Getting Your Car Serviced: 101 For Newbies
Has one of those shiny lights popped-up on your dashboard? If so, that means it’s time to service your car! If you have never had to service your car, don’t worry it isn’t as bad as you think but it is important to know what you should expect. Mechanics tend to use jargon that you have no idea what they’re saying which could leave you feeling confused and to think you had no idea what was going on, to begin with! Well, I’ll get you fully prepared to ensure a smooth and easy car servicing!
Get to know your car:
Just because a light hasn’t gone off in your car doesn’t mean your car shouldn’t be serviced. Check the manufacturer’s manual to see what is advised in terms of how often your car should be serviced.
Before heading to the shop you should also know your mileage and the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). You will need to present this when meeting with the service advisor.
Choosing a service Center You Trust:
A good service center won’t overcharge you or try to upsell you on unnecessary services. So do some homework beforehand, get some quotes, and see if they seem trustworthy. Make sure you write down all of the information you are given and ask for names so that you have a name for future reference.
The Waiting Game:
Grab the essentials out of your car and grab a seat, depending on what your car is being serviced for you might be there a while. Remember to pack a book, phone, laptop, etc to keep you entertained and less antsy.
Once you get your keys back don’t just run right out the door, take a minute and ask the technician if there were any extensive wear and tear and if there is anything to help combat the issue your car was experiencing. Once all of your questions have been answered you’re free to go and you will no longer need to be stressed about servicing your car ever again!
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Best Places to Grab a Cup of Coffee in Albany
Whether you prefer it iced, hot, or somewhere in between, there is nothing like a good cup of coffee. In the Albany area, there are many coffee shops that not only offer excellent coffee drinks but also a place to sit and relax with friends or a good book. Here are the best places to grab a cup of coffee in Albany.
Stacks Espresso Bar
Head to Stacks Espresso Bar on Lark Street for an assortment of coffee drinks and baked goods from local bakers. You can order hot or iced lattes, espresso, or just a cup of coffee. This place even serves their coffee on a wooden plank with a side of sparkling water. There is free Wi-Fi and plenty of electrical outlets, so you can plug in your laptop and settle in for a while.
3Fish Coffee
For traditional coffee or one of their more unique drinks — such as the brown sugar latte or the rosemary latte — try 3Fish Coffee. The baristas at 3Fish are very friendly and welcoming, and the coffee shop has a relaxed atmosphere with a bright open space. You can even take your coffee to the seating area on the second level to enjoy some excellent people-watching.
Hudson River Coffee House
Hudson River Coffee House is the place to go for late-night coffee and music. You can also head in early for a delicious breakfast, just pop in for a vanilla latte, or on a hot summer day, you can cool off with one of their yummy iced hazelnut almond lattes.
Try one of these Albany coffee shops for your next caffeine fix.
Image via Flickr by Phil Denton
Are we there yet?
Are we there yet? If you’re traveling with kids this summer you might hear that a lot! Let’s be honest some kids can sit back, enjoy the scenery and music in the background, and then there are most kids. Kids can be antsy, loud, needy, etc but we still love them so that means we’ve got to take them with us on the adventure. So you’re sitting there thinking how am are my kids gonna sit in a car for three hours to grandma’s, right? Well, I’ve got some tips that might help both you and your children get through the drive without wanting to pull your hair out.
- Combat boredom by making your own “travel binder.” Fill it with coloring pages, word searches, bingo games, etc, that way the kids will be entertained with a handful of different activities.
- Another way to fight boredom is technology, whether it be a learning toy, an iPad to watch movies or play games, an iPod to listen to music or even an audible book!
- Bring lots of snacks! Kids get hungry when they get bored which can easily turn into them becoming hangry/cranky. That’s the last thing you want to deal with on a long trip, so pack a good mix of healthy snacks and a couple of their favorite treats for when they get really antsy!
- Another fun activity is having a countdown. Kids love countdowns of any kind, so turn it into a game! Give them a time limit and an activity, remind them of how much time they have left and watch them focus on finishing in time! This is perfect because it keeps them entertained, it lets them know how much longer till we are there, and it keeps your drive easy!
- For when all else fails, prepare a “Are we there yet bag? When you’re coming up on a near breakdown pull out the bag and tell them if they behave they get pick a prize out if it! This will easily buy you another half hour and keep your children excited and entertained with what they might get next
Now that you have a couple tips and tricks on how to keep your children entertained for a long trip, have a fun and safe vacation!
A Sneak Peek of the 2019 Nissan Leaf
If you’re the type of driver who values energy efficiency in your vehicle, then you should be excited about the upcoming Nissan Leaf. Here is a sneak peek into some of the most exciting features of the 2019 Nissan Leaf.
Longer Mile Range
Although there are a variety of reasons to consider driving the new Leaf, the most exciting may be having access to a longer electric driving range. Last year’s version of the Leaf offered a 107-mile range on a full charge. If you invest in the new Leaf, you’ll be able to enjoy an impressive 150-mile range after fully charging your vehicle. Those 43 extra miles mean you can spend much more time on the road enjoying your energy efficient automobile.
