Happy New Year!

Driver’s New Years Resolutions

Since it’s almost 2013, it’s time to decide what habits you want to make (or break) going into the new year! Make 2013 the year you resolve to stay safe when driving. Try following these 10 New Year’s safety resolutions from Consumer Reports:

1. Always buckle up. Seat belts save over 12,000 lives a year by protecting passengers from hitting hard vehicle surfaces or being ejected from the vehicle in a crash.
2. Not use my cell phone behind the wheel. In 2010, over 3,000 people died in crashes related to using a cell phone or texting while driving. Put the phone down or pull over to use it.
3. Never drink and drive or drive drowsy. Over 10,000 people die in drunk driving car crashes each year. If you plan on drinking, make sure you have a designated driver or hand over your keys.
4. Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists. Pedestrians make up 12 percent of all motor vehicle deaths each year and bicyclists about 2 percent. Drivers need to be especially diligent around crosswalks and remember to look both ways for bikes even on one-way streets.
5. Drive the speed limit. Speeding is a factor in about one-third of all fatal crashes.
6. Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Studies show that the use of motorcycle helmets is 42 percent effective at preventing deaths and 69 percent effective at preventing head injuries.
7. Model good behavior when driving children around. Children learn from their parents. Don’t show them bad habits.
8. Always use a proper car seat. Children under age 8 should be secured in a proper car seat and all children under 12 should be in the back seat.
9. Stop at red lights. Red light running killed 676 people and injured 113,000 in 2009 and most of those killed were occupants in other vehicles. Stop at red lights and slow down on yellow.
10. Maintain your vehicle and tires. Performing regular tire checks and routine maintenance will help to ensure your vehicle will stay in optimal condition.

Read the original article here: http://bit.ly/vnfxkR

Safe Driving Saves Lives: 10 Best Tips for Safe Driving

Since many people will be hitting the roads this weekend, it’s important that you know how to drive safely. Even if you’re not leaving town, keep in mind that people unfamiliar with Johnstown may be hitting local streets. Brushing up on your safe driving techniques is never a bad idea!

Today, we drive safer cars on safer roads; decades of advertisements and public information campaigns have made most of us safer drivers. As a result, the U.S. logged the lowest accident fatality rate ever recorded in 2008 [source:NHTSA]. Despite this progress, unfortunately, the number of auto accidents and fatalities nationwide is still quite staggering: In 2008, there were almost 6 million car accidents in the U.S., leading to more than 37,000 deaths. What's more, automobile accidents are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of three and 34 in this country.
Improvements in technology will continue to help bring those numbers down, but the bottom line remains that most car accidents are the result of human error. The best way to reduce the risk of being involved in an accident is to practice safe driving behaviors. Whether you're just learning to drive or you've been behind the wheel for decades, it's a good idea to review some basic rules for safe driving. Here are 10 driving tips that will help bring you and your passengers home unharmed.
1. Don’t drive drunk.
2. Don’t speed.
3. Avoid distractions.
4. Don’t drive drowsy.
5. Wear your seat belt.
6. Be extra careful in bad weather.
7. Don’t follow too closely.
8. Watch out for the other guy.
9. Practice defensive driving.
10. Keep your vehicle safe.

Read the whole article at How Stuff Works: http://bit.ly/12mHK57

How All-Wheel and 4-Wheel Drive Works

Different cars use different systems that enable drivers to have more control over the vehicle. However, many drivers don’t know the difference between four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. This distinction is critical if you’re trying to figure out how your car works. Here’s more information from How Stuff Works:

There are almost as many different types of four-wheel-drive systems as there are four-wheel-drive vehicles. It seems that every manufacturer has several different schemes for providing power to all of the wheels. The language used by the different carmakers can sometimes be a little confusing, so before we get started explaining how they work, let's clear up some terminology:

• Four-wheel drive - Usually, when carmakers say that a car has four-wheel drive, they are referring to a part-time system. For reasons we'll explore later in this article, these systems are meant only for use in low-traction conditions, such as off-road or on snow or ice.
• All-wheel drive - These systems are sometimes called full-time four-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive systems are designed to function on all types of surfaces, both on- and off-road, and most of them cannot be switched off.

