Kirkland Nissan

Ask the Expert: How Much Oil Consumption Is Too Much?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on May 13, 2019 at 04:58AM by Billy Kirk)

Robert,

Iâ€™m a bit concerned about one of my older Nissan vehicles. How much oil consumption is too much? I feel the car may be reaching that point but Iâ€™m honestly unsure.

Thanks, Stacy

Stacy,

Great question! While increasing oil consumption over the life of a car is a fact we all have to accept, at some juncture, the amount of oil used may become too great no matter how old the car is. Whether youâ€™re in a modern Nissan automobile or any other, you should only use about one half of a quart of oil for every three to five thousand miles. If your car is particularly new, it may use even less! Contrarily, if you have a machine thatâ€™s truly long in the tooth, itâ€™s fine to use a full quart every 1,000 to 1,500, but that should be considered the absolute extreme. Anything more than thatâ€”old car or notâ€”and you have a problem on your hands that should be taken care of and diagnosed by a professional.

Ring us at Kirkland Nissan now to learn more!

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Performance Questions

Auburn, Washington: Should You Get a New Exhaust For Your 2018 Nissan Titan?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Apr 25, 2019 at 06:59AM by Robert Bacon)

Dear Robert,

I want to give my 2018 Nissan Titan some more power, so Iâ€™m thinking of fitting it with a performance exhaust system: do you think this is a good idea?

Thanks,
Mark

Hi, Mark!

Fitting a performance exhaust system to your 2018 Nissan Titan is certainly one way to give it more power: but only if you do it correctly.

Many people opt to fit clamp-on mufflers which I would not recommend. These are imitators and only serve to give your Titan a sporty look and sound. These components may even reduce your Titanâ€™s power.

If you really want to increase your truck's performance, you need to replace the entire exhaust system with high-end parts. This includes everything between the muffler and the catalytic converter.

Bare in mind, environmental regulations mean that you cannot alter the catalytic converter itself.

High-performance aftermarket exhaust manufacturers often tout that their systems provide a 10% boost in horsepower. But you need to be aware that this is largely dependent on the condition of your vehicle.

Thanks for your question, Mark! Please donâ€™t hesitate to contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again if you need anything else.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Should You Get Summer Tires For Your 2019 Nissan Rogue in Auburn, WA?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Apr 24, 2019 at 10:00PM by Robert Bacon)

Dear Robert,

With the warm weather approaching, Iâ€™m thinking about fitting summer tires to my 2019 Nissan Rogue. I'm not sure if it's worth doing: what do you think?

Thanks,
Matt

Hi, Matt!

Whether or not you should fit Summer tires to your 2019 Nissan Rogue really depends on the conditions youâ€™re going to drive in.

These tires work best in temperatures in excess of 45-degrees Fahrenheit. They're made from a softer rubber compound and fitted with large tread blocks.

The composition of summer tires means they're extremely grippy. Theyâ€™ll have more traction in both wet and dry conditions. Fitting them to your Rogue will give it better handling and braking capabilities.

Once temperatures drop, however, the soft rubber compound hardens and traction is greatly reduced, to the point that it may be dangerous. If you drive in cold weather you could actually damage the tire, causing it to chip or crack.

So if youâ€™re confident youâ€™ll only drive in warm weather conditions, then these tires would be a good addition to your vehicle.

Thanks for the question, Matt! Please donâ€™t hesitate to contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again if you need anything else.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Auburn: Does Your 2018 Nissan Kicks Have a Bad Fuel Pressure Regulator?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Apr 24, 2019 at 04:00PM by Robert Bacon)

Dear Robert,

Thereâ€™s some black smoke coming out of my 2018 Nissan Kicksâ€™ exhaust. My friend has some mechanical knowledge and said this could be down to a problem with the fuel pressure regulator: what do you think?

Thanks,
Jenny

Hi, Jenny!

Black smoke coming from your 2018 Nissan Kicksâ€™ exhaust isnâ€™t a cause for immediate concern. Some cars produce this for a short while after you start them up.

If the smoke persists, however, itâ€™s likely that your car is burning too much gasoline. This problem could be caused by a bad fuel pressure regulator.

This component regulates how much gasoline gets to your Kicksâ€™ engine. If the pressure falls low, your car wonâ€™t start. But, when itâ€™s too high, your vehicle will be over-fueled and produce white smoke.

