Maintenance

How often does the oil in my car need to be changed?
With each vehicle, the manufacturer includes an owner’s manual that contains information such as the recommendations for a variety of maintenance services, including oil changes. Following these recommendations helps ensure that your vehicle performs well and has a long lifespan. If you are not able to locate your owner’s manual, contact us here at Nissan of Cookeville and we’ll be glad to provide that information to you.
How often does my battery need to be changed?
Each battery comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. The end date of the warranty is indicated by a code that contains two digits and one letter. The digits indicate the year that the battery’s warranty ends while the letter matches up to the month. If the code contains the letter “A” the warranty ends in January while a letter “B” indicates an end date in February. Thus, a code that reads H18 means that the warranty expires in August 2018.
In order to protect you from being stranded due to a dead battery, Nissan of Cookeville recommends that you replace your battery before the warranty expires. You can also bring it in to our service center for a complimentary battery test by our service technicians.
Why isn’t my vehicle starting?
There are numerous reasons that your vehicle might not start. A bad starter and a dead battery — which are two of the most common ones — often deliver the same clicking sound as you attempt to turn the engine over. There is a simple check you can do to help you determine which one is the cause.
You’ll need a voltmeter and a helper. First, take the reading of your battery using the voltmeter. It should read at least 12 volts. Next, have your helper attempt to start the engine while you again test the battery’s voltage with the voltmeter. If the voltage stays above 10.50 strongly indicates an issue with the starter — provided that the other vehicle systems are working as they should be.
Some other issues that could cause your vehicle to not start are an overstretched timing belt, a bad alternator, a broken timing belt or a malfunctioning sensor.
What does it mean when my “Check Engine” light comes on?
 

These lights are here for a reason. This video will let you know what that reason is.

If your “Check Engine” or “Service Engine Soon” light comes on, your vehicle is experiencing a problem that can be determined only by using a code reader. A notable exception to this is something called a soft code. This occurs when the “Check Engine” light comes on but then turns off by itself. In this case, the likely culprit is an oxygen sensor that sensing an incorrect oxygen mixture.

Make Your Appointment

Tires

How often do I need to replace my tires?
While there is not a particular date that you’ll need to replace your tires by, most manufacturers indicate that the lifespan of their tires is between 20,000 and 40,000 miles. Some factors, such as the type of driving you do and the surfaces that you drive on, can make tires wear out more quickly. For example, highway tires, or those made of soft rubber, and driving on gravel roads frequently, can reduce the lifespan of your tires. If you need help finding new tires, the service technicians at Nissan of Cookeville can help.
What’s the biggest danger on the road?
According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, it isn’t speeding or weather conditions – it is bad tires! Tires are to blame in more accidents than drivers want to admit. But, when you pull out of your driveway with worn tires, you are putting your safety at risk. The fact is, low tread tires cannot grip the road sufficiently, and depending on the weather and road conditions, this can become a real danger.
When Is It Time For New Tires?
 

The right tool for the right job and the right tire for the right Nissan. Here’s how to figure it out.

Most people have no idea when it is time to replace their tires. In many cases, they rely on their annual inspection to give them a clue. The trouble is that your tires may pass inspection in August, only to require replacing in October. If you have no idea you need new ones, you could risk a blowout – or worse!
There are several things to look at when deciding whether or not you need to replace your car’s tires:
  • Check your mileage: most tires last between 20,000 and 40,000 miles. Check to see what the manufacturer of your tire states as a standard mileage and replace when you get close to that mark.
  • Check the age of the tire: maybe you don’t drive much; you might think your tires will last longer than someone who drives more. This isn’t always the case. The rubber in tires can wear down even when not driven. For instance, your tires may only have 10,000 miles on them, but if they are more than five years old, they will normally need to be replaced.
  • Do the penny test: one of the quickest and easiest ways to check your tread is to do this simple penny test: slide a penny into the grooves. If the tread covers any part of Lincoln’s head the tires are okay.
Tips for Buying New Tires
One trip into the tire store or dealership and you may be overwhelmed by your choices. Who knew there were so many tires to choose from? With such an array of tire styles, sizes and prices available, you might be worried that you will choose the wrong ones.
Here are a few basic tips to help you when buying new tires:
  • Check your owners’ manual for size and style recommendations.
  • Consider how much you drive. If you drive a lot you may want to opt for a higher quality tire that can be driven for longer.
  • Think about road and weather conditions. How do you use your vehicle? If you off-road in your truck or SUV you are going to need tires that can withstand more rugged terrain; but if you simply drive around town, buying that kind of expensive tire would be a waste of money.
  • Consider price. While it is usually not a good idea to buy the cheapest tire available, you usually do not need the most expensive ones either. In most cases, opt for a midline brand.
  • Ask about the warranty. Some tires come with a warranty – it may cost a little more, but can often save you money in the long run.
Few drivers understand the importance of keeping their tires in good working order – until it is too late. Remember, your tires do more than keep your car on the road; they also work to keep you safe; your care working well; and your ride feeling smooth.

