Winter means slick roads and unpredictable weather, which can make driving dangerous. To ensure you’re ready for the challenges of winter driving, pre-winter maintenance is a must, helping to keep you safe and your car performing at its best throughout the season.

Why Winterizing Your Car is a Must for Safe Driving

Winter weather can create hazardous road conditions, leading to accidents. In 2022 alone, there were 498 fatal crashes caused by snow and sleet conditions, not to mention thousands of injuries. Proper pre-winter maintenance can significantly reduce these risks.

Don't Skip Winter Tires

One of the most crucial steps for winter safety is swapping out your all-season tires for snow tires. Snow tires are specifically designed to provide better traction on icy roads. They also maintain better grip at lower temperatures, saving you from potential accidents and increasing the lifespan of your all-season tires.

Steps for Pre-Winter Maintenance

Check Your Tires

Inspect the tread depth (use the quarter test to ensure safety). Keep tires inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure levels. Consider installing snow tires for optimal winter traction.

Test Your Battery

Cold weather reduces battery power. Visit a mechanic to check its condition and replace it if necessary.

Top Off Fluids

Refill your windshield wiper fluid with a winter-grade mix. Also, verify and top up your coolant, oil, and other vital fluids to prepare for colder temperatures.

Upgrade Your Wipers

Pack an Emergency Kit

Prepare your car today and drive confidently all winter long. Proper winter car care isn't just a necessity—it's a lifesaver.

Don't compromise when it comes to your safety, choose Bush Nissan 422 of Limerick for your winter maintenance preparations! Our team is knowledgeable and skilled to service your car thoroughly and address every item on your checklist - from winter tires to battery tests and fluid checks. Additionally, we are your one-stop-shop for Nissan parts! We look forward to seeing you at our dealership this season.

Though your vehicle always runs the risk of overheating, those concerns intensify alongside the summer's heat. Indeed, Memorial Day has come and gone, and the mercury is set to rise here in Limerick. Yesterday heralded the arrival of Limerick's hot season, with anticipated temperatures already in the mid-80's this weekend. If you're not prepared, your car and its engine could soon be feeling the heat.

It's beyond stressful when your engine overheats, and the potential performance problems this can cause for your Nissan are equally worrisome. Worse still, if you have to pull over in an isolated area, you might end up stranded under the blistering sun. At Bush Nissan of Limerick, we're prepared to assist you in spotting the warning signs of overheating and instruct you on what to do if your engine does heat up.

Recognize the Signs

Similarly to how your engine uses unusual noises or blinking dashboard icons to signal service needs, it will attempt to communicate to you when it's overheating. Here are four signs that your engine could be on the brink of overheating:

• Plumes of steam that resemble smoke billow from under the hood.
• A strange, sweet odor emanates from the engine.
• The engine temperature gauge needle suddenly swings towards the red.
• The "Check Engine" light or a similar warning light flashes.

Steps to Take if Your Engine Overheats

Turn off the AC and Ramp up the Heat

Though it may appear contradictory, the initial step when your engine begins overheating is to switch off the cool air and crank up the heat. Deactivating the air conditioner lessens the strain on the engine, while increasing the heat in the cabin helps draw heat away from it.

Stay Calm, Locate a Secure Place to Stop, & Shut Off Your Car

In this type of heated scenario, maintaining your cool is vital. Your new 2024 Nissan Murano won't suddenly become a fireball; panicking only increases the probability of making a pricey mistake. Take a calming breath, slow down, and locate a safe spot to pull over. After stopping, turn off the car and monitor the temperature gauge, which should level off as the engine cools.

Plot Your Route to Bush Nissan of Limerick

The importance of fully charging your phone before setting out on any trip cannot be overstated. (So if you're reading this while stranded roadside, sorry this happened, but way to stay charged!) If you're still near the Limerick area, arrange for your car to be taken to our Service Center. Contact our trusted roadside assistance service to set up a tow, if necessary. If your engine has cooled down enough and you think you can reach us without assistance, carefully restart the car and proceed. Keep an eye on the temperature gauge. If it starts to climb again, pull over and let the engine cool once more.

Handle Your Summer Maintenance at Bush Nissan of Limerick

Now that you're equipped to deal with your overheating engine correctly, the root cause of the overheating still needs to be determined. Potential culprits could be a leak in the coolant system, a faulty water pump, low engine oil, among others. To pinpoint the source of the issue, make sure to schedule your service appointment with Bush Nissan of Limerick. Our service experts are ready to tackle your Nissan's maintenance checklist, from regular oil changes to battery diagnostics. As the heat persists, our calm and collected team at Bush Nissan of Limerick will be there for you – because after all, cooler heads always prevail.