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If you've recently bought a Nissan, you might already know that you'll need to have it serviced on a regular basis. But how often is brake service necessary? And does the schedule coincide with other maintenance tasks? Today, we'll examine how frequently you need to have your brakes inspected at your Nissan service center in Rockville, MD and which other services you can expect when you book an appointment. Overview The brakes on your Nissan are extremely reliable, so you shouldn’t have to come to the dealership more than once every six to twelve months. The most effective service interval depends on your model, the age of the Nissan, and the frequency of use. If you drive your car infrequently, an annual service appointment might be enough, but if you use the vehicle for several hours every day, you'll need to come to the dealership much more often. more Although your scheduled service appointments are usually frequent enough, you should also see your mechanic whenever there is a problem with the way your car drives. If the warning light comes on or your car doesn't respond as well as it used to, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Getting your brakes serviced is essential because it can help prevent severe accidents. Should You Also Get Other Types of Service? Usually, a brake inspection coincides with other maintenance tasks, so you don't have to come to the dealership for this service specifically. Instead, you can make a general service appointment, which includes other elements such as an oil change, a multi-point inspection, and a tire rotation. Getting your car checked out thoroughly once a year is important for several reasons. Firstly, your mechanic can make sure that every component is still safe to use.   Secondly, small issues can be found and fixed before they become bigger problems that are harder to address. Finally, having your Nissan maintained on a regular basis keeps its resale value high. This should help you get a much higher price when it’s time for you to sell it or trade it in, when you're ready to upgrade. Why Choose the Nissan Dealer for Car Maintenance? Now that you know how often you need to have a mechanic inspect your brakes, you might wonder where to take your Nissan. Should you always choose the brand-name dealership, or is it okay to visit a cheaper, more general mechanic? The answer is that the dealership technician is highly trained and they have experience with a wide variety of Nissan cars. Therefore, they are almost always a better choice.   If you need a replacement part, the dealership mechanic will always fit your car with original Nissan parts, which were designed for your vehicle. That way, there is no risk of malfunction, and your warranty won't be affected. What's more, Nissan components come with a warranty, so you'll never have to pay twice for the repair.   The brakes are a crucial part of your car, and a malfunction can cause a serious accident. Therefore, you should come to the dealership at least once a year to have them inspected. At the same time, your friendly mechanic can perform other services such as an oil change, a tire rotation, and a multi-point inspection. Click here now to schedule a service at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville.

It's essential to be prepared for unexpected situations, including an accident or emergency repairs. Your local Nissan dealer is a terrific resource for all your vehicle's needs, including regular maintenance and collision repair. Locate the Closest Certified Dealership If you're planning a vacation out of town or taking a road trip across the country, you may want to locate the closest Nissan repair center. This step is a great way to stay prepared for an unexpected accident or emergency repair. It's essential to be prepared, so you can arrange for towing if you're traveling in between towns or need a collision center in the city. more Review Your Vehicle Regularly When you get familiar with the basics of your vehicle, you may find some parts of your car that require repairs or maintenance. This step is crucial as it may help prevent severe damage in the event of a collision. If you have concerns about the condition of your car, your local dealer can provide you with tips and suggestions. Contact Roadside Assistance Nissan offers comprehensive assistance through the company's Certified Repair Network for collisions. They will guide you through all the most important steps following a crash, so you can arrange to have your car repaired and parts replaced as quickly as possible. You'll have the best support from your roadside assistance experts, so you can rest assured that your vehicle will receive the best maintenance and repairs. Follow up With Post-Repair Scanning Nissan offers top-notch safety technology that relies heavily on radar, cameras, and sensor equipment. This technology is a significant part of your vehicle, making it essential to review and ensure that it's been recalibrated following a repair. Nissan technicians provide post-repair scanning to check that your vehicle's driving assistance systems are in good working order and working to ensure maximum safety. Genuine Parts for Replacement Your Nissan technician is highly knowledgeable in sourcing genuine parts for your car. These parts are consistent with your vehicle's warranty requirements, which means you'll receive the maximum coverage following your insurance coverage. You'll also receive the highest quality in repair during the replacement process so that you can drive with the ultimate confidence. Get Acquainted with Your Local Dealership Accidents can happen at the most unexpected time, whether you're commuting home from work or taking a leisure trip in the countryside. Your local dealership can provide some tips and information on your vehicle and what's best to keep on hand in the event of a collision. This may include a first aid kit, repair tools, and valuable items during your travels.   You'll find great advice and assistance when you contact your Nissan experts. Come see us at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville and ask about our incredible safety features that come standard in new Nissan models.

