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Christmas is only days away and if you’re running out of time like the rest of us you might find yourself a little stressed this holiday season. Whether you still have to run to the mall to pick up some last-minute gifts, are buried in wrapping paper, or dreading hitting the road, we totally understand if you’re not in the Christmas spirit. However, we want to help make sure that you are enjoying Christmas this year, and what better way to do that than with some Christmas tunes! So take a few minutes to check out our Ultimate Christmas playlist below and get ready for the holidays with us! Don’t forget to schedule service before you hit the road so you’ll have peace of mind that you’ll make it to your destination without any issues! All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey Last Christmas - Wham! It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Michael Buble Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande Rockin Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Mariah Carey Mistletoe - Justin Bieber Santa Baby - Ariana Grande Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Frank Sinatra What Christmas Means To Me  - Stevie Wonder Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer - Dean Martin Last Christmas - Ariana Grande Thank God It’s Christmas - Queen Run Rudolph Run - Chuck Berry Frosty The Snowman - Ella Fitzgerald Shake Up Christmas - Train Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley I Still Believe In Santa Clause - LeAnn Rimes

Road trip season is upon us! If you’re getting ready to gear up for your next road-bound adventure, be sure you’re prepared with these road trip tips from the Destination Nissan team! We want you to be able to make the most of your next trip so, take a look at our tips listed below, and don’t forget to get your vehicle serviced before you go! You don’t want to miss out on getting to your vacation destination because your car is worse for wear! Schedule your service appointment at the Destination Nissan Service Center so you can hit the road with confidence! Destinations Nissan’s Tips For Your Next Road Trip: Take some time to decide on a destination. Decide if you want to go far or stay closer to home, do you want to get the mountain tops or city streets? Once you’ve decided on where to go, decide if you’ll be able to make it back in one day and if so what time should you go, arrive, and head back home. If you have to stay the night be sure to start looking for a hotel or place to stay sooner rather than later (prices go up). Choose a route. Many people who take road trips like to take the scenic route to their destination. If this is you, check out your GPS and see the different way you can go to get to your destination. However, if you’re only planning a day trip, it might be better to find the quickest way to get there because of the time restriction. Consider the right vehicle. Some vehicles are simply not made for long drives. Depending on the number of people taking the trip with you, the right car might be different. If you’re packing in the whole family it is no surprise that an SUV or crossover is the best way for you to go. You’ll need space to get everyone in and be comfortable. If you’re looking to save a buck on gas opt for a sedan that has great fuel economy! If you’re looking for a new ride before hitting the road, we have a wide variety of vehicles for you to choose from, whether it be an SUV, sedan, or even truck, we can match you with the best option for your needs! Get a tune-up. The best thing you can do before hitting the road, regardless of how far you’re traveling, is to get a tune-up. You want to make sure there is no chance of breaking down or mechanical issues. Make sure to get your fluid levels topped off, check for engine problems, and make sure all of your lights are working. Bring entertainment. Of course, the drive has to be focused on the road. However, passengers might want some entertainment to make the trip more bearable, especially if you’re taking a big trip. We suggest planning some car games for younger passengers and bringing electric entertainment like phones, tablets, headphones, and even magazines, books, journals, etc.

‘Tis the season to sing holiday songs loud while baking delicious cookies or wrapping presents! And this week, we want to help you out with a playlist so there’s one less thing that you are worried about! So, take a look and press play and get working on your list of to-do’s before the clock strikes midnight and it’s Christmas day! Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Straight No Chaser Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Take 6 You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch - Darius Rucker All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey When You Wish Upon A Star - Idina Menzel Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Pentatonix My Favorite Things - Dave Brubeck Cold December Night - Michael Bublé Little Drummer Boy - Josh Groban Silent Night - Idina Menzel White Christmas - Josh Groban Winter Wonderland - Andra Day Silver Bells - Dean Martin Santa Baby - Michael Bublé This Christmas - Seal There’s still time to upgrade your ride before the holidays! Hurry on in to see our team today! We will be closing early to spend the holiday with our families but we are here to help you upgrade your ride! So, hurry on in, and let’s give you and your family the best holiday ever!

