Oil & Fluid Changes

Just like you, your car can’t run without all the fluids it needs. Whether it is the transmission fluid, engine oil, coolant or brake fluid, each one is critical to the proper operation of your vehicle. Sticking to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance and fluid replacement schedule keeps your car driving well.

Make Your Appointment

You must maintain all the fluids in your car. Luckily, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. The ACE certified technicians at Nissan of Cookeville can take care of everything for you. Even if you are not replacing the fluids in your car yourself, you should know a little about each fluid, so you can better talk with your technician.

There are five primary fluids you need to know:

Windshield Wiper Fluid: Windshield wiper fluid does more than just clean your windshield. Many brands of windshield wiper fluid can help to prevent your windshield from fogging or icing over in cold weather. You should replace your windshield wiper fluid when the warning light appears on your dashboard.

Transmission Fluid: Transmission fluid is essential for helping your automatic vehicle shift gears smoothly. When your car’s transmission fluid is running low, you may notice slow or faulty gear changes which can lead to transmission damage and a costly repair or replacement. Transmission fluid can leak, and if you notice a puddle of a reddish liquid under your car, chances are good your transmission fluid is leaking. You should always have your transmission fluid level checked when you take your car in for servicing. Don’t ignore the warning light you see on your dashboard which signal your transmission fluid level may be low.

Coolant: Your car’s coolant helps to reduce the heat in the engine. Without the proper amount of coolant, your engine will overheat. It is easy to check the coolant level in your car. When car is off and the engine is cold, look on the side of your engine bay for a white, translucent container. Make sure the level of coolant is between the two lines on reservoir.

Brake Fluid: Maintaining a proper level of brake fluid is critical for safe driving. Over time, your car naturally loses brake fluid. Without the correct level of brake fluid, your brakes may fail, and you could injury yourself or somebody else. When you see the dashboard indicator light informing you that your brake fluid is low, it may already be unsafe to drive. That is why you should always have your service technician check the brake fluid in your vehicle every time you bring it in for servicing.

Motor Oil: Motor oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle’s engine. It helps to lubricate all the moving parts. Without motor oil, the metal components in your engine would rub together and generate excessive heat. This would cause your motor to fail. Because motor oil is so important, it is essential that you change it according to your car’s manufacturer’s recommendations.

There is a wide range of different motor oils available. Each variety has certain advantages and disadvantages associated with it:

• Semi-Synthetic motor oil is by far the best at lubricating your engine. In fact, it is three time better at decreasing engine wear than Fully Synthetic motor oil. You won’t have to change your motor oil often, but it requires more driving time before your engine is fully protected.
• Fully Synthetic motor oil starts better in the cold and protects your engine the quickest. It can also reduce your fuel costs, increase performance and power.
• Mineral Oil is the most inexpensive, but provides the lowest level of engine protection.

When Should I Get an Oil Change?

There are many benefits you can gain from maintaining your car’s fluids:

• Avoid the cost of repairing or replacing your entire transmission by changing your car’s transmission oil according to the car maker’s recommendations
• Keep your windshield clean, fog- and ice-free with your car’s windshield wiper fluid
• Extend the life of your engine and increase the number of miles you can drive per gallon when you reduce your engine’s friction by using the correct engine oil and changing it regularly
• Improve your braking system’s performance and make it make it last longer by following the manufacturer’s requirements for your brake fluid
• Keep your vehicle’s cooling system working throughout the summer by ensuring your coolant is always topped off.

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Service Hours

• Monday – Friday: 7:30am to 6:00pm
• Saturday: 7:30am to 4:00pm
• Sunday: Closed

Parts Hours

• Monday – Friday: 7:30am to 6:00pm
• Saturday: 7:30am to 4:00pm
• Sunday: Closed

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