Over time the belts on your car begin to wear and need to be replaced. It would be best if you never waited until a car belt breaks before you get it into your Nissan repair center. Pay attention to your vehicle and watch for warning signs that tell you you need to replace your drive belt before a disaster occurs. Mileage The serpentine belt in your engine compartment is expected to last somewhere between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. However, some belts will fail before 60,000, and others will manage to last much longer. Your owner's manual will have specific recommendations on the appropriate time for belt replacement for your make and model. It is vital to watch your mileage so you don't overshoot your replacement window and run into problems. more You may not notice anything going inherently wrong with your drive belt. However, getting the vehicle and the belt checked by professionals will ensure that it is replaced when necessary. The trained technicians at your dealership will be able to locate problems with your drive belt and can fix the issue before the belt breaks. In addition, replacing the belt before it breaks can prevent more expensive repairs, like if the belt were to break and cause damage to your vehicle's engine. Visual Wear It would help if you visually inspected your vehicle's engine compartment regularly. This way, if you notice something out of the ordinary, you can set an appointment with your mechanic. If you visually inspect your serpentine belt and detect any signs of wear, get it changed as soon as possible. This belt is incredibly hardy and can even run for a time with pieces missing. The more of the belt that is missing, the more likely your drive belt will fail. Missing chunks is not the only sign of wear you should be watching for. You should also watch for rot, large cracks, or fraying edges. If you notice that the serpentine belt is experiencing uneven wear, a technician may be able to simply re-adjust the belt. Don't ignore signs of wear. They will only continue to get worse. Strange Sounds If you begin to hear strange or unusual noises coming from your engine compartment, get your car into the dealership to have it inspected as soon as possible. For example, the serpentine belt will often make screeching or high-pitched squealing noises when it fails. The belt could be making sounds due to age and wear, water on the belt, or an engine leak. Water and engine leaks can cause damage to your drive belt. If you notice squealing from the engine compartment, don't wait. Instead, get your car into the dealership to have it checked out. Early intervention can save you big when it comes to repairs, damages, and expensive mechanic bills.   If your car is squealing, screeching, or making other unusual sounds, it's time to visit the professionals. Schedule a service appointment with us at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville today!

Working with a highly qualified, dealer-trained Nissan mechanic has many advantages. In addition to the fact that they are better trained than general mechanics, they have more experience with your model of car, will always provide you with genuine spare parts, and can provide a range of services. Let's have a look at some of the advantages you might gain by coming to the dealership for your next service appointment. They Know Your Car Inside Out When it comes to servicing your Nissan, there are many options out there. You could learn to do it yourself or have a friend do it, choose your general neighborhood mechanic, or go to your local Nissan dealership. Almost always, the last option is the best one because the mechanics there have been trained to work specifically with Nissan cars. As a result, they have extensive experience working with your make and model, providing you with the best service possible. Not only can such highly trained technicians fix your car faster, but the quality of service will also be much higher. You won't have to worry about your vehicle breaking down again in the near future. more They Always Provide You with Genuine Spare Parts If you visit a general mechanic, they might offer you aftermarket or salvaged parts that weren't designed for your model of Nissan car. However, you will always receive genuine parts manufactured by Nissan when you work with a dealer-trained mechanic. That way, the new components will fit your vehicle optimally, and your car will run exactly like it did when new. Using off-brand products can also void your warranty. There's no guarantee that Nissan will recognize aftermarket parts, and they may decide that you no longer qualify for the warranty if you've added such items to your vehicle. You can avoid this by always consulting your dealership mechanic and using the parts that they recommend. They Are Very Accessible Whenever you need us, we will be ready to help you, and it's very easy to get in touch with us. Our service center is open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and from 7am to 4pm on Saturdays, so you're sure to find a suitable time to bring in your vehicle. If you'd prefer to speak to someone first or it's hard for you to come to the dealership, you can reach us by phone or via the contact form on the website. They Offer Everything You Might Need Aside from regular service, your dealer-trained mechanic will be able to offer you all kinds of services related to your Nissan. For example, there is a collision center at the dealership, so you won't have to find a new place if you're ever in an accident. We can also help you with your accessories and electrical systems. No matter what you need or when you'd like to book your service appointment, your dealership mechanic will be around to help you. Check out our service & parts specials at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville today before scheduling your next service appointment with us. We look forward to serving you soon!

