How to Keep Your Used Nissan Running Stronger for Longer

There are plenty of reasons to shop for a pre-owned vehicle these days. Not only do automobiles last longer than they did in the past, but with the cost of new cars rising, it makes more sense than ever to check out the used inventory. After all, it’s not unusual to find the right used car with low mileage, all the features you want, and a price you can afford.

One question we frequently get as your local used Nissan dealer is, “How can I keep my used car running longer?” While each car and driver are unique, the number one thing we can recommend to used car drivers of any brand is to keep up with their regular maintenance. Thankfully, Nissan makes maintaining their vehicles pretty straightforward, and your friends here at Illini Nissan are happy to help. Take a look at what you can do to keep your used Nissan on the road as long as possible.

Why Regular Maintenance?

Today’s cars are pretty smart. Even the models you’ll typically find on the used lot today offer warnings and alerts to let you know when maintenance is required. You’ve likely seen the Low Fuel alert or a Low Tire notification letting you know exactly what kind of attention your car needs. But performing regular maintenance means keeping a constant eye on your car, rather than waiting for a light, beep, or roadside emergency to let you know something is wrong. Checking your car daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on how much you drive, can help you catch problems before you end up on the side of the road with your hazards on.

Nissan produces hearty, reliable vehicles, so these checks don’t have to be very detailed. Take a look at the tires to make sure there are no bulges, cracks, or damage. Check your tire pressures to make sure they are at the settings that Nissan recommends. You can find the recommended pressures in your owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door jamb.

Test your windshield wipers by spraying washer fluid and seeing how well they clear to ensure they are in good condition. Check your brakes and steering to make sure they feel the same as they did the day before. Address any windshield cracks right away before they grow larger.

In addition to these basics, Nissan recommends at least a monthly check-up in which drivers make sure the headlamps, tail lights, and turn signals are working correctly. You’ll also want to take a look at the oil and coolant levels when the engine is cool. Should any warning lights or alerts pop up, ensure you get those checked out immediately by a trained Nissan technician. Our team is specifically trained on the specifications of all Nissan vehicles, making them the experts when it comes to maintaining and servicing your used Nissan.

Scheduled Maintenance Intervals

In addition to monitoring your car’s overall performance, Nissan recommends scheduled maintenance at regular intervals. At these intervals, you’ll need to take your car to a trained Nissan technician to ensure the inner workings of your used car are performing appropriately. With their expert eyes, our technicians will not just do an oil change and look at all fluid levels, but they’ll check out brakes and calipers, ensure the power steering system is behaving properly, and address any questions you might have about your specific Nissan.

How do you know what to do and when? Thankfully, Nissan ownership manuals, including service and maintenance guides, are available online for all models made since 2013. While the used Altima, Rogue, or Murano you purchase from us will come newly inspected with current service records, you may wish to have a digital copy of your car’s maintenance schedule as well.

When Does My Nissan Need Maintenance, and What Does It Need?

Nissan recognizes that not all drivers use their cars the same way. As a result, they have provided maintenance guides for both Light and Extreme driving. According to Nissan, Extreme driving includes situations like frequently driving less than five miles at a time, driving in stop-and-go traffic during hot weather, frequent idling, mountain driving, and using a car-top carrier.

Using the 2023 Altima as an example, the prescribed standard maintenance at the 20,000-mile/24-month marker (whichever comes first) should include inspection of more obvious parts, like the brake lines, cables, pads, and rotors, but other things you might not think of right away, like the transmission fluid, battery terminals and cables, and the fuel vapor vent system. All-wheel-drive models have special considerations, including differential oil and fluid, transfer case oil, and inspection of the propeller shaft. Extreme usage doesn’t differ much at this stage of ownership.

But there’s a distinct difference when we reach the 25,000-mile/30-month mark. Standard maintenance includes tire rotation and checking drive belts, hoses, and the engine air filter. Extreme-use drivers require an inspection of more critical components, such as the brake pads and rotors, exhaust system, steering gear, axles, and suspension system.

Do All Nissan Cars Require the Same Maintenance?

For the most part, all cars with similar components will require similar maintenance at regular intervals. However, it’s a good idea to keep a careful eye on your Nissan’s particular maintenance schedule to make sure you’re not missing anything. For example, the 2021 Nissan Rogue requires fairly standard fluid and parts maintenance until around 60,000 miles or 96 months. At this stage, Nissan adds a few extra steps to the process, including checking the fuel tank, lines, and exhaust system, along with inspecting the steering gear, linkage, and suspension parts, including the axles.

What about electric vehicles (EV) like the 2023 Nissan ARIYA? Do they still need regular maintenance? Yes, just because these vehicles don’t have motor oil doesn’t mean they don’t need to be checked out. At 7,500 miles or six months, it’s a good idea to have the battery components, suspension, and brakes inspected. At 15,000 miles, it’s time to take a look at the brakes, cooling system, drive shaft, and tires, as well.

Give Your Used Nissan the Best Chance at a Long Life

Buying any car is a major investment, and more and more drivers are making that investment in a pre-owned vehicle. While for many years buying used has been seen as “buying other people’s problems,” modern engineering has made it possible for cars to last longer with fewer problems. While there’s no guaranteed way to make sure your used Nissan lasts forever, the tried-and-true key to keeping it on the road for as long as possible is to keep up with maintenance. Luckily, Nissan makes that easy for drivers with simple-to-follow maintenance instructions based on vehicle usage.

Furthermore, purchasing and servicing your used Nissan at Illini Nissan should give you extra peace of mind. Our technicians know what they’re looking for and how to help, both when inspecting used cars that come to our dealership to be sold, and in keeping that used car in good working order for many miles to come. We’ll even help you keep accurate service records in case your used Nissan finds itself looking for another new home one day.