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If there's one car part that a safety-conscious driver should always keep in tip-top condition, it's the brakes. The rate at which brakes wear down depends both on the owner's driving habits and how well the brakes are maintained. The following are some essential principles of effective brake maintenance, including how often to visit your local Nissan dealer to have the brake fluid, pads, rotors, and calipers inspected or repaired. Try Not to Ride Your Car's Brakes Riding the brakes is when a driver always has a foot either on the gas or the brake pedal. When approaching a junction or turn, rather than taking their foot off the gas to allow gravity to slow the vehicle, they approach too rapidly and then depend wholly on the brakes to slow the vehicle down. more This puts a great deal of unnecessary strain on the brakes and causes the pads and rotors to wear down prematurely. Quitting this habit can help a driver maintain their brakes for longer. Avoid Brake-Heavy Driving Conditions Another cause of accelerated brake wear is any kind of brake-heavy driving condition, meaning a condition where the brakes must be used excessively. This includes commuting in stop-and-go traffic and using winding, hilly roads with long downhill stretches. Increasing the weight of the vehicle with heavy loads or trailers also strains the brakes. If possible, it's a good idea to minimize any such driving conditions. Flush the Brake Fluid Frequently Brake fluid serves the vital function of transmitting the stopping signal from the brake pedal to the calipers. Over time, moisture and air can get into the brake lines, diluting the brake fluid and lessening the necessary hydraulic pressure. For this reason, brake fluid should be flushed and refreshed at least every 25,000 miles. You can also regularly have the brake lines bled of trapped air. Replace Brake Pads and Rotors Promptly Both brake pads and rotors undergo a great deal of wear and tear from usage. Drivers should pay careful attention to both components and replace them as soon as they're on their last legs. You're likely to hear a high-pitched squealing noise when a brake pad is nearing its limit. With rotor discs, a rhythmic vibration through the pedal and steering wheel is a more common sign of warping or damage. Have Brake Servicing at Your Nissan Dealer Twice a Year As with any car part, one of the most important maintenance tasks for brakes is to have them frequently serviced by qualified professionals. It's recommended to have brakes serviced twice a year. The technician can check the brake fluid, brake lines, pads, rotors, and calipers, promptly repairing or replacing any malfunctioning parts. Visit Redwood City Nissan in Redwood City, CA, today to have your car's brakes serviced by courteous, experienced technicians. We offer an extensive range of new and used vehicles with courteous, personalized customer service.

You may know that your car needs oil changes and brake inspections to run its best, but what about your tires? Knowing when to pop into your Nissan dealership for a set of new tires is important to keep everything running right. Signs It's Time for New Tires from the Nissan Dealership The Tread Will Tell Your tires need tread to do their job properly, but it wears down as you drive. You can check your tread levels with something called the "penny test." Pop a penny into your tire's tread with Abe Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see his entire head, your tread depth is too low, and you need a new set of tires. Tires with worn treads are a safety hazard, especially when roads get wet or slick. more You Can See the Tread Wear Indicators Modern tires come with tread wear indicator bars that help you recognize when it's time to replace your tires. They begin as smooth rubber strips down at the bottom of your tread. As your tires wear down, they appear to rise to the top. Once the indicator bars are flush with the surface of your tires, your tires need to be replaced. Bulges and Blisters Bulges and blisters on your tire are signs of severe damage. They're weak spots where the tire could fail, increasing your chances of a blowout while driving. If you spot any, your tire needs to be changed right away. Too Much Vibration Has your smooth ride turned jittery? If your car vibrates more than it should, it could mean that your tires are uneven or damaged. While some vibration is normal, especially on bumpy roads, too much shaking might be a cry for help from your tires. They're Getting on in Years Tires age, but they don't get better with time. Old rubber turns brittle, affecting your tires' performance and making them less safe. If your tires are hitting the 6-year mark, it's wise to start shopping for a new set. Frequent Low Pressure Constantly low tire pressure could be a sign of a slow leak, thanks to a puncture or an issue with your rims. If you're finding yourself at the air pump more often than seems reasonable, don't let it slide. Fueling More, Going Less Worn tires can tank your fuel efficiency. A new set of tires can help your Nissan run more smoothly and save you some cash at the pump. Knowing when your tires need a swap is key to keeping your Nissan safe on the road. Call Redwood City Nissan in Redwood City, CA, to schedule your next tire inspection.

Your Nissan will give you many years of driving pleasure, but it needs regular maintenance to perform at its best. As your Nissan dealership in Redwood City, CA, we'd like to tell you about some of the many services we can provide for you. Brake Servicing Your brakes are capable of stopping your Nissan almost instantly. This is invaluable, as potential accidents can occur with minimal warning. The braking system depends on pressure and force to operate effectively. When you hit the brakes, pressurized brake fluid forces the calipers against the rotors. This action generates friction, which quickly slows and stops your car. more During a brake service, we evaluate the condition of your brake fluid and then replace it. Our highly skilled technicians will examine all your braking system's components, from the brake master cylinder, which controls the system, to the calipers and wheel rotors. You'll feel the improvement in your braking system as soon as you drive away. Oil Changes Oil is the essential fluid that allows your engine to work. Your Nissan uses synthetic oil, which is scientifically designed to keep your engine running perfectly. As oil is pumped through the engine, it lubricates moving parts as it flows. This lubrication prevents friction and damage. Modern oils prevent rust in the engine and break down potential blockages. An oil change consists of checking and replacing the oil and replacing the oil filter. We test your oil to check its condition, and this check can provide vital clues to any other problem in your engine. Once the oil has been assessed, we drain it and replace it with fresh oil. The oil filter needs to be replaced as it can become partially blocked with minute debris from the engine. An oil change can make your engine feel just like new again. Battery Testing A healthy battery will bring your engine to life in seconds. It's a vital part of your engine, but unfortunately, it has a relatively short lifespan. An average battery will last three to five years. The genuine Nissan batteries we install are guaranteed for six years. Battery life can be reduced by extreme heat or cold or due to damage by other engine components, like a worn alternator or damaged wiring. A battery test involves connecting your battery to our battery tester. The tester subjects your battery to a series of tests to determine any potential weaknesses. If your battery is healthy and passes the test, we advise scheduling another test a year later. If your battery is failing, we can replace it with a new one while you wait. If you'd like to know more about our other services or to book a service, call us today at Redwood City Nissan.