If your car is over-fueled, itâ€™s probably also running rough and delivering poor gas mileage: so these are symptoms to look out for.

This problem could also be caused by leaky or clogged fuel injectors. My advice is to bring your vehicle down to our Service Department and let the Technicians inspect it.

Thanks for the question, Jenny! Contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again if you ever need anything else!

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

How do You Prepare Your 2019 Nissan Sentra For Summer in Auburn, Washington?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Apr 24, 2019 at 06:59AM by Robert Bacon)

Dear Robert,

Things are starting to heat up and I want to make the most of my new 2019 Nissan Sentra. Is there anything I can do to prepare it for summer?

Thanks,
Grace

Hi, Grace!

There are a number of things you can do to prepare your new 2019 Nissan Sentra for summer.

Firstly, you can swap out your rubber for some new summer tires. This will improve your Sentra's handling.

If youâ€™re not going to change your tires, at least make sure theyâ€™re correctly inflated. Since the ambient temperature will rise, your rubber's PSI will increase: if itâ€™s too high, it will have a negative impact on the car's handling.

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge and make sure that your engine isnâ€™t getting too hot. If it is, you may have a problem with your radiator, and this is the last thing you want in summer.

Harsh winter weather can take its toll on wiper blades, so you should inspect your and replace them if necessary.

It never hurts give your car a tune-up, especially if youâ€™re planning on covering a lot of miles. You can do it yourself or bring your Sentra down to our Service Department.

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

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Driving Questions

Auburn, Washington: Is The 2019 Nissan LEAF Good in Snow?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Apr 24, 2019 at 04:00AM by Robert Bacon)

Dear Robert,

Iâ€™m thinking of buying a new 2019 Nissan LEAF but I sometimes need to drive through snowy conditions. Would this model be up to the task?

Thanks,
Dianna

Hi, Dianna!

The 2019 Nissan LEAF is perfectly capable of driving through snow, especially if you opt for the SL model which has a heated steering wheel and seats. But donâ€™t forget, it isn't an all-terrain off-road machine.

The electric powertrain doesnâ€™t affect how this model handles in the snow. And it comes with regular tires just like youâ€™d find on any other car. So it will behave the same way the majority of front-wheel drive vehicles do.

Of course, the LEAF wonâ€™t be as good as an all-wheel drive vehicle in the snow, but this has nothing to do with the fact that itâ€™s electric.

The only thing you might want to be aware of is that extremely low temperatures can reduce the LEAFâ€™s battery efficiency by as much as 20%. This would bring its range down from an EPA rated 151 miles to 124 miles.

Thanks for your question, Dianna! Please donâ€™t hesitate to contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington again if you ever need anything else.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Kirkland Drivers: Do You Care About Tire Pressure on Your 2018 Nissan Titan?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Oct 21, 2018 at 07:01AM by Robert Bacon)

Hi, Robert!

My friend checks his tire pressure every time he goes to a gas station. Can you explain if this is necessary and something I should be doing on my 2018 Nissan Titan?

Thanks,
John

Hi, John!

Itâ€™s impressive to hear how diligent your friend is. To get straight to the point: yes, checking your pressure is important and definitely something you should be doing. If your tires are overinflated, they have smaller contact patches with the road, meaning you have less stability and traction when driving. This, of course, could be dangerous, especially in bad conditions.

On the other hand, if a tireâ€™s pressure is too low, this puts more stress on it and causes it to overheat. This will result in your tread wearing away much faster than if you were operating at optimal temperatures.Â

Here are two habits which are great to get into. Like your friend, just check your tires when filling up or, at least, once every few times you head to a gas station. Apart from that, you can do a quick visual inspection before entering your vehicle. This should help you see any obvious issues.

Thanks for your question, John! Contact our team again if you ever need anything.Â

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

New Nissan Maxima

Hey Kirkland! What Causes Your 2018 Nissan Maxima to Hydroplane?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Oct 20, 2018 at 07:01AM by Robert Bacon)

2018 nissan maxima for sake kirkland washington

Hi, Robert

I was recently out in some heavy rain and briefly lost control of my 2018 Nissan Maxima. My friend, who was in the car at the time, said I had hydroplaned. Could you explain what causes this?

Thanks,
Jennifer
Â

Hi, Jennifer!