Are things getting smelly this holiday season? If so, this week’s blog has 5 smells you don’t want to ignore and what it means if you’re smelling these nasty smells. Check it out below and be sure to schedule your next service appointment online today and take advantage of our service specials! Let’s get started! The Smell: Rotten eggs The Diagnosis: Your catalytic converter may be having issues and is putting hydrogen sulfide into your exhaust. This could be either a fuel injection issue, or your cat is failing. This is, unfortunately, a pretty expensive repair. But if you smell the rotten eggs when your car is not running, you should check for something inside of your vehicle. The Smell: Burning Rubber The Diagnosis: Oftentimes, the smell of burning rubber means that your drive belts are slipping or your hoses are loose and rubbing on other engine components. This is what creates that hot, burning smell. Once your engine is completely cooled off, take a look and if you need assistance, give our team a call! The Smell: Sulfur The Diagnosis: When you smell sulfur in your car all the time, you can assume that it’s gear lubricant leaking from the manual transmission, transfer case, or differential housing. There are sulfur compounds in the oil that serve as extreme-pressure lubricants for the gears in these parts, and after being in use for a few years this substance can get kind of gross. Look for those oily puddles under your car. If you see this, you should bring your vehicle to our service department for a check-up. The Smell: Burning carpet The Diagnosis: The smell of burning carpet tends to mean that your brakes are overheating. And it is most common if you have spent a lot of time behind the wheel for a road trip. But if you haven’t just completed a long road trip, it’s possible that you have seized your calipers or parking brake. So if this is what you’re smelling, stop in to see our team for a check-up! The Smell: Hot oil The Diagnosis: The easiest to diagnose is hot oil. And if you’re smelling oil, that means it is getting hot because it’s leaking onto the exhaust manifold, which becomes hot when your engine is running. It’s not a pleasant smell by any means, take a look around your engine and keep an eye out for any smoke. If you can find the leak, try to stem it, then bring your car to the shop, fast. Service With Our Team Today To Avoid Those Smells: https://www.destinationnissan.com/serviceappmt.html

One thing that you don’t want to mess around with when it comes to fall/winter weather is your vehicle’s tires and tread depth. So what are you supposed to do? Well, check it, of course, silly goose. But if you’re unsure how to do that, we have you covered and you’ve come to the right blog. Take a look at that guide below and schedule a service appointment with our team if you need a little assistance. We also encourage you to head over to our service specials page for some details on our current monthly service offers. We’re sure you’ll find something you’ll like! As a vehicle owner, you should always be monitoring your tread depth and the overall condition of your tires. Why? Well, your tires play a vital role in making sure that you, your family, and your passengers make it to your destination safely. Having poor tire tread can really put you at risk. So, monitor close and once it reaches 4/32 inch deep. In fact, 4/32” or deeper means that your tires still have good tread. Anything around 3/32” means that you should replace tires soon, and anything at 2/32” means that you need to replace the tires as soon as possible! But, you’ll need to know how to check your tires and really, all you need is some loose change! Seriously, just a few coins and you’ll know whether it’s time to swap or not. We know that there are a few ways out there to check your tire tread depth, some are much easier than others. And below, you’ll find those that are easier than others! The penny test: Insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down into the tread facing toward you. If you can see all of the head, your tread depth is less than 2/32” and it is time to replace your tires. The quarter test: do the same test with a quarter and if the tread reaches Washington’s head, you have at least 4/32” of tread remaining. AKA your tires are still in good shape! No change? No problem! Take a look at your tread wear indicator bar that is molded into the tread of your tires. Bars are located at the bottom of tread grooves in multiple locations; when these bars are visibly flush with the adjacent ribs, your tire has no more than 2/32” of tread left. This is a visible indication that you need to swap out these tires! Shop New Tires Here: https://www.nissantireadvantage.com/?uid=6d66ef24-33e7-4705-a27c5c3accfb6605

Having a hard time trying to pass the time while you’re in quarantine? We understand! And we are here to assist you. Below is a list of 10 ways for you to stay busy this April! Whether it’s just you or you and the family, we guarantee you will have some fun with these tips and tricks. Need to upgrade your ride? Our team is here to help you during this time! We ask you to reach out to our team and schedule an appointment to take a closer look at what we have to offer. Plus, with huge incentives through Nissan, right now is a great time to upgrade your ride! Contact us today to schedule your appointment with us! How To Pass The Time: Exercise, meditate, and start a stretching routine Read the book that’s been on your shelf Start a journal or blog Spring clean your home, closets, junk drawers, and vehicle Start watching a new TV series Create a scavenger hunt Complete a puzzle Use coloring books or word searches Try new recipes and create your own recipe book Teach your dog new tricks like rollover or jump Contact Our Team Today For Help!

