Have you ever wondered what is meant by the different gas types and the different numbers on the pumps? Wonder no more, gentle person, because I am here to educate you on the IMPORTANT things in life, aka gas.

So first of all, the numbers indicate the octane level of the gas. To explain, I will tell you the super basics because honestly I am not really a science person and this is Super Sciencey, so we’ll stick to the easy stuff. So, gasoline contains certain molecules called hydrocarbons, which are left over from the oil whence the gasoline came. One of these hydrocarbons is called isooctane, which we shorten to octane. Generally, hydrocarbons combust pretty spontaneously and under the slightest pressure, but isooctane is much better at holding itself together and taking a bit more of a push to combust, which makes it perfect for use in car engines. The thing about the regular hydrocarbons is that if they combust TOO early, they’ll make a knocking sound in your engine that’s really annoying.

You might be thinking, “wait, why have I not been using the higher octane gas this whole time?” The answer to that is simple – you probably don’t need to. If you drive a regular, run of the mill vehicle (like a Sentra or an Altima or similar) you don’t need to put in that higher octane stuff because your engine will handle the regular juice just fine – it’s made to do so, in fact. The only case when you’ll need to get higher octane fuel is if your vehicle has a super high-performance engine and specifies either on the dashboard near the gas gauge or in the owner’s manual that you need to put in higher octane fuel. You can totally put the high-test stuff into your regular vehicle, but all it’ll do is cost you more money. It won’t magically make your engine into a Formula One type thing. Sorry.

I’ll throw in another little tidbit as well – you know the term “unleaded” that you see at the pumps? Well, of course, all gasoline now is unleaded, but until the ‘90s it wasn’t that way. People started putting lead in fuel in the 1920s when the knock I mentioned earlier was a big problem. Of course, nobody wants to spend more money on stuff, so scientists figured out that putting tetraethyl lead into gasoline increased the octane level at pretty much no cost. Of course, it would kill you, but like… you’d save some green? They totally knew that this lead was super poisonous and would kill people over time, but it honestly did take 70-something years for the lead to be outlawed. If you were around in the 70s and 80s, you remember how bad the smog was in cities like New York and Los Angeles. That was in part due to under regulation of these emissions, and the persistent presence of lead in fuel. Now the smog level is SO much lower – and it’s because we’re cracking down on emissions by vehicles, lead has been outlawed as a fuel additive, and people are being more conscientious about buying hybrid and electric vehicles. So if you want to bypass the pump entirely, check out the new 2018 Leaf! It’s awesome, it’s electric, and it’ll save you the hassle of getting gas. Oh, and it’s good for the environment, too. Just a thought!

So, I don’t have a partner or kids to worry about this holiday season, but I do have a dog, and I love him like he is my own son. My parents also love him but less as a grandson-type but as a this-is-my-daughter’s-dog type. It’s okay – I know we have our differences. But because I only have my dog, and because I love him more than probably anything else in this universe, I bring him everywhere with me. This means that because the holidays are coming up, he’ll be making the five hour trip to my parents’ with me. I have a tried and true method for making sure he’s comfortable in the car, and I thought I would share it with y’all in case you also find yourself in this situation.

So, before traveling, make sure your dog is in good health. Toting around a sick human is no fun, but toting around a sick pup is worse. Take them to the vet and get a clean bill of health at least once a year so that you know you won’t be subjecting your fur baby to a horrible drive.

Make sure you have water on hand – either distilled or from your tap at home. Dogs’ digestive systems are super fragile, so having water that’s clean or water they’re used to is ideal. Stop frequently to let them drink.

If you travel with your dog in a crate, make sure it’s big enough for them to stand up, sit down, turn around, and lie down in. Don’t sacrifice crate size! If you’re more of a free-roamer type, make sure your dog knows what it’s like to be in a car, moving or not, beforehand. Consider getting a seatbelt collar or harness tie-down so that your dog doesn’t injure themselves by moving around too much in dangerous situations. Don’t roll the windows down too much, because this can actually hurt your dog by letting road dust, bugs, and debris hit their eyes and ears.

The final tip is to stop often not only to let your pup drink, but to let them walk around for exercise and to take potty breaks. Don’t feed them until the trip is over (barf alert) but definitely let them sip at some nice water.

Getting ready for winter? If the answer to that is “no,” well, reevaluate your life, friend. It’s November! You need to be preparing for whatever Nature is going to throw into your face for the next few months. That means getting your car ready, too. Here are our tips for getting that taken care of easily and quickly.

First, make sure your radiator and the coolant in your tank are in good shape. Take your vehicle to us to top up the coolant if you’re low, and make sure everything is in working order. Take a look at your defrosters, front and back, and put some windshield fluid in the reservoir that has a higher amount of antifreeze. Use nontoxic antifreeze wherever possible. When you’re checking your defrosters, make sure that they function fully and properly. Take your car to us if any are broken.

If you’ve got a garage, use it. Take some time to organize your garage so that you can park your car in there safely throughout the winter months. A car cover is a good option for those who don’t have garages.