Iâ€™m sorry to hear about your experience. It does sound like you could have hydroplaned and thatâ€™s never pleasant. The tires on your Maxima have treads (grooves) which channel water out from underneath them. This is what keeps you in contact with the road when itâ€™s wet.

Sometimes, thereâ€™s just too much water and it canâ€™t be kicked out quickly enough. This leads to you, essentially, riding along the top of a puddle instead of cutting through it. Traveling at speeds in excess of 35 mph or driving over oil residue which has mixed with rain can increase your chances of hydroplaning.

Being aggressive when accelerating, braking, and turning could also cause this happen - so try to slow down and drive smoothly in bad weather conditions. It also helps to follow the tracks left by vehicles in front of you and avoid the outer lanes where standing water can accumulate.

Stay safe, Jennifer! Please contact us again if you have any more questions.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Hey Kirkland! What do the Noises Coming From the Brakes on Your 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Mean?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Oct 19, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)

Hi Robert,

I bought a 2016 Nissan Pathfinder last year and, lately, I have been hearing some noises coming from the brakes. Do you have any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks,

Paul

Hi, Paul!

Itâ€™s great to see youâ€™re taking brake maintenance so seriously. When it comes down to it, theyâ€™re your last line of defense in an emergency, so you want them performing well.

The type of sound your brakes make indicates what the problem could be. A high-pitched squeal would mean your pads are more than likely worn out and need to be replaced. This is something you should get fixed at your earliest convenience, as your stopping force will be reduced.

If you hear a grinding noise, it suggests two pieces of metal are rubbing against each other. This is a more serious issue and, if left unchecked, it could lead to major problems like a warped or broken rotor. Iâ€™m not sure what sound is coming from your Pathfinder but, either way, you should call into Kirkland Nissan and ask the Service Department to look over it.

Thanks for your question, Paul! If anything else crops up, please donâ€™t hesitate to contact us.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Car Maintenance Questions

Hey Kirkland! How do You Know When itâ€™s Time to Change the Tires on Your 2017 Nissan Altima?
Tags:

most common nissan car maintenance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car insurance questions kirkland washington most common nissan car truck questions kirkland washington most common nissan automotive questions answers kirkland washington most common used nissan auto questions kirkland washington

(Posted on Oct 18, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)

2017 nissan altima for sale kirkland washington

Hi Robert,

I bought a pre-owned 2017Â Nissan AltimaÂ last year and haven't changed the tires since. How do I know when they need to be replaced?

Thanks,
Jeff

Hi, Jeff!

What a great time to ask this question with the wintry weather upon us. A classic trick is to place a penny, upside down, in the treads of your tires. If you can see beyond the top of Abe Lincolnâ€™s head, they have worn to an unsafe level.

Check for any damage to the sidewall, like tears or a bulge. These are things which canâ€™t be fixed and could lead to a blowout, meaning the tire will need to be replaced. You should also look for dry rot, which would be present if there are a lot of small cracks on the rubber. This is dangerous as chunks can fly off and hit your Altima when driving.

While you're down there, make sure both sides of the tires are wearing evenly. If theyâ€™re not, it could indicate problems with your suspension or a misalignment.

Thanks for the question, Jeff, and donâ€™t hesitate to contact us again should you need to.

View Comments

Facebook Twitter Pinterest

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

Ask the Expert: How Much Oil Consumption Is Too Much?

Auburn, Washington: Should You Get a New Exhaust For Your 2018 Nissan Titan?

Should You Get Summer Tires For Your 2019 Nissan Rogue in Auburn, WA?

Auburn: Does Your 2018 Nissan Kicks Have a Bad Fuel Pressure Regulator?

How do You Prepare Your 2019 Nissan Sentra For Summer in Auburn, Washington?

Auburn, Washington: Is The 2019 Nissan LEAF Good in Snow?

Kirkland Drivers: Do You Care About Tire Pressure on Your 2018 Nissan Titan?

Hey Kirkland! What Causes Your 2018 Nissan Maxima to Hydroplane?

Hey Kirkland! What do the Noises Coming From the Brakes on Your 2016 Nissan Pathfinder Mean?

Hey Kirkland! How do You Know When itâ€™s Time to Change the Tires on Your 2017 Nissan Altima?

CALENDAR

CATEGORIES

CALENDAR

Recent Posts from this Blog

TAGS

TWITTER POSTS

Username
Password