Fall is coming, friends. Do you know how I know? Two simple things 1: the air’s crispness level is currently at fresh apple. BREATHE IT IN! It’s magnificent. Thing 2: 2018 Nissan LEAF is “falling”, or more accurately, premiering on TODAY!!! I AM SO EXCITED! Fall was already my favorite season, warm sweaters for cool days with a cup of hot tea, but with the arrival of the new LEAF, I am even more excited than before! With the glorious crispness of fall, perhaps you are looking for an excellent fall activity? Taking inspiration from the 2018 Nissan LEAF, and something that can be done while driving the new LEAF is one of my favorite fall pastimes! Leaf peeping! Particularly around New York’s Adirondack and the Catskill Mountains. If you haven’t been, you really should! We do, however, need to have a serious sit-down chat about leaf peeping etiquette.

For those of you who are unsure what leaf peeping is, leaf peeping is the act of going out into nature by way of a car or long walk to experience the glorious change of the leaves at the beginning of the fall season. Often leaf peepers will be seen wandering back roads with cameras to photograph nature’s beauty. Now, my issue is not with leaf peeping. As I said, I myself, enjoy peeping some leaves. My issue is the way in which the other peepers of leaves, peep the leaves. For this reason, I feel that there are some ground rules we need to establish. The changing of the seasons is truly a beautiful thing to behold, but we can enjoy the sites without causing safety hazards and general agitation for other drivers.

Below you will find a list of leaf peeping dos and don’ts. These tips are here to help you enjoy nature’s beauty to the fullest without making your fellow drivers nuts!

Tip 1: DO NOT drive 10 miles an hour in a 30 or 40 mph zone. Honestly. I get it, sometimes you want to slow it down and experience leaves in a leisurely pace. However, by driving that much slower than the speed limit, you are more than likely to create an agitating situation for your fellow drivers. Instead, DO pull off to the side of the road. Often in wooded areas with trails, you will find designated spots to pull off and park so that you can walk around and enjoy the leaves at your own speed.

Tip 2: Time it right. Typically, peak foliage season in Lake George begins during the first week of October. However, prime leaf peeping times change year-to-year, you can expect to see brightly colored leaves through the second week of October or even the third week of October!

Tip 3: DO NOT pull over on main roads, especially where there is little or no shoulder area to park on. This is hazardous for not only you but other cars who may not be able to see your car before it’s too late. Be cautious where you park and try to stay within designated parking areas.

Tip 4: DO NOT park or stop on someone’s lawn or property to look at leaves. I’m a bit surprised that I actually have to say this, but it happens at my house with a surprising frequency. Be respectful.

Tip 5: Have fun! This is a beautiful time of year so enjoy it, particularly while riding around in the new 2018 Nissan LEAF!

If you’re looking to vastly improve your fall experience, try experiencing it through the 2018 Nissan LEAF! Remember it’ll be making its first appearance TODAY! So be sure to check it out! You will definitely FALL in love!

Ok, friends. Girl Scout, coming through. When it comes to being prepared for things, I am usually pretty well equipped to handle anything that might happen. The downside is that I typically carry around a purse that can comfortably fit a small child. BUT, I am prepared. You can imagine how stocked up my Nissan Rogue is. I have that bad boy packed up to the point that I could very likely survive the zombie apocalypse. So, if you’re looking to amp up your emergency kit in your car, here are a few helpful suggestions of things you may want to consider!

Sanitation

• Baby wipes.

• Bar of soap. Store in a zip-top bag or soap box.

• Disinfecting wipes.

• Feminine protection.

• Hand sanitizer. Keep the bottles in a quart-size zip-top bag to avoid leakage.

• Plastic tablecloth.

• Small box of tissues.

• Toilet paper. Keep a 4-pack handy; remove the cardboard tubes and flatten.

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss. Travel sizes make these easier.

• Trash bags.

• Zip-top bags in different sizes.

Sustenance

• Almonds.

• Applesauce/fruit cups.

• Dried fruit.

• Dry cereal.

• Energy bars. Choose high-calorie options; they’re lightweight but provide the calories you’ll need in a small dose.

• Hard candies.

• Jam/jelly cups.

• Jerky.

• Peanut or other nut-butters in foil packets.

