Kirkland Nissan

Kirkland, Why Should You Rotate Your Tires?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Sep 12, 2018 at 11:27AM by Patrick Wensink)

2018 nissan sentra for sale kirkland bellevue seattle washington

Dear Patrick,

Iâ€™ve owned my Nissan Sentra for a little while, and my body shop has recommended that I rotate the tires. Frankly, I donâ€™t even know what this means or why someone would do it. Can you help?

-Cal

Hi Cal,

Great question. This simple maintenance choice is one of the most overlooked elements of car ownership. Maybe because it doesnâ€™t exactly sound like something important. However, giving the wheels this treatment will actually save money and make you safer on the road. We highly recommend doing it!

To keep it simple, rotation means to move each around so that they wear down evenly. For example, a mechanic will put the right on the left side, or move the front to the rear, and sometimes swap them out diagonally.

The purpose of this seemingly odd tactic is really important. Each position ages in different ways, so it helps with balance things. For starters, it puts off replacing the treads by squeezing every mile possible of them. Probably most notable, however, is that it helps prevent blowouts by not letting the rubber get too thin.

Let me know if you have any more questions.Â Â

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Car Maintenance Questions

Kirkland, Is Your Hybrid More Expensive to Fix?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Sep 10, 2018 at 06:26AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I have my eye on a pre-owned Nissan Leaf, but Iâ€™ve heard hybrids and electrics are more expensive to maintain. Is that true?

-Susanna

Hi Susanna,

What a cool choice! You will love going green. You are actually not the first person to ask us this. Somewhere along the line, these cars got a reputation for being difficult or costly to fix. However, that simply isnâ€™t true. Yes, the technology for a vehicle that must be plugged in is different than a gas guzzler, but this doesnâ€™t mean it costs more at the mechanic.

There are so many hybrids on the road and repair professionals have come to know these automobiles just as well as any combustion engine. In our experience, something like a Leaf does not cost any more in the shop. In fact, youâ€™ll probably find that a car like this will save money in the long run. As the price of fuel keeps fluctuating wildly, youâ€™ll be moving steadily down the highway in a fuel-less ride.

Good luck with the new set of wheels. Let me know if there are any other questions I can help answer.Â

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Car Maintenance Questions

Do Kirkland Drivers Need Acoustic Foam Tires?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Sep 2, 2018 at 04:10AM by Patrick Wensink)

Hi Patrick,

Iâ€™m considering buying a pre-owned Nissan Maxima, but one thing is confusing me. The car comes with acoustic foam tires. I have never heard of such a thing. What is it, and what does it do?

-Karen

Hello Karen,

Thanks for reaching out. This is not something you see every day, so I understand where the question comes from. The positive news is that little addition to your potential next vehicle is a very good thing. Acoustic foam is a rubber-like material that is actually injected into the empty space of a wheel in order to dampen the highway sounds. We in the biz call this â€œcavity noiseâ€. This small change makes a drastic difference with the decibels you hear while driving.

There are a lot of things that contribute to a loud roadway experience. The size of treads you are using, wear-and-tear, and even the quality of pavement are all factors that jack up the volume on an otherwise peaceful ride. Thatâ€™s why special add-ons like this are so crucial to creating a pleasant time.

Trust me. You will be very happy with a set of these on your Maxima. Let me know if you have any other questions!

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Car Maintenance Questions

Bellevue, Do You Know What TPMS Stands For?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Sep 1, 2018 at 04:12AM by Patrick Wensink)

Hi Patrick,

Iâ€™m getting ready to buy a new Nissan Pathfinder, and I have a question I was embarrassed to ask my dealer. Every car I look at says it comes with TPMS. What does that mean?

-Rory

Â
Hi Rory,
Â
Awesome choice for a new car. You two will spend many happy miles together, I am sure. All that time will also be extra safe thanks to that mysterious acronym you are seeing so much.

