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While the sunshine and blue skies of summer make perfect driving weather, the heightened heat, UV rays, and dust can cause damage to various parts of your car. Careful summer car maintenance will prepare and protect your vehicle for the hotter months. As the weather heats up, take your car in for Lexus service and follow these five summer care tips. 5 Summer Car Maintenance Tips for Your Lexus Make Sure Your Air Conditioning's Working The temperature in Connecticut can get pretty high in the middle of summer. You wouldn't want to be stuck on a long drive without reliable air conditioning. When left disused over winter, air conditioners can sometimes develop refrigerant leaks from rubber parts that have dried out and cracked. So, it's a good idea to test your air conditioning and make sure it's working well. more Top Up Your Coolant and Other Fluids When the weather heats up, car engines face a greater risk of overheating, especially when sitting in traffic. To deal with this extra challenge, your cooling system will need to be in great shape with a suitable level of fresh coolant. You may need to flush out your winter coolant and put in summer coolant, which should be a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. As heat can evaporate most liquids, it's also wise to check and top up all the fluids in your car, including transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and windshield washer fluid. Change Your Oil at the Start of Summer Motor oil keeps a car's engine lubricated, which reduces friction and also helps stop overheating. Motor oil should generally be changed twice a year, and summer is a good time to have yours changed. Check the Condition of Your Air Filter The engine's air filter prevents dirt and debris from entering via the oxygen valve. During winter, road salt and other thick debris can sometimes clog up the air filter. Check that your air filter is in good condition and ready to handle the dustier air of summer. If your filter seems excessively clogged up, you'll need to buy a new one. Inspect and Clean Your Battery Car batteries can also suffer in the heat of summer. The higher temperatures can speed up the internal chemical reaction of a battery and also evaporate battery fluid. Inspect your battery often during summer, making sure it's strapped down tightly. You can also clean the battery cables and terminals to reduce the chance of corrosion. When To Have Lexus Service in Greenwich, CT This Summer The best time for summer servicing is now! Have your Lexus serviced today by experienced technicians at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich.

When you buy your new Lexus, you want to upkeep your luxury car or SUV to promote the longevity and premium performance of your vehicle. When it comes to Lexus maintenance in Greenwich, CT, our Lexus dealership has your needs covered, and you can visit us for all your Lexus services and repairs. But what is Lexus complimentary maintenance that’s offered? In this blog, we discuss complimentary maintenance for Lexus vehicles. Experience Complimentary Maintenance When you purchase a new Lexus, you get to enjoy first and second scheduled maintenance services complimentary! At 6 months/5,000 miles and 12 months/10,000 miles (whichever of those comes first), you get to relish in the perk of getting these services. To keep your vehicle in tip-top shape it’s important to come in for these maintenance appointments. more By visiting your local Lexus Service Center in Greenwich, CT, you will get the benefit of your Lexus getting serviced by certified Lexus technicians that know your Lexus model thoroughly. We can also take a look at your service history to see when your car was last serviced and see what type of services your Lexus car or SUV needs. What services will your Lexus need at 6 months or 5,000 miles? Generally, you can expect services like getting your Lexus tires rotated and checking the tire pressure, inspect the fluid levels in your vehicle and brake system, and more. We can also reset the maintenance reminder light in your Lexus! What happens when you come in your service visit at 12 months or 10,000 miles? Some services that you can expect typically involve getting the engine oil filter and oil replaced, checking tire pressure and rotating tires, and inspecting the brake system as well. When you need to get parts replaced at any point during your servicing, you will get genuine Lexus parts in CT when visiting our Greenwich Lexus dealership. These parts are specifically built for your model so that you get the precise parts to fit your vehicle and that work optimally. Complimentary Maintenance for L/Certified Vehicles You don’t only have to buy new to enjoy complimentary maintenance! If you’re in the market for a premium used vehicle, consider an L/Certified car or SUV! When you buy an L/Certified vehicle, there is a complimentary scheduled maintenance program that is available. Ask us about this program today! Get Your Complimentary Service in Greenwich, CT Scheduled Today Your Lexus deserves exceptional service and that is what you get when you bring your vehicle in for a service at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. If it’s time to schedule your maintenance appointment, click here for fast and convenient online scheduling to visit our Service Center!