It is vital to check your vehicle's tire pressure regularly to improve handling and your safety on the road. If you ensure that your tires are always inflated to the proper pressure levels, it will save you money on gas and extend the life of your tires. In this article, your Nissan dealer explains how to check the tire pressure on your car and ensure they are inflated to the correct PSI. Perform Tire Pressure Checks on Cold Tires Wait for the tires to cool down before you do a tire pressure check. A tire pressure reading will be affected if the tires are hot. Wait two to three hours for tires to cool down before checking the tire pressure. more Find the Correct PSI You need to know the correct tire pressure level for each tire on your vehicle. You will find the correct PSI for your vehicle's tires on a sticker inside your driver's door. Your vehicle's owner's manual will also have information on the recommended tire pressure levels. If the tire pressure levels between the front and rear tires differ, write down the PSI for each tire on a piece of paper. Use a Tire Pressure Gauge Check the PSI of each tire with an analog or digital tire pressure gauge. An analog dial tire pressure gauge has a dial face with measurements, and an analog pen tire pressure gauge has a stick with numbers or a bar that moves upward to indicate the tire pressure level. The easiest is to use a battery-powered digital tire pressure gauge that gives a digital reading. Measuring the Tire Pressure You can start with any one of the tires on your car. Remove the valve cap and keep it in a safe place. Take your tire pressure gauge and press it against the valve stem until you hear a hissing sound. Hold the tire pressure gauge in place until you get a tire pressure reading. A digital tire pressure gauge will display the reading on a screen. The dial on a standard meter will point to the pressure, or a bar will move upward to show the tire pressure level. Write Down the Reading Write down the reading next to the recommended PSI for that specific tire. Perform a tire pressure reading on the rest of the tires. Remember to write down the reading next to the PSI for each tire. When you measure the tire pressure level of a tire, and it's correct, you can replace the valve cap. If you need to inflate the tire, keep the valve cap in a safe place until after you've increased the level to the correct PSI. Inflate the Tires You now have the tire pressure readings of all four tires. Compare the reading of each tire to the correct tire pressure level that you wrote down on the piece of paper. If the PSI of a tire is lower than the recommended tire pressure level, inflate the tire until it reaches the correct level. It's important not to overinflate the tires as it could cause damage to the tire. If you notice a tire is overinflated, you can push the back of the tire pressure gauge down on the metal pin in the valve stem to release the excess air. Replace the valve cap when the tire is inflated to the correct tire pressure level.     Always keep your tires inflated to the correct tire pressure levels to prevent blowouts, decrease wear, and save you money on gas. We're passionate about offering you all of the most valuable automotive information here at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville. So if you don't want to stop there, check out our tips & tricks blogs to keep learning today!