TPMS stands for â€œTire Pressure Monitoring Systemâ€. This is a hyper-sensitive tool that saves lives and prevents unnecessary wear-and-tear on an automobile. Thatâ€™s because this device keeps constant watch over the air in each of your four wheels. No matter if you are parked or blazing down the highway, the computer is always paying attention.

When it drops below acceptable levels, visual and audio alerts sound. On the model you are purchasing, youâ€™ll actually see all of this on your in-dash screen. Other vehicles might have theirs elsewhere. However, if you have ever been in a car made after 2006, you have likely seen one in action. That is because that was the year Congress passed the TREAD act, which required this technology in all newly manufactured automobiles.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Seattle, What Are The Advantages of a Manual Transmission?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:50AM by Patrick Wensink)

Hey Patrick,

I have my eye on a Nissan Altima, but it is a manual. I learned how to drive one years ago, but Iâ€™m curious why auto manufacturers even bother to still make them?

-Bruce

Hi Bruce,

Trust me, you are going to flip out on the road with this car. Yes, Iâ€™m a purist, but a stick shift has a ton of advantages that most people overlook.

Experts say it can increase your fuel efficiency by 5-to-15% when used properly.
They are far cheaper to maintain because mechanics have an easier time pulling it apart and putting them back together.
Operating the clutch yourself puts drivers in touch with the car in a unique way. If thereâ€™s a weird knock or rattle, you will know it immediately.
Itâ€™s an added security measure. According to statistics, manual transmissions are only stolen about 6% of the time. When a robber peeks in the window and sees a shifter they simply give up.

You will love this experience. Many of our owners never want to go back.

Let me know if any other questions pop up!

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Car Maintenance Questions

Redmond, What Can An Odometer Tell You?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:34AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

Iâ€™m looking into buying a pre-owned Nissan Pathfinder. But thereâ€™s one question Iâ€™ve always wanted to ask: Should I care more about mileage or age of the vehicle?

-Will

Hi Will,

Congrats on your future purchase! I have a hunch you will be happy with any of them. However, there is no single rule that should guide this buying decision.

Mileage is a great foundation to base a choice on. Itâ€™s a simple way of telling how much life the car has lived. An automobile with 60,000 on the odometer has probably had a lot less wear and tear than an automobile with 160,000.

This is only part of the equation. A young auto that has covered a lot of pavement could be more beaten up than an older model that has traveled gracefully. Adding to the confusion, one should ask how well the car has been cared for. A ten-year-old sedan offering extremely low mileage looks like a dream, but it might be a sign of sitting stagnant with a heap of trouble waiting.

Our best advice is to find a combination of all the above and ensure it is a certified used car that has been inspected by a pro.

Let us know if there are other questions you have.Â

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Car Maintenance Questions

Do Kirkland Drivers Know When to Change Their Spark Plugs?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:26AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I remember my dad changing the spark plugs on his cars all the time. Iâ€™d like to do it on my new Nissan Maxima, but I donâ€™t even have a clue of when to try.

-Sandra

Hi Sandra,

My father was the exact same. Swapping out plugs is one of the simplest ways to keep your engine operating smoothly. Sadly, itâ€™s become a lost art. Letâ€™s change that! Here are some signals to watch for.

The carâ€™s gas mileage has started to sag. When they get dirty they do not effectively burn fuel, which ends up costing you at the pump.

The motor wheezes and coughs upon turning the ignition. They provide the spark (pun intended) needed to get all the gears running under the hood. When just one gets filthy or bent, youâ€™ll know it with a quick twist of the key.

Similarly, when the plugs have gone south, you wonâ€™t be able to accelerate as well. If things arenâ€™t igniting the way they should, the throttle will seem a little depressed.

The good news is that swapping out a fresh set of spark plugs fixes these problems. Anyone with a wrench and some patience can be on the road to better automobile performance!

Let me know if you have other questions.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Hey Redmond! Is An Automatic Better Than a Stick?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 27, 2018 at 05:20AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

My boyfriend and I are having an argument that you can settle. Believe it or not, I drive an automatic Nissan Murano and he owns a manual. He says my car has no advantage. Can you prove him wrong?

