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Most Common Nissan Vehicle Questions In Seattle, Tacoma, And Bellevue Washington
new 2019 nissan altima for sale auburn washingtonHi, Robert

I recently upgraded to the 2019 Nissan Altima. Yesterday, while taking a corner, the car just kept going straight when I turned the wheel. Thankfully, it regained traction and everything was fine. Do you have any idea what caused this?

Thanks,
Andrew

Hi, Andrew!

This sounds like a classic case of understeering to me. It happens when you push the front tires on your Altima beyond their limits of grip.

Front wheel drive cars are more likely to suffer from understeering. This is because these tires must deal with the combination of turning, braking, and accelerating. So, if you overburden them, it will cause you to lose traction and keep traveling in a straight line.

To prevent this from happening again, try to get all your braking done before you turn the steering wheel. Also, only ease on the throttle after you’ve passed the middle of the corner. This will stop you from overworking your tires.

Lastly, understeering is very uncommon when traveling at moderate speeds. So, keep an eye on how fast you’re going and slow down if necessary. 
And, above all else, drive smoothly. Sharp and aggressive motions make your tires work harder.

Thanks for your question, Andrew! Don’t hesitate to contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again with any other queries. 
2009 nissan 370z for sale kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

I noticed the steering wheel on my 2009 Nissan 370Z has started to shake. It only happens when I’m braking and is more noticeable at higher speeds. Do you know what might cause this?

Thanks,
Stephen

Hi, Stephen!

A car's steering wheel can start to shake for a number of reasons. But, since it only happens when you apply the brakes, one issue is far more likely than anything else: you almost certainly have a problem with your vehicle's discs.

Your car’s pads squeeze the rotors, and it ultimately brings you to a stop. But, over time, the discs can thin out or even warp due to excessive heat. This causes vibrations to come through the steering wheel when you try to slow down. The faster you're traveling, the more noticeable it will be.

You shouldn't let this problem linger. Over time the vibration caused by this issue loosens and wears out pads, calipers, and bolts on your 370Z. Ultimately, it will cost you far more to replace your entire braking system than a set of rotors. In fact, you may even be able to just repair the discs.

The technicians from our Service Department at Kirkland Nissan, Washington will be able to tell you the best course of action to take from here. Thanks for getting in contact with us, Stephen!
new 2018 nissan leaf for sale in kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

I’m thinking of changing to an electric vehicle for my next car. The 2018 Nissan LEAF has caught my eye but I’m curious if it has enough range for me. My commute is 10-miles, each way, through the city.

Thanks,

Adam
 
Hi, Adam!

What a great time to go electric, and not just because of the obvious environmental benefits. The federal tax credit on offer, which could save you up to $7,500, won’t last forever.

A 40 kWh lithium-ion battery pack powers the 2018 Nissan LEAF’s 110-kW AC electric motor. The end result of this combo is a 151-mile range. So it definitely has enough to cover your daily commute... and then some!

Unlike most gas cars, the LEAF is actually best suited to stop-start traffic. In fact, this model gets 125 MPGe when driving in the city (that’s 25 more than it’ll return on the highway).

It’s not just the LEAF’s economy which lends itself perfectly to the city: it’s how it drives too. Electric motors produce maximum torque from zero RPM, resulting in rapid acceleration up to around 30 mph. This is great for urban travel and ensures you’ll never be left behind at the lights.


Thanks for the question, Adam! Why not come down do Kirkland Nissan and try one out for yourself?
2017 nissan pathfinder for sale kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

I have noticed a strange smell whenever I turn on the A/C in my 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. Do you have any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks,
Joe

Hi, Joe!

I have been unfortunate enough to have this problem myself, and it can be downright embarrassing sometimes. If the odor smells like mildew, the issue is almost certainly bacteria and fungus growing around the condenser and evaporator in your air conditioning unit.

If you turn your A/C up to maximum regularly, the excess water produced by it can result in bacteria growth. So, keep this in mind to stop the problem from coming back after you’ve fixed it.

To take care of this issue you’ll need to get some anti-bacterial treatment. First, turn the air conditioning system off. Then, take the solution and inject through the A/C vents. This should kill whatever is causing the unpleasant smell in your 2017 Pathfinder. Finally, let the car’s fan run for a couple of minutes to evaporate any water which is left on the coils of your unit.

If you’d rather have the Technicians from our Service Department have a look at it, just call into Kirkland Nissan, Washington.

Thanks for getting in touch, Joe! Please contact us again should you need anything else.
2017 nissan rogue sport for sale lynnwood washingtonHi Robert,

My 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport stalled the other day but I can’t figure out what caused it. Do you have any idea why this would happen?

Thanks,
Dee

 
Hi, Dee!

Before anything else, I want to tell you not to worry. Issues like this are, generally, a pretty easy fix. The stall could actually have been caused by nearly being out of gas, so this should be the first thing you check. If that’s not your culprit, make sure that the battery isn’t too low on your 2017 Rogue Sport, as that would also create a problem.

If the issue wasn’t the result of the reasons mentioned above, there are a few mechanical and electrical components which you could check. Firstly, y
ou should make sure you don’t have a faulty fuel pump, alternator or EGR valve. A problem with any of these parts may result in a stall.

Finally, there may be a problem with your ignition system, like the loss of a spark. So, this is worth checking too as it would cause your engine to cut out. As you can see, plenty of things could have caused you to stall. I would recommend calling into Kirkland Nissan and letting the Technicians in our Service Department have a look.