Replace your regular windshield wipers with wipers that are meant to handle winter weather. This is important not only when your windshield becomes covered with ice and snow, but also to make sure that you won’t wear your wipers out faster than normal by using them in the wrong season. If you have snow tires, put them on your car when it starts getting cold enough to snow. Otherwise, if you’re in an area that gets a lot of snow and ice, invest in snow chains or other tire traction accessories that you can easily take off of your tires when the roads are clear.

Make sure that your battery is strong, working right, and in good condition. If it’s old, let us replace it for you. Check to make sure the connections on the battery are tight and not corroded and that everything is working properly in the electrical system. Check to make sure your lights are all fully operational and bright – you need them more as the days grow shorter.

Did you know that topping off your gas tank is actually a horrible idea? Yeah. Seriously. It was a surprise to me too, if that helps. I mean, I always try to get the number to an even one – instead of $19.42 I’ll try to get it to $19.50 or $20. Nice and clean, right? Well, like I said before, it’s actually a bad idea. Here’s why!

First of all, it can overwhelm your vehicle’s evaporative system and either break something or cause a leak because of built up pressure. If your gas tank is too full, the pressure builds up past the safe level when the gas heats up as your car is moving along. If there’s too much fuel in the tank, that gets sent to the evaporation system, and if you habitually overfill your tank, then you pretty much kill your evaporation system much quicker than normal.

The second thing is that you’re literally throwing money down the drain. Modern gas stations have systems at the pumps where if there’s too much fuel going into your vehicle’s tank, it’ll just go right back up the hose and back into the station’s tank. The cents on the screen go up, but you’re not actually getting that gas. Even if it’s just a few drops, with the price of gas what it is you’re potentially wasting a lot of money over time… on gas that’s not even going into your car.

Let’s all try to break the habit of topping up – when the handle releases the first time, just let it be. It’ll be hard, I know, but I think we can do it – and save ourselves money at the same time!

If you’re like anyone else in this day and age, you’re interested in saving money and also in increasing your vehicle’s fuel economy. It’s okay, there’s no shame in that! The two definitely go hand in hand, as when you have better fuel economy, you don’t have to fill up your tank as often, which saves money! So, how can you manage this? We’re definitely not all electric vehicle drivers – but the secret is that you don’t have to be one to get better gas mileage. Keep reading for our tips!

• Don’t speed. It decreases your mileage tons based on your speed, because of acceleration and deceleration. Tons meaning that for every five mph over 50 you go, you’re paying about 10-20 cents more per gallon of gas. It adds up.

• Have patience and focus on safety, because when you are focused and attentive to the road, you tend to drive more safely. Try coasting to a stop when you see stopped cars ahead of you. It’s not only safer but also saves you gas!

• Rear racks are infinitely better than roof racks in terms of fuel economy. The latter really increases drag and decreases your aerodynamics, which affects your efficiency.

• Idling is worse than stopping. If you’re gonna be hanging out somewhere in your car that’s not a stoplight or stop sign, turn your car off fully. Idling is both bad for your fuel economy and for the environment!

• Cruise control is the best invention. Seriously, it fully eliminates the extra accelerations and decelerations that happen when we’re driving down the highway that can accumulate into poor fuel economy. It also keeps you going at a consistent rate of speed, which is excellent when everyone else is going either 80 or 20 and can’t choose between the two. You’re better than that, friend.

Do you ever enter the parking lot with a sense of dread? Do you hate being in the parking lot, whether you’re a driver or a pedestrian, because of the rude and seemingly incompetent drivers that you are forced to share space with? Well, good thing for you, we have put together a list of the most important elements of parking lot etiquette. Share this with everyone you know – maybe we’ll start a parking lot revolution and soon it will be a joyful place instead of a scary one!

First, you should make sure you park straight in the parking space. Make sure that your vehicle is not only straight in the parking space, but also centered in it. If your vehicle is crooked, it’s harder for not only you but the drivers on either side of your car to get in and out of their own vehicles. It also puts your vehicle at risk of dents, scrapes, or other minor injuries from people impatiently looking and saying “ever seen a straight line before?” before callously opening their doors into your car.

Don’t take up more than one space. If you have a newer car and don’t want to risk your crystal clean and ultra perfect new paint job, park further out where there are fewer cars. Don’t be selfish and keep someone else from a closer spot just because of your paint! If taking up two spaces is just the result of a poor parking job, just pull out and straighten out. Another thing to remember is that if you’re driving a larger vehicle (i.e. a truck), a lot of parking spaces are measured out for smaller vehicles that are narrower than yours. If you find this to be the case in a spot, your best bet is to park farther out so that you have the space you need.

You should really take turns waiting for a parking spot. Don’t The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift into a spot in front of someone who has been waiting for it longer than you! That is just plain rude and can lead to angry driving which in turn can lead to accidents in the parking lot. You will find another open spot, and you’ll be safer for your patience. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would NOT be proud of you for doing that, either, which honestly for me is enough of a reason to never, never do that thing ever again.