-Cynthia

Dear Cynthia,

While I do love the old fashioned way, there is nothing to worry about. Your transmission has more benefits, in my personal opinion.

First, resale value. When getting ready to move on to a new vehicle, experts agree that your car will sell a lot faster than a stick. The reason is simple: anyone is able drive it. The same canâ€™t be said for your boyfriendâ€™s ride.

Second, this kind of clutch simply makes everything easier. Thank your lucky stars for it when the automobile is stuck in traffic or creeping up hills. The constant pedal pushing is enough to make a personâ€™s left foot drop off!

Third, fuel economy. It used to be that a manual had the upper hand here. But, modern cars with things like variable gears are now just as good on MPGs as anything else.

Hope this settles the debate! Let me know if there are more questions I can answer.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Do Drivers in Fife Need Winter Weather Tires?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 19, 2018 at 08:12PM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I like to plan ahead and get ready for bad weather before it happens. Iâ€™m debating buying a set of winter tires for my Nissan Armada, but Iâ€™m wondering whether or not they actually do anything useful?

-Glenn

Hi Glenn,

Great to hear from you. Itâ€™s always reassuring to know people are thinking about worst case scenarios out there. But if you really plan to stay safe once the weather gets colder you might want to consider a specialized set of wheels.

To be clear: These are not the same as snow treads, which have been studded to specifically handle the most difficult and slick conditions. Winter tires, on the other hand, are geared more toward everyday driving during the frigid time of year. They have been built to battle the extreme drops in temperature with ease.

Thatâ€™s because experts say they retain their suppleness and grip when the thermometer gets low. Its rubber is specially formulated to avoid drastic changes in shape and form during brutal cold. A traditional warm-weather set will shrink a little throughout these frosty months, thereby losing effectiveness on the highway.

Safe driving this year. Let me know if this answers your question.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Bellevue, Are Your Following The Correct Service Schedule?
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most common nissan car maintenance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car insurance questions tacoma washington most common nissan car truck questions tacoma washington most common nissan automotive questions answers tacoma washington most common used nissan auto questions tacoma washington

(Posted on Aug 19, 2018 at 08:04PM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I just bought a used Nissan Maxima and I plan on caring for this baby for life. Iâ€™m wondering what takes priority for service: the dealerâ€™s schedule, the car companyâ€™s recommended maintenance, or the instrument panel?

-Andy

Hi Andy,

Congratulations! You have stumbled onto one of the oldest questions known to man. But donâ€™t worry, we know the answer. Thatâ€™s because there are only a few simple things to keep in mind.

First of all: always follow your warning gauges. If it lights up by saying something is wrong, get it looked at. A carâ€™s various sensors are in touch with the current operation of the engine and other components. In addition, they are often programmed to alert owners upon a manufacturerâ€™s recommendations, too.

However, it is valuable to compare and contrast the Nissan repair plans with the sellerâ€™s. Often the two overlap. But sometimes not. We recommend taking the dealerâ€™s advice very seriously, especially on pre-owned vehicles. The mechanics are trained to see what strains it has been through, and they are geniuses at predicting future needs. Nobody can play fortune teller as well as the people who inspected your automobile before purchase.

Hope that clarifies this understandably confusing issue. Let me know if you have more questions.

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21st Century Car Buying! Free Service Loaners For Life!

Kirkland, Why Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Kirkland, Is Your Hybrid More Expensive to Fix?

Do Kirkland Drivers Need Acoustic Foam Tires?

Bellevue, Do You Know What TPMS Stands For?

Seattle, What Are The Advantages of a Manual Transmission?

Redmond, What Can An Odometer Tell You?

Do Kirkland Drivers Know When to Change Their Spark Plugs?

Hey Redmond! Is An Automatic Better Than a Stick?

Do Drivers in Fife Need Winter Weather Tires?

Bellevue, Are Your Following The Correct Service Schedule?

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