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.
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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
2 Things to Consider When Buying a Used Nissan Leaf
If you’re in the market for an affordable vehicle that has excellent fuel economy, the Nissan Leaf is a great choice. Before making a purchase, consider the two most important factors when buying a used Leaf—battery condition and charging options.
Battery Condition
Just like your smartphone battery, the battery in an electric car degrades over time. A Leaf with 9 or 10 bars of battery life gets only about 70 percent of its full charge. This makes a big difference in how far you can drive before you need to recharge.
Keep in mind, the battery in a Leaf shows full bars until it’s down to 85 percent of its capacity. That means the battery will show a full charge even if it’s only at 86 percent. Be sure to perform a battery-capacity test before buying a used Leaf to make sure there is still plenty of life left in the battery.
Charging Options
If you spend a lot of time on the road, you likely want an electric car that charges quickly. Early Leafs come with a slower onboard charging port than newer models. In addition, not every Leaf comes with a quick-charging port. This is a separate component that allows for an 80-percent recharge in about 30 minutes. To check if a Leaf has a quick-charge port, look to see if there are two different charging connectors behind the charge-port door.
Take some of the stress out your next vehicle purchase by keeping in mind these two important factors. You’ll drive home confident in your purchase and enjoy your used Nissan Leaf.
Image via Flickr by Janitors
3 Great Features of the 2018 Nissan Maxima
With its athletic looks and upscale interior, the Nissan Maxima stands out from other midsize sedans in its class. Touted as a four-door sports car, Nissan’s flagship sedan strikes a perfect balance between luxury and style. Check out these three great features of the 2018 Nissan Maxima.
Power
Under the hood, Maxima’s powerful 3.5-liter, 6-cylinder engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to kick out 300 horsepower and 261 pound-feet of torque. The range-topping Platinum trim reaches 60 miles per hour in a speedy 5.7 seconds. In addition to packing a lot of punch, the Maxima gets excellent fuel economy. The sedan gets an estimated 21 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
Interior
Inside the spacious cabin, the Maxima boasts plenty of soft-touch surfaces and some of the best legroom in its class. Standard features include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40-split rear seats, an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, two USB ports, and an 8-speaker audio system.
Safety
Equipped with a long list of standard and available safety features, the Maxima is a great choice for safety-conscious drivers. All trim levels come standard with forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking. Available features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and more.
If you’re in the market for a sporty sedan that’s loaded with great features, the Nissan Maxima is right for you. Stop by your dealership to check out the 2018 Nissan Maxima.
Image via Flickr by David Locke1
Save More On A New Nissan Now!
Folks, it’s that time of the month again – specials on your favorite new Nissan models are here! We have exclusive offers on new 2017 and 2018 Nissan models. Save today before they’re gone!
First, we have the 2017 Nissan Maxima SR*. 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 Maxima SR. With savings of up to $9,000 off MSRP*, you won’t want to miss out on this snazzy new 2017 Maxima!
Next up is the 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo*, another fantastic sedan that will get you where you’re going in style. Whether you’re cruising through the city, enjoying that fantastic Albany skyline or just stopping at Bella Napoli for lunch, this car will turn heads no matter where you’re going. And it’s easier than ever to be the center of attention – with savings of up to $7,000 off MSRP*! Don’t wait, this 2017 Nissan Sentra won’t last long.
If you’re more of the SUV type, you’ll want to check out the new 2017 Nissan Pathfinder SV 4X4*. This SUV will tackle anything from soccer practice to inclement weather to a spur-of-the-moment weekend adventure. With savings of up to $7,000 off MSRP* you won’t need to compromise. You’ll have space, safety, and technology all in one!
For those looking to lease a new 2018 Nissan, check out the new 2018 Nissan Rogue S*. You can lease the 2018 Rogue S for as low as $199/mo for 36 months with just $999 due at signing. The new 2018 Rogue S offers enough room for your passengers and cargo, leaving no one squished in the back.
If any of these great new vehicles appeal to you, head down to Destination 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.
Are You Wearing Your Seat Belt Properly?
The most important safety feature in every vehicle is the seat belt. Unfortunately, many drivers still do not regularly wear their seat belt, and even when they do, it’s frequently worn incorrectly. Here are a few things to keep in mind for proper seat belt use.
Use Proper Placement
The standard seat belt has two straps, one high and one low. Make sure that the higher strap, called the shoulder strap, sits over and runs across your shoulder. Many drivers find this upper strap annoying, and they move it behind their back or under their arm. This not only negates the proper functioning of a seat belt in the event of an accident, but it also can cause internal harm when it’s in the wrong position.
Don’t forget about the lower strap, called the lap belt. This strap actually keeps you in the seat in the event of a crash. If you slide out of the seat, you could be thrown from the vehicle or into a passenger, causing them harm.
Seat Belt Use for Kids and Expectant Mothers
Be sure to read the instructions for proper installation of car seats with your vehicle’s seat belt or LATCH system. Pregnant women must also use seat belts, even if it is uncomfortable, and make sure the lap belt goes under their belly.
Head in to Destination Nissan to check out our line up of new vehicles, and practice proper seat belt use during a test drive.
Image via Flickr by DrivingtheNortheast
Car Washing Tips From The Pros
When it comes to washing your car, you might THINK that you have the technique down. However, that’s not necessarily true! There are a lot of little-hidden secrets to washing your car the right way that a lot of folks just don’t know. That’s okay – we’re here now, and we’re going to share those secrets and your vehicle will be much better off for it. Trust us, we’re professionals!
For a proper car wash, you’ll need supplies like a proper automotive soap or shampoo, a microfiber cloth (well, a few of these) or microfiber wash mitt, a wheel brush, and a couple of buckets for water, both to soap and rinse. The first thing you should do before you start washing is to make sure your vehicle is in the shade, and then give it a good rinse with the hose before you begin. Get the body of the vehicle AND the undercarriage! There’s a lot of dirt and salt that you might miss by not rinsing properly, so make sure you’re thorough.
Next, the wash! Fill one bucket with soapy water and the other with clean water for rinsing your washing cloths/mitts/what have you. Soap up the car, using long straight strokes and going panel by panel. When you’ve washed the whole thing, let the suds dwell for a few minutes while you tackle the wheels, making sure to get between the spokes.
The final rinse is next, and you should be equally as thorough with this one as you were with the first so you get all the soap off. Now, the trick is to NOT let your car air-dry. Dry the vehicle panel by panel with a dry microfiber cloth. When you let the car air dry, the evaporating water leaves rings and deposits and those are hard to get off.
After this, a nice coat of protectant spray or wax would not go amiss at all. This preserves the hard work you’ve just done and protects your vehicle against any future damage between now and your next wash. And… you’re done! Admire your hard work and check out those muscles in the mirrorlike shine of your paint. You earned it!
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