When you’re a pedestrian, make your intentions clear. Don’t walk down the middle of the aisle, and make sure you stay on one side of the aisle. Let the cars driving around the lot know where you are and what you plan on doing, so they have one less thing to worry about and so you don’t put yourself at risk of being hit. If someone is driving a super quiet car, you might not be able to hear them. So you should just assume that there are silent cars around you at all times and walk accordingly.

As winter approaches and the weather gets colder, we’re starting to drive with our windows closed more often. That means that we’re using our air vents more often as well, which in turn means that if there’s a stink, you’re gonna smell it. Here’s our tips for making sure your air vents are clean and stink-free so you can smell the freshness all winter long!

First of all, vacuum out the vents with the hose part of your vacuum. This will get dust and debris out of there, which will also decrease the allergens floating around your car. This means less sneezing while driving, yay! Don’t forget to do ALL the vents, especially the one up front next to your windshield. We tend to forget this one.

After vacuuming, use a cloth dampened with water or an all-purpose cleaning solution to clean the vents out. You can also use a Q-tip or cotton bud dampened with the same solution to really get in there and clean out all the cracks and crevices. Be prepared to go through a lot of these.

Run your air system on high with all the windows down (and the A/C off!) for a few minutes to dry everything out, both in your vents and in the A/C evaporator tank. You should also take a look at your cabin air filter. Your owner’s manual and dealer will know how to do this, and if it’s dirty and needs replacement, it’s an easy and inexpensive thing to do.

Finally, and this is only for that little bit of extra pizazz, find your favorite scent of air freshener, stick it somewhere (I prefer the ones that clip onto your vents) and there you go! A fresh-smelling, clean-vented car!

So, you know that your vehicle has a lot of fluids that need regular checking, right? RIGHT??? If you don’t, consider yourself schooled. Especially with winter coming, you’re going to want to be intimately familiar with everything under the hood of your vehicle, even if it means getting your hands a little dirty. For those of you who don’t know the ins and outs of every fluid that’s running through your engine, here’s a quick primer and guide for how to make sure everything is running well and copacetic.

1. Engine oil. This, if anything, is what your vehicle absolutely cannot do without. The engine oil keeps everything lubricated and moving easily, and it also removes residue and prevents buildup in your engine. If there is a lot of, well, gunk, in your engine, your car will not perform as well as it can. The way to check the engine oil is to locate the dipstick, which is usually a little yellow handle that’s labeled “engine oil” near the engine and to pull it out. Wipe it clean with a paper towel or clean rag, dip it in again, and then pull it out and look at it. Make sure that the oil is at the middle of the two markers on the end of the stick. If it’s low, you can top up the oil yourself. Make sure you’re using the right kind of oil by checking your owner’s manual or asking your dealer. If it’s a little high, that’s fine. Your dealer will tell you when you need to change your oil, but you should be checking your oil at least once a month to make sure everything is okay under the hood.

2. Coolant. Near the radiator is a clear overflow plastic container. The coolant level can be seen through the plastic, and there will be a line that indicates the level that the fluid should reach. Make sure it’s at this level – if it’s not, take your car into the dealer or garage and have them top it up for you with the correct coolant for your vehicle.

3. Power Steering Fluid. At the base of your windshield is a small tank that contains your power steering fluid. This makes it easier to steer your car, believe it or not. Without this fluid, the steering mechanism will not work properly. The level of this fluid should be between the minimum and maximum levels indicated on the tank.

4. Brake Fluid. This is located in a clear reservoir with minimum and maximum lines marked on it. Fill it up with clean, new brake fluid if the level is low, but if it is low you should watch it closely and have the system checked. Low brake fluid could mean that there is a leak in your system or that your brake pads are wearing down.

5. Windshield Washer Fluid. The most basic of them all. Make sure that your washer fluid tank is full at all times. In the winter, this can be useful for helping to defrost your windshield, and in the summer the fluid can reduce glare from the sun and clear off dust and pollen from your windshield, making it easier for you to see where you’re going!

Here at Younger Nissan, we have six awesome specials that are here for only the month of October! Sure, you might be thinking only about going apple picking, choosing the perfect pumpkin, and how best to Instagram the fall wreath you made from that Pinterest DIY – but you should also be thinking about how now is the perfect time to drive home a brand-new Nissan from Younger! Check out what our specials are:

• 2017 Nissan Sentra S – buy for $15,108 or an $89 a month lease

• 2017 Nissan Altima 2.5 S – buy for $19,147 or a $119 a month lease

• 2017 Nissan Frontier S – buy for $21,102

• 2017 Nissan Rogue S – buy for $20,252 or a $108 a month lease

• 2017 Nissan Murano S – buy for $25,884 or a $249 a month lease

• 2017 Nissan Maxima S – buy for $27,389 or a $215 a month lease

If you take a look at our specials by clicking the big red button below, you’ll see that we have vehicles ranging from compact coupes to roomy trucks that can haul even the biggest pumpkin in the patch. These deals are astonishing and will definitely not last forever, so be sure to come down and test drive one or two today. Once you’re behind the wheel, you’ll FALL in love! (Get it?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAEiPMGJRUs

*All specials expire on 10/31/2017. See our specials page for details.