Simple, Easy Driving
In addition to providing top-notch efficiency, the 2019 Nissan Leaf will be a fun and safe vehicle to drive. For starters, the Leaf will provide drivers with an e-pedal driving system that allows drivers to accelerate and brake the vehicle using a single pedal. This vehicle also offers a Nissan ProPilot system that includes a lane centering feature and adaptive cruise control.
Like many Nissan models, the Leaf will also offer consumers an array of active safety features. A few of these features include available automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Reverse automatic braking may also be available with this electric vehicle.
If you’re interested in the efficiency of an electric vehicle, then you need to test drive the 2019 Nissan Leaf when it is available later this year.
Image via Flickr by Eduardo Mueses
4th of July Playlist Anyone?
It’s finally summer, and it’s getting hot, hot, hot. That means our nation’s favorite holiday is right around the corner, and that means no work and ALL play! So whether you’re hosting the 4th of July pool party or your next door neighbor who has awful music taste, I’m here to assure you that the playlist will be as hot as the dogs…the hotdogs…get it!
Now I understand that the chances of everyone at the party having the same taste in music is pretty small, that’s why I have found a couple different playlists you can choose from to please your party goers…because apparently not everyone wants to listen to Miley Cyrus’s Party in the USA on repeat, so here you go… haters.
Fourth of July
This playlist is for all the country lovers out there! From Keith Urban to Rascal Flatts, and Thomas Rhett this playlist will have you tapping your cowboy boots and loving America! If this sounds like the playlist for and your friends you can find it on Apple music!
4th of July Party
This playlist is your go-to pop party playlist. This is every cliche pop song that will have all of your guests singing along and having a blast all day long! And if you were wondering, yes, it does have Party in the USA!! Available on Spotify!
4th of July: American Rock Anthems
This playlist is filled with pure American rock classics that will have the whole party jamming out and feeling extremely prideful of America the great! So get your air guitar ready and crank the volume up, because it will be one rockin 4th at this party! Find it on Spotify!
4th of July BBQ
This playlist has a little bit of everything! If you read all the playlists above and said “I want them all!” well this one’s for you! It has a good mashup of country, pop, rock, and more! Courtesy of Spotify!
Regardless of what music you choose to play at your 4th of July BBQ, we hope you have an amazing holiday and spend it with lots of family and friends. Happy birthday, America!
Upcoming Albany Summer Festivals
Summer in Albany is beautiful, and there’s no better way to enjoy the summer weather than to head out to one of the many festivals that take place during the warmer months. Here are our top three favorite Albany summer festivals to help you plan an exciting summer vacation!
PolishFest
A celebration of Polish culture, PolishFest is a great way to learn more about Poland while getting out in the sunshine and mingling with other members of your community! Dig into some delicious Polish food and watch performances of traditional Polish dances. The festival is held at the Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa Church located at 250 Old Maxwell Road. The festival takes place June 1.
Taste of Country Music Festival
Taste of Country Music Festival is a full weekend of the best stars in country music. The festival is held on the gorgeous Hunter Mountain. Enjoy the stunning countryside while taking in the performances of musicians, like Eric Church and Sam Hunt. There are both camping and hotel lodging options available to guests. The festival runs June 8-10.
Mountain Jam
Mountain Jam is also held at Hunter Mountain, which is the premier natural amphitheater in the region. The festival has performances from over 40 bands across three stages. There’s a variety of genres present at the festival, and this year includes Jack Johnson, Alt-J, and The Decemberists. The festival is held June 15-17.
These three festivals are a great way to get outside in the summer weather!
Image via Flickr by Kashmera
Air Vents Stanky? Take Care Of It!
With summer upon us, you’re going to be using that A/C system a lot more than you have been. That means you need to make sure that your air vents are in good shape – meaning that they’re clean and not dusty and that they don’t blow out stinky air. Have you ever been in someone’s car and experienced a stinky air conditioning system? Don’t be that person. Here’s how to make sure that your air system is in great shape and smelling fresh as springtime all year round.
Of course, the first things you’ve got to deal with are the vents themselves. You know, the ones that blow air onto your face and feet that you probably adjust either all the time or never let anyone touch because you’ve got the perfect angle? You’ll need cleaning solution, white vinegar, a vacuum, and some Q-tips. Give your vents a vacuum to get any loose dust out. Then you want to take a Q-tip that’s been dipped in a cleaning solution and really work it into the crevices and hard-to-reach spots. When the Q-tips you’re using come back clean, you know you’ve gotten all the grime. Then, take another Q-tip dipped in white vinegar and go over everything again to get rid of any lingering odors. The vinegar smell doesn’t last long, and when it disappears it takes gross odors with it. Give the vents one last vacuum and you’re done! Make sure you’ve gotten them ALL, including the one that’s right up next to your windshield and the ones at your feet. Don’t forget the back seat!
