Blog / Greenwich Lexus Service

Time For a New Air Filter? Find Out How To Tell as a Greenwich, CT Driver

Car Air Filter Cleaning in Greenwich, CT
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.

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.
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Oil Change Light in Car Greenwich, CT

How Do Oil Changes Impact a Vehicle's Performance?

Getting a regular oil change is one of the most important parts of caring for your car. However, what exactly is this oil doing for your car when you stop by the Lexus dealer to change the oil? It does a lot of things, from boosting fuel economy to making your engine last as long as possible, so let's learn a little more. Oil Changes and Vehicle Performance The oil in your car can impact your vehicle's performance greatly. With oil that's approximately less than six months old, your car will run smoothly and shouldn't have any issues. The oil can properly break down particles and help keep them out of your engine, and it's still high-quality enough to keep your engine lubricated and working as it should. When all of your car systems are intact and you get your oil replaced on time, your car will perform at its best. more Skipping changing the oil has the opposite effect. Instead of your car performing at its best, its performance can gradually worsen. You can have reduced gas mileage, and your exhaust fumes can get dark. It's also not uncommon for an engine to stall when your oil level is low or when the oil in your car is old. Low engine oil can also impact your transmission, leading to trouble with your gears. What Exactly Does Engine Oil Do? Motor oil has two main jobs: lubricating your engine and breaking down foreign matter. It can't do either of these jobs well when it gets old, which is why you'll have performance issues if you skip changing your oil. The oil makes sure all the parts of your engine are lubricated enough to move with minimal friction. If there's a lot of friction between the moving parts of your engine, then there's lots of heat generated, meaning your engine could overheat. Plus, all the friction leads to the parts wearing down. Your engine parts can also get clogged with debris if your oil is too low-quality to break down those unwanted particles that get into your engine over time. What Happens If You Don't Visit Your Lexus Dealer in Greenwich, CT and Replace Your Oil? Your car's performance can get impacted if you don't change your oil regularly. The dirt can build up in your engine and can significantly decrease your engine's lifespan. Your engine can also get too hot as it runs, which causes various parts to wear out a lot faster than they should. Overall, not changing the oil when you should can unfortunately reduce how long your engine lasts. Is it time for your Lexus to get a fill of fresh motor oil? Come get it at DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich.

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When you invest in a Lexus, you're buying a luxury vehicle that delivers high-quality performance. Whether you own an RX, LS, LC, or GX, you should adhere to the Lexus maintenance schedule to help ensure your vehicle continues running smoothly. As your local Lexus dealer, we're here to explain what scheduled maintenance entails. From Your Local Lexus Dealer: Recommended Lexus Maintenance Schedule When should you come in for Lexus maintenance? Check your owner's manual for your specific model's schedule. If you've purchased a brand-new car, Lexus helps you stick to the schedule by including complimentary maintenance for the first two services, i.e. those at six months and 12 months. It is recommended that you follow out your scheduled maintenance at a Lexus ​certified service center with a Lexus certified technician. more What Happens During a Service During each service, our Lexus-certified technicians inspect your vehicle, ensuring components operate correctly and work together as they should. Some common services that can get completed include: Rotating the tires Adjusting tire pressures A road-test Adjustment of engine oil and other fluid levels Visual inspection of brake pads, rotors, and calipers Inspection of driver's floor mat Reset the maintenance reminder light In addition to checking and adjusting the levels of all essential fluids, your technician will replace both the engine filter and engine oil at the recommended interval as well.  As time goes on, an expanded service may get carried out on your Lexus. In addition to the usual inspections, the battery in the smart key is replaced, the air conditioner filter is cleaned, and inspections are made of the following parts: Bodywork Engine coolant Brake lines and hoses Exhaust pipes and mounting Steering assembly As more time accumulates, there are other unique services that can get completed. Some service may be: Brake rotor thickness Fuel lines Fuel tank band and vapor vent hoses Fuel tank cap gasket Transmission fluid Need to Schedule Lexus Maintenance in Greenwich, CT? Lexus is all about luxury, comfort, and performance, but you need to look after your vehicle to help keep it in optimum condition. If you've reached a milestone in the maintenance schedule, it's time to book an appointment with our certified Lexus service center. Contact DARCARS Lexus of Greenwich in Greenwich, CT today, and let us make all the necessary checks and ensure your Lexus runs like new.