The Coolest Way to Save Gas? Don't Be Such a Drag!

You've probably been told that you can save gas by turning off your air conditioning and rolling down your windows. No matter what, turning off the AC helps your gas mileage more than it hurts.  But it’s not so black and white when it comes to windows!  Cars are designed to slice through the air, so depending on your speed, rolling your windows down could slow you down. To avoid aerodynamic drag, keep ‘em rolled up if you’re traveling more than 40 MPH.

Car Maintenance Checklist: Fall Into These 4 Habits

It’s hard to believe we’re already nearing the end of summer!  We hope everyone had plenty of fun in the sun– but what about your car?  If the soaring temps took a toll, now’s the time to take care of it!  Here are the most important things to do before we “fall” out of summer.

Check out your headlights! 

You might need to replace them with brighter bulbs.  With Daylight Savings Time approaching, being able to see for night driving will become especially important.

Replace your wiper blades. 

This is an easy one that many people miss– don’t be one of them!  Wipe summer showers away and get your car ready for more frigid precipitation.

Replace the cabin air filter. 

This will improve the function of your A/C as well as your fuel economy.

Make sure you’re up-to-date on scheduled maintenance! 

When was your last oil change?  If it’s time for another, give us a call or schedule an appointment online.

Nissan is Turning Over a New Leaf (and more!)

Nissan is turning over a new LEAF for the 2015 model year–but that’s not the only model that will see some tweaks and improvements.  Here’s a run-down of a few more 2015 Nissans and what you can expect to see hitting the showrooms soon.

2015 380Z

• Sport, Sport Tech, Nismo Tech, and Touring Sport trim levels debut
• Retuned suspension
• Added standard features, including Bluetooth connectivity
• Upgraded audio system
• Black 18-in. alloy wheels on base and Touring models
• Updated styling (Nismo)
• Nismo now available with an automatic transmission

2015 Altima

• Improved fuel economy
• Standard navigation system and added safety features on 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL trims
• Revised interior color combinations
• Automatic climate control paired with remote start system
SL models add power passenger seat

2015 GT-R

• 600-horsepower Nismo trim level
• Retuned chassis to improve handling and braking performance
• LED headlights
• Quieter cabin
• Regal Red paint color
• Optional hand-stitched Ivory interior

2015 Leaf

• Morning Sky Blue paint color
• Text-messaging capability on upper trim levels
• Base models add b-mode
• Standard 17-in. alloy wheels on SV

How To Check Your Car's Tire Pressure and Inflate Tires

Underinflated tires increase tire wear, reduce fuel economy and can potentially cause a blowout.

Inflating your car's tires to the specified pressure is important. But simply looking at the tire and checking the information on the sidewalls is the wrong way to do it. If the tire looks slightly under inflated, chances are the pressure is way below the recommendation. Make it a habit to check and refill your tires at least once a month. Here's how.

Checking Your Tire Pressure
Here's how to check the pressure in your car's tires with the least amount of muss and fuss. You'll need a tire pressure gauge. These are available at auto part stores and cost about $10.

1. Find the tire pressure level recommended for your car. This information is usually on a yellow sticker in the doorjamb on the driver side (and it is also contained in the owner's manual). It might call for different pressure levels for the back tires and the front tires or different pressures depending on the load or use of the vehicle.

2. Check the pressure when the tires are cold, as this is how the automakers list these recommended tire pressures. Tires heat up as you drive, so measuring them while they are hot will give you an inaccurate (overly high) reading. They take about a half hour to cool down. You also can just check the tires first thing in the morning.

3. Unscrew the valve cap and set it to the side or in a pocket where you won't lose it.

4. Press the tire gauge onto the valve stem. There might be a slight hiss as you press down on the valve stem and again as you release it. You only need to do this for a second or two, long enough to get an accurate reading.

5. Read the tire pressure on the digital gauge. You might consider writing down the pressure of the tires as you go around the car. You can refer to this when you fill up the tires.

Now you can compare the tire pressure readings you got with the specified amount called for by the manufacturer (on the doorjamb or in the manual). If the level of pressure in your tires is below the specified amount, you need to fill the tires with air.

For example, the sticker on the doorjamb may say that the recommended level is 32 psi (pounds per square inch). When you check your tire you find it is 29 psi. You need to bring your tire pressure up to spec. It's estimated that for every 3 psi below spec, you burn 1 percent more fuel (and add 10 percent more tire wear). It's not uncommon to be 10 psi below spec, which would waste 3 percent more fuel and increase tire wear by 45 percent.