Electrical problems can occur for various reasons, but the most common is delayed servicing. When we perform a service, we routinely check the electrical systems and identify and fix any problems we find. If you have an electrical problem in Greenwich, CT, your Lexus dealer can fix it for you. These are a few possible problems we can repair. 3 Electrical Problems You Should Always Fix at Your Lexus Dealer Blown Fuses Your Lexus has numerous electrical systems, and each system has a fuse connected to it. These fuses function the same way as the ones in your home do. They protect their connected component against shorts and other rogue electrical behavior. The fuse will absorb the electrical charge and blow. Its sacrifice protects the component from damage but also shuts down the component until the fuse is replaced. more If you've experienced an electrical failure, for example, your radio no longer works, the fault could be due to a blown fuse. We'll need to examine your car's fuse box to identify the exact cause. We'll test each fuse and replace any blown ones. Our technicians will also test for the source of the rogue electrical charge to help prevent it from happening again. Failing Alternator The alternator has the vital job of producing electricity for your car's systems and devices. It activates when your engine starts and spins at high speed to produce magnetic energy. This energy is captured by specialist components inside the alternator and converted into DC for your car's systems. The alternator is also responsible for recharging your battery. An alternator gradually wears down over time, and it will start to produce less electricity. Your car's demands for electricity are relatively stable, and a failing alternator will eventually fail to supply all the electricity required. When this happens, your car will display a range of symptoms, including electrical glitches, dim lights, and other issues. We'll check your alternator and replace it if it's failing. Worn Wiring All the electrical systems must connect to the alternator to receive power. This situation requires large amounts of wiring, and each wire must be protected against the heat inside the engine. In addition, the wiring is meticulously placed to prevent even slight movements inside the engine from disturbing it. Wires, unfortunately, will eventually fail. Time and the continual flow of electricity through them can cause wires to break. If this happens, the components connected to the wiring will shut down. Broken wiring can also overheat and burn as electricity continues to flow through them. We can trace any wiring problem and repair it very quickly. Schedule a Lexus Service in CT for a Comprehensive Electrical Inspection If you suspect your Lexus has an electrical problem, call our service department at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. Our highly-trained technicians will find and fix it for you.

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.

Keep your drive smooth and safe by keeping up-to-date with your Lexus service schedule and getting the routine maintenance that you need. Here are some of the benefits you'll enjoy when you take your vehicle to your local Lexus dealer in Greenwich, CT, to keep it running right. Make Driving a Safer Experience Safety is every driver's top concern, and keeping your vehicle well-maintained is essential to the safe operation of that vehicle. When all of your parts are working the way that you would expect them to, you should be able to respond to any challenge you encounter on the road and continue navigating safely. more Achieve Better Fuel Efficiency Everybody could benefit from saving a bit of money at the gas pump. Problems with different parts of your vehicle can lead to less efficient use of fuel, reducing the milage you get. In order to make the most out of every tank of gas, boost your vehicle's efficiency by taking it in for routine service. Enjoy Optimal Performance Whether you're a performance enthusiast or just someone who needs to get from point A to point B on their daily commute, everyone can enjoy a smoother, more engaging ride from their vehicle. When you keep your vehicle well-maintained, it should handle with precision, giving you the excitement you crave each time you hit the road. Require Less Frequent Repairs Bringing your vehicle in for minor service today saves you the trouble of needing to bring it in for more major repairs later down the line. You'll have quicker, less frequent visits to the service center by keeping up on preventative maintenance, nipping problems in the bud before they become critical. Reduce the Chance of a Breakdown Becoming immobilized on the side of the road is a frustrating and potentially dangerous situation that no driver wants to find themselves in. If you don't keep up with your Lexus' service schedule, the vehicle has an increased chance of breaking down, leaving you stranded. Get More Value Out of Your Vehicle Buying a vehicle is a major investment from a financial standpoint. Protect that investment by keeping up on your vehicle's service schedule. You'll keep the vehicle road-ready for longer. You’ll also slow down the depreciation of the car’s value, helping to make it worth more if you ever decide to go for a trade-in to upgrade your ride. Peace of Mind from Your Lexus Dealer There's no price that you can put on having the assurance that your vehicle is running in optimal shape. You'll get that peace of mind when you bring your vehicle to our dealership, knowing that skilled Lexus experts will be addressing your vehicle's every need.   You'll get all of these benefits and more when you let our skilled service team take care of your auto repair needs. The next time you visit us at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich for a service, be sure to ask us about setting a routine maintenance schedule specifically for your Lexus vehicle! Lastly, if you enjoyed this blog, continue learning more about maintaining your Lexus with our related articles today!