Happy New Year! If you want to get on the resolution train, but not sure where you should start? Then you’ve stumbled on to the right blog! This week, your friends here at Destination Nissan want to help you start a resolution to be a better car owner. We know you love your beloved vehicle, but we are all guilty of pushing off maintenance or even keeping our vehicles clean. But since it’s a new year, it’s time to be a new you! See a handful of resolutions you can keep in mind this year and help yourself become a better car owner! Don’t Neglect Car Maintenance If you didn’t keep up with your regular car maintenance in 2019, your first new year’s resolution should be to call your mechanic! Yes, I know keeping up with car maintenance can be a pain, but when you don’t keep up with it bigger problems can arise. And it isn’t cheap. Schedule a service appointment today or stop into Destination Nissan today for your service needs! Learn To Do Basic Maintenance Yourself 2020 is the year of DIY and if you’re tired scheduling maintenance and spending money on service, there is no better time than now to make it a new year’s resolution to learn how to do it yourself! Start with something small, like learning to replace your windshield wipers. It usually needs to be done twice a year and is important for road safety. It’s an easy goal for the new year to accomplish quickly. End Distracted Driving According to the DMV, on average 9 people are killed by distracted driving every day. Most people think that distracted driving means texting and driving but it actually refers to anything that can take your full attention away from the road. This includes reaching for something, changing the music, using an app, checking your GPS or map, taking a photo, checking email or posting to social media, eating and drinking, and even putting on makeup/grooming Make this resolution to drive less distracted to keep you and others on the road safer. Keep Your Car Clean For some of you keeping your car clean comes naturally, but for the rest of us, it is a daily challenge. If your car is a mess going into the new year learn how to declutter your car and prevent future clutter. First, remove everything from your car that you do not need. Second, organize those important papers in your car and rid of the papers you don’t need. Throw out old receipts, coupons, and other miscellaneous papers. Then find the important documents like your registration, insurance, and owner’s manual and put them in a safe spot. Third, give your car a deep clean after you’ve decluttered it. Vacuum the seats and floor, wipe down windows, and take it through a car wash. New Year Means A New Nissan For You!

We all love our vehicles, I mean if we didn’t, where would be…literally, they get us where we need to go and for that, we believe they deserve a couple as gifts as well this year. Or at least a couple of stocking stuffers. So if you thought you had finished your holiday shopping, think again, it’s time to spread holiday cheer and get your vehicle some well-deserved love. Are you thinking your vehicle doesn’t need anything because you are already so good to it all year long? Well, guess again because there is always something else your vehicle could have and lucky for you, I did the hard work and made a list for you! If you’re looking to score some pretty awesome deal on a gift for your vehicle check out our service and parts specials and see how you can save big at Destination Nissan! Perfect Gift Idea For Your Ride Or Die: Car Detailing: Nothing says “I love you”  like a trip to the spa. That's why the perfect gift for your vehicle would be an interior detail. We know your ride would love and you’ll love that new car glow! Roadside Assistance: It’s like health care insurance for your car. Giving your car the gift of peace of mind will go a long way in letting your car know just how much you appreciate all it does for you. It’s also pretty helpful for you...kill two birds with one stone! Oil Change: The winter months are just starting and if I was a fortune teller I would say there’s a whole lot more coming. Keeping your vehicle in tip-top shape will help it make through the winter weather without any issues. Can you say perfect gift! Portable Battery Charger: Ch-ch-charge it up! The winter weather can be really mean to your vehicle and a dying battery is nothing new when it comes to extremely cold temperatures, but having a portable battery charger could save you some money on a tow truck and from freezing like a popsicle on the side of the road waiting for one. Floor Mats: What’s worse than an ice storm? Oh yeah, the salt all over the road. Not only does is ruin your nice shoes, dirty your vehicle, but it also eats away at your carpeted floor mats...talk about being salty. To avoid ruining your floor mats, buy your vehicle some all weather mats. You can thank me later! Snag Some Deals Here!

