Kirkland Nissan

Tacoma, Do You Know How Long An Electric Car Battery Lasts?
Tags:

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 14, 2018 at 06:47AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

Iâ€™m in the process of buying a new Nissan Leaf, and I couldnâ€™t be more thrilled to help the environment. But this is my first electric car, and I have some questions. Mainly: How long does its battery last?

-Jose

Hi Jose,

Congratulations on the new purchase! I have a hunch youâ€™ll be so happy with such an awesome set of wheels. This is a great thing to ask and it can actually be answered in two parts.

First, an electric car can go pretty far between charges, if that is what you are asking. Typically, a 2018 model has been tested and can travel about 150 miles before needing to be plugged in again.

However, some folks might also be curious as to the lifespan of a new power source. As the energy cells under the hood age, it is true that they need to be replaced by a professional. According to experts, you should be able to get about 8-10 years out of a fresh battery until having to replace it. The good news is that a Leaf should run like the day it was bought afterward.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Insurance Questions

Redmond, Are Insurance Rates Higher For Electric Cars?
Tags:

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 13, 2018 at 06:38AM by Patrick Wensink)

Hi Patrick,

My husband and I are toying with the idea of buying a Nissan Leaf, and we were curious about insurance. Are rates more expensive with one of these cars, or is it the same as an old-fashioned model?

-Fran

Hi Fran,

I like your style! Itâ€™s always good to do a lot of homework before buying any car, but itâ€™s especially important when you are making a big change like this. This is a complicated one, so Iâ€™ll break it down as best I can.

First, purchasing a non-petroleum using car will save money at the pump. For example, experts say it only costs about $2.50 to power up this car. A fully charged battery will last just as long as a tank of fuel in most cases. So, thereâ€™s that to consider.

However, in my research, I have found that an electric vehicle does often cost a little more to insure than a traditional set of wheels. There are several factors, ranging from price, size of the automobile, to driving records. Ideally, the two balance each other out, but that depends on your individual situation.

Let me know if any more questions come to mind that I can answer.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Kirkland, Why Should You Rotate Your Tires?
Tags:

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

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Insurance Questions

Fife, Why is SUV Insurance Cheaper?
Tags:

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)

Hey Patrick,

I recently bought a Nissan Pathfinder and was surprised to find that my insurance went down for this large-and-in-charge ride. Iâ€™m not complaining, but Iâ€™m wondering what gives?

-Luke

Hi Luke,

Now thatâ€™s what I call a pleasant discovery! You arenâ€™t alone, either. Many people who buy larger vehicles discover their coverage suddenly softens up quite a bit. Thereâ€™s a really simple reason for this: safety.

An SUV like yours is a big, sturdy automobile that is loaded with airbags and a reinforced frame. In addition, adjusters take into account little things such as visibility when making their calculations. They really like rides that get high marks from crash testing organizations, including the IIHSA and others.

The explanation why a more protective model lowers your bills is easy. Providers trust a driver will probably be in fewer accidents in this case. Also, if you are involved in a collision, they can also take comfort in knowing that the chance of injury is lower. So, these companies encourage drivers to get behind the wheel of cars like this by making it affordable.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Kirkland, Is Your Hybrid More Expensive to Fix?
Tags:

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

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Insurance Questions

Hey Redmond! Does a New Car Mean a New Insurance Policy?
Tags:

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 6, 2018 at 04:39AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

I am in the process of trading in my old jalopy for a beautiful, brand new Nissan Rogue. Does a new car mean I have to buy a different insurance policy?

-Shanise

Hi Shanise,

Wow, it sounds like you are ready to step into the big leagues. Congratulations! You are going to love that Rogue.

Hereâ€™s some good news. You will not have to get a separate auto policy if you do not want to. Because you have a current relationship with a provider they are prepared and used to clients adding vehicles. However, these people are not psychic! Youâ€™ll need to phone them with information about the purchase. They will be able to tell you all the details, but often a new set of wheels does result in a change in rates.

One additional word of advice: We would contact a rep before buying your car. The last thing anyone needs with such a sassy new cruiser is a ticket for driving while uninsured. Most providers can send a temporary card until the official one arrives in the mail.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Insurance Questions

Why Do Kirkland's Female Drivers Cost Less to Insure?
Tags:

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 5, 2018 at 04:29AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

My wife and I bought a new Nissan Sentra and are having a friendly $1 bet that you can solve. She claims women pay less for auto insurance than men. I say everythingâ€™s equal. Who is right?

-Brandon

Hey Brandon,

Always happy to help settle a little disagreement like this. Brace yourself, but she is correct. More times than not, females have lower premiums than males. Once you finish ponying up the cash, Iâ€™ll tell you why. (Take your time!)

No, these companies arenâ€™t being biased. They are simply analyzing statistics. On average, women:

Are involved in less wrecks.
Get fewer traffic violations, including really serious ones like driving under the influence.
Purchase cars that are not as flashy or fast.

So, by those numbers, a high percentage of gals are safer drivers who often choose a practical car. Thatâ€™s catnip to a risk-averse organization like auto insurance. While not every female motorist falls into these categories, more do than men. Thus, the smaller bills.

So, if you ever want to take a chunk out of your premium, you could do worse than learn a few things from the ladies on the road.

Let me know if there are any other bets I can solve.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Insurance Questions

Fife, Do You Know What Car Insurance Won't Cover?
Tags:

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 3, 2018 at 04:20AM by Patrick Wensink)

Dear Patrick,

Iâ€™m getting ready to buy a car without my parentsâ€™ help for the first time. Itâ€™s a pre-owned Nissan Altima. Iâ€™ve also never bought my own insurance, and I am confused. What wonâ€™t it cover?

-Daniel

Hey Daniel,

Welcome to the world of car ownership! This is a memorable moment in your life. Iâ€™m happy to help.

First and foremost, auto coverage is required by every state in America. It is not only a necessity, but itâ€™s also a great way to get your sweet new ride fixed in case of an accident. Many insurances handle the cost of repairs in a fender bender.Â However, they wonâ€™t foot the bill for everything.

For example, a trip to the mechanic for a tune-up is considered general wear and tear. That type of service will not be part of your policy. Same goes for buying a fresh set of tires. Treads are among the usual upkeep expected of owners, even if itâ€™s a safety decision.Â However, this doesnâ€™t mean you are out in the cold. If you purchase a new car down the road, you will find many warranties do cover things like batteries and wheels. Keep your eyes open for such deals.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Do Kirkland Drivers Need Acoustic Foam Tires?
Tags:

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!

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Bellevue, Do You Know What TPMS Stands For?
Tags:

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.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

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

Tacoma, Do You Know How Long An Electric Car Battery Lasts?

Redmond, Are Insurance Rates Higher For Electric Cars?

Kirkland, Why Should You Rotate Your Tires?

Fife, Why is SUV Insurance Cheaper?

Kirkland, Is Your Hybrid More Expensive to Fix?

Hey Redmond! Does a New Car Mean a New Insurance Policy?

Why Do Kirkland's Female Drivers Cost Less to Insure?

Fife, Do You Know What Car Insurance Won't Cover?

Do Kirkland Drivers Need Acoustic Foam Tires?

Bellevue, Do You Know What TPMS Stands For?

CALENDAR

CATEGORIES

CALENDAR

Recent Posts from this Blog

TAGS

TWITTER POSTS

Username
Password