When you're driving, it can take just a moment's hesitation or another driver's momentary lapse for an accident to occur. It's never pleasant to think about damage to your Lexus, but if it should happen, your Lexus dealer has the technicians, technology, and resources to repair it. This is an overview of the steps we use when a car needs a collision repair. Arrival Your car will arrive at our repair center, and our technicians will thoroughly examine it. They do a visual inspection of the damage and note every dent and other damage on your car. This process is videoed, and a report will be compiled. This report outlines the necessary repairs that have been observed. The report may change if any other damage is found when your car is disassembled. more We'll help you to complete the check-in form, confirm your details, and also ask for the details of your insurance company. We'll be able to give an estimate for the time to complete the repairs, but this can change if we find additional damage that needs to be repaired. Disassembly Our technicians will disassemble your car and remove any broken or damaged parts. Once this is done, we'll know the full extent of the damage. We'll prepare a quote to give to you, and if your insurance is arranging the work, we'll send it to them too. We'll liaise with your insurance company on the repairs that are needed. Once we receive confirmation from either you or your insurance, we'll begin the repair. Repair Our parts department will assemble all the parts needed for the repairs, and our paints department will match your car's color paint. Our technicians will repair each section of the damage and test it as they go. Depending on the extent of the damage, we will work on the interior and the exterior of your car at the same time. This reduces the time to complete the repairs and will allow us to return your car sooner. Reassembly While the repairs are being completed, our paint technicians will be painting and clear coating any replacement panels or sections. We can color match any Lexus paint color, so the replacement parts will blend perfectly. Once the replacement parts have been reattached, your car will be tested by our technicians to ensure that it's working perfectly. Quality Assurance and Collection Your repaired car will be rechecked by our quality control team. This is to confirm that the work has been completed and the repairs have followed the Lexus repairs procedure. Once this step is confirmed, your car will be washed and polished. We'll call to let you know that your car is ready for collection. Once you've checked and approved the work, your car will be ready to go home.   No driver wants to think about their car being damaged. Fortunately, if you need repairs, you're in safe hands with DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich. Please contact us today if you have any questions, or go ahead and schedule your collision repair at your nearest DARCARS collision center today!