Make Your Appointment

Parts

When do my hoses and belts need to be replaced?
Information about the recommended intervals for changing your hoses and belts can be found your owner’s manual. However, if you notice that your hoses are soft or cracking, they should be changed. Some signs that your belts need to be changed include shiny surfaces on the bottom, a loss of tension and dry rot.
What is the difference between OEM and generic parts?
OEM stands for “Original Equipment Manufacturer” and indicates parts that are made by the manufacturer of your vehicle. While these parts can be sold by either the manufacturer or a third party, they are covered under a manufacturer’s warranty.
Other companies manufacturer generic parts that are made to fit your vehicle. While they often do fit your car, the quality of generic parts is often not the same standards as those parts that are OEM.

Make Your Appointment

Certified Professionals

What are Certified Professionals?
The person that you choose to perform services and maintenance is very important. For the best results, you should take your vehicle to a certified professional. This mechanic has the skills and knowledge necessary to become Manufacturer Certified. In addition to this knowledge, an Manufacturer Certified technician is one that has an ample amount of experience servicing vehicles.
What about using a mechanic who isn’t certified?
A mechanic who isn’t certified does not provide you with the assurance you need concerning their level of knowledge and experience. You also won’t be able to tell about the quality of the parts that are used in the repair and maintenance of your vehicle. It is likely that a mechanic who is not certified will not be able to provide a warranty for their work or the parts they use.
ASE Certification and Nissan of Cookeville
At Nissan of Cookeville, the care and maintenance of your vehicle is taken very seriously. All of our technicians have been Manufacturer Certified to ensure that your repair and maintenance is completed right the first time. Only OEM parts are used by our technicians. Both the workmanship of our certified technicians and the parts they use are covered under a warranty. This warranty offers you protection in the unlikely event that a part is defective or one of our technicians makes a mistake.

Make Your Appointment

Technology

Nissan Bluetooth Connect Basics
As part of their commitment to keeping their customers connected, Nissan utilizes the latest in technology with their Bluetooth Connect system to deliver convenience and simplicity. It seamlessly integrates your favorite mobile device with the Bluetooth Connect system in your new Nissan to provide instantaneous connections the minute you start your vehicle. Because it’s wireless, you’ll be able to take and place calls, stream your favorite music and more in a safe and hands-free environment. When you leave Nissan of Cookeville, we want you to be able to enjoy the Nissan Bluetooth Connect system so contact one of our service technicians if you need help getting your device to sync.
 

Setting up your Nissan with your smartphone is a match that’s guaranteed to last. Here’s how to make it happen.

Nissan Bluetooth Connect

Nissan HomeLink Basics
Nissan makes it easy to stay connected with what’s happening at home — even when you’re out on the road. HomeLink is a wireless control system that uses your vehicle’s technological system as a base to control different home functions from afar. With a simple tap of a finger, you can turn your home’s interior or exterior lights on or off, close or open your garage door, turn your security system off and on and much more. Because HomeLink runs on the electrical system within your Nissan, you never need to change the batteries. Simply sync up to three remote-control devices with HomeLink and enjoy the convenience of controlling your home’s functionality wherever you might find yourself.
 

Who needs another remote control in their lives. With Homelink in your Nissan, not you.

Nissan HomeLink

Driving & Maintenance Tips

How to Get Better Gas Mileage?
Your wallet will thank you when spend less time at the pump, but many drivers aren’t even aware of how much gas they’re using. Your everyday driving habits matter if you want the maximum amount of miles to the gallon. The biggest gas guzzling activity is constantly slowing down and speeding up.
If you live in a major city with equally epic traffic, you may want to find a way to avoid rush hour to save more money (and your sanity.) The ideal speed is between 45 and 55 miles an hour when it comes to getting the most from your tank. When you’re on the highway, go the posted speed and no faster. This also skips an extra money from a speeding ticket.
You should also get used to leaving more space in front of you if you tend to tail other drivers. You want at least one car length ahead of you, and possibly more. Giving yourself enough room means you won’t have to constantly slam on your brakes if the person in front of you unexpectedly needs to change lanes or exit off the freeway. When other drivers merge, you won’t use up your fuel because you’ve given them enough space to adjust their speed.
The same advice can be given at any traffic lights or stop signs. The more room you give yourself, the less your pedals have to work. This means fewer brake replacements for you as well as better gas mileage. Anticipate the stop, gently apply pressure to either pedal, and then start spending your extra gas money on something you really want. Ultimately, these habits makes you safer on the road too. Collisions are normally caused because the driver doesn’t have enough time to react to what’s in front of them. More room gives you a cushion to make the right decisions in an intense situation.
Finally, your car’s maintenance is another major component to getting better gas mileage. Your tire pressure, air filters, oil, and fuel injectors all need to be routinely inspected to see what needs to be done. Nissan of Cookeville employs only the best technicians to take care of everything under the hood. It’s our job to make your car as efficient as possible, and you can count on us to be extremely thorough.

Nissan of Cookeville

MyNissan Rewards

Earn Rewards Points

For routine maintenance you already do.

Redeem Reward Points

Lower your cost of ownership by using your points on services you need.

Get the DetailsEnroll Today!>

test

Does Your Car Have a Safety Recall?

Recalls have been in the news a lot lately. We know you have questions about the effect of these recalls on the safety of you and your passengers. We can’t service every vehicle with an open recall, but we can alert you if your vehicle has one.

Find out if your car is affected.

Check My Car