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As the temperatures begin to drop and leaves start to change in Florence, Kentucky, it's a good time to think about doing some vehicle maintenance. INFINITI maintenance is one of the best ways to protect your car and keep your ride running smoothly through the colder months. Whether you drive a QX60, QX80, or any other model in the lineup, a little preparation goes a long way. Why Fall Maintenance is Important for Your INFINITI INFINITI fall maintenance is not just about reacting to problems - it's about preventing them. The transition from summer heat to cooler fall temperatures puts unique stress on your vehicle's systems. Fluids thicken, tires lose pressure, and batteries that were already weakened by summer heat can struggle as the cold sets in. Staying ahead of these issues helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs. Check Your Battery and Electrical System Your battery is one of the first things to address during fall car maintenance. Most car batteries last between three and five years, and summer heat can accelerate wear. Have a technician test your battery's charge and inspect the terminals for corrosion. This is also a good time to check your lights, including headlights, brake lights, and interior lighting, since shorter days mean you'll rely on them more. Inspect Your Tires and Brakes Tire pressure drops roughly one pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in temperature. That means tires that were properly inflated in August may be noticeably low by October. Check your tire pressure regularly and refer to your owner's manual for the correct PSI. It's also worth inspecting tread depth and looking for any uneven wear. While you're at it, ask your service advisor to inspect your brake pads and rotors, since fall driving often means slippery roads ahead. Review Fluids and Filters Cooler weather is the right time to check all of your vehicle's fluids. Engine coolant, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid should all be at the proper levels and in good condition. Don't overlook your engine air filter and cabin air filter, either. A clogged cabin air filter can reduce airflow and make it harder to defrost your windows, which is the last thing you want on a cold morning. Fall car maintenance should always include a thorough fluid check. Test Your Heating and Defrost Systems It may seem obvious, but many drivers don't test their heater and defroster until they desperately need them. Turn on your front and rear defrost systems and make sure they clear properly. Check that your heater blows warm air and that all fan speeds are working. If anything seems off, getting it diagnosed early is much easier than dealing with it mid-winter. Take Advantage of INFINITI Ownership Benefits INFINITI owners have access to a range of helpful ownership benefits that make staying on top of INFINITI fall maintenance easier. INFINITI Premium Care covers select maintenance for your model's designated mileage period or up to 3 years, whichever comes first. Complimentary valet service is also available at participating retailers, so you can schedule service without rearranging your day. Visit Us in Florence, KY This Fall INFINITI fall maintenance is a simple way to protect your vehicle and enjoy a safer, more comfortable drive all season long. From tires and brakes to fluids and heating systems, a comprehensive seasonal checkup covers everything that matters. Don't wait until a small issue becomes a big one. Schedule your service at Kerry INFINITI of Northern Kentucky today and drive with confidence.

When your INFINITI needs a service, you could choose to visit a regular mechanic or your INFINITI dealer. The only similarity between the two types of service is both work on cars. As your INFINITI dealership, we'd like to tell you a few of the service benefits you receive when you visit us for maintenance or repair. Highly-Trained Technicians All our technicians are trained as mechanics, and when they join us, they attend specialized training at an INFINITI factory. This training makes them experts in all INFINITI models. They learn about every specialized component and system then this theoretical knowledge is reinforced by focusing daily on servicing and repairing INFINITI vehicles. This allows them to work faster and more efficiently than any other technician. A regular mechanic, on the other hand, has been trained but doesn't have specialized knowledge of your vehicle. They spend their days working on various makes and models rather than specializing. A regular mechanic will take longer to identify and fix a problem and they could potentially make a mistake and cause additional damage through their lack of knowledge. INFINITI-Approved Parts As your dealer, we only use INFINITI-approved replacement parts for serving and repairs. These parts are made at the same plants that manufactured the original parts for your vehicle. They also meet the same rigorous testing standards and high quality as the original parts do. The only difference is they were assigned as replacement parts rather than used in the construction of another INFINITI. Regular mechanics are likely to offer you aftermarket parts. These parts might look identical, but they're very different. Aftermarket parts aren't designed for your vehicle. They're engineered to fit numerous makes and models. Since all vehicles are not the same, they inevitably require adjustments to fit your INFINITI, and this compromises vehicle safety. In addition, these parts are made from lower-quality materials, so they have a shorter working life. INFINITI Warranty All work we provide is covered by warranty. The replacement parts used have a warranty that protects against the unlikely event of failure within a set period. Our labor is also covered by warranty, made possible by the high standard of training our technicians receive. If you need a repair within the warranty period, it can also be performed at any INFINITI dealer at no charge. Regular mechanics may provide a limited warranty on their labor, but the parts used aren't covered. Aftermarket parts don't have a warranty as they're not specifically designed to work with the original parts in your vehicle. If a part fails, you have to buy a replacement and hope it lasts longer than the previous aftermarket part. These are just some of the many reasons to choose an expert repair. Contact us today at Kerry INFINITI of Northern Kentucky in Fort Wright, KY.

