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Have you been keeping up with your Lexus routine oil changes in Greenwich, CT? Why are scheduling oil changes regularly important? Are oil changes a part of your Lexus routine maintenance? Get your oil change questions answered here and schedule your next Lexus oil change appointment at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. Lexus Oil Change FAQs Are Oil Changes a Part of Routine Maintenance? Yes! Oil changes are a key service when coming in for your vehicle’s routine maintenance. The service may also involve an oil filter change. In your maintenance schedule, you can find out what other services you should get for your Lexus service. more How Often Should I Get an Oil Change for My Lexus? Depending on the model, mileage you drive, and various other factors, can affect when you need to bring your Lexus in for an oil change. However, it is generally recommended to go for an oil change around 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Depending on whether your car is using conventional or synthetic oil also makes a difference for your oil change interval. You will want to check out your Lexus maintenance schedule, or we can check for you upon your routine maintenance visits. Why is an Oil Change Important for My Car? Going for oil changes at the recommended time is important for your Lexus because when you get an oil change, it removes the debris that may have built up in your vehicle’s engine. With wear and tear over time, old motor oil can become sludgy and may not provide the lubrication your vehicle’s engines parts need to keep moving smoothly. With regular oil changes, it can prevent this wear and tear from happening, as well as stop corrosion and keep the parts in your vehicle’s engine cooler. What Kind of Oil Does My Lexus Need? You can find out what type of oil your Lexus needs by taking a look in your owner’s manual. The certified Lexus service professionals at our Lexus Service Center can also help you decide which oil is right for your Lexus when you bring in your car for a service visit. Schedule a Lexus Oil Change Appointment in CT Today Ready to get your Lexus car or SUV’s oil change booked? Use our user-friendly online service scheduler to get your oil change appointment secured today. Be sure to see if you can save on your Lexus service by exploring what current service coupons are available at our Lexus dealership.

When it's dark or hazy, it's especially important to be able to see the road ahead. It's also critical that other drivers and pedestrians can see you. Working headlights are vital in this regard. Headlights can fail for many different reasons, and if they do, it's essential to replace them ASAP. As your Lexus service center in Greenwich, CT, we can replace them for you. These are a few signs that it's time to get new headlights. Frequent Blown Bulbs Headlight bulbs can fail simply due to age. Depending on the type of bulbs you have, they can last from 500 hours to 30,000 hours before replacement. If you find that your bulbs are blowing more frequently, this is a sign that something is likely wrong with the electrical system. Two possible causes are a short in the socket or a problem with your alternator. more A short in the headlight socket can result in power fluctuations in the bulb, and this will cause it to fail faster than it should. A damaged alternator will produce less power for the electrical system than it should. The reduced power means that the available electrical supply has to be shifted between components as needed. A constantly shifting power supply will cause the bulb to blow. Our technicians will trace the source of the problem. Discolored or Damaged Lenses The clean plastic covers that protect your headlights can get damaged. Grit, sand, and other debris can scratch them, and the bright summer sun can also cause them to become discolored. This discoloration isn't aesthetically pleasing, and it can make your headlights look dimmer than they are. The covers can also be cracked by debris thrown up from the surface.   A cracked lens can allow water to seep into the headlight socket. This water will damage the bulb socket and can cause a short in your electrical system. It's also important to be aware that it's a traffic offense to drive with cracked headlights, and you can receive a ticket. Dim or Flickering Lights Just like the bulbs in your home, your headlight bulbs will be dim or flicker before they're about to fail. As we've seen, the lifespan of headlight bulbs is varied. If one of the bulbs blows, we advise replacing both of them at the same time. Bulbs are installed as pairs, and if one fails, the other will, almost certainly, within a couple of days.   Another potential cause of flickering lights is a failing alternator. Your car's computer will allocate just enough power to the headlights to allow them to work. If other accessories are switched off, for example, the radio, the extra power will be allocated to the lights. The flickering is a sign that the power supplied by the alternator is varying due to demands by other systems in your car.   If your headlights are showing signs of wear or need to be replaced, schedule a replacement with our service department at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. Does your Lexus need another part replaced? Order any of the genuine parts you need now!

