Oil Changes

As transmission fluid, engine oil, coolant and brake fluid move throughout your car’s systems, they all serve a purpose. From cooling, lubricating, transmitting power and providing pressure to stop, these fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle.

What Are the Benefits of Having My Car’s Oil and Fluids Changed?

• Following the manufacturer’s recommendations related to replacing the transmission fluid can help avoid costly repairs or transmission replacement costs.
• Using the correct oil minimizes the friction in your engine, which improves gas mileage and reduces the risk of your car overheating.
• Using the oil recommended by the manufacturer also extends the life of the engine.
• When brake fluid is changed per the manufacturer’s recommendations, braking systems work well and last longer.
• Routinely changing the coolant keeps the car’s cooling system working efficiently.

Make Your Appointment

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Kinds of Engine Oil (aka Motor Oil)

Your engine’s life depends greatly on the kind and quality of motor oil you choose to put in it. When an engine is operating properly and it has the oil it needs, there is nearly no contact between the metals inside it because all its parts are covered with a thin film of engine oil. This motor oil absorbs and encompasses the byproducts of combustion, and reduces component deterioration all while under the incredible pressure and heat that occurs within the engine.

A motor oil’s viscosity level is its most important quality. Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil as well as its resistance to motion. An oil’s viscosity level depends on its chemical composition, which determines how resistant a particular oil is to heat. As the temperature of the oil increases, its viscosity level decreases. An oil that can retain its viscosity at high temperatures has a higher viscosity index than an oil that cannot.

There is a wide variety of engine oils available; however, the most common categories are Semi-Synthetic, Fully Synthetic and Natural or Mineral. You will not be able to use all of these motor oils in your car: Your car will require a particular type of oil.

Each container of motor oil displays a rating, for example, you may see the rating ‘5W40.’ The number that is directly before the ‘W’ refers to the ‘cold’ viscosity rating of the oil. The lower this number is, the more easily the engine should turn over during cold temperatures. The number directly after the ‘W’ refers to the oil’s ‘hot’ viscosity rating, which indicates at what point the oil will begin thinning out as it heats up.

A Basic Overview of Motor Oil

Semi-synthetic:

• Provides better protection than a Fully Synthetic motor oil can
• Approximately three times better at decreasing engine wear than its Fully Synthetic counterpart
• Offers good protection within just 10 minutes of starting
• You would not need to change this type of oil as frequently as you would a Fully Synthetic oil

Fully Synthetic:

• Provides quick circulation and starts well during freezing temperatures
• Reduces fuel costs
• Protects the engine from deposit build-up and wear
• Improves the power and performance of the engine
• Quickly coats the moving parts of the engine

Mineral:

• Oil must be changed more frequently
• Provides basic protection

When Should I Get an Oil Change?

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Benefits of the Other Fluids in Your Car

Transmission Fluid – Ensures a Smooth Transition from One Gear to the Next

Transmission fluid keeps your car’s automatic transmission running smoothly. The majority of these fluids are red, which is extremely useful when looking for a leak. Your transmission has a filter to catch residue, which helps keep your fluid clean. Low transmission fluid levels can cause poor shifting and transmission damage, which may lead to expensive repairs or the need for a new transmission altogether. Therefore, if you notice that your car is not running smoothly, check your transmission fluid.

Coolant Prevents the Engine from Overheating

Engine coolant regulates the engine’s internal temperature. The reservoir that holds the coolant is usually a white, semi-transparent container with ‘high’ and ‘low’ markings. Typically, this container is located just to the side of the engine bay. The coolant level should remain between the two indicator markers (‘high’ and ‘low’). It is easy to check the coolant level; however, it must be checked when the engine is cool.

Brake Fluid – Allows the Brakes to Work Properly

Brake fluid is vital to the safe operation of your car. This fluid provides the firm medium necessary to convey the pressure of the driver’s foot on the brake through the master cylinder(s) and to the calipers, thus, clamping the friction material against the rotors (brake discs) to stop the car. Directly following a fluid change, all fresh brake fluids are practically impenetrable and the brake system works really well. But, overheated brake fluid can actually boil and produce gas bubbles. Since gas is penetrable, the boiling fluid causes the brake pedal to feel soft or spongy when it is pressed. This could lead to the need to ‘pump the brake pedal’ in order to stop. For this reason, it is essential that you check your brake fluid level regularly. At Naples Nissan, we are happy to assist you with maintaining your vehicle and checking your fluids.

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Service Hours

• Monday – Friday: 6:30am to 5:30pm
• Saturday: 7:00am to 3:00pm
• Sunday: Closed

Parts Hours

• Monday – Friday: 6:30am to 5:30pm
• Saturday: 7:00am to 3:00pm
• Sunday: Closed

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