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With good routine maintenance, you can significantly increase the performance, appearance, and longevity of your car. If you're unsure of which servicing and upkeep tasks to focus on first, here's a breakdown of the seven most important aspects of proper Acura maintenance. You can also ask for maintenance guidance from one of the trusted technicians at your local Acura dealership. more Change Motor Oil Often The engine is the beating heart of your car. And for any car, engine health is just as important as heart health in a human. To keep your engine in tip-top condition, the motor oil must always be kept topped up and fresh. For most drivers, this usually means having the oil changed every six months or so. Keep All Essential Fluids Fresh Coolant also protects the engine by preventing it from overheating. For this reason, coolant must also be kept at the recommended levels. This means regular top-ups and a complete flush once every two years. Likewise, your car's other important fluids should also be carefully maintained at good levels and condition. This includes the transmission fluid, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and power steering fluid. Check Tire Pressure and Tread Wear The air pressure in tires should be checked monthly and maintained at the manufacturer-recommended PSI. It's also important to measure tire tread depths frequently; never allow your tire treads to diminish below 2/32 of an inch. Biannual tire rotations are also important to keep your tires wearing evenly. Keep an Eye on Your Battery Car batteries tend to last from three to four years. As your car battery ages, check its condition periodically and clean any corrosion you find on the terminals. Have Your Brakes Inspected While on the road, your safety depends on the condition of your brakes. It's best to have car brakes serviced twice a year. Also, never ignore any early warning signs of brake trouble. Replace the Engine Air Filter Another important component for engine health is the engine air filter. While keeping airborne debris out of the engine, air filters can sometimes become clogged. This restricts oxygen inflow and can harm the engine. These air filters usually need to be replaced once every year or two. Schedule Routine Acura Maintenance Stay on top of your vehicle maintenance by scheduling regular servicing at your local dealership. The technicians can explain each required maintenance task and plan the optimal schedule for your particular vehicle, driving habits, and lifestyle. Visit Ed Martin Acura in Indianapolis, IN, today to have your Acura serviced by experienced professionals. We're a local award-winning dealership dedicated to delivering a top-tier customer experience, whatever your vehicle-related needs may be.

Is your Acura Integra, TLX, or MDX getting too hot under the hood? When your car is overheating, there's no need to panic. Avoid further damage and higher repair costs with the following helpful tips from your Acura dealer. more Turn Off the A/C and Turn On the Heater You should take action immediately when you're driving along, hear that telltale ticking sound from under the hood, and notice the temperature gauge is in the red. First, switch off the air conditioner and other accessories to lower the stress on the engine. Release as much heat as possible by turning the heater all the way up and opening all the windows. Pull Over in a Safe Place If your car starts overheating, it's important not to continue driving to prevent further damage, especially to the engine and the cooling system. Immediately, look for a safe place to pull over. Turn off the engine to let it cool down. Call Us for Assistance Call us for assistance while waiting for your car to cool down. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and wait until the temperature returns to normal, or wait at least 20 minutes before opening the hood to avoid getting injured by the steam. Check the Coolant Level You can pop your head under the hood to check the coolant level when your car is cool enough. If the coolant is low, top it off. Inspect the Radiator Take a good look at the radiator to see if anything is blocking the fins. When there is a blockage, it stops the air from flowing through to lower the temperature of the hot coolant, and this can also cause your vehicle to overheat. Don't Drive Until Your Car Has Cooled Down Once the temperature returns to normal, start the engine and keep checking the temperature gauge while driving to us. If your car starts overheating again, pull over and contact us to tow your vehicle. Get the Problem Repaired ASAP When your car gets too hot under the hood, there's a problem somewhere. If you don't take care of it, it will get worse. It's best to ask your Acura technician to inspect your vehicle to determine why it's overheating. You want to avoid even more damage and higher repair costs. How To Prevent Overheating Bring your vehicle to us for maintenance services, and our certified Acura technicians will carefully inspect your car's systems and components and ensure that all fluids, including the oil and the coolant, are at the proper levels. Our technicians will identify issues and repair them before they get worse and cause significant damage that may leave you stranded on the side of the road. There are many reasons why a car overheats, from low oil and coolant levels, a broken thermostat, and blocked hoses to a malfunctioning radiator fan and leaks in the cooling system. If your car gets too hot, rely on the people who know your Acura, inside and out. Call Ed Martin Acura today, and our certified Acura technicians will repair the problem expertly.