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Most Common Nissan Vehicle Questions In Seattle, Tacoma, And Bellevue Washington
new 2018 nissan sentra for sale in marysville kirkland washingtonDear Robert,

I recently had four new tires fitted to my 2018 Nissan Sentra. The thing is, they feel even less responsive than my old worn out tires: is this normal?

Thanks,
Frank

Hi, Frank!

It's really common for people to think they're having problems with their new rubber. But, I can assure you, there’s nothing wrong with the fresh tires or 2018 Nissan Sentra.

When tires come to the end of their life, they generally have very little tread left. Rubber in this condition is more responsive when turning and driving around sharp bends.

Your new tires will have a much deeper tread which needs to flex a bit more when turning; this is often described as a 'squirmy' feeling.

So, since your new rubber is flexing more through the bends, it will feel slightly less responsive than your old tires.

You were probably looking forward to sharper and improved handling, but this will come with time. All you need to do is take it easy for the first five hundred miles and performance levels will increase after that.

Thanks for the question, Frank! Contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again if you need anything else.
new 2018 nissan rogue for sale in lynnwood kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

My 2018 Nissan Rogue is in the shop getting its tires replaced. A friend of mine told me to be very careful when driving on new rubber: is he correct?

Thanks,
Caroline

Hi, Caroline!

Your friend is absolutely correct that you will need to drive your 2018 Nissan Rogue with caution after replacing its tires.

Tires are comprised of multiple layers of rubber, steel, and fabric but it’s the top coating which can cause problems.

As tires are being cured, a release lubricant is applied to the rubber which stops it from sticking to the mold. This makes the top layer extremely slippery until it wears away, especially when driving in the rain.

When it comes to braking, turning, and accelerating try to keep your actions smooth and gentle. This will allow the top layer of lubricant to wear away without causing you to lose traction.

The recommended break-in period for new tires is around 500 miles; check your car’s odometer after you get it back from the garage and use it as a gauge.

Thanks for the question, Caroline. Contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again if you need anything else.

new 2018 nissan frontier for sale in issaquah kirkland washingtonDear Robert,

I was thinking about doing some light off-roading in my 2018 Nissan Frontier. My friend said slightly deflating the tires would help: is this true and, if so, what PSI should they be?

Thanks,
Toby

Hi, Toby!

Hitting some tough trails is a fantastic pastime and the 2018 Nissan Frontier is a great truck to get you started. In this instance, your friend is right: lowering your PSI will aid you when off-roading.

If you’re driving over loose sand, rocks, or mud you want as much of the tire’s surface area to touch the ground as possible. So lowering your PSI will actually give your Frontier more traction.

You’ll also notice that the ride will feel less stiff as you drive over obstacles, thus making life easier for everyone in the cabin. Although letting some air out of your tires won’t make them impenetrable, they will be more resistant to punctures.

Finding the right pressure for your Frontier will take some trial and error. Most stock tires are rated at around 35 PSI +/-: 15-20 PSI is a good starting point for off-roading.

Don’t deflate your rubber too much as this could cause it to come off the wheel.

Thanks for the question, Toby. Contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington if you need anything else.
new 2018 nissan kicks for sale in issaquah kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

Over the holidays my brother and I had a debate about what reduces my 2018 Nissan Kicks' gas mileage more: driving with the windows down or using the air conditioning system. Can you put an end to this dispute?

Thanks,
Liam

Hi, Liam!

This is one of the age-old automotive debates and, for a long time, there was no concrete evidence to support either side. Thankfully some research has been conducted which will end this dispute and help you get the most out of your 2018 Nissan Kicks.

The air conditioning system in a vehicle is essentially powered by the engine. So, when it’s on, the car’s drivetrain needs to use more fuel.

Driving with one or multiple windows down increases a vehicle’s drag. Since this slows a car down, more fuel is required to make it run at the same speed.

General Motors and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) conducted tests in 2004 to get to the bottom of this debate. Using a wind tunnel, they determined it was more fuel efficient to drive with your windows down than use an air conditioning system: this is true for both SUVs and sedans.

Thanks for the question, Liam! Contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington if you have any more automotive disputes that need to be settled. 
new 2018 nissan rogue for sale in federal way kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

There has been a lot of snow in my town this winter; I’m wondering how best to drive my 2018 Nissan Rogue in these conditions.

Thanks,
Sofia

Hi, Sofia!

Driving over snow isn’t a pleasant experience, especially if it’s something you’re not used to. However, the tips below should help you and your 2018 Nissan Rogue get through the wintry weather safely.

The number one thing to remember is that you need to do things slower than usual: this goes for speeding up, decelerating, and turning. It takes longer to get to your destination when it's snowing, so try not to be in a hurry.

If it's possible, slow down by easing off the throttle instead of using your brakes. When you do need to use them, make sure that you apply steady, firm pressure to the pedal.

It’s best to use momentum to drive up hills instead of sheer power, as this could lead to your tires losing grip. You should also never stop on an incline because it can be very hard to find traction once you want to start moving again.

Thanks for your question, Sofia! Contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington if you ever need anything else, and stay safe.
new 2018 nissan altima for sale everett kirkland washingtonDear Robert,

I recently bought a 2018 Nissan Altima but I don't have a lot of driving experience. I’m quite anxious about encountering a patch of black ice this winter. What should I do if this happens?