• Shelled sunflower seeds.

• Sports drink, premade or a mix.

• Trail mix. Make sure there’s no chocolate (which would melt in high temperatures).

• Tuna packs.

• Whole wheat crackers.
  
  

Survival

• Bandanas.

• Binoculars.

• Bug repellent.

• Collapsible nylon bag or small backpack.

• Duct tape. I’ve never met a problem duct tape couldn’t solve.

• Emergency radio. Solar- and battery-powered is preferable.

• Extra batteries. Make sure you have all the sizes of batteries your emergency supplies need

• Fire-starters, such as waterproof matches, flint or a Blast Match, which shoots sparks with three times the heat of a standard match.

• Fleece blankets. They are toasty warm and super easy to store.

• Floppy cotton hat. For both fashion and warmth!

• Glow Sticks. These are both practical and just a lot of fun to play with, even as an adult!

• Hand/foot warmers.

• Heavy-duty trash bags.

• High-quality first-aid kit.

• LED flashlights and/or headlamps.

• Maps. Your phone battery COULD die at some point and you don’t want to be lost out there!

• Medications. Tylenol, Ibuprofen, Claritin. Anything you may need that can be stored up. Just make sure you keep track of expiration dates.

• Face mask.

• Moleskin.

• Multi-tool/Knife.

• Paracord. 50 yards, or more. Paracord is a lightweight nylon, general purpose utility rope.

• Rain ponchos.

• Reflective emergency blanket/sleeping bag.

• Shoelaces.

• Small pair of scissors.

• Small shovel.

• Sunblock.

• Survival and first aid manuals.

• Tarp.

• Walking shoes for each member of the family. You’re welcome.

• Water filter. The Life-Straw is my personal fav, but you do you.

• Water. A case of water bottles or cleaned 2-liter soda bottles, refilled with tap water, and tightly capped. These bottles can be reused.
  
  

Vehicle Maintenance

• Car Jack

• A variety of wrenches, including a lug wrench

• Spare tire

• Wheel Wedges

• Jumper Cables

Security

• Battery-powered fan.

• Books on CD, paperbacks.

• Cash, coins. Power outages also take out ATM machines. Having cash for gas, a restaurant meal or hotel room might put you ahead of those who only have a debit or credit card.

• Deck of cards.

• Disposable camera. This could be very helpful in documenting a car accident, license plates, injuries or storm damage.

• Emergency phone numbers on a laminated card.

• Foam ear plugs.

• Inspirational or motivational book.

• Lip balm.

• Pepper spray. This is good bear spray if your travels take you through bear country.

• Sanity

• Small journal/pen or pencil.

• Whistle.
  
  

These lists may seem a bit intense, but SO ARE EMERGENCIES. Surprisingly all of these things actually fit in one of those opaque, under-the-bed bins, which fits perfectly in the back of my beautiful Nissan Rogue from Destination Nissan. I try to keep a running list of what’s in there and when it expires so that my supplies are up to date in the event of an emergency. You never know!

Some of my favorite memories with my family were spent on the road for a family adventure. Fortunately for me, those trips happened pretty often. The most memorable trip being with my great-grandmother, grandmother, and great aunt on a drive from Albany, NY to Colorado. It took us 7 days to get there because we only drove 4 hours each day and we needed to stop at every single rest stop on the way! It was QUITE an adventure, but fortunately, we had plenty of car games to play while on the road. Below are a few games that we played!

#1: Buzzword
At the beginning of your trip, hand everyone 10-20 paper clips (or anything else small, cheap and not delicious) and choose a buzzword.  After that point, that word is banned. If anyone in the car says that word, whoever catches them shouts “BUZZ!” and gets to STEAL one of their paper clips or other precious items. Whoever has the most of the selected item wins.

#2: Twenty Questions
This game is a classic! It’s pretty straightforward and is easy enough for children, even the little ones to play. Players take turns choosing a person, place, or thing. Everyone else has twenty “yes” or “no” questions to try and guess the word and whoever gets it right chooses the next word. Try to come up with a word no one can guess. But it has to be a REAL word. Grandma, I’m lookin’ at you.