Thanks for your question, Dee! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us again if you have any more issues.
2017 nissan sentra for sale kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

I had to take a long trip recently. Towards the end, my 2017 Nissan Sentra was nearly out of gas but I wanted to keep driving. My brother said that emptying the tank could damage my car. I had not heard this before, is it true?

Thanks,
Dan

Hi, Dan!

In this instance, your brother is certainly right. Completely running out of gas can end up costing you a lot more than a long walk with a heavy canister.

The fuel pump on your 2017 Nissan Sentra uses gas for both lubrication and cooling. So, if you totally run out, it can cause this part to overheat and burn out. 

You might not damage the fuel pump the first time but the likelihood of having problems goes up the more often you run out of gas. Your vehicle will start to sputter when it’s nearly empty. As soon as this happens, you need to pull over in a safe manner and walk to a filling station. The risk of totally draining your tank really isn’t worth it.

Thanks for the question, Dan. Please call into Kirkland Nissan, Washington if you want to check anything else.
2016 Nissan Frontier for sale kirkland bellevue washingtonHi, Robert

I’ve had my 2016 Nissan Frontier for a couple of years now. I know it’s sometimes good to get your car’s engine checked outside of service intervals, but I’m not sure when.

Thanks,
Rachael

Hi, Rachael!

This is a fantastic question which isn’t asked often enough. Newer, fuel injected vehicles, like your 2016 Nissan Frontier, don’t need to be checked nearly as much as pre-injection cars. But, if your car is displaying any of the problems below, it’s time to head to a mechanic.

If your Frontier is stalling a lot, this could indicate that there’s a problem with the spark plugs or that an electric sensor needs to be adjusted. When your car gets harder to start there can be an issue with the battery, fuel pump, or ignition system. Another thing, which is often overlooked, is an engine which is running rough when idling or under acceleration. This may be caused by a number of things, so it’s best to get a professional to have a look.

If you’re worried about anything I have mentioned above, call into our Technicians at Nissan Kirkland’s Service Department located in Seattle, Washington.

Thanks for your question, Rachael! Do contact us again if you need anything else.
2017 nissan juke for sale kirkland bellevue washingtonHi, Robert

I was riding with a friend recently and his brakes failed. Thankfully, we were okay, but it was a scary experience. Can you tell me what would cause this to happen on my 2017 Nissan Juke?

Thanks,
Jack

Hi, Jack!

I’m sorry to hear about your experience but happy both you and your friend are okay. A number of things could cause the brakes on your Juke to fail.

Often there will be a gradual decrease in performance. But, if your pedal just drops and you feel no pressure, this would indicate that there’s a lack of fluid in the system. This could result in you having no braking force at all. For obvious reasons, this is very dangerous and you should call for assistance immediately.

If you tend to ride your brake pedal when driving or use it in a very sharp manner, it could cause the discs to overheat. This would result in a lack of stopping power which would get worse over time. Finally, since your car stops by means of friction, any lubricant that comes between your pads and rotors would reduce your ability to slow down. If you notice this, check around your tires for an oil leak or excessive grease.

Stay safe out there, Jack! Don’t hesitate to contact Nissan Kirkland again or call into our dealership in Seattle, Washington.


2018 nissan versa for sale kirkland bellevue washingtonHi Robert,

During a transmission-related debate, my friend pointed out that my automatic 2018 Nissan Versa would require more maintenance than his manual. Is this true and something I should be worried about?

Thanks,
Ben

Hi, Ben!

So, unfortunately, your friend is right. But it’s definitely not something which should put you off owning one. To get straight to the point, on average, automatics should be inspected every two to three years. You can add about another 12 months to those figures for manuals.

Oil is central to the operations of your Nissan Versa’s transmission, which means you really need to keep on top of changes. Apart from just lubricating, it powers the internal hydraulics and keeps everything cool. Over time, the fluid will become dirty and could result in shifting delays and eventually clog the whole system up.

When you’ll need to change your transmission fluid, in reality, depends on multiple factors – especially how much you drive. But, generally speaking, you may need to do it when you bring your car in for its 30,000-mile service.

Thanks for the question, Ben. Should any other debates arise, don’t hesitate to contact us at Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington.
2017 nissan rogue for sale kirkland bellevue washingtonHi Robert,

One of the signal lights on my 2017 Nissan Rogue has started blinking much faster than it used to. Can you tell me if this is a serious issue and what’s causing it?

Thanks,
Nick

 
Hi, Nick!

Let me start by putting your mind at ease: this isn’t a serious issue. In fact, it’s a very common one. While it’s nothing to worry about, your Nissan Rogue will require some attention.

When the bulbs in your blinkers burn out, the voltage lowers. This takes pressure off the circuit and means it can do its job easier or, rather, faster. So this is what’s actually happening when your light starts flashing at twice its regular speed.

The fact that it operates like this is actually really useful, as it makes you aware that one of your bulbs needs to be changed. While it's not something to be overly concerned about, don't let this issue drag on. One day it will stop working and, for obvious reasons, that's dangerous.

Why not call into Nissan Kirkland’s Service Department in Seattle, Washington, and let our Technicians have a look? It’s a quick and painless job, so you’ll be out in no time.

Thanks for the question, Nick! Do contact us again if you need anything else.
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