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Time for Acura Service? 3 Signs You Should Visit the Auto Shop

Time for Acura Service? 3 Signs You Should Visit the Auto Shop
While your Acura will give you many signs that it needs service, it's not always easy to understand those signs. Furthermore, when your vehicle appears to be running smoothly, you may neglect necessary Acura service If you're unsure whether your vehicle is trying to tell you it needs work, err on the side of caution and schedule an appointment.

1. Your Vehicle Pulls to One Side

It's a common misconception that if your vehicle pulls to one side that your Acura is misaligned. This may be the case, but as soon as you notice your vehicle starting to pull, check for extra hard pulling when you brake. You may need to have the brake calipers on the side opposite of the pull checked. Brake caliper issues often happen after you get your oil changed at a "shop" that advertises five-minute oil changes. There are also other signs that you are having issues with your brake system. The most obvious sign is your ABS (automatic braking system) light coming on. You may also easily notice your brake pedal feeling soft or pulsating. Less obvious signs include your brakes making grinding or chirping noises or leaving brake dust on the wheels.

2. Your Lights Dim

Most people have a pretty good idea of when they need a new battery, but do you know when you need a new alternator? The most common sign that you need a new alternator is your headlights dim or flicker. While you may mistake this for a poor wire connection, it is a sign that the alternator is not charging your battery properly. Even if you don't notice your headlights dim, you will certainly notice signs of a failing alternator as you leave the problem uncorrected. The next most common sign is other electrical failures occur. Your dashboard lights will start to dim and your air conditioning, power locks, and power windows will work only intermittently.

3. Your Fuel Economy Drops Significantly

If you notice your fuel economy drop significantly, schedule an appointment with your local Acura dealer right away. Much like a fever is a symptom of viral or bacterial infections, poor fuel economy is a symptom of several vehicle problems. Often, we see people come in with poor fuel economy who just need their air filter changed. A clogged air filter decreases fuel economy because your motor consumes extra fuel to produce power that it would usually derive from oxygen. Another common sign that you need to change your air filter right away is that your service engine light comes on. You may have neglected to change your air filter for so long that your motor sustained significant damage. While vehicle maintenance and repairs may seem like a headache, it's not when you visit a professional. Give us a call to get your next service appointment scheduled!   Image courtesy of pexels.com
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Revitalize Your Acura with Our Comprehensive Multipoint Inspection

Routine maintenance is the easiest way to keep your Acura in tip-top shape. When you visit your Acura dealership, you can book a variety of vehicle services, such as routine oil changes, tire rotations, and a comprehensive multipoint inspection. Learn about the benefits of Acura inspection, how to book streamlined service, and more. more Revitalize Your Acura with Our Comprehensive Multipoint Inspection A multipoint vehicle inspection is a service that inspects the most essential components of your vehicle to identify visible damage that can cause performance issues. Some vehicle components that are covered during an inspection include the steering system, tires, brake system, suspension system, battery, transmission, engine oil, windshield, and other vehicle fluids. Your Acura mechanic will also examine key safety equipment, like seat belts and airbags, as well as common wear-and-tear parts like exterior lights, windshield wipers, and air filters. Examining the condition of the air conditioning system, power steering fluid, and parts of the drivetrain is also common. Acura commonly checks the underside of the chassis to search for corrosion or road damage, as well. Are Repairs Made After an Acura Inspection? After a certified Acura technician inspects your vehicle, either during a routine service appointment or at your request to diagnose specific performance issues, repairs are usually performed immediately. Because a multipoint inspection is a key tool for preventative maintenance, it's a good opportunity to correct minor issues that are identified during the inspection to save you time and money down the road. Scheduling Fast Service at Your Acura Dealership While you have the option of scheduling a stand-alone vehicle inspection, you can bundle your routine services with a multipoint inspection for your convenience. Acura Accelerated Service can complete routine maintenance and vehicle inspections within one hour so you can quickly get back on the road. Drivers do not need to schedule an appointment to access this speedy service routine. Additionally, a complimentary car wash voucher is supplied with Acura Accelerated Service. Acura Accelerated Service Packages can replace your regular maintenance intervals at 7,500 miles and 15,000 miles. The 15,000-mile package adds engine air filter and cabin air filter replacements, along with a tire wear measurement so you know how soon you will need to replace tires. Drivers can also have differential fluid and automatic transmission fluid changed during this streamlined service appointment. When Should You Schedule a Multipoint Inspection? Aside from your regular service intervals, it can be a good idea to drop by your dealership for a multipoint inspection if you are about to go on a road trip or you are preparing your vehicle for seasonal weather. Identifying potential issues before long trips or inclement weather can ensure your Acura is ready for challenging performance demands. Acura's multipoint vehicle inspection is a comprehensive examination of your vehicle's most critical systems that can prevent major damage and expensive repairs in the future. Visit Ed Martin Acura in Indianapolis, IN for Acura Accelerated Service today.