The next step is to take a look at your cabin air filter. Your owner’s manual should cover how to access it, and if not there’s always YouTube. The cabin air filter is your barrier against everything that’s floating through the air that you drive your car through – pollen, dust, smells, odors – and it’s often a forgotten part of the vehicle. Take a look, and if you think it needs changing then schedule an appointment with us to have our service department take care of it!
Finally, if you still smell something reminiscent of dirty socks in the car when you run the air, you might have mildew in your A/C evaporator. It’s easy to dry that up! Just drive about a mile away from home (that’s enough time to warm up your engine, you see) and then roll down all your windows and turn the air on full blast. Don’t use the A/C! Just regular old air will do. Keep it running for a minute or two, and that should be enough time to circulate air through the evaporator and dry up any residual moisture.
Top 3 Steakhouses in Albany
Steakhouses are a popular choice for a night out. Whether you’re going on a date or looking to bring along the whole family, there are several great steakhouse options in Albany. Here are our top three favorite restaurants, in no particular order, to help you plan your night out!
1. Black & Blue
One of Albany’s chicest restaurants, Black & Blue is housed in a stunning space with modern decor and an emphasis on gracious service. They have an incredible wine list, and servers are happy to help you select the best pairing for your meal. Favorite menu options include the filet mignon and red snapper dishes. The restaurant also offers a raw bar for interested seafood fans, plus some vegetarian options.
2. Angelo’s 677 Prime
A more traditional formal steakhouse, Angelo’s 677 Prime is a popular destination for special occasions. Their menu has plenty of options, with a large range of available steak cuts to please any guest. Sides are family style and generously portioned, and there’s also a comprehensive wine list and full bar available. Reservations are absolutely recommended.
3. Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse
Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse is a modern twist on the traditional Italian-American restaurant, thanks to its innovative chefs who blend traditional offerings with modern sensibilities. Enjoy one of their generously portioned Italian dishes, or dig into one of their mouthwatering steaks, which are available in a variety of cuts and cooked to order.
These three steakhouses are all excellent choices for a night out on the town, with large menus that have offerings for every palette.
Image via Flickr by Au Kirk
The Nissan Rogue vs. the Nissan Rogue Sport
SUVs are often known for their practical build and luxury interiors, but Nissan is stepping up the game with the Nissan Rogue. The Rogue Sport is the sportier version of the Rogue and has gained traction as one of the most popular sporty SUVs on the market. Here’s a little more information to get you up to speed on this exciting vehicle and how it differs from the Rogue.
Versatility
The Rogue Sport has a tighter suspension and a more solid grip on the road than the higher-sitting Rogue counterpart. It’s able to tackle both urban and country road styles, especially when equipped with the all-wheel drive configuration. The Rogue Sport can nimbly handle tight turns and tricky parking situations, making it the perfect city car.
Overall Size
The Rogue Sport is closer to a true crossover than the Rogue and it has a smaller, lower stature with more aggressive styling. Its size also helps it navigate city streets and reduces the chance of rollovers on windy roads. Plus, it’s easy to fit into smaller parking spots, but still has plenty of cargo space and room for passengers.
Cost
Thanks to its smaller size, the Rogue Sport costs less than the Rogue. That doesn’t mean that users are missing out on any of the luxury interior touches or included technology, which makes it extra popular for drivers looking to save money, but not skip the high-end touches. The Nissan Rogue starts at $22,110 MSRP.
The Nissan Rogue is a great choice for small families and commuters looking for a stylish vehicle that suits their budget and lifestyle.
Image via Flickr by THE SMADE JOURNAL
What To Bring On The Road
So, I am planning a road trip with my boyfriend this summer, and I asked my mom what I should bring along in the car. Disclaimer: my mom is SO organized – she has lists of her lists, basically, and she’s always on top of things. It’s kind of scary, honestly. She and I used to drive down South every summer, and so she has tons of experience in the car-packing area. I thought this list was great, and I wanted to share it with everyone!
- Snacks!!!
- Cooler with drinks/food (so much cheaper than gas stations)!!!
- Refillable cup for each passenger
- Bag of change for tolls and tire air machines (not just dollar bills, but some change, too)
- Roll of paper towels
- Box of tissues
- Hand wipes
- Shout wipes
- Car charger for each passenger
- A travel sized or neck pillow is not a bad thing to have along for napping in the passenger seat
- Likewise a light blanket in case of AC temperature wars
- A sweater for icy restaurants
- Mints (or toothbrush and paste: long drives = fuzzy mouth)
- Make sure you have current registration and insurance cards
- Flashlight with new batteries
- towel/blanket for pavement in case you have to change a tire
- Make sure your spare is filled, not flat
- Jumper cables if you have them
- Tire pressure gauge
- AAA card (if you have one)
Remember – apps will always help, especially if you’re interested in stopping at various roadside attractions, or want to wander off the beaten path to explore. Good luck!
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