The transmission is the most complex mechanical part of your car, with hundreds of internal moving parts. It's vital to keep your gearbox, clutch, and other transmission components in good shape with regular servicing, fresh fluid, and quick repairs in the case of a fault. Let's look at how best to care for your transmission, including when you should visit your local INFINITI dealer for transmission service. Check Your Transmission Fluid Frequently The transmission fluid is as vital for the transmission as motor oil is for the engine. Never allow this fluid to age, burn, or otherwise degrade and stop lubricating the gears and other moving parts. You can occasionally use the dipstick to inspect the level and quality of the transmission fluid. If your fluid has faded from a clear red color to dark brown, you may need to flush and refresh it. On top of these regular checks, always use the exact fluid recommended in your owner's manual. Keep Your Cooling System in Good Condition Your car has a transmission cooler which prevents the transmission fluid from overheating. This cooler is either interconnected with the engine cooling system's radiator or uses a separate system. It's important to properly maintain your car's cooling system (or systems), including checking, topping up, and occasionally flushing the coolant. If you're unsure about this, one of our technicians can show you how the transmission cooler works in your model. Give Your Car Time To Warm Up Before Driving One of the best things you can do for your transmission is to give it time to warm up after you start the engine. Only put the gears into action and start driving when the transmission fluid has reached an optimal temperature for lubrication. This is especially important during winter when the cold can cause fluids to thicken overnight. Visit Your INFINITI Dealer for Transmission Service It's advisable to have a full transmission inspection at least once a year. Our knowledgeable technicians can check your fluid and thoroughly examine the transmission for nascent faults or indications of a leak. With routine inspections such as these, no serious transmission trouble is likely to creep up on you. Respond Promptly To Signs of Transmission Trouble If you do notice strange grinding sounds when shifting gears, have your fluid and transmission checked at once. Other symptoms of transmission faults include delayed shifting, slipping gears, a dragging clutch, engine revving while shifting, and fluid leaks. The sooner you detect a malfunction and have it repaired, the less costly it's likely to be. Visit Kerry INFINITI of Northern Kentucky in Fort Wright, KY, to have your gearbox serviced or repaired.

A fluid check is part of your regular maintenance schedule. Your INFINITI has numerous fluids, each of which performs an important role in the smooth operation of your vehicle. As your INFINITI dealership, we want to tell you about some fluids we test and why they're important. Engine Oil Engine oil is pumped through your engine by the oil pump and lubricates numerous components, which protects them against friction damage. The oil's movement helps reduce engine temperature by cooling the components it passes over, and oil additives keep the engine clean, break down engine blockages, and prevent rust. Oil becomes less effective over time as it thickens and slows down. This reduces its lubrication ability, causing increased wear and tear on engine components. Replacing the oil on schedule allows your engine to operate at peak performance. Coolant Coolant is a mixture of antifreeze and water, and it's used to control engine temperature. Combustion generates large amounts of heat, which must be removed to prevent damage to sensitive engine components. The coolant moves through the engine, absorbing heat as it goes, and transports the heat to the radiator, where it's removed by heat exchange. Like oil, coolant becomes slower and thicker over time, reducing its heat-absorption capabilities. Your engine temperature will rise in response. In addition, older coolant can become corrosive and damage the cooling system. Replacing the coolant will bring your engine temperature back to normal. Brake Fluid This fluid provides the hydraulic power required to force the braking system to engage and stop your vehicle when required. It is housed in the brake fluid reservoir and released and pressurized when you hit the brake pedal. Older brake fluid absorbs water. Braking generates heat, and brake fluid that gets hot enough causes the water inside it to boil, and the brake fluid will overheat. Hot brake fluid provides no hydraulic power, and your brakes won't work. Replacing this fluid allows your brakes to operate more effectively as the new fluid is less likely to overheat. Transmission Fluid This fluid serves several functions in the transmission. It provides the hydraulic power that enables the gears to shift smoothly, easily, and silently. It also protects transmission components from friction damage by covering them in a protective coating. Finally, its movement through the transmission helps reduce the temperature, so the transmission can work more effectively. Older transmission fluid proves less hydraulic power, which can lead to gear slipping. It also loses its heat resistance and can burn in the heat of the transmission. Regularly replacing transmission fluid protects the gears from damage and allows them to shift when required. If you'd like to know more about your vehicle fluids, contact us today at Kerry INFINITI of Northern Kentucky in Fort Wright, KY.

