Kirkland Nissan

Most Common Nissan Vehicle Questions In Seattle, Tacoma, And Bellevue Washington

Should You Use a Trickle Charger For Your 2018 Nissan Sentra in Issaquah?
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(Posted on Jan 9, 2019 at 07:59AM by Robert Bacon)

Hi Robert,

I'll be spending a few months in Europe this year for business. Do you think I should get a trickle charger to make sure my 2018 Nissan Sentraâ€™s battery doesn't go flat? If so, how would I set it up?

Thanks,
Christopher

Hi, Christopher!

If your battery isn't going to be used for a few months it will start to discharge. With this in mind, it would be a good idea to fit a trickle charger to your 2018 Nissan Sentra while youâ€™re away.

The best type to go for is one with a built in regulator. This will match your batteryâ€™s discharge rate, ensuring the power always stays at a constant level.

Attaching a trickle charger is an easy process. First, you need to make sure that your vehicle is parked in a well-ventilated location which is free from rain. Then you should turn your Sentraâ€™s ignition off and remove the key.

Make sure the amperage and voltage levels on the trickle charger are set to match your vehicleâ€™s battery before you connect anything.

A trickle charger has two alligator clips, you need to connect the positive one to the matching battery terminal. Then, clasp the negative to a bare piece of metal: the carâ€™s frame is a good option. Finally, you can plug the unit into a regular power outlet and switch it on.

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

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Driving Questions

What PSI to Keep Your 2018 Nissan Frontierâ€™s Tires at When Off-Roading in Issaquah?
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(Posted on Jan 9, 2019 at 12:03AM by Robert Bacon)

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

Youâ€™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 wonâ€™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.

Donâ€™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.

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Car Maintenance Questions

Issaquah: Should You Warm up Your 2018 Nissan Titan XD Before Driving in Winter?
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(Posted on Jan 7, 2019 at 05:21PM by Robert Bacon)

Hi Robert,

My father told me to warm up my 2018 Nissan Titan XDÂ for around five minutes before I set off in the morning. Does this sound about right to you?

Thanks,
Emma

Hi, Emma!

The idea that you need to warm your car up for a few minutes during the winter is one of the biggest myths in is the automotive industry.

Older vehicles used carburetors to create the right mix of air and gasoline. They needed to be warmed up properly or the engine could stall: this is where the idea comes from.

Modern engines, like the one in your 2018 Nissan Titan XD, use fuel injectors which don't need to be warmed up to work properly.

Industry experts recommend leaving your car running for no longer than 30 seconds before driving in winter. This is long enough to heat the clumpy oil at the bottom of your engine and make it begin to flow freely.

The only exception would be if you are about to pull a heavy load during winter: in this case, you can let your truck warm up for around five minutes.

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

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Driving Questions

Issaquah: Should You Drive With The Windows Down or A/C on in Your 2018 Nissan Kicks?
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(Posted on Jan 6, 2019 at 01:03AM by Robert Bacon)

Hi 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 itâ€™s on, the carâ€™s drivetrain needs to use more fuel.

Driving with one or multiple windows down increases a vehicleâ€™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.Â

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Car Maintenance Questions

Could a Winter Cover Damage Your 2018 Nissan Titan in Issaquah, Washington?
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(Posted on Jan 5, 2019 at 01:41AM by Robert Bacon)

Hi Robert,

I just bought a new 2018 Nissan Titan and was thinking about covering it until the weather improves. My father said this could damage my truck: is he correct?

Thanks,
Brian

Hi, Brian!

Congratulations on your new purchase, the 2018 Nissan Titan is a great vehicle to tackle winter in. The answer to your question isnâ€™t a straightforward yes or no, let me explain.

Your father is right that a car cover could harm to your Titan. This is because they can trap moisture and cause rust to form on your truck: of course, that's the last thing you want for a new vehicle.

But, as I explained, this topic isn't that straightforward; there are some winter car covers which provide proper ventilation. These products act more like shields which sit above your vehicle, instead of hugging it.

If you canâ€™t get a winter cover that provides proper ventilation, you should try to store your truck somewhere which will protect it from the elements. You don't need to have an air-conditioned garage, justÂ make sure that it's a dry place.

Thank for the question, Brian! Contact Kirkland Nissan, Washington if you ever need anything else.

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