From Your INFINITI Dealership: 3 Service Benefits of Choosing a Dealer Service

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. more 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. more 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. more 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.