Maryland is no stranger to cold, wet winters and poor road conditions. When moisture gets into cracks and crevices in road surfaces, it can then expand and contract due to rising and falling temperatures. This can cause the pavement to break up and create damaging potholes. Pothole damage can mean costly repairs to auto parts like wheels, rims, struts, and shocks and can even cause a dangerous blown tire situation. Drivers should keep a few strategies in mind to avoid and minimize damage. Look Ahead The sooner a pothole is spotted, the sooner the driver can take steps to avoid it or at least minimize impact. This includes looking for puddles, which can obscure potholes under muddy water. Like driving in any unusual road condition, keeping eyes on the road ahead and avoiding distractions is critical. more Reduce Speed Sometimes it's impossible to avoid hitting a pothole, in which case the best course of action is to slow down to minimize impact. However, in the interest of safety, drivers should always check the rearview mirror before braking suddenly. Avoid Swerving A driver's first instinct may be to simply swerve around the pothole or puddle, but this is a dangerous tactic that should be avoided. Because this state's roads tend to be heavily congested, swerving around a pothole could cause a collision with another vehicle. When the key reason for avoiding the pothole is to minimize damage, getting into a collision would clearly defeat this purpose, causing vehicle damage and possibly injuries to the parties involved. Check Tires One of the best ways to protect a vehicle from not only a pothole, but any road surface impact, is to make sure tires are correctly inflated and have adequate tread. Proper tire pressure levels can be found in the vehicle owner's manual or on a sticker inside the driver's door. Pay Attention After Impact After unavoidable contact with a pothole, drivers should feel and listen for any changes in the car's operation. Wobbling or pulling to the left or right could indicate that the vehicle has been knocked out of alignment or suffered damage to tires, wheels, or suspension. New or unusual noises or vibrations could also indicate problems caused by the impact. A qualified automotive technician should check all of these for safety's sake and to avoid further damage.   It's essential to prevent pothole damage to your car; however, it might not be possible to avoid it indefinitely. Schedule your next auto repair with us at DARCARS Nissan of Rockville and be sure to ask our service technicians to check the overall health of your tires to continue preventing pothole damage.

For most drivers, we might not realize that the tires we drive on may need to be changed based on weather and temperature conditions. Think of it this way: when it's summer, you wear a t-shirt, and when it's winter, you wear a coat. Similarly, your vehicle needs to be adequately dressed depending on the driving conditions. Because of this, you may need to consider winter tires for your Nissan car, truck, or SUV. Knowing That You Need Winter Tires You may think that because you are driving on all-season tires, you are covered. However, all-season does not mean that the tires will operate the best in snow or icy conditions. Winter tires are designed specifically for cold weather and wintery conditions. They are constructed with unique compounds and treads that will give your vehicle better traction in cold and icy conditions. more Know Your Vehicle Tire Size To find out the size to purchase, simply look at those numbers on the sides of your tires. The numbers will always be different depending on your vehicle. You can also find those numbers listed on the driver's side of your vehicle's door frame. It's essential to know them because you can't just buy any tires. The numbers have to match, or the tire won't fit on your vehicle. Purchase Your Tires From a Shop You Can Trust If you invest in tires that will provide smooth and safe driving conditions, be sure to purchase your tires from an approved and reputable tire shop. In this way, you will be getting a knowledgeable and trustworthy representative who can guide you to the best and safest tire option for your vehicle. Learn about the Types of Tires There are two main types of tires designed for winter: performance and studded. Performance tires are less aggressive and are built for times when roads have snow and when roads are clear. The more aggressive of the two, studded tires are specially designed with winter compounds that will provide traction for whatever winter conditions are on the road. They have a superior grip in both snow and ice. Know the Types of Winter Conditions You Drive-In Are you driving in snow most of the time? Or are you driving in the snow sometimes and on clear roads at other times? Depending on your answer, it will change the type of tire you need. If you often drive in snowy and icy conditions, a studless tire is probably best for you. They have the best snow and ice traction. If you will be driving in some snow and some clear and dry surface conditions, a performance tire may be right for you.     Wintery conditions require tires to keep you safe in cold and snowy conditions, so don't take any chances with all-season tires. Shop tires from DARCARS Nissan of Rockville, where we can assist in making sure you have the right tires for your vehicle year-around.   Image by Pixabay