As the component that converts over 90% of harmful emissions into safer compounds, your catalytic converter is essential to the health of your car and of the planet. But if it isn't functioning at peak capacity, it'll also impact your driving experience. Here are some of the ways you can recognize when it's time to schedule a service at your Lexus dealer for a replacement. Time To Contact Your Lexus Dealer? Converters have an average lifespan of ten years or 100,000 miles, so it's possible that you may never need a replacement. However, it is a wearing part, so scheduling a check every 50,000 miles or so will ensure that it receives monitoring and maintenance to keep it in good condition. more What Could Go Wrong? Known as the "cat", the converter contains tiny pores that are coated in precious metals such as palladium and gold. This honeycomb structure can be damaged by a sharp blow, causing pieces to break off.   Alternatively, if oil, antifreeze, or unburned fuel have infiltrated the exhaust system, then the converter may become clogged. This could be caused by: Bad valve seals Piston ring failure Poor spark plugs Unbalanced fuel-air mixture If your car has suffered any of these problems recently, then the cat could be suffering from the knock-on effects, so it's wise to arrange an inspection. What Are the Warning Signs? You know your Lexus better than anyone, so you'll probably be the first person to notice if the converter isn't working. The following might all signal that the cat is struggling: Rattling Noises If the converter is damaged, pieces of the honeycomb structure can break off and enter the exhaust pipe, causing a rattling noise that's loudest at ignition. Bad Smells When the cat isn't working, hydrogen sulfide will infiltrate the system instead of being catalyzed into odorless compounds. This can cause a sulfuric smell. You might also notice a burning odor or thick black smoke from the exhaust pipe. Soggy Acceleration By restricting the flow of exhaust gases, a malfunctioning cat will have an impact on the power from the engine. If you notice that your car is sluggish when it comes to accelerating or driving at speed, then the converter could be the culprit. It will also burn fuel less efficiently, which in turn will make an impact on costs at the gas pump.   As well as making your driving experience less enjoyable, a malfunctioning cat will cause harmful chemicals to build up in your engine and potentially damage other components of your car, so it really is essential to make sure that it's in good health. If you're in any doubt, contact us at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. We will be happy to answer any of your questions and get you in quickly for repairs!

Your transmission plays a vital role in the performance of your car, so routine transmission maintenance is necessary to keep it running in peak condition and avoid expensive repairs. But what is transmission maintenance, why is it needed, and when should it be done? Read on to find out more about when you should schedule a transmission service at your Lexus dealer. What Is a Transmission Service and Why Should It Be Done? Services can vary depending on your specific vehicle. However, typical upkeep involves changing the filter, changing the fluid, and inspecting, cleaning, or replacing any transmission components, if needed. more Transmission fluid helps keep mechanical pieces cool and lubricated. However, the interior parts of your transmission may wear down over time, and tiny particles can contaminate the fluid, potentially leading to damage and high repair costs. Routine maintenance is essential to avoid pricey repairs or vehicle downtime due to transmission troubles down the road. What Is the Difference Between a Flush and Fluid Change? Owners have different options when selecting services, including a transmission fluid change or a transmission flush, and both techniques have pros and cons. However, most vehicles have factory recommendations concerning which type of service to perform when changing the transmission fluid and should always be followed.   A fluid change typically involves draining the fluid out with gravity, then adding fresh transmission fluid. With this method, all old fluid is not fully drained from the transmission components and is left to mix with the new liquid. In contrast, a fluid flush usually involves using a machine to flush all the fluid out of the transmission and lines until completely clean and then refilled with entirely fresh fluid. How Often Should I Have Routine Service Performed? Again, the best practice is to know factory-recommended service intervals for your car, as recommendations can vary widely from one vehicle to the next, ranging from 30,000 miles to over 100,000 miles. Always follow the factory-recommended time or mileage intervals.   No matter your vehicle type, one thing is consistent, you should never wait for problems to arise before servicing your transmission, as damage is likely already taking place, and you could be looking at costly repairs. Being proactive is always the best bet with your car, especially the transmission. Signs You Should Have Your Transmission Checked at Your Lexus Dealer Going by the manufacturer's recommendations for maintenance services is an excellent way to maintain your car's performance. Of course, issues may surface even with appropriate servicing.   If you detect difficult shifting, slipping gears, grinding gears, leaking transmission fluid, or a burnt transmission fluid smell, you should get your car to a technician as soon as possible. Continuing to drive your vehicle with transmission problems may likely cause more issues.   Keeping up with vehicle maintenance is crucial to its performance and lifespan. So whether you need routine transmission maintenance or a different type of service, our service team is here to help! Contact DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich if you have questions or schedule a service appointment now.