Part-time and full-time four-wheel-drive systems can be evaluated using the same criteria. The best system will send exactly the right amount of torque to each wheel, which is the maximum torque that won't cause that tire to slip.

Learn more and read the entire article over at How Stuff Works here: http://bit.ly/7caG0s

Do you have to change the oil every 3,000 miles?

If you check your car's user manual, you'll probably find you've been changing your oil more often than you need to, at least according to the people who designed your car. Most carmakers abandoned the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) interval long ago, opting instead to advise their customers to go 5,000 or 7,500 miles (8,046 or 12,070 kilometers) between oil changes [source: MEMA]. Some people even go 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) or more without any guilt -- or damage to the engine.

The 3,000-mile guideline dates back to a time when motor oil wasn't quite as advanced as it is now. It used to be that if oil were left in the crankcase too long, it would start to degrade, causing a buildup of sludge [source: Torbjornsen]. But over the years, as tailpipe-emissions regulations have changed, so have engines and the oils that keep them running smoothly. Today's motor oils don't break down as quickly. Under ideal driving conditions, some synthetic oils can go about 25,000 miles (40,233 kilometers) [source: CIWMB].

Of course, driving conditions are seldom ideal. Lots of idling, stop-and-go traffic, extremely hot or cold weather, humidity and towing can all decrease the lifespan of engine oil. Plus, every car is a little different. The interval that is perfectly fine for one car could be way too long for another. So in reality, very few drivers will go 25,000 miles without an oil change, even if they spring for high-grade synthetic oil. And most of them shouldn't, although some can go 10,000 without a problem [source: CIWMB].

And yet most people still aim for 3,000-mile changes, perhaps because they don't know it's excessive, or perhaps because they adhere to an extreme better-safe-than-sorry principle. The result is millions of extra dollars wasted on oil changes and millions of extra gallons of oil potentially polluting the environment.

The best advice, then? Ignore the oil industry and go by your car's user manual, which will probably advise an interval of 5,000 miles or more. You'll save some money -- and possibly keep the world a little greener in the process.

Read more: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/change-oil-3000-miles.htm

Top 5 Signs of Engine Trouble

5. Warning Lights: If your car is working properly, these are what Audra Fordin of "What Women Auto Know" calls "hello, good morning" lights. You fire up theengine and the dashboard lights up like carnival. This is the car's computer checking everything out. One by one, each of the lights turns off and you're ready to drive.

If they don't turn off, though, that's bad. Either very bad or slightly bad, depending on which light remains lit. These lights are connected to sensors that monitor everything your car does. If something seems out of whack, the computer will use these lights to tell you what it is. It can't use its words; it's not KITT, you know.

The lights you'll probably want to pay the most attention to are:

• Check Oil/Oil Level Low
• Oil Pressure Low
• Check Engine

The "Check Engine" lamp is perhaps the most troubling of lights because it could mean so many different things, from "you didn't screw the gas cap on tightly enough" to "look out for pistons flying through the hood and into the stratosphere." The easiest way to find out what this light is telling you is to hook your vehicle up to a scan tool. This diagnostic tool looks a little like an oversized calculator and plugs into a communication port inside the car. After you instruct it to perform the scan, it "speaks" with your car's computers to find out exactly what's prompting the light to turn on.

You can purchase your own tool from an auto parts store for less than $100, but then what? You're probably not going to put on your coveralls and crawl under the hood yourself. Instead, visit a service station, where a technician will use the scan tool to identify the trouble.

4. Doing the Jerk: Driving should be free of jerking, surging, or stalling. It should be smooth and easy, more like ballet than Beyonce. What's cool in the club is not cool in an engine.

But if your car is popping and locking, that's a pretty strong sign of engine trouble. It could be due to fouledspark plugs, clogged fuel lines or fuel filter, the main computer reading the driving situation wrong, or many, many other issues.

The last thing you want is for your vehicle to take its own sweet time accelerating, or to give out entirely, as you're merging onto a busy highway with other vehicles barreling down behind you. Likewise, high revving at idle or acceleration that's out of your control are situations you should have a qualified technician investigate and repair as soon as possible.

Preventive maintenance, including regular oil changes and belt replacements at recommended intervals help to keep you out of the danger zone.