Oil Change Services Designed for Acura Vehicles

Motor oil keeps your Acura's finely tuned engine operating with power and efficiency. Any Acura owner who wishes to maximize their car's legendary longevity must change the motor oil on time. Here's a guide to optimal oil changes, which you can schedule at our Acura dealership in Indianapolis. more Oil Change Services Designed for Acura Vehicles How Often to Change Your Motor Oil Consult either your owner's manual or one of our technicians for the ideal oil service intervals for your particular Acura. You'll likely find that it's every 7,500 to 10,000 miles, which means twice a year for most drivers. There are a few factors that wear down motor oil more rapidly. If you regularly make short trips of under five miles, drive for long distances at low speeds, take your Acura on the track, or use very dusty, sandy, or muddy roads, consider refreshing your oil three or four times a year. When to Replace Your Oil Filter Another important Acura oil service is replacing the filter. The oil filter collects dirt, metal fragments, and sludge from the engine. If you forget to change this filter, it will eventually fill up and overflow, depositing these contaminants back into the system. Ideally, your oil filter should be removed and replaced each time you change the oil, but sometimes it's only necessary to replace the filter every other visit. Our technicians can inspect the filter whenever they change the oil and decide if it's time for a new one. Signs Your Oil or Filter Needs Changing With a well-planned oil service routine, your engine should perform smoothly without mishap for the car's entire lifespan. Nevertheless, it pays to know the signs of bad oil or an overflowing filter so you can quickly notice and remedy the situation. Low Oil Pressure Most oil-related problems will trigger the oil pressure warning light to appear on your dashboard. This light may indicate diminished volume, degraded quality, a clogged filter, or perhaps an oil leak. Leaking Oil It's not unheard of for motor oil to leak from a worn gasket, pan, drain plug, filter, or seal. Leaking oil might drip over the heated engine block or exhaust manifold, burning up and creating a burning oil smell. Falling Power Without the full lubrication of fresh oil, your engine will start to lose power. Your acceleration will feel sluggish and unresponsive. Check Engine Light With bad oil, you'll soon see the check engine light appear. This alert won't specify oil as the problem, but our technicians will soon work it out. Set Up Regular Oil Service at Your Acura Dealership Allow us to schedule routine maintenance for your Acura's engine. Our specialist Acura technicians can keep your luxury car purring along in tip-top shape for many years to come. Head to Ed Martin Acura in Indianapolis, IN, for prompt oil service.

An oil change being performed in a car near Indianapolis, Indiana

The Importance of Regular Car Maintenance Checks and Oil Changes

Most drivers understand that taking their vehicle to their Acura dealership for annual Acura maintenance is the manufacturer's recommendation. However, not all are aware of why regular checks and adhering to the recommended oil change schedule are so important. With this in mind, let's take a closer look at why you should never overlook your maintenance checks and fluid changes. more Prolong Your Acura's Lifespan Regular maintenance will prolong your Acura's lifespan and keep it in good working order long into the future. Having your vehicle regularly serviced reduces excess wear and tear of its components, delaying the need for repairs and potentially saving you money in the long run. Improve Your Car's Performance Routine maintenance carried out in line with the recommended schedule will help ensure your Acura stays in optimal working order, boosting its performance and fuel efficiency overall. You'll be able to enjoy driving even more while also potentially saving money every time you fill up with gas. Enhance Your Safety Staying safe behind the wheel is paramount, and without regular vehicle maintenance, you could be putting yourself at higher risk of an accident. Worn components can fail unexpectedly, potentially resulting in a dangerous failure of the engine or brakes. Greater Eco-Friendliness A well-maintained vehicle will emit fewer pollutants into the environment, reducing your carbon footprint and helping you to protect the planet. Regular Oil Change and Other Crucial Acura Dealership Recommended Maintenance Tasks Changing your Acura's oil according to the recommended schedule is vital to keep your engine running smoothly. Your car's other fluids, including the brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and engine coolant, also require regular checking and topping up whenever necessary to help ensure the safe and smooth running of your car. Routine battery checks, tire checks, and brake checks ​are also essential and are carried out during your Acura's ​annual service. These checks will ensure you have no safety issues while driving and that you won't be at increased risk of a breakdown or expensive repairs. Can I Carry Out Maintenance Tasks Myself? While there are some maintenance tasks that are relatively easy to perform yourself, such as checking and topping up windshield wiper fluid or ​topping ​up your tire pressure. Some tasks ​can be difficult to manage correctly without specialist knowledge and equipment, and therefore ​visiting your dealership can help solve a problem without too much stress. If your Acura needs servicing, or you're concerned about any aspect of ​maintenance, call Ed Martin Acura in Indianapolis, IN, today.