Ask The Experts

Ever wanted tips straight from the Experts? At Dunning Subaru, our experts are ready to help make your journey in owning or leasing a vehicle a great one.

When Do I Change My Oil?

Ever wondered how long you should go before you change the oil in your Subaru?

Our expert and Service Director Drew explains how often you should change the oil in your car in this Ask the Experts video. Part of determining how long you should wait between an oil change is based on the year of your car and your engine type. Before 2010 every car had conventional 5W-30 oil that can go about 3750 miles before having to change it.

After 2010 Subaru switched to using Synthetic oil on newer models which extends the life of the oil allowing for a longer period of time before having to change it. Synthetic oil can go about 7500 miles before needing an oil change.

However, there is more to the length of time between oil changes than just the oil itself. Climate can also be a determining factor of when you need to change your oil and Michigan is no exception to this. Colder climates call for more frequent oil changes to keep your car performing at its best. At Dunning Subaru, we recommend that Michigan drivers change their oil somewhere between 3750 - 4000 miles to ensure the best performance.

Have questions? Always check your owner's manual for more details about your vehicle or feel free to ask our Service Director Drew or any of our Service Advisors for more information about how to keep your Subaru at its best!

When Do I Change My Wiper Blades?

Ever wondered when to change your wiper blades?

Wiper blades are vital to the safety of our vehicles. Without properly functioning wiper blades, we could suffer tremendous vision impairment during a snow or rain storm that could lead to an accident. If you have questions about what wiper blade is right for you, feel free to stop into our store and talk to one of our Service or Parts Advisors.

In this video our expert and Service Director Drew recommends that you change your wiper blades at least once a year, especially after a tough winter. Want to learn how to change it? Click the video and learn how!

When to Get Winter Tires

What are some benefits of switching to Winter Tires?

Winter tires are made of a softer rubberized compound that is better suited for dropping temperatures. The feature that makes winter tires a lot more adaptable in snow for more controlled handling is the wider grooves which help with better traction in wintery conditions.

When switching to winter tires make sure you always install a matching set of four to obtain the best traction control. Having varying traction on tires can make handling a vehicle in hazardous conditions difficult. Having mixed tires can lead to spin out or sliding which can result in accidents or personal injury.

Another important thing to consider when changing to winter tires is air pressure. You want to ensure your air pressure is optimal as this helps for better traction and handling in snowy or icy weather. When the temperature starts dropping so does your tire pressure. For every 10 degrees that change the pressure will also fluctuate.

An option to consider to prevent pressure fluctuations is Nitrogen. Nitrogen is a great substitute for air and provides a lot of added benefits. To learn more about our Nitrogen service and how you can benefit from switching to it, please visit our Nitrogen Tire Service page.

Winter Tires can definitely help make your ride through tougher weather conditions a lot safer and smoother but we always encourage all drivers to also exercise common sense and caution when driving in harsh conditions.
If you have any questions about Winter Tires, call us or come see us today.
To recap:

Change your tires before it starts to snow.
Make sure you switch all 4 tires for best results
Winter Tires may have a snowflake symbol to help identify them. Ask your ASM for details.
Ensure your air pressure is not fluctuating with temperature changes
Consider Nitrogen instead of air for better tire pressure
Always make sure your valve caps are on snug after adding air
Drive safely.

Buy Winter Tires