As long as your transmission is working correctly and you're able to shift your gears without problems, you may not think you need a transmission repair. Most cars can go quite a long time without getting their transmission serviced, but this does not mean it's in perfect condition. If you wait too long to get your transmission inspected, you could need more extensive - and more expensive - repairs. What are the signs of a Failing Transmission? Transmission problems can sneak up on you because you may not notice a slight change in the way your car shifts, or you could miss the new grinding sound that happens every time you shift gears. However, these issues are both indications that your transmission needs to be looked at by a professional. Your car should shift smoothly, noiselessly, and without delay. This is why you need to pay careful attention to any change in how your car behaves. In the most extreme case, if you neglect your transmission, you could end up not being able to shift into gear. It's possible your car could stick when it's in park or neutral, meaning you won't be going anywhere soon. You could also cause a dangerous situation if your gears slip while you're driving. When this happens, it suddenly puts you in a gear you didn't want. more Slipping Gears As mentioned above, if your gears are slipping instead of staying in the gear that you shifted to; this is a sign that your transmission needs repair. Moreover, you increase the odds that your car will stop working while you're driving, so you'll end up having to get your vehicle towed to a service center. The slippage will only worsen over time, so putting off service only creates a more dangerous situation when you're on the road. Delayed Shifting Sometimes, when your transmission needs to be repaired, you'll notice your gears aren't shifting on command. Instead, your car may be revving to higher RPMs than it usually does before it finally shifts. This usually happens in high-mileage vehicles that have not been properly maintained. It's typically related to a low transmission fluid level, which is needed to keep all parts moving smoothly. Bring your car in for service to avoid permanent damage. Fluid Leak Bright red, dark red, or brown fluid near the front of your vehicle indicates the presence of a transmission fluid leak. When you see a puddle of fluid under your car, truck or SUV, this should automatically tell you to have your vehicle inspected as soon as possible. It means you have a leak somewhere that will only get worse if you ignore it. Your service center can use a diagnostic tool to determine the source of the leak and any resulting damage.   A failing transmission is an issue that you can't afford to ignore. Putting off service for this component will only lead to more significant problems that will cost you more money in the long run. Contact DARCARS Nissan of Rockville to schedule your transmission service today.

Nissan Multi-Point Inspection If you want fast and reliable service tailored to your specific vehicle, Nissan service centers stand at the ready with the most advanced tools and technologies to diagnose and fix your issue. Take advantage of the Express Service available during all business hours to receive a complimentary multi-point vehicle inspection. During the inspection, we will assess your vehicle top-to-bottom and provide an easily digestible report that identifies any areas of concern. The following services, which are also available independent of the inspection, may be addressed. Brakes An inspection, factory-scheduled maintenance, or even your own experience may signal a potential problem with the braking system that is critical for safety. Our brake inspection evaluates all aspects of braking, from the pedal to the rotor to the thickness of the braking pads. Any parts or replacements required after the diagnosis of an issue will be selected and completed with efficiency. more Tires Healthy tires keep the wheels on your vehicle strong and durable, which is why tire rotation is a central focus at our service center. Rotating tires aids in weight distribution and keeps wear-and-tear at bay. For a smoother ride and better handling, we'll also align your wheels. Oil Our factory-trained technicians test and approve only the highest-quality products for the oil changes available at our service center. We'll let you choose from our premium line of oil products. Better yet, we can even install Nissan's custom oil filters, equipped with anti-drain back valves for protecting your engine. Batteries Do you need a quick and easy charge for that drained battery or a replacement of the whole component following a few false starts? Stop in at our express service center for this valuable service. Under-the-Hood and Outside Repairs Don't despair if your issue seems more complex or challenging. We deliver diagnostics and maintenance to complex jobs with the same speed and commitment as more routine repairs. Our super-sized collection of on-hand quality parts will prevent those search headaches when looking for the right components. Whether you need a new in-cabin microfilter, wipers, shocks and struts, or any other parts replacements, we are at your service. Stop-By Service Whether you're looking for a new car by browsing our broad inventory or seeking professional, detail-oriented solutions to make your current car top-notch, we guarantee you the smoothest ride possible. We're not afraid to get our hands dirty for your ease of mind and convenience. Contact DARCARS Nissan of Rockville or drop by our on-site Nissan service center any time for respectful, customer-focused answers to all your car questions. While you're here, enjoy free coffee, wi-fi, a car wash, and shuttle service on us.