Filling Your Tires
There are at least two ways to refill your tires to bring them up to specification. You can go to an auto parts store and buy a portable air compressor. If you do this you can refill your tires at your house or in your garage.

Most people, however, will just refill their tires at a gas station. Even though many stations charge 75 cents to use their air compressors, you can usually get the attendant to turn on the machine for free.

Adjusting Your Tire Pressure
Here are the steps needed to adjust the pressure in your tires:

1. Pull your car in close to the air compressor so the hose reaches all four tires.
2. Remove the valve stem caps and set them to the side or in a pocket.
3. Insert coins or if the gas station attendant turned it on, you will hear the compressor motor beginning to run.
4. Press the hose fitting down on the valve stem and press the lever. You should feel air flowing through the hose and hear it inflating the tire. This can take a little effort to hold the hose on the valve stem.
5. Check to see when you have enough air pressure in the tires by releasing the inflation lever. The gauge on the hose fitting will show if you have approximately enough air pressure. You can check it again later with your own gauge. At this point, it is better to slightly overinflate the tire.
6. Adjust the pressure in all the tires in the same way. (Note: If the tires are warmed up, you can inflate the tire pressure to 3 psi over the specified amount as a general rule of thumb, but you'd still want to officially check the tires later.)
7. Recheck the tire pressure with the digital gauge. If the pressure is too high, press the gauge down just far enough to release some air from the tire. Check it again.
8. Replace the valve caps on all the tires.

Now it's time to enjoy improved fuel economy, reduced tire wear and (above all else) safe driving.

Maintenance Myths - Unmasked!

All right, all right. There are a lot of ideas about car care out there, but which ones do you follow? We’re here to bust through some maintenance myths and possibly save you a buck or two on your next service appointment.

MYTH: Oil has to be changed every 3,000 miles. It doesn't hurt. But it is probably a waste of money. Familiarize yourself with your owner’s manual – seriously. Your maintenance schedule is probably not as strict as you think, and you might even be able to go twice this “recommended distance” without getting an oil change.

MYTH: Treating your car with premium gas after running regular for a while is beneficial. Just stick with your recommended octane level and you’ll be all right – the system will stay clean regardless. Some premium grade gas might have extra detergents in it, but a lot of the time that’s just a marketing gimmick. It’s up to you if you want to experiment to see what helps your car have the best performance.

MYTH: Wipe down your dash and tires with protectant compounds to keep them shiny. A lot of these “protecting” wipes on the market actually strip tires of their original protectants, and it’s possible that they actually cause drying and cracking on the dashboard. Stick with warm soap and water instead.

Too Drowsy to Drive? Mind These Warning Signs:

Getting behind the wheel when you’re tired is just as dangerous as driving drunk. In fact, over 11% of all fatal car accidents happen as a result of sleepy motorists–so it’s important to pay attention to the red flags before you start your drive. Here are the surefire signs you need to hand the keys to someone else:

-Yawning

-Hitting a rumble strip

-Not being able to recall the past couple of miles

-Blinking more than usual

-Trouble keeping eyes open or focusing them on the road in front of you

If you are displaying any one of these behaviors for a duration of time, especially if you are experiencing more than one at a time, you shouldn't be driving. Ask yourself if the trip is worth putting your life or the lives of others at risk. And then hand the keys over.

Break These Bad Driving Habits

Hey, you! Don’t be a bad driver! There are a few behaviors that are especially harmful, and we want you to break these bad habits now. It could save a life, or at the least, save someone from experiencing road rage.

Stop using your cell phone while you’re driving – you got it, no texting or calling. If you absolutely have to make a phone call, at least invest in Bluetooth devices or put it on speaker so you have both hands on the wheel.

Stop cutting people off. You know that driver who cuts across four lanes of traffic because they almost missed their turn? Yeah, don’t be that person. It puts others in danger and is bad for your car. 

Plan ahead! And don’t always trust your GPS – those pesky last minute recalculations will get you. It’s safer to simply turn around further up the road.

Don’t tailgate! There should be ample space between you and the driver in front of you in the event that someone needs to make an emergency stop. No one likes getting rear ended.

Learn how to merge. Drivers who don’t know how to merge into another lane smoothly cause some of the worst accidents and pile ups.