Nissan Battery Service: What to Know Before Winter

It may happen during your morning commute, on your way to a hot date, or even picking your kids up from school. It usually occurs without a moment's notice and is something that every driver has dealt with at some point in their driving career — the dreaded check engine light. For many drivers, when they see this light turn on their dashboard, they might start having a panic attack and start worrying about how much money it's going to cost to fix the issue. However, you shouldn't stress — there are plenty of common reasons why your check engine light came on that won't cost you an arm and a leg in car repairs. It Could Be the Spark Plugs Your engine is a complex piece of machinery requiring every component to work together to run. Spark plugs and wires provide the combustion in your engine that allows your car to get you from point A to point B. So when you ignore them, you'll experience reduced performance. Plus, you could clog up your catalytic convertor, damage the O2 sensors and mess with the ignition coils. Bad spark plugs remain a common problem that can trigger your check engine light, but it's also one of the most routine auto repairs your local auto body repair shop performs on a regular basis. There's a Sensor in Your Car Experiencing Problems Modern cars have a variety of sensors that communicate with each other to ensure your car functions at its optimal efficiency. These sensors monitor everything from the air going into your engine, how your powertrain functions and various other critical functions that keep your car moving. Issues with any of these sensors can trigger your check engine light but shouldn't ring up a high repair bill. One sensor in particular that can potentially trigger your check engine light is the mass airflow sensor. This particular sensor measures and monitors the air going into the engine, ensuring that the right mixture of air to fuel gets reached to start your engine properly. Did You Remember to Tighten Your Gas Cap? Depending on your car's fuel economy, getting gas is a weekly venture that makes up a significant part of your weekly routine. Sometimes, you may forget to completely tighten your gas cap before you continue with the rest of your day when you're getting gas. If left unattended long enough, this can trigger your check engine light. When your gas cap isn't functioning correctly, fuel vapors leak and pressure isn't maintained inside the engine. A loose gas cap can trigger your check engine light and have you making more frequent trips to the gas station — but it's also the cheapest fix on this list. Issues With Your Oxygen Sensor Your oxygen sensor measures how much unburned oxygen flows through the exhaust system at any given time. Too much or little unburned oxygen can damage other engine parts and require costly repairs. When it's off, you'll burn more fuel and risk damaging the spark plugs. A faulty oxygen sensor is a frequent reason why the check engine light comes on in cars worldwide. It's the Catalytic Converter Your car's catalytic converter's responsibility revolves around the carbon monoxide that builds up in your engine. This component converts carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide – which the environment appreciates. When your catalytic converter breaks, the engine runs hotter – and you're virtually guaranteed to fail any emissions or diagnostic test. If your check engine light comes on during your commute, you have options available that may not end with making costly repairs. Bring your vehicle to the Peruzzi Nissan Service Center, and we can take a look at it. We also have service and parts specials if your vehicle needs service to fix the check engine light issue. If you're looking to upgrade your vehicle, we also have a complete collection of new and used cars for you to browse. Stop by Peruzzi Nissan today at 165 Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills, PA, for the answers – and the solution to your check engine light!

Windshield wipers are one of those little things that you most likely forget about – until they go sideways during a heavy rain or snow storm. Without proper wiper blades, you’ll be squinting, peering and otherwise faking your way through a weather situation, and that could wind up costing you big time. Checking (and replacing) your windshield wiper blades isn’t complicated. And, like checking oil or tire pressure, it should be part of your regular maintenance.  Considering that new blades aren’t expensive, taking the time to keep an eye on them is quite simple. Windshield wiper blades are made of rubber. They are NOT indestructible, and you’ll see this if they’ve gone through a lot of rain, snow or mud. Experts recommend giving them a once-over every six to twelve months. If your wiper blades have taken a beating, then it’s time for new ones. Replacing them is simple. The first step? Measuring. Check the length of your wipers, or have a look at your owner’s manual for details on blade size. To remove the old wiper blades, lift the arm away from the windshield.  Experts recommend placing a soft towel beneath each arm, just in case the wipers accidentally engage; no one wants any “nicks” on the windshield. Next, either press the tab or the hook assembly on the wiper’s underside to release the old blade, then slide it off the arm by pulling it downward. To attach the new blade, pull it onto the arm. A “clicking” sound lets you know it’s securely fastened. Now, simply lower the arm back towards the windshield. Finally, give your brand new wiper blades a test run (and PS – just in case you make a mistake, it’s always better to do this on a day when you DON’T need them...) A solid set of wiper blades will prove invaluable the next time you encounter an epic rain or snow storm, so don’t overlook this easy safety tip! If you need help replacing your wiper blades Peruzzi Nissan can help! We can also help with any other type of vehicle maintenance, repair, or service. Visit us at our Nissan service center located at 165 Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills, PA or come in to browse our full selection of over 350 new and pre-owned vehicles!

PA Car Maintenance Tips | Pennsylvania Nissan Service Your Nissan vehicle works hard to get you where you need to go. In order to care for your vehicle and help it last, it is important to maintain it according to its specific maintenance schedule. But between maintenance services, if you enjoy working on your vehicle, there are a few things you can do to check your car every few months to make sure things are running smoothly. The first is to change the oil and filter in your vehicle every 3,000 miles. Changing the oil is one of the most important things you can do for your car. Between oil changes, periodically check the level of oil in the vehicle. If you notice the oil is brown or milky brown, there could be an issue with the head gasket. You should also consider using synthetic oil in your car as it contributes to better fuel efficiency. Another maintenance tip is to replace the following at the specified intervals: Replace the cooling belts and hoses every 4 years Drain, flush and refill the cooling system every 2 years Replace windshield wipers every year Replace fuel filter every 30,000 miles In the wintertime when you are driving in the dark more often, it is a good idea to check your headlights. If they do need to be replaced, make sure to turn off the headlights while you change them out. Following these few tips, along with getting your car serviced according to its maintenance schedule, will increase the lifespan of your vehicle and help catch any issues before they become major. If you don’t enjoy working on your vehicle, or don’t have time, you can always bring it in to Peruzzi Nissan. Our award winning master technicians will care for your vehicle like it is their own. Call our Nissan service department today to make an appointment at 877-610-5522.