Every year we have the responsibility of renewing our vehicle’s registration, and some of us might want to pull our hair out when that happens. But I’m here to help make it a little less tedious and more stress-free! Before your New York State vehicle registration expires, you must renew it with the NY Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Before your registration expires you will receive a renewal notice in the mail telling you when you need to renew by and how to do so. You have several ways to renew your Vehicle’s registration, you can do it by mail, in person, or online, Before you renew your vehicle’s registration you will need to get a safety inspection and emissions test for your vehicle. These inspections are required every 12 months. Don’t wait too long to get your inspection changed because you could face fines, tickets, and more. If you never received a renewal notice or lost your notice, you can have the options to renew online, in person, or by mail. Online: You can’t renew online if you didn’t receive a renewal notice for these reasons You changed your address, but haven't changed it with the New York DMV yet. Your vehicle registration has been suspended or revoked. To renew online, visit the New York DMV website and enter your: Vehicle's NY license plate number and class. Last name. Zip code. E-mail address. Credit/debit card details You can print a 10-day temporary registration certificate to use until you receive your registration sticker in the mail. By mail: To renew your vehicle registration without your renewal notice by mail you'll need: A completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82). A photocopy of your New York driver's license. OR Proof of your identity equaling at least 6 points U.S. passport. U.S. military ID. Payment for your registration renewal and vehicle use tax, if applicable. Send your registration renewal notice and payment to the address specified on the notice. You should receive your new registration documents and license plate sticker in the mail within 10 days. In Person: To renew your NY vehicle registration in person, visit your local New York DMV office with: Your renewal notice or a completed Vehicle Registration/Title Application (Form MV-82). Your New York driver license. Payment Find the perfect vehicle for you here!

Summer is all about having fun in the sun, and what gets you to that fun in the sun? Your Nissan of course! Lots of people make the misconception that because there isn’t snow on the ground you don't have to service/take more care of your car! Well I have to be the bearer of bad news but that isn’t true, actually, you need to take just as much care of your vehicle, sometimes even more! The warmer months present some challenges to personal transportation from overheating to AC issues, and don’t forget about the tires! but don’t stress yet! I have a list that will help us all have a summer we can enjoy. Coolant: keeping your vehicle cool is super important during the summer, not just for us but for your vehicle as well! Making sure the coolant level is correct is super important, this makes sure that your engine doesn’t overheat. Go the extra mile and check the state of the hoses and coolant reservoir, look for leaks or damage. If you find any make sure you get it fixed as soon as possible! Engine Belts: There is usually a serpentine belt that runs between the alternator, the fan, and several other components. It can deteriorate, become loose, start to squeal, and sometimes just break for no apparent reason. It needs to be in good condition and at the right amount of tension. If you see cracks in the belt or small pieces missing, it's time to replace the belt. Wipers: With hot summer days, come those summer storms we love to watch...even if we don’t want to be stuck in the middle of them. Things happen though and when it does you want to make sure your wipers are working properly so you can stay safe through any type of weather. Other Essential Fluids: Check oil, brake, power-steering and windshield-washer fluids regularly. These liquids never stop being used and consumed. Speaking of brake fluid, how do the brakes on your car feel in general? Are they lacking in a bit? Feeling a bit spongy? If so, new pads and a system bleed might be required. Air-Conditioning System: A summer essential is your car’s AC! If the system isn’t working properly, check for leaks. If the AC is leaking when on that is not good, there are plenty of sealing products you can use to fix this issue. IF this doesn’t resolve the issue bring your car to a mechanic to be serviced. Air Filter: The winter's decomposing leaves may be clogging up drainage points, windshield-washer nozzles or your car's air filter. Now might be a good time to buy a new one or take the current one out and give it a cleaning. Tires: Tires really need to be checked all year long. Your tire pressure needs to be correct (check the owner's manual) in order to work properly and not cause damage to your vehicle. And since summer is the time for road trips you want your tire to be in tip-top shape! Dashboard Sunshade: For those times when you're not driving, but the car is still out in the sun, a cover that goes in the windshield will protect the dashboard against ultraviolet rays and help the cabin stay a little cooler. Some even have solar panels to keep the battery charged. Clean the Car: Now that the sun stays out longer you might catch yourself gazing at the orange orb hanging low in a pinky-blue sky, but if your windshield is dirty you could find this to very dangerous! Even from the inside, that haze will diffuse the light and make things hard to see. That grime has a tendency to build up over a long period, so we don't really notice it. Things look much sharper after your car has had a good wash, though Driver and Passengers: Prepare your car for road trips and adventures with passengers. If a scheduled service is coming up, think about getting it done before a long drive. It's also wise to make sure your insurance and driving license are up to date. Have a great summer, enjoy the roads, and take care of yourself and your car. And in the case that you find yourself in an emergency make sure your car has an emergency flashlight and small tool kit! Schedule Your Service With Us!