Thanks,
Amy

Hi, Amy!

You’re right to be cautious about driving your new 2018 Nissan Altima at this time of the year. Hitting a patch of black ice could cause your vehicle to spin out. But, if you follow the directions below, you should be able to keep control of your car.

The first and most important thing to keep in mind is not to panic or make any sudden movements. The next thing to remember is that you shouldn't touch the brakes; you want to pass over the top of the ice, not fight against it.

Try to keep your steering wheel as straight as possible. But, if you feel the back end of your Altima sliding to the left or right, make gentle turns in the same direction.

Struggling against black ice by hitting the brakes or countersteering increases your chances of skidding and spinning out. Patches usually don’t last for more than 20 feet, so you just need to stay composed for a short amount of time.

Thanks for the question, Amy. Stay safe this winter and don’t hesitate to contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington with any other questions.
new 2018 nissan sentra for sale edmonds kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

I’m happy to say I’ve just started working for a new company. Unfortunately, now I have to make a 30-mile commute each way in my 2018 Nissan Sentra. Do you have any tips on how to improve my gas mileage?

Thanks,
Emma

Hi, Emma!

Congratulations on the new job! There are a number of things you can do to ensure you won’t be spending too much of your earnings on gas for your 2018 Nissan Sentra.

Most people accelerate unnecessarily quickly and burn a lot of fuel in the process. Get up to speed gradually and watch your mpg figures increase as a result.

You should also try not to apply the brakes unless it's necessary. Every time your Sentra slows down, you use fuel to bring its speed back up afterward. Leave enough distance between your vehicle and the car in front so that you can maintain a steady pace: this will certainly increase your gas mileage.

Finally, you should clear out any unnecessary items from your trunk and back seat. If you’re carrying around an extra 50 pounds everywhere you go, it puts extra stress on your engine and really starts to add up.

Thanks for the question, Emma! Don’t hesitate to get in touch with Kirkland Nissan, Washington again. 
new 2018 nissan kicks for sale edmonds kirkland washingtonDear Robert,

When I learned how to drive, no one explained how to use the brakes in a way that would extend their life. I want to make them last as long as possible on my new 2018 Nissan Kicks. Do you have any tips on achieving this?

Thanks,
James

Hi, James!

It’s true that, while many people know how to be frugal with their fuel, they don’t know how to make their brakes last. The tips below will help ensure you get the most out of them on your 2018 Nissan Kicks.

Using the brakes to slow down from high speeds is definitely something to avoid. It requires about one third more energy to stop from 65 mph rather than 55 mph. So shaving off just 10 mph before applying them can significantly increase their lifespan.

When approaching your exit on a highway, let off the gas in advance and use this to slow down. After this, apply the brakes to bring you to a complete stop. If you make this a habit, it will add a few extra miles to the life of your pads.

You should also only use your right foot to apply the brakes. People who use their left often leave it covering the pedal and end up accidentally pushing it while simultaneously accelerating. This will cause excessive wear and tear on your pads and reduce your fuel economy.

Thanks for the question, James! Don’t hesitate to contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again!
new 2018 nissan 370z for sale des moines kirkland washingtonHi Robert,

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a sports car recently and the new 2018 Nissan 370Z has caught my eye. I noticed that it's rear-wheel drive and it seems most high-performance vehicles are configured this way. Could you explain why this is?

Thanks,
John

Hi, John!

If you’re thinking of getting into the world of performance vehicles, it’s hard to beat the 2018 Nissan 370Z in terms of pure driving pleasure. You would be correct in your assessment that most sports cars are rear-wheel drive (RWD), and there are some good reasons for them to be.


A RWD system allows you to spread the vehicle’s drivetrain more evenly over the length of the car, making it easier to achieve 50/50 weight distribution. This improves the model’s balance which plays a big part in handling.

On RWD models, the front wheels do the turning while the rear ones take care of propulsion. Separating these jobs means the tires will have more traction as they have less to deal with.


Thanks for the question, John! Why not call down to Kirkland Nissan, Washington and test drive a 2018 370Z for yourself?
new 2018 nissan pathfinder for sale auburn washingtonHi Robert,

I’m considering buying the new 2018 Nissan Pathfinder but I can’t decide whether to get the 2WD or 4WD model. Could you tell me about the pros of each system?

Thanks,
Anna

 
Hi, Anna!

Both variants of the 2018 Nissan Pathfinder are absolutely fantastic - but they do offer noticeably different benefits.

While 2WD vehicles might struggle to get down their driveways in heavy snow, 4WD cars will be able to make steady progress. So, if you expect to encounter conditions like these or go off-road relatively often, a 4x4 will give you the most benefit.

If off-roading isn’t your thing and you're lucky enough to have nice weather all year round, there’s really no need to get a 4WD vehicle. A 2WD car is lighter and, generally, gets more mpg than its 4x4 counterpart.

A 2WD system is also less complicated than a 4WD. So, if something does go wrong with a 4x4, it could cost more to get fixed. The right choice for you will depend on the weather and terrain you're likely to encounter.


Thanks for the question, Anna! If you want to try out the two models for yourself, contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington and book a test drive.
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