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Most Common Nissan Vehicle Questions In Seattle, Tacoma, And Bellevue Washington
2017 nissan versa note for sale in kirkland washingtonDear Darby,

I was told to change the oil in my 2017 Nissan Versa Note every 5,000 miles. That seems like a long time to me. I have an hour commute to work every day. Do I need to do maintenance sooner?

Thanks,
Clara

With advancements in technology and better product formulas, driving your 2017 Nissan Versa Note for the recommended 5,000 miles before changing out the oil is completely fine. You should not have any issues with the engine.

You can do this yourself or take your car to a be worked on professionally. In either case, the type of lubricant you choose is the most important thing. Synthetics have longer lifespans than others.

If you are starting to get nervous about it, put your mind at ease by performing a quick check. Pop the hood and pull out the dipstick. You will be able to see if the fluid is low and what color it is. It should be a golden brown shade. If it looks black, go ahead and replace it.

If you have other questions regarding the Versa Note, don’t hesitate to contact our dealership in Kirkland, Washington. We are here to help!
2014 nissan maxima for sale kirkland bellevue seattle washingtonHey Patrick,

My husband and I are in the process of buying a pre-owned Nissan Maxima. We’re at the stage where we are trying to figure out what to do about car insurance. How do we find the cheapest rates?

-Miriam

Hi Miriam,

I love the foresight here. You guys are planners, and that will pay off in the long run! This type of question just so happens to be one I’ve done a lot of homework on. Let me share it with you.

Here are some things to consider while seeking coverage:

1. Shop around. It sounds like you are already doing this, but make sure you get quotes from as many places as possible. These numbers are always fluctuating, and it is hard to know who is best without asking.

2. Look small. The big companies make it sound like they are lower, but often local and regional companies are more flexible and can compete for your business just as well.

3. Combine. If you already have home insurance, see if they offer a bundling discount for your house and auto. Usually they do.

Good luck with your Maxima! Let me know if there are any other questions that I can help with.

2018 nissan murano for sale kirkland bellevue tacoma washingtonHey Patrick,

Every time I take my Nissan Murano to get its oil changed, I end up paying double because they say I need a new air filter. Is this something I can do myself and save money?

-Deena

Hi Deena,

Classic problem! We have all gone to a quickie lube change joint and ended up spending a ton more than we planned. The good news is that you are on the right track. The filter is an easy way to save cash and even simpler to replace yourself.

1. Buy a filter that is made just for your car. Ask the pros at your auto parts store for help.

2. Locate the housing under the hood. Usually, it’s a black plastic dome with a hose sticking out the side.

3. Unclasp the hinges that keep this lid on tight and pull it off.

4. Bingo! You’ve found it. Simply pop it out and put a fresh one in. Put everything back the way it was. Easy!

This entire operation should take only a few minutes and cost less than $20.

Good luck with your Murano. Let me know if there are any other questions I can solve!



2018 nissan pathfinder for sale tacoma kirkland bellevue washingtonHey Patrick,

I own a Nissan Pathfinder, and my friends have been telling me I should refinance my loan. They claim it saves them all sorts of money. It all seems too good to be true. Are there any catches I should look out for?

-Derek

Hey Derek,

If you feel like rates have dipped since you started your loan, it absolutely can save you cash to transfer elsewhere. But, you are correct, there can be catches in this process. Here are a few to keep an eye out for.

First off, look at the specifics. Lenders often have guidelines that will prohibit you from refinancing with them. Some snags include the age of the car, mileage, the amount of outstanding debt left.

Once a new one is secured, make sure the fine print still makes it worth it. Most places have a fee to transfer and the amounts differ wildly. Also, inquire about any pre-payment penalties. These companies are in business to collect on the interest, so some will ding you for completing it early. Crazy, right?

Those are some good starting places for your Pathfinder. Let me know if there are any other questions I can help with.

2018 nissan altima for sale kirkland bellevue seattle washingtonHi Patrick,

We recently upgraded to a new Nissan Altima, and everything is going great there. But our old car has had its check engine light on since the dawn of time. Everything runs fine, so what gives?

-Howard

Hi Howard,

Welcome to the one of the oldest questions in vehicle ownership history! It has baffled experts and been the butt of countless standup comedy routines. I totally get where you are coming from: taking an older car to the mechanic for an unnecessary look is not in your budget, right? I might not have all the answers, but there is one thing you should try first.

You are going to think I am crazy, but replace the gas cap. By picking up a new one at an auto parts store, you might just save yourself a lot of headaches. That’s because a loose fuel cap is one of the most frequent causes of such dashboard head scratchers.

It’s a $15 fix that could save you more than just repair fees. Experts agree that any added air entering the fuel tank alters the performance. If this is the case, your old ride has likely been getting much worse mileage as a result.

I hope the answer is that simple for your Altima. Don’t’ hesitate to ask anything else that comes up. 