When we’re at the pump, we probably all share that same bad habit of trying to get the dollar amount to an even number by squeezing the pump a bunch after it stops to get those cents up to a round number. Well, let me tell you something - that’s not only bad for your vehicle but it’s literally just a waste of money. Seriously. Take a look at why! First of all, when you top off the tank, what you’re doing is literally adding more gas than can actually fit in the tank to begin with. That’s why the pump handle releases - because the sensor in the pump can tell when the tank is totally full, and so when you keep squeezing… well. You can figure it out. That excess gas doesn’t magically fit into the tank, though. If the tank is too full then the gas can go into your vehicle’s evaporative emissions system - specifically the carbon filter, which is designed only to hold fuel vapors, not actual fuel. The gas can then spill on the ground or cause issues with engine operation - the result of which is poor fuel economy, poor emissions, and decreased engine performance overall. The next thing is that you’re just wasting money. A lot of pumps can sense when there’s too much gas in the tank already (as I mentioned above) and after that point is reached, it’ll start sending gas back into the station’s tank if you keep trying to add more to your own tank. So the dollars and cents will continue to rise but you’re getting none of the gas that you’re paying for. Waste! Of! Money! Save your hard-earned cash and don’t waste it on topping off or engine repairs due to topping off. Let’s break the top-off habit together and revel in our newfound wealth! It might not be much, but it’s better than having nothing, right? Skip The Pump In A New LEAF

Your nose is useful for a lot of reasons: it can tell you if someone is making bacon or coffee, it lets you know if you need to take a shower, it can tell you if it’s cold out… but it can also tell you if you have car trouble, and even more specifically what that car trouble could be! Don’t believe us? Read this week’s blog, where we will go into detail about what certain smells might emanate from under the hood and what they could mean when translated by your smelling senses! You Smell: Rotten eggs What It Is: Your catalytic converter is having some issues and is putting hydrogen sulfide into your exhaust. It could either be a fuel injection problem, or your cat is failing. This is, unfortunately, a pretty expensive repair. But if you smell the rotten eggs when your car is not running, you should probably check for something inside the car. You Smell: Sulfur What It Is: When you smell sulfur in your car all the time, you can assume that it’s gear lubricant leaking from the manual transmission, transfer case, or differential housing. There are sulfur compounds in the oil that serve as extreme-pressure lubricants for the gears in these parts, and after being in use for a few years this substance can get kind of gross. Look for puddles of oily, viscous stuff under your car. If you see this, you should bring your vehicle into our service department. You Smell: Maple syrup What It Is: Coolant has ethylene glycol in it, which smells sweet but is definitely toxic. If you’re smelling it, that means there’s a leak somewhere in your system. You should take your vehicle in to get looked at, though this is a pretty easy fix. You Smell: A gas station What It Is: Unless you’re at a gas station, you shouldn’t smell this. It’s straight up gasoline, which should be inside your car and not outside of it. If your car is older (i.e. before 1980) then you might smell this when you turn your car off, but if your car is newer than that, the smell of gas means that you’ve got an issue. This could be a leak from a fuel injection line or a fuel tank vent hose in your engine. You Smell: Hot oil What It Is: The easiest to diagnose, this is hot oil. But the oil is getting hot because it’s leaking onto the exhaust manifold, which is hot when your engine is running. It’s not a pleasant smell by any stretch of the imagination, so take a look around your engine and keep an eye out for any smoke. If you can find the leak, try to stem it, then take your car to the shop, and fast. Smell A Need For Service? Get It For Less!