Your Lexus will provide you with a smooth and safe driving experience for years to come. However, you must do your part by taking it in for regular maintenance and by being aware of the signs when certain elements are due for replacement. Here are the signs you need to watch for to know when it's time to take your vehicle to your Lexus service center to have your car air filter replaced. You Notice a Lack of Power When You Drive The job of your vehicle's air filter is to strain out dirt and other dangerous particles before they have a chance to run through your engine. If you feel your car straining or taking more time to accelerate, this can mean your air filter is clogged and making your engine struggle to work. more You Notice Your Air Filter Is Clogged or Dirty It's easy to check your air filter yourself by popping it out and looking at it. New air filters are a pale color, and you can see all the small holes in them. If your filter looks very dark and you see that the holes are clogged, it's time for a new one. Get in the habit of taking a quick peek at your air filter every few months. You Notice Strange Smells Coming From Your Exhaust When your air filter is clogged it allows dangerous particles to get into your engine, and it interrupts the fuel cycle. When fuel isn't able to be burned properly in your car, it will often get pushed out through the exhaust pipe. This unburned fuel will smell different than usual, so if you notice anything different, it's important to look into it as soon as possible. You Notice Dark Exhaust Coming From Your Exhaust Improperly burned fuel doesn't always create smelly exhaust, however, it can create dark exhaust. You may also hear strange sounds coming from your exhaust pipe. If any changes occur with your exhaust, have your air filter checked as soon as possible. Your fuel mileage will suffer, and your engine could suffer from costly damage if you don't get this fixed right away. You Notice Warning Codes Being Sent to You Your vehicle is equipped with an extensive warning system that will alert you as soon as something isn't working properly. If your engine isn't able to work properly, your warning system will alert you. Newer Lexus vehicles will send you a detailed warning via text or email, however, all models will have a code show up on your dashboard which can be read using a special mechanic tool. It's important not to ever ignore any of these codes.   The professionals at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich are proud to be there for you every step of the way during your buying and ownership experience. Our friendly, knowledgeable team will help you pick out the best vehicle for you and your family, and our expert service team will help you keep it in tip-top shape.

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.

Cold weather has arrived in the Greenwich, CT area, and it's time to ensure your vehicle has the right tires for the winter season. While you may be tempted to use the all-season tires that are already on your car, this could be a mistake. Here's how to choose the right winter tires for optimal road safety in the winter months. Start Early Don't wait too long to get your winter tires installed. Even if there isn't snow on the ground, the cold weather means you need a different type of tire to keep you and your passengers safe. The rubber used on cold-weather tires is softer than the rubber on all-season tires, which helps them retain traction even in the coldest temperatures. However, this rubber wears out quickly in the summer heat, so a helpful tip is not to change over your tires too early, either. more Ensure You're Getting Cold-Weather Tires If you go by the tread, all-season tires and cold-weather tires look almost identical. It's the type of rubber used on these specific tires that makes the difference. Fortunately, there's a simple way to tell them apart. Look for the symbol that depicts a snowflake inside a mountain on the tire's sidewalls to verify if they're tires that are designed for winter driving. You'll also see "M+S," which stands for mud and snow, but this will also be on all-season tires, so the snowflake's the key. Consider Studded Snow Tires You'll get better traction on icy roads with studded snow tires than you'll get with the studless variety, but if you don't experience much ice, go without the studs. Studded tires can cause damage to roads, so you'll also want to make sure your state allows them even to be installed on your vehicle. Some states restrict their use to the winter months only, but again, if there's little ice where you drive, you shouldn't need them anyway. Invest in a Second Set of Rims You may be considering just purchasing new cold-weather tires and changing them out with your all-seasons without getting a second set of rims. There's nothing wrong with this, but you will have to pay for mounting and balancing every winter and summer as you switch tires. It might be more expensive to buy a second set of rims up front, but it will pay off in the long run as it allows you to change your tires yourself. Don't Forget Installation Fees Finding inexpensive cold-weather tires online isn't hard; however, don't forget that you'll also have to pay a local service center to install the tires once you get them. This is not always the least expensive way to purchase snow tires. In many cases, you'll save money by purchasing your tires at the same place to install them, considering they can bundle your services. It's more convenient as well! Buy Four Cold-Weather Tires No one enjoys spending money on tires, which is why you might be tempted to buy only the two wheels that power your car. However, this could be a mistake because the difference in traction will change how your vehicle handles. In fact, it could cause a dangerous situation if some tires are gripping better than others. For safety's sake, buy and install four cold-weather tires on your vehicle.   Even though it may not seem like it, buying cold-weather tires can be tricky, especially when you want to ensure peace of mind on the roads during winter. Contact DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich, where we can handle all of your tire needs and questions from start to finish, no matter the weather!   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