(Posted on Nov 3, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)
Hi Robert,
I had to take a long trip recently. Towards the end, my 2017 Nissan Sentra was nearly out of gas but I wanted to keep driving. My brother said that emptying the tank could damage my car. I had not heard this before, is it true?
Thanks,
Dan
Hi, Dan!
In this instance, your brother is certainly right. Completely running out of gas can end up costing you a lot more than a long walk with a heavy canister.
The fuel pump on your 2017 Nissan Sentra uses gas for both lubrication and cooling. So, if you totally run out, it can cause this part to overheat and burn out.Â
You might not damage the fuel pump the first time but the likelihood of having problems goes up the more often you run out of gas. Your vehicle will start to sputter when it’s nearly empty. As soon as this happens, you need to pull over in a safe manner and walk to a filling station. The risk of totally draining your tank really isn’t worth it.
Thanks for the question, Dan. Please call into Kirkland Nissan, Washington if you want to check anything else.
(Posted on Oct 31, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)
Hi, Robert
I’ve had my 2016 Nissan Frontier for a couple of years now. I know it’s sometimes good to get your car’s engine checked outside of service intervals, but I’m not sure when.
Thanks,
Rachael
Hi, Rachael!
This is a fantastic question which isn’t asked often enough. Newer, fuel injected vehicles, like your 2016 Nissan Frontier, don’t need to be checked nearly as much as pre-injection cars. But, if your car is displaying any of the problems below, it’s time to head to a mechanic.
If your Frontier is stalling a lot, this could indicate that there’s a problem with the spark plugs or that an electric sensor needs to be adjusted. When your car gets harder to start there can be an issue with the battery, fuel pump, or ignition system. Another thing, which is often overlooked, is an engine which is running rough when idling or under acceleration. This may be caused by a number of things, so it’s best to get a professional to have a look.
If you’re worried about anything I have mentioned above, call into our Technicians at Nissan Kirkland’s Service Department located in Seattle, Washington.
Thanks for your question, Rachael! Do contact us again if you need anything else.
(Posted on Oct 30, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)
Hi, Robert
I was riding with a friend recently and his brakes failed. Thankfully, we were okay, but it was a scary experience. Can you tell me what would cause this to happen on my 2017 Nissan Juke?
Thanks,
Jack
Hi, Jack!
I’m sorry to hear about your experience but happy both you and your friend are okay. A number of things could cause the brakes on your Juke to fail.
Often there will be a gradual decrease in performance. But, if your pedal just drops and you feel no pressure, this would indicate that there’s a lack of fluid in the system. This could result in you having no braking force at all. For obvious reasons, this is very dangerous and you should call for assistance immediately.
If you tend to ride your brake pedal when driving or use it in a very sharp manner, it could cause the discs to overheat. This would result in a lack of stopping power which would get worse over time. Finally, since your car stops by means of friction, any lubricant that comes between your pads and rotors would reduce your ability to slow down. If you notice this, check around your tires for an oil leak or excessive grease.
Stay safe out there, Jack! Don’t hesitate to contact Nissan Kirkland again or call into our dealership in Seattle, Washington.
(Posted on Oct 27, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)
Hi Robert,
During a transmission-related debate, my friend pointed out that my automatic 2018 Nissan Versa would require more maintenance than his manual. Is this true and something I should be worried about?
Thanks,
Ben
Hi, Ben!
So, unfortunately, your friend is right. But it’s definitely not something which should put you off owning one. To get straight to the point, on average, automatics should be inspected every two to three years. You can add about another 12 months to those figures for manuals.
Oil is central to the operations of your Nissan Versa’s transmission, which means you really need to keep on top of changes. Apart from just lubricating, it powers the internal hydraulics and keeps everything cool. Over time, the fluid will become dirty and could result in shifting delays and eventually clog the whole system up.
When you’ll need to change your transmission fluid, in reality, depends on multiple factors – especially how much you drive. But, generally speaking, you may need to do it when you bring your car in for its 30,000-mile service.
Thanks for the question, Ben. Should any other debates arise, don’t hesitate to contact us at Kirkland Nissan in Seattle, Washington.
(Posted on Oct 26, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)
Hi Robert,
One of the signal lights on my 2017 Nissan Rogue has started blinking much faster than it used to. Can you tell me if this is a serious issue and what’s causing it?
Thanks,
Nick
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Hi, Nick!
Let me start by putting your mind at ease: this isn’t a serious issue. In fact, it’s a very common one. While it’s nothing to worry about, your Nissan Rogue will require some attention.
When the bulbs in your blinkers burn out, the voltage lowers. This takes pressure off the circuit and means it can do its job easier or, rather, faster. So this is what’s actually happening when your light starts flashing at twice its regular speed.
The fact that it operates like this is actually really useful, as it makes you aware that one of your bulbs needs to be changed. While it's not something to be overly concerned about, don't let this issue drag on. One day it will stop working and, for obvious reasons, that's dangerous.
Why not call into Nissan Kirkland’s Service Department in Seattle, Washington, and let our Technicians have a look? It’s a quick and painless job, so you’ll be out in no time.
Thanks for the question, Nick! Do contact us again if you need anything else.
(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!
It’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 tire’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
(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!
It’s great to see you’re taking brake maintenance so seriously. When it comes down to it, they’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. I’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 don’t hesitate to contact us.
(Posted on Oct 18, 2018 at 07:00AM by Robert Bacon)
Hi Robert,
I bought a pre-owned 2017 Nissan Altima 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 Lincoln’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 can’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 they’re not, it could indicate problems with your suspension or a misalignment.
Thanks for the question, Jeff, and don’t hesitate to contact us again should you need to.
(Posted on Oct 17, 2018 at 09:03AM by Robert Bacon)
Dear Robert,
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I was thinking about getting a 2018 Nissan LEAF this year. Could you tell me how maintenance differs on a LEAF compared to a gas car?
Thanks,
Mark
This is a great question and an even better time to make the switch to electric. You’ll be happy to know, in terms of maintenance, it isn’t so much about what you need to do differently, but rather what you can stop doing.
Of course, things like tires and windshield wipers will still need to be replaced, as they would on a gas car. But, since the LEAF is powered by an all-electric motor, it doesn't require as much maintenance. You can stop fretting about changing the engine oil, transmission fluid, and spark plugs. You’ll also never need to worry about getting a new muffler or putting your car through an emissions test again.
Since the LEAF uses regenerative technology (which slows the platform via kinetic energy distribution), wear and tear on its pads and discs is greatly reduced. In the real world, this means the brakes will last about twice as long as the ones on your average gas car.
Best of luck with your new purchase, Mark, and don’t hesitate to ask any other questions that come up.
(Posted on Oct 1, 2018 at 05:43AM by Patrick Wensink)
Hey 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!