2018 nissan sentra for sale kirkland tacoma seattle washingtonPatrick,

Ok, so this is kinda embarrassing. My Nissan Sentra has run out of windshield wiper fluid. The hard part is that I do not have the slightest clue how to replace it. I don’t want to ask my mechanic. Can you help?

-Donnie

Donnie,

You came to the right place. We do not pass judgement here! You would be shocked by how many people have issues like this and never make a peep. This is one of the simplest pieces of maintenance an owner can do.

1. Purchase a jug of windshield wiper solution. It’s usually in a gallon container and bright blue.
2. Pop your hood and locate a plastic cap that says “FLUID” or something similar.
3. Pull that cover off, which should reveal a funnel-like opening.
4. Pour in the liquid until you reach the FILL line.
5. With an empty tank, you will probably use up the entire bottle.
6. Replace everything the way it came. Also, know that it will take a few pulls of the handle to get everything to eject onto the glass.

This will be a snap in your Sentra. Don’t worry. Let me know if you have any other car care questions!


2018 nissan 370z for sale bellevue kirkland seattle washingtonDear Patrick,

I have a manual transmission Nissan 370Z and love to hit the open road. Recently, it has shifting harder. What does this mean?

-Otto

Hi Otto,

We’ve seen everything around here. This is a pretty common issue, so don’t worry too much. Usually, I tell folks one of three things is two blame when they experience this problem.

First: Your fluid is low. Without proper lubricant, gears will grind, hum, or even refuse to shift. To investigate this issue, pop the hood and locate a gauge that looks like the oil dipstick. It will be labeled for the transmission, though. Pull it out and check, just like you’d do with petroleum. If it is low, consult the manual on how best to top it off.

Second: the computer might need to be restarted. This is a pretty frequent issue with newer stick shifts. Safely detach the battery (Check owner’s instructions if you’ve never done this before) and let it sit for 30 minutes. Hook everything back up and see if resetting the system helped.

Third: If these don’t solve anything, consult a mechanic.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

2018 nissan sentra for sale kirkland seattle tacoma washingtonHey Patrick,

I just bought a sweet, pre-owned Nissan Sentra. I love everything about it, except the windows. I have sensitive eyes and want to tint them. Is that impossible to do on my own?

-Grace

Hi Grace,

Congrats on the new ride. I understand where you are coming from. Having a professional darken the windows can be expensive. Luckily, there is a way to handle it yourself.

Most auto parts stores sell kits. Find one within the budget and follow the instructions carefully. In almost all cases, there are a few simple steps to blacken that glass.

  • First, everything must be perfectly clean. Often, these DIY options come with cleaning solution, a scraper, and dust-free cloth to get it spotless.
  • Next, apply a thin layer of tinted plastic over the surface. Cut it to fit the exact dimensions of the windows, which many find to be the trickiest part.
  • The final step usually involves applying adhesive so the film stays on tight.

Each set is a little different, but that is the basic idea. With a little time and precision, it could save you big bucks.

Good luck and let me know if you have other questions.


2018 nissan frontier for sale kirkland fife bellevue washingtonDear Patrick,

We just bought our first pickup, a Nissan Frontier. We love hauling stuff around town, but also got a pleasant surprise when our insurance rates went down. We’re not complaining, but just curious why?

-Dave and Cindy

Hi Dave and Cindy,

So happy you are both getting the most out of this new set of wheels! I’m not shocked you discovered a lower monthly bill. There’s a simple explanation, actually.

Often, we hear about comprehensive and collision coverages being cheaper for trucks than sedans. It all has to do with how the agencies rate the safety and cost of replacement for a vehicle. Yours, obviously, scored very high. That has a lot to do with the ground clearance. Studies show, automobiles that are higher off the road take less damage in an accident. People, likewise, tend to suffer fewer injuries.

Another factor is that a burly workhorse like yours doesn’t have as many gadgets and computer gizmos to replace. In a wreck, these are the kind of things insurers like to see. Folks have been known to save even more with older models, which are even simpler.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. 

2018 nissan rogue for sale kirkland bellevue fife washingtonHey Patrick,

We own two cars in my family. A new Nissan Rogue that runs like a dream, and an ancient beater we’ve had for years. The older one acts funny whenever it needs to stop. How do I check for a leak??

-Miguel

Hi Miguel,

Brakes are no joke, so if there are serious concerns, we always recommend talking to a mechanic. But, if you feel confident in doing the job, there are three easy places to hunt for issues.

1. Pop the hood and locate the brake fluid reservoir. This is a tank, much like the windshield wiper’s. If it is low, pour in some more. Keep an eye on it for the next several days to determine if more is escaping.

2. If you are still unsure, look for puddles under the automobile. This is usually a sign something is not right.

3. Finally, the ultimate test involves taking off the wheel. Jack up the car and remove the lug nuts as if changing the tire. Once it is removed, look around. If there are stains or wetness on the calipers and pad, it is a problem.

Hope that is helpful. Let me know if there are any more questions.

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