#3: Would You Rather?
Would you rather eat nothing but broccoli for 1 year or have to walk ONLY backwards for 1 year? Jump into shark infested water or walk through a hallway of spider webs? Take turns making up absurd scenarios and having your fellow passengers answer them. Get weird with it! You will learn a lot about your friends.

#4: Counting Cows
When I was very small I lived in rural Connecticut. I can’t stress enough how very rural this area was so counting cows was a very popular thing to see on our car rides. If, however, you live in a less cow infested area you can pick something you plan to see a lot of during your drive such as cats, mailboxes, gardens or McDonald’s restaurants. Compete to see whether your chosen object appears more on the left or right side of your car.

#5: Expert
This is one of my favorite games. For 10 minutes, each person gets to be the expert on a topic of the other passenger’s choosing. None of the info you say has to be true, but you need to say it with confidence. Get funny. Be silly. That’s the best part!

#6: The License Plate Game
First, coming up with the list of 50 US states is a challenging game in an of itself. Once you get that ready you’re ready to play! Every time you see a car from a new state, cross it off your list. The game might start out easy, but try spotting an Arizona plate in New Hampshire! Hint: trucks often have tags from far-off states.

#7: The Alphabet Game
Here’s your sign. No really. Start by finding a sign containing a word beginning with the letter A. Then comes B, then C, and so on. Who will spot the word Xylophone? Or Quit? Or Zoo? Who’s to say!

This has been a rainy summer. Like, it feels almost unusually rainy. On several occasions I found myself driving down a back road wondering what could have possibly possessed me to think that this was going to be a good life choice. PRAYING that my tires made it out of this game of driving Russian roulette. Inevitably I would JUST BARELY make it out of there, say to myself, “Man, I’m never going to do that again” then immediately forget and 100% do it again a few days later.

Because I clearly like to test fate, I’ve decided that it would be a good idea to learn how to get out of a muddy situation, should my car actually become stuck. As of now, the odds of getting stuck on some back road are looking pretty good. To make things more interesting, my friends and I go camping up at Lake George periodically, and I promise you, this is where I will meet my end. My car has been too lucky in the camping grounds so far, and I can feel my luck running out. It’s time to get a plan together.

As far as I can tell there are a few options to get yourself “unstuck”. Below you will find the basic steps you should take in the event you find that you are stuck in the mud, or in the winter months, snow.

Step 1: Stay calm. I know the sense of panic that can take you over when you feel like your car is stuck. You may be tempted to floor it in an attempt to get out of there. Unfortunately, this only makes matters worse. It’s better to keep your cool and come to a complete stop before making any hasty decision.

Step 3: Politely ask your passengers to get out and ensure they are a safe distance from the vehicle. As it turns out frantically asking passengers to get out of the car really only creates chaos. With the weight of the car now reduced it should reduce the chance of the vehicle sinking further into the mud.

Step 4: Avoid wheel spin. Your car has a better chance of moving if the tires have some room to maneuver so turn the wheel to the left and right to create a little space.

Step 5: Push gently on the accelerator and move as slowly as possible, using the weight of the vehicle to get some traction. I am talking about an actual snail’s pace friends. For automatics, put the car into its lowest gear; for manuals, use the highest possible gear (2nd or possibly 3rd) and gently release the clutch.

If that didn’t get your car out of the mud then it’s time to move on to plan B! Attach a board to your tires. Now, I can imagine the horrified looks on your faces as I tell you this, but really it works! Things to keep in your car so that you can perform this magic trick: 2 pieces of wood, sticks, something that can be attached to the tires that are relatively small, but thick enough to create some traction, and some rope or ties that can be used to attach the board to your tires. Attach the pieces of wood to the tires so that the wood will be across the tire when the wheel rotates. Make sure you attach the piece of wood very well. It will need to be tight for it to work. Once attached you can SLOWLY accelerate and the board should allow you to move forward, albeit slowly, but you’ll be moving.

Finally: Check the car. Once you have escaped by whichever means was necessary, it’s best to check out your car to make sure that it hasn’t sustained any damage. You never know. So if you want your vehicle more thoroughly checked out, stop by Destination Nissan and they will be happy to make sure your car is working in tip top shape! Stay safe out there!

