With spring here, we’re in for increased rainfall and therefore wet roads. This means that you’re at a much higher risk of hydroplaning on the road – a dangerous thing that can lead to a crash. This week’s blog, we’ll be talking about what you should do when you’re driving on a wet road, and what to do if you start to hydroplane. Stay safe!

The first thing to remember is not to panic. Don’t slam on the brakes or the gas. Hydroplaning is when your front tires lose traction. Braking slows down your front tires, but locks the rear ones and makes you spin out. And because hydroplaning can spin your vehicle a little, accelerating can mean trouble because you really don’t have control of which direction your vehicle is going to go.

What you should do is look for an open spot (ideally right in front of you, if you’re on the road) and try to steer in that direction. Don’t oversteer! Just gently guide your vehicle in that direction without pushing on the brake or the gas.

To avoid hydroplaning, don’t use your cruise control in heavy rain. The water on the road and a loss of traction can trick your vehicle into thinking that it needs more power, and the cruise control will accelerate suddenly and can get you in trouble.

You can also avoid hydroplaning with some preventive measures! Make sure your tire tread is in good shape by doing the penny test (stick a penny into your tires’ tread with the top of Lincoln’s head facing the center of your tire – if you can see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires), and by driving carefully and slower than normal in the rain. A good rule of thumb is to go at 1/3 the speed you’d normally go.

Take care and good luck – rain is dangerous in its own way and we want to make sure you’re safe and sound in your Nissan!

Spring is here and that means your vehicle is going to have a much easier time of handling the roads, just because of the warmer temperatures and lack of snow and ice on the ground. You’ll be able to pop that sunroof, roll down the windows, and take in the nice weather! Of course, you also have to make sure that your vehicle has survived the winter well. There are some essentials for spring car maintenance that a lot of folks don’t know about, but we’ve put them into this week’s blog so that you can get a leg up and make sure your Nissan lasts for many years to come. Check it out!

Start with your tires, even if you drive on all-season tires. If you do use all-seasons, this is the time to rotate them. By rotating tires seasonally, you extend the life of all four tires.

Windshield wiper blades also get the short end of the winter weather stick. Colder temperatures are hard on rubber compounds, and slush from the road is not very helpful when it comes to maintaining the blades. This slush often carries with it corrosive salt used to melt road ice, which can really hurt your blades. Early spring is a good time to you’re running low after winter.

Next, clean your vehicle’s undercarriage. There’s no magic solution to getting rid of the corrosive salt build-up but the best tool is a high-pressure sprayer. Pay special attention to the area around the front and rear bumpers. Once you’ve thoroughly sprayed the underbody, check for signs of rust and take the necessary steps to stop any small rust spots from eating away at your vehicle. We’ve all seen the “snow boogers” that form around bumpers and wheel wells. That’s the most likely place for road salt to begin the erosion process. While you’re at it, you might as well wash the whole car. Winter is not really the time to spend afternoons hosing off your vehicle and chances are it’s been a while since the last time you’ve washed your car.

Examine your brakes. Like wipers, brakes take on a bigger role during wintertime and should be checked to ensure that they’re still in good shape. Listen for brake noises such as grinding, chatter, or squeals. Even if your brakes aren’t making any noises, it’s still a good idea for you or your mechanic to determine the amount of wear on the pads or drums. We often become accustomed to the feel of worn brakes, without realizing that we’ve become used to decreased stopping power.

Check all automotive fluids and top them off if you need to. Driving in the winter requires your engine to work harder and condensation can cause moisture buildup in the engine that creates wear. If your car is due for scheduled maintenance, have the oil changes and be sure to use the proper formulation and viscosity recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Go over the interior of your vehicle. This includes taking out and washing floor liners. Vacuum and clean the carpets, and make sure they are dry before you put the liners back in. A nice, clean interior is one of the best parts of driving after all!

Source: https://exchange.aaa.com/car-care/repair-maintenance/seasonal-car-maintenance/#.WpXIAZPwZTY

It’s the time of year when everyone is anxious for spring and looking to start planning their summer vacations. Check out our monthly offers at Younger Nissan, and take home your next road trip vehicle!

First, we have the 2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 S*. This is a fantastic sedan that’s perfect for the whole family… or for the professional on the go! Wherever you’re headed, you know you’ll enjoy getting there behind the wheel of the Altima 2.5 S. With an impressive fuel economy of 27 city MPG and 38 highway MPG, you’ll make far fewer stops at the gas pump! Affordable lease options are available, and you can drive your new 2018 Altima for only $229/month for 36 months*.

If it’s a crossover you’re after, you’ll need to take a peek at the new 2018 Nissan Rogue S. Whether you’re cruising through the city, enjoying that fantastic fresh Pennsylvania air or just stopping at the corner deli for lunch, this crossover will turn heads no matter where you’re going. And it’s easier than ever to be the center of attention – with a lease price point of $219 a month for 36 months! Don’t wait, this 2018 Nissan Rogue won’t last long.

When you plan on going to the lake, the 2018 Nissan Frontier is the truck for you! All your gear will fit in the bed of this truck, and with a fuel economy of 19 city MPG and 23 highway MPG, you’ll always volunteer to drive! Affordable financing is available, and you can take yours home today for $19,264*.

If any of these great new vehicles appeal to you, head down to Younger Nissan today and take a test drive! Hurry in, these specials won’t last long!

*All specials expire on 3/31/2018. See specials page for details.

For a good number of the American population, allergies in the spring and summer are a real issue. Sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, itchiness EVERYWHERE… those are just part and parcel of being allergic to the outside. Luckily, we’ve got solutions for you when it comes to ridding your vehicle of allergens, because it’s always nice to be able to get away from the troubles of the world and just go for a drive… without having to sneeze every thirty seconds.