A tire rotation involves swapping your tires to different positions to ensure even wear. When your tires wear evenly, it will improve your Lexus' overall handling and increase your tires' life. Below is a list of the benefits you'll reap when regularly rotating your vehicle's tires at your Lexus dealer in Greenwich, CT. Your Tires Will Wear Down Evenly Your car's front and rear tires wear down differently because of their functions. The front tires on front-wheel-drive vehicles are used for acceleration, turning, and braking and wear down faster than the rear tires. If you swap your car's tires to different positions regularly, the tires will wear down at the same rate and more evenly. more Your Tires Will Last Longer If you follow the factory-recommended rotation intervals as set out in your service schedule, we guarantee that you will not have to purchase new tires as often. If the tires are switched around at regular intervals, and all four tires wear down evenly, they will last longer. You Will Save Money Tires are expensive, and with regular rotations, you will get more life out of each of your four tires. When your front and rear tires wear down evenly, and at the same rate, you won't have to purchase new tires as often, saving you a lot of money in the long run. You'll Increase Your Vehicle's Performance Tires that wear evenly ensure that your vehicle performs better. When the tread wears down differently on all the tires, you will feel vibrations through the steering wheel at speeds higher than 45 miles an hour. Over time the vibrations can affect your wheel alignment and balancing and even cause damage to components. If you ask your Lexus technician to rotate your car's tires regularly, it will reduce uneven wear and limit vibrations. You Will Increase Your Safety on the Road When the tread wear is even across all four tires, your car will have better traction, improving your car's overall performance and your safety on the road. If the tread is uniform, it will enhance your vehicle's cornering and braking performance and stopping distance, especially in inclement weather conditions when the roads are slippery and you need that extra grip. Your Tires Will Be Thoroughly Inspected With Every Rotation The Lexus technician will perform a thorough tire inspection with every rotation. The technician will check the tread depth on each tire and inspect the tires for wear and damage, such as cuts, cracks, and bulges. Your tires will also be inflated to the correct pressure levels, promoting even wear.   If you switch your car's tires around regularly, your tires will last longer, saving you a ton of cash. A rotation is recommended every 5,000 to 8,000 miles depending on the type of vehicle you drive and your tires. Check your vehicle's owner's manual for the recommended rotation intervals for your specific model, or ask your Lexus technician for more information. For your next tire service, schedule an appointment online with DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Knowing the signs to look out for if your car battery is reaching the end of its lifespan is essential for the overall health of your vehicle and the safety of you and your passengers. Continue reading to learn about the top 5 signs that you require a battery replacement. It's Time to Replace your Car Battery If You're Spotting These Signs: It's been more than three years since your last battery replacement. The car battery looks worn with corrosion. Foul smell coming from the battery. Trouble starting the vehicle. You hear clicking sounds when starting the car. If you're experiencing any of these indications of a worn battery, our service technicians here in Greenwich, CT, suggest continuing this blog to learn more about each sign. more Your Battery Hasn't Been Replaced for a Few Years In addition to general wear from driving, your car's battery can drain due to weather conditions and time. Typically, car batteries last about five years before they need replacing. If you're not sure how old your car's battery is, you should find a sticker on the case stating the date it was last changed. Your Battery Looks Worn Take a look at your battery once in a while to see if it's producing a bubbly green foam, has an opaque film, is grimy, or has any corrosion at all. This coating or bubbling foam can be cleaned off and could buy you a bit of extra time with your battery, but these are all signs your battery is at the end of its life and should be replaced. Your Battery Smells Sour If you're inspecting your car's battery or checking under your hood for another reason and you smell something acidic, that's a sign your battery is leaking or starting to corrode. It would be best if you replaced your car's battery before it wears down further. Your Car Isn't Starting Properly If you notice your engine isn't firing up as quickly as it usually does, it's likely because your car's battery is on its last legs. And if your vehicle doesn't start at all, it's probably due to your battery wearing down altogether. You can get a jump start, but that's only going to give the car's battery enough juice to last for one or two more starts. Your Vehicle Makes a Clicking Sound When You Start It If you notice a clicking sound when you turn the key in the ignition, this likely means your car's battery is running low and should be replaced very soon. Clicking can occasionally be an issue with the starter or something else, but the most common culprit is the battery. At DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich, you'll find the highest quality service in and around the Greenwich, CT area. Our technicians are always available to answer any questions and provide expert maintenance so your Lexus will continue to perform as it should. At your convenience, you can schedule your next battery repair with us online. We look forward to serving you soon!