When I was first learning how to drive, cell phones were just starting to be a thing. They were set up like a regular house phone with buttons on it. Real buttons. If you wanted to text, which was another mind blowing concept, there were only 10 buttons. This means that you had to actually click the “1” button 3 times to get the letter c. Texting took a lot of focus, and SO much time. For this reason, texting and driving wasn’t something that was exactly convenient, or safe. That didn’t stop people from doing it, however. It was exciting to be able to be constantly connected with friends, so gradually, the practice did become more popular.

As you can imagine, texting and driving was the cause of a number of accidents. As technology advanced, touch screens became available and texting became easier, and unfortunately so did texting and driving. While it became easier to text and drive, it didn’t get any safer. At no point in time should you be taking your focus off of the road ahead, no matter how cute that cat video is, and I promise you it probably is super cute. We want to be able to say, hey, just wait to read the text till you get home, or wait to answer that phone call when you get home, but the fear of being left out is pretty strong.

Over the last few years, texting and driving has become an all out epidemic. In response, a number of pretty awesome apps have become available to provide a middle ground between our need to stay connected and the laws of the road serving to keep us safe. At Destination Nissan you have the option to get NissanConnect, an “integrated audio, navigation[*], and communication system that connects with your smartphone to enhance your driving experience, and help minimize distractions. Controlled through a dash-mounted, centrally located screen, NissanConnect is available with hands-free calling and texting, streaming audio, navigation, a collection of popular smartphone apps, and lots more.”

If your vehicle isn’t equipped with NissanConnect, you can also check out these apps to keep your driving focused and safe.   

1. DriveSafe.ly: Instead of completely blocking your incoming messages, DriveSafe.ly actually reads your text messages, calls or emails aloud. By reading to you, the app eliminates that urge to grab your phone and take your eyes off the road for a split second. Best of all, it automatically responds to recipients for you (with a pre-set response) or allows you to respond by voice, totally hands-free.

2. DriveScribe: It’s about time we were rewarded for safe driving. DriveScribe’s app measures and evaluates your driving performance by giving you points, based on how well you stay within the speed limit and obey traffic signals. Users can redeem points for gift cards and discounts at certain stores. If you are interested in your driving patterns as well, the app tracks distance driven, average speed, maps of routes driven and descriptions of your violations (if any).

3. Text-STAR: Part auto-text responder, part digital personal assistant, Text-STAR aims to get you where you need to go without any distractions. Able to sense motion, the app disables texting when you drive 10 mph or more. It also allows you to schedule auto reply texts in advance, if you plan to be busy at a later time, whether you are driving or doing something else.

*Driving is serious business. Only use features when safe to do so. App availability is dependent upon vehicle model, trim level, packaging, and/or options. See NissanUSA.com/connect for complete app availability details. Never program while driving. GPS mapping may not be detailed in all areas or reflect current road status. Compatible smartphone required. Cellular network and GPS signals not available in all areas and/or at all times. Technology is evolving, and changes by independent companies are not within Nissan’s control. Nissan is not responsible for associated costs that may be required for continued operation due to cellular network termination (including equipment upgrades, if available, or roaming charges on alternative networks) or other third party changes. Should a third party provider terminate/restrict service, service may be terminated without notice and with no liability to Nissan and its agents or affiliates. Subscription Agreement required and terms and conditions of Subscription Agreement apply. See www.NissanUSA.com/connect for details. Text rates and/or data usage may apply.

Windshield wipers, the unsung heroes of driving safety. These poor little guys don’t get nearly the credit they are due, but let me tell you. After all the rain the Capital District has gotten these past few weeks, I don’t quite know what I would do without my precious little wiper blades. Me wants them. Me NEEEEEDS them. Alas, they aren’t even considered a safety feature, but, my friend, they do play a big part in drivers’ safety.

I wear these big old glasses so vision is questionable for me on a good day, much less a day where the windshield is shrouded in… weather. It’s challenging to drive as safely as you may want to when you can’t even clearly see the road through your windshield. Dirt and grime are really tough on your wipers and can wear them down. In addition, all that buildup can reduce your visibility which can definitely be a hazard. Replace your wipers for a clear view of the road.

