Get A Better View Without Blind Spots
When you’re on the road, do you find that you suffer from blind spots in your vehicle? It’s a common problem that a lot of folks have, and funny enough there are some very easy remedies to this problem. Take a look, give them a try, and see more than ever before!
One way to eliminate 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! This tip is not for folks who are leasing their vehicles… so if you are leasing, keep reading!
If you’re hesitant about using an adhesive solution or are in a lease, you can also adjust your mirrors in a way that eliminates blind spots in your vision. Here’s how:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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Meet Up with Friends for Brunch in Albany
Can’t decide if you like breakfast or lunch better? Go for brunch instead! Whether you’re in the mood for a savory sandwich or sweet pancakes, brunch brings together the best of both meals. Next time you meet up with friends for brunch in Albany, New York, check out these great places to eat.
Cafe Madison
Head to the five-points intersection on Madison Avenue in the heart of Albany to try the award-winning brunch at Cafe Madison. Though it’s best known for its signature raspberry oatmeal pancakes, other fan-favorite dishes include the crispy Benedict and the home fries.
Iron Gate Cafe
Located on the edge of historical Center Square in downtown Albany, the Iron Gate Cafe is one of the most popular brunch spots in the city. From eggs Benedict to Denver sandwiches, the Iron Gate serves up a wide variety of brunch classics, including vegan items. Enjoy your meal on the picturesque garden patio or in one of the restaurant’s dining rooms.
French Press Cafe and Creperie
Crepes are delicious any time of day, making them the perfect brunch fare. The menu at French Press Cafe and Creperie near Wallenburg Park features a range of delicious crepes and sandwiches. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love the caramel apple, s’mores, and bananas foster crepes. If savory is more your style, try the Monte Cristo or El Duque.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to meet up with friends for brunch in Albany, you’ll find plenty of great options to please your palate at these three restaurants.
Image via Flickr by erin & camera
3 Impressive Nissan Safety Features
Most drivers put a high priority on safety. Nissan’s advanced safety suite monitors conditions and responds appropriately to help protect everyone inside the vehicle. Check out these three impressive Nissan safety features.
- Automatic Emergency Braking
What if your vehicle could detect hazards and stop on its own if needed? Thanks to the automatic emergency braking (AEB) feature that comes standard on eight 2018 Nissan models, it can. AEB uses radar technology to monitor the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. If the system detects a collision threat, it sends out audio and visual cues for the driver to slow down. If the driver fails to do so, the AEB system will apply the brakes instead.
- Advanced Air Bag System
Every Nissan model comes equipped with an advanced air bag system. Each of the dual-stage front air bagsdeploys at different speeds depending on the crash severity. In addition, each Nissan model features two front-side air bags for side collisions and two curtain air bags that deploy in the case of a vehicle rollover.
- Around View Monitor
How many times have you wished you could see all the way around your vehicle to check for obstacles? Now, select Nissan models come with four cameras that give you a bird’s-eye view of your vehicle. There’s even an available Moving Object Detection system that warns drivers of obstacles in motion.
If safety is your top priority when buying a vehicle, be sure to check out these three impressive Nissan safety features.
Image via Flickr by JeepersMedia
Get Out in Albany This Summer
When the ice melts and winter turns into spring, many people throughout the Albany area enjoy getting outside. Take advantage of the pleasant weather by taking part in these outdoor activities and attractions.
Thacher State Park
Locals have been enjoying the outdoor activities at Thacher State Park for over a century. It’s a top hangout spot, located on Thacher Park Road in Voorheesville, about 20 miles from Albany. Bring your hiking shoes and explore the many trails that span the park. Thacher Park has many amenities, including playgrounds, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash to protect mammals and birds in the woods.
Mountain Ridge Adventure
Mountain Ridge Adventure is the top treetop challenge course and zip line park located in the Capital Region of New York. It’s about 30 miles from Albany, but it’s worth the drive to get out of the hustle and bustle for a few years. It sits on top of a 1,000-foot mountain and features a variety of zip lines, cargo nets, Tarzan swings, and rope bridges to get your adventure on in any way that suits your fancy.
Older kids and teenagers will have fun on the smaller obstacles, while daredevils will love reaching heights of up to 70 feet and soaring through the treetops. The park uses state-of-the-art safety technology. All participants are required to be locked onto a safety cable at all times.
Grab your family, get outdoors, and enjoy the warmer weather in the Albany area this upcoming season and head to these fun locations and attractions.
Image via Flickr by theglobalpanorama
Resist The Urge To Top Off!
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?
Smeller Diagnostics 101
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.
3 Upcoming Events in Albany
New York State’s capital city has plenty of fun in store for the upcoming spring season. There are events planned for all different interests from comic book lovers to backyard botanists. Here are three events you’ll want to check out in Albany, New York, this spring.