As the owner of a Lexus vehicle, you will want to make sure your ride is in the best possible shape. This is why it's so essential that you get your Lexus serviced and repaired at a dealership. This way, you will know your vehicle is in the best hands and that only experts will be working on it. Complimentary Maintenance You will get two complimentary maintenance services when you purchase your new Lexus vehicle. Maintenance is key for the correct functioning of your car, and it's important to bring it in regularly for this purpose. more Plus, if you bought an L/Certified Lexus vehicle, you will get four complimentary maintenance services. These need to be performed during the first two years of ownership or the first 20,000 miles driven, whichever happens first. Comprehensive Service At Lexus, we don't stop at a simple oil change. We want your vehicle to perform as the great machine that it is. This is why we perform comprehensive service, providing maintenance to the brake system, the A/C system, and tuning up all the components of your vehicle. In addition, we perform routine diagnostics that allow us to determine if it's time to change a part or perform special targeted maintenance. This will enable you to get in front of potential issues, saving you headaches, time, and money. Parts Replacement If a specific vehicle part has outlived its purpose, it's time to get a replacement. The benefit of getting your service at the dealer is that we will have direct access to high-quality genuine parts. This means that your vehicle will only get the best of the best, with Lexus's features specifically designed. Plus, if the part you need is not at the dealership, we can order it and facilitate the necessary repairs as soon as possible. The goal is to avoid any delays and for you to have your vehicle up and running! Ready to order parts online today? Just click here! All of our available Lexus parts can be ordered directly online. Tire Center Your vehicle's tires are some of the most essential parts of your ride. Therefore, you need to make sure they have the proper grip and that the wear and tear of the road have not damaged them. We can help you find the right tires for your ride if this is the case. Depending on your vehicle and the roads you usually take, we can advise you which tire will work best for you. Our tire center is home to many different brands, and you will have plenty of options to choose from. Personalization Options You can get your vehicle more personalized than ever with Lexus accessories. While you bring your ride in for service, you can check your options and choose what you like. We can provide you with an estimate while you wait for your vehicle. No time wasted!   You can find all of this at the dealer, from complimentary service to access to the best parts and accessories. Schedule a service at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich to ensure you get only the best of everything for your vehicle.