Do you know when to replace your windshield wipers? Unfortunately, they can’t tell you that they are a bit beat and need to be replaced, well not in so many words at least. The general guideline is every six months or 6,000 miles. With the way mother nature has been acting lately, it may need to be sooner than that. Those poor wipers are really getting a beating. Either way, it’s time to replace your wiper blades if you notice any of the following:

• Windshield streaking or smearing

• Screeching or squeaking noises

• Rubber blades that are split or worn

• Bent frames

When it comes to picking the right wiper blade for your needs, there are a few factors to consider. If one of your wipers gives you trouble, it’s best to replace both for peak performance. This way ½ of your window isn’t left a debris covered mess while the other looks basically polished. You might be thinking, “Gee I only REALLY need to replace the refill (The little rubber-wiping bit) instead of the entire blade”. But honestly, that’s more hassle than it’s worth. Buying the whole thing is only a little bit more expensive and you will be far less frazzled.

Another thing to consider is that you need to know the size your car needs. No, wiper blades are not one size fits all. I learned that the hard way. So to save yourself the embarrassment of trying to install wiper blades that were the wrong size. To find the size that you need, you can look in your car’s owner’s manual, measure the blades yourself or ask your friends at Destination Nissan to help you out.

Once you know the size, you need to decide on a blade type. Again, I too was shocked that there were options. Here is what you can choose from:

• Traditional: Most cars use this affordable option.

• Beam: These higher-cost blades are known for their performance, durability, and aerodynamic design.

• Winter: These are designed to keep the wiper free of ice and snow.

Replacing windshield wipers is fairly simple, but steps vary depending on your vehicle’s type of wiper. Your owner’s manual should walk you through the process. Once you’ve installed the blades, test them right away to ensure they work properly. If however, you are not confident in your ability to install your own, your friends at Destination Nissan will be more than happy to help you with that too.

Picture it, Albany 2009. Freshly graduated from Albany High and my 18-year-old self felt on top of the world. I had just left home after showering to get ready for dinner with my parents. As was typical for me, I was running late so I was making a strong attempt at putting winged eyeliner on in the car on my way. The music was blaring, It was my new favorite Beyonce anthem “Single Ladies” so naturally, I was scream singing at the top of my lungs. My hands were busy applying a perfect wing so I was driving with my knees (a healthy blend of sorcery and stupidity). When the car in front of me stopped fast for a kid who sprinted across the road to grab a basket ball, everything that followed happened so fast it’s almost a blur. I dropped my eyeliner, grabbed the wheel, slammed on the brakes and swerved the car to the right….right into a shrub.

The front of my car was all dented and a bit crunched, but other than a quick glance I didn’t really look at the car. Fortunately, I didn’t hit the other car, the other car didn’t hit the kid and everyone was totally fine…except that shrub. RIP Shrub. I went up to the door of the person who’s lawn I just accosted to apologize for the shrub and offered to pay for the damage as it was 100% my fault that I hit the darn thing. I then proceeded to drive my car the remaining 40 minutes to the restaurant for dinner with my parents.

After dinner, my parents saw my car and I, unfortunately, had to tell them what happened. My dad went over to the car to actually look at the thing and noted that part of the underside of my car had gotten loose when I hit the shrub and was dragging on the road the 40 minutes to the restaurant. He then tells me that I probably should have called to get my car towed, but because I was young and foolish, I was more concerned about getting to dinner on time. This little accident cost me about 4 grand. It would have only been 2 grand if I didn’t drive the darn thing to the restaurant. 2 grand is still a HUGE chunk of change, but it’s significantly cheaper than the 4 grand I had to come up with. Which, by the way, I just finished paying my parents back for.

Now, already there are several bits that need commenting on. As you can tell, when I was a teen, I was not exactly a cautious or even safe driver. I made SO MANY unsafe choices and very likely should have died at least 10 times. At least. Since then I have learned from my mistakes and I like to think I am a safe driver these days, but it was rough for a bit there.

What have we learned, thing 1: a perfectly crisp winged line can not and should not be accomplished in the car. Leave the makeup for home. Thing 2: driving with your knees is LITERALLY NEVER a good idea. Keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. And lastly, if you get into an accident, it’s better safe than sorry and have your car towed than end up with double the damage and cost you would have had if you just towed your car.

Be safe out there, friends. Think before you drive. If you were in an accident and need a trustworthy place to get your car checked out, stop by Destination Nissan and we will get you back on the road!