First of all, vacuum your car often. Take a few minutes every weekend to just go over the vents, the floormats, and the seats. Pollen and dust can really settle into soft surfaces, so try to get rid of it as quickly as you can. Just one vacuum can make a noticeable difference, not only in the allergy department but in the cleanliness department as well!

Keep a bottle of allergen-reducing spray in the car. Febreze makes a great one that works quite well and keeps any pollen and dust that get into your car at bay between vacuums. It also has the added bonus of keeping your vehicle smelling great!

Take a minute and have a look at your cabin air filter. Chances are that it hasn’t been changed in a while, and when it gets full of junk your allergies can start to suffer. Your owner’s manual will be able to tell you how to find it, and if you need help changing it just give us a call and we’ll take care of it for you!

Finally, there are some allergens that will absolutely sneak in through the cracks. Keep tissues handy, and remember to take your allergy meds. But if you follow our advice, you should be able to be sneeze-free all spring and summer!

Washing your car is a fantastic spring activity not only for you but for the whole family! What better sight is there than the kids out in the driveway, giving your car a good wash? Well, we’ve got some great tips for washing your car properly. Check them out!

Your first step should be to park in the shade (no direct sunlight) and then rinse your car off thoroughly. The first few washes of the spring should also include a deep rinse of the undercarriage, just to make sure all the salt from the winter is gone.

Next, get your specially formulated car soap or shampoo (NEVER use dish soap) and a clean microfiber cloth or mitt and wash your vehicle a panel at a time in long, straight strokes. Never wash in a circular motion, and make sure to rinse off your mitt/cloth often!

Let the soap sit on your vehicle for a minute while you focus on the wheels. Using a dedicated wheel brush, get between the spokes and in the little crevices you might have missed ordinarily. A lot of dirt can hide in there, so get rid of it!

Now you should give your car a good rinse with a medium pressure blast from the hose. Don’t let it air-dry, either. Dry every panel with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Letting water dry on your car leaves spots, rings, and deposits that are tough to get rid of.

The last step, should you choose (and you should), is to apply a protectant spray or wax after you’re done drying off your vehicle to maintain the nice work you’ve done and protect your vehicle from dirt, debris, and other road gunk.

Do you have blind spots in your vehicle? It’s common – and easy to remedy!

One way to get rid of those blind spots is to stick convex mirrors on to your wing mirrors in the outer corners. You can find these small mirrors at your local auto parts store. Make sure your mirrors are clean first! Note: you should not do this to a leased vehicle.

If you’re hesitant about using an adhesive solution, you can also adjust your mirrors in a way that eliminates holes in your vision. Here’s how:

Adjust your rearview mirror to give you a view directly to the rear. Make it so that it best covers your rear window view. Don’t tilt it to get side views – just straight back through your window.

Lean your head until it almost touches your driver’s side window. Adjust your left side mirror so you can just barely see the side of your car – no more.

Lean your head to the passenger side as far as you can comfortably while still sitting up and adjust the right mirror so you can barely see the right side of your car.

You shouldn’t be able to see the side of your car when your head is all the way upright!

This is an easy way to make sure you’ve got the full range of vision that you need to stay safe in your vehicle.

The final way is to find an aftermarket clip-on rearview mirror that has convex edges and a larger field of view that will allow you to be able to see more of what’s behind you. Ask us for recommendations!

QUICK AND DIRTY GUIDE TIME.

You should be checking your oil at least once a month. The best practice is to check it every time you get gas.

This is because your oil is a powerful diagnostic tool! It will tell you that your engine is doing well… or if there’s a problem that needs to be addressed.

It takes only a hot second to check your oil, so it’s not an inconvenience.

You’ll also seem like a total expert when people see you doing it, and when you can talk to your service techs about your engine.

Trust us. Check your oil. Here is how to do it.

• Open the hood. Prop it so it stays open.
• Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled.
• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel.
• Dip the stick all the way back in.
• Pull it out again and look at the oil level. If it’s in the middle of the hatched/indicated area, you’re good. More is better, less is okay, but if you’re lower than the area you need to get your oil topped up and have your system checked for leaks.
• Look at the oil quality and color. If there are a lot of particles or if the oil looks sludgy, you need to get it changed as soon as possible.
• Put the dipstick back in.
• Close your hood.

Congratulations, friend. You’ve done it. We’re really proud of you.

What’s worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm? POTHOLES. The bane of the driver’s existence and sometimes a totally unavoidable evil… especially in the winter. Water gets into preexisting cracks in the pavement, and when it freezes, it expands. This destabilizes the pavement and creates a weakness that quickly becomes a pothole. So, what do you do?

The first thing is to drive slowly and approach potholes that you can see with caution. If you can drive around them, do so! To avoid unseen potholes, avoid driving through puddles (especially localized puddles because they are probably in a pothole and you have no idea how deep that pothole is) of all sizes.

If you can’t avoid a pothole, slow down and drive over it slowly. That’s all there is to it! But if you miss the pothole and it’s too late to slow down, be careful that your vehicle was not damaged as you drove over it. If you think that your vehicle was damaged, then pull over when it’s safe to do so and do a quick exterior check. This is when it’s super useful to know what your car is supposed to look like, so you should try to get familiar with that!

If you can’t see exterior damage (i.e. to your tires, bumpers, etc.) then get back in and start off slowly. If your vehicle pulls to one side or another, your alignment is likely off. That’s something that you can’t fix on your own, so bring it into the shop.

Finally, report any potholes you see to the local DOT. The more information they have about potholes, the quicker they get filled and the quicker the roads are made safe again. Great job, you!