Your brakes are a critical component of your car. Even if you know how important they are, though, it can be easy to neglect them as long as they're stopping your vehicle as they should. However, ignoring the signs that your car needs a brake repair could make your car unsafe for both you and other drivers. Here are some things you need to know about repairing your brakes. Your Dealership Can Help In the event that you hear a squealing or grinding sound coming from your brakes or your brake pedal feels spongy when you depress it, your car probably needs to have its brakes inspected. Luckily, you can have this done right at your dealership, usually for free. The factory-trained technician will look at your brakes and determine if they need to be fixed or replaced, both of which can be done at the dealership service center. more Types of Brake Repairs The most common type of repair for your brakes is replacing the brake pads, which wear down every time you slow or stop your car. Your brake pads should be inspected about once every six months to ensure enough surface is left on your pads to stop your vehicle effectively. You may also hear a squealing sound, which is intentionally designed to get your attention when your brake pads have worn to a dangerous level. Warped rotors are another type of repair that is common in any braking system that involves disc brakes. Warping occurs when the rotors are overheated from continued braking or the improper tightening of the wheel. If you have a warped rotor, you may feel a vibration or pulsing sensation when you press on your brake pedal. Sometimes, rotors can be repaired through resurfacing, but they will need to be entirely replaced in many cases. How to Prevent a Repair Eventually, your brakes are going to need to be repaired simply because your brake pads wear down when your brakes are in use. This is not something that can be prevented altogether. However, you can delay the need for repair by practicing good driving and braking habits. For instance, try not to "ride" your brakes, which causes extra wear on the pads and creates heat that can warp your rotors. Instead, slow down using moderate pressure and release to cool the brakes between applications. If you're coming down a steep hill, use your downshift powers to slow the vehicle rather than applying the brakes. This allows the engine to take some of the pressure off the brakes to slow down. Additionally, make sure to keep your braking system and wheels clean by applying a wheel cleaner that is safe on your wheels' finish. Clean brakes work more efficiently, which will then keep the temperature as low as possible. Authentic Parts When you have to get your brakes repaired, be sure that the mechanic is only using genuine parts designed for your specific car. The best way to ensure this happens is to have your brakes repaired at your designated certified service & parts center. This way, you know that the technician is experienced with making repairs on your car and will only be using authentic parts on your vehicle.   No one wants to have to get their brakes fixed, but it's a necessary part of car ownership, and you want to be sure your vehicle is always safe to drive. Schedule your next brake service & repair with us at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. We look forward to serving you at our Lexus Service Center in Greenwich, CT!   Image by Pixabay

Check Engine Light Illuminates If your check engine light comes on, it could mean that your transmission needs to be repaired. Most vehicles don't have a specific light for the transmission, so the check engine light is sort of a catch-all for parts and systems that don't have their own lights. Regardless of what is wrong with your car, you need to get it in for service immediately because if it is the transmission, you don't want to make the situation worse by waiting. more Grinding Noises When your car shifts, you should not hear anything except the change in RPMs. Grinding noises when you shift mean that your transmission is probably running low on transmission fluid, which is designed to lubricate the gears in your transmission when you shift. It could also mean that your transmission fluid is dirty because the fluid that is contaminated with sludge and grease cannot properly lubricate your transmission either. Your fluids should be checked right away and flushed if necessary. Gear Shifting Issues No matter if you have a manual transmission or an automatic transmission, your gears should shift smoothly and easily. If you have a transmission problem, though, you might discover that the gears do not shift at the appropriate time, or in the case of a manual transmission, you're finding it difficult to shift gears at all. Typically, this means that the transmission fluid is low or dirty and not doing its job to lubricate the gears as you shift. Slipping Gears Conversely, you might also experience slipping gears, which is when the transmission shifts without any action on your part. Cars should stay in gear once they are put there by the driver. However, if there's a transmission issue, your car may drop a gear when you least expect it. This could cause a dangerous situation where your car stalls or is unable to accelerate to get out of a tricky situation. This is one condition that must be inspected immediately. Fluid Leaks Transmission fluid is a very distinctive pink color unless it is dirty. So, if you see a pink or brown fluid on the driveway under your car, you probably have a transmission fluid leak. If the fluid levels get too low, you'll begin to have other issues such as grinding noises, slipping gears, and other shifting problems. As such, fix any leaks as soon as possible so that a small problem doesn't become a big one. Burnt Smell As you probably know, it's never good to smell a burning odor coming from your car. Dirty transmission fluid may start burning as it breaks down, or you could have a leak that is dripping on hot engine parts. Either way, this is a situation that requires repair, so head on into your service center to have your transmission inspected. Transmission problems are nothing to mess around with, especially if you don't want to be stranded anywhere. So, bring your car into DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich right away to have our experts check your transmission out and fix it if necessary.   Photo by Lexus