Wheel alignment is one of the most common services your INFINITI needs to have optimal handling and performance. A tire alignment service at your INFINITI dealership will ensure that your tires are all angled in the same direction, which improves your road traction and optimizes your suspension system. Learn when to book this service and signs that may indicate your wheels are out of alignment today. During your tire alignment service, it's common for all four of your wheels to be aligned, especially if you have a four-wheel drive or independent suspension system. Some models may only require a front-only tire alignment. During your alignment service, an INFINITI mechanic may also make adjustments to your shocks or recommend new tires if your tread is worn out. When Do You Need Tire Alignment at Your INFINITI Dealership? In general, you should book a tire alignment during your routine six-month service. Your six-month service will usually include regular maintenance like an oil change, air filter replacement, and tire rotation. Aligning your tires at the same time as your tire rotation or replacement can save you time and ensure ideal performance on the road. Aside from your routine service, you should also schedule a tire alignment if you've recently hit a large pothole, curbs, or other obstacles in the road. Harsh impacts can cause one or more wheels to fall out of alignment, which can make your car more difficult to handle. For example, your car may start pulling to either side of the road when you use the brakes. Steering Difficulty One of the hallmark signs of misaligned wheels is steering difficulty. Your car may require much more effort to steer the vehicle straight because the car wants to drift to one side of the road. Other times, you may notice that your steering wheel vibrates or shakes, which can also make steering the vehicle straight difficult. Uneven Tire Tread When your wheels aren't aligned, the tread on your tires may wear unevenly. Uneven tire tread can cause one tire to bald prematurely or may cause the tread to wear out on the inside or outside of the tire. No matter how your tire tread is wearing down unevenly, this can cause a major problem when you're on the road. Without adequate traction, it can be harder to come to a complete stop, particularly on slippery roads. Tire alignment ensures your INFINITI vehicle lives up to its performance potential. You can save time and money by scheduling your alignment service at the same time as your other routine maintenance tasks. Get in touch with Kerry INFINITI of Northern Kentucky in Fort Wright, KY to book your service appointment.

No one wants to experience a Kentucky summer with the AC not working. The best way to stop that from happening is to visit your INFINITI dealer regularly to get the service and maintenance you need for your air-conditioning system. If you have no cold air, you know there's an issue, but keep reading for some less common signs and what we'll do to fix them. 1. Cool, Not Cold You are getting some air, and it is definitely cooler than the air outside, but it's just not cold enough and you're never comfortable. Usually, this means your refrigerant amount is just low. However, you could also have a blocked condenser, a failed clutch switch, the compressor is never coming on, or you have a failed condenser entirely. We'll take a look at each of these issues to isolate the problem and either fix or replace the parts as needed. 2. No Air at All If you're turning on your AC and there's no air coming out of the vents, there are quite a few possibilities. You could have a blown fuse and thus the AC system is not getting the electrical command to come on. Or, the blower motor could be dead. Your air intake could get blocked, and if this happens, the vents won't seem to be blowing any air. Finally, some belts or one of the hoses in your AC system could be damaged, blocked, or leaking By swapping out a fuse, we can tell quickly if this is an electrical problem. If it's not, then we'll go through the process of testing and investigating all the other parts until we isolate the problem and can either repair or replace the part. 3. Weird Noises You never want to hear any unexpected noises in your car. The AC system should be quiet except for the normal sound of moving air when you turn it on high. If you hear any rattling or banging, it could be road debris that's stuck in the system or a major part of the system that's failing. Grinding usually means there's a bearing issue, while rattling sometimes means the compressor clutch has failed. Come see us as soon as possible because if you keep running the AC you could damage things even further and create a more expensive fix. We'll figure out what part is failing or if it just needs to be cleared out and take care of it. Need help with your AC? Come talk to us at  Kerry INFINITI of Northern Kentucky in Fort Wright, KY today.