Albany St. Patrick’s Parade
Watch as locals get together to put on the biggest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the upstate New York region. The parade will travel along Central Avenue and Washington Avenue from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on March 17. Join everyone after the parade for food and festivities in the school auditorium at Blessed Sacrament School on Central Avenue.
Empire State Comic Con
From April 6 through April 8, the Albany Capital Center will host the Empire State Comic Con. Watch interviews with some of your favorite TV and movie celebrities. Find some amazing collectible items and the perfect gifts for pop culture lovers in your life. You can even get behind the scenes when you sign up as a volunteer at the event.
Tulip Fest
In Albany’s Washington Park, on May 12 and 13, you’ll have the chance to see a beautiful array of springtime blooms at Tulip Fest. This long-running festival celebrates the Dutch heritage of the city. You’ll enjoy live music, tons of arts and crafts vendors, and yummy food. Don’t miss the crowning of the Tulip Queen and the presentation of the award for Mother of the Year.
Welcome springtime in the city of Albany with these and other exciting events.
Image via Flickr by robynejay
Top 3 Gas Apps for a Cheaper Fill-Up
Several companies now offer smartphone apps that help drivers get the best value for their dollar every time they fill their tanks. Check out these top three apps for a cheaper fill up.
GasBuddy
With top ratings on both iTunes and Google Play, GasBuddy is one of the most popular gas apps. Use the app to search for cheap rates, and filter the results by brand, location, and fuel type. The app even shows you which gas stations have restrooms, restaurants, car washes, and more. As an added bonus, Gas Buddy also offers a loyalty program, road trip guides, and gas station reviews.
Gas Guru
Use Gas Guru to search for the lowest rates at gas stations in your area based on current prices from the Oil Price Information Service. Not only does Gas Guru provide directions to the station, it also lets you share your findings on social media and save your favorite stations for easy reference in the future.
MapQuest GPS
Remember when MapQuest was one of the best websites for finding directions? Fast forward to today, and it’s one of the top apps for finding cheap fuel. The app lets you compare prices at nearby gas stations and gives you voice-guided directions to the nearest station. It even factors in real-time traffic conditions to find the fastest route.
If you’re looking to save money the next time you need to put gas in your vehicle, check out these top three gas apps for a cheaper fill up.
Image via Flickr by striatic
How Often Do You Check Your Oil?
How often do you check your oil? Chances are that you don’t do it at all (it’s okay, that was me once upon a time) and believe that this is what the oil change was invented for. Well, that’s not necessarily true! You should probably check your oil at least every time you fill up the tank, and at the bare minimum check on it once a month. Here’s how to do it, for those who don’t know:
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Open the hood. Prop it so it stays open.
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Locate the oil dipstick next to the engine. It should have a yellow handle and/or be labeled.
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Pull out the dipstick and wipe it on a clean cloth or paper towel.
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Dip the stick all the way back in.
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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.
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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.
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Put the dipstick back in.
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Close your hood.
Checking your oil is important because it lets you know if your vehicle is burning oil when it shouldn’t be, and also can alert you to a leak or let you know if your engine is getting a little dirty. Oil’s purposes include lubricating your engine, sure, but it also keeps sediment, particles, and other things from building up in your engine. The downside of this is that those particles and sediments end up in the oil and might necessitate an oil change. If you see particles or other grime in your oil, take your vehicle in for an oil change.
Top 3 Coffee Shops in Albany
There’s nothing like a hot cup of joe to energize the senses. If you’re looking for the best places to satisfy your java craving, check out these top three coffee shops in Albany, New York.
3Fish Coffee
Thanks to its spacious layout and charming atmosphere, 3Fish is the perfect place to relax with a good book or study for an upcoming exam. Located across from Washington Park on Madison Avenue, the coffee shop has both indoor and outdoor seating. The small but tasty selection of foods includes freshly baked scones and cinnamon swirl bread. For a unique treat, try the cardamom rose iced latte or the coconut cayenne latte.
Stacks Espresso Bar
If you’re looking for the perfect place to grab a mug of coffee and chat with friends, head to Stacks Espresso Bar. With two convenient locations, Stacks offers a carefully curated selection of coffees from a variety of national and international roasters. Order the pour over for a uniquely crafted, hand-brewed cup of coffee using your choice of three single-origin coffees.
Wired Coffee and Bagel
If you love the smell of fresh-roasted coffee beans, Wired is the place for you. Located below Pioneer Bank on Albany Shaker Road, the coffeehouse roasts all of its beans on site. You can even grab a bag to brew at home. For a tasty sweet and savory combination, order the Nutella, cream cheese, and bacon bagel.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to grab a hot drink in the morning or hang out with friends on the weekend, check out one of these top three coffee shops in Albany, New York.
Image via Flickr by jng104
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