3. Rude noises: A tapping or popping that sounds like Barney doing deep knee bends (which never happens), for instance, could indicate detonation taking place within the engine's cylinders. This happens when gasoline ignites prematurely in the combustion chamber of the cylinders and can potentially result in expensive piston damage.

If you hear a grinding noise when you attempt to start your car, your starter motor might need to be adjusted or replaced. If you hear grinding when shifting between gears, it could be transmission replacement time! It's not as fun as it sounds. And if you're driving a manual transmission, do not listen to Uncle Barney when he says, "Grind it 'til you find it."

In most cases, a little bit of noise from either your car or Uncle Barney -- like a mild ticking or clicking -- might be normal. Cars with roller rockers in their valve trains, for instance, emit some ticking noise; and fuel-injected vehicles also produce slightly audible clicks from the injectors [source: 2CarPros.com].

If in doubt, listen intently, try to track down the general area of the noise as best you can and then attempt to explain it in as much detail as you can to a qualified service professional.

2. Foul Smells: Cars rarely smell delightful. They're burning gasoline or diesel fuel, there's hot metal under the hood, and your brother ate a burrito just before he got in the passenger seat. There's not much you can do about your brother besides open all the windows and monitor his lunch intake, but any other automotive smells that make it into the passenger compartment spell trouble.

The scent may signal oil or coolant leaking from their normally closed-loop systems, or it may indicate dangerous exhaust gases invading your car's interior. Car and truck exhaust contains toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, so if the inside of your car smells as if you were standing behind your car, get out and get it fixed. Fight the urge to take a little nap first. So sleepy. That's the carbon monoxide talking, friends. At least open a window on your way to the shop.

The smell of burning rubber could mean you just did an awesome smoky burnout, or it could be telling you that drive belts or accessory belts beneath the hood are damaged, loose, or worn out. It could also mean that a rubber hose carrying important fluids is touching something that it shouldn't -- something that's too hot and is melting the rubber.

In any case, it's a good idea to act sooner rather than later, as these nasty smells could be linked to a much more crucial and expensive component.

1. Smoke Signals: Smoke can come from the front or back of the car, and it's not good in either case. But the tailpipe will send-up colored smoke in attempt to tell you what the problem is. Here is your secret decoder ring:

Blue smoke: Oil is escaping from its intended passageways within the engineand is being burned along with fuel. Of course, you could always keep adding engine oil to the crankcase to prevent it from being all burned up (and risking serious engine damage), but the smart thing to do would be to take the car in to have any worn or damaged seals repaired [source: Torbjornsen].

White smoke: Water condensation or antifreeze has mixed with the fuel supply. Again, adding coolant or antifreeze to your car's cooling system will keep your car from overheating for as long as you remember to keep feeding the reservoir, but the wise move is to have it checked out as soon as possible.

If the smoke is coming from under your hood, that probably means you ignored white smoke coming out of the tailpipe, and now your engine is overheating. Or maybe you completely forgot to add coolant at all, and the engine overheated.

Article courtesy of: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/diagnosing-car-problems/mechanical/5-signs-engine-trouble.htm#page=5

Safe driving tips for Thanksgiving travel

Planning to hit the road for the Thanksgiving holiday to visit with family and friend? You won’t be alone. The AAA forecasts 42.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, marking a 4-percent increase over last year. Before you embark, consider these tips to help prepare you and your car for whatever challenges might be faced on the road.

1. Fuel up. Don’t head out on a long trip without a full tank of gas. In addition to topping off the tank, also check fluids and tire pressures before you leave.

2. Be prepared. Bring supplies in the event of an accident or medical issue. Stock your car with an emergency kit—especially a flashlight, blanket, first-aid kit, and some basic tools. Also, bring water and extra snacks, just in case.

3. Pack smart. Check your vehicle’s load capacity to make sure you aren’t putting too much weight in the car. On most new cars, the total weight you can carry is printed on a placard (sticker) inside the driver’s door jamb. This load rating includes all the passengers and cargo. Also, make sure your gear is packed properly and will not be a hazard if you stop short.

4. Track it. A portable GPS navigation system will help you get where you’re going, making it easy to find gas stations or restaurants along the way. Traffic-enabled devices can warn of roadway congestion, and all units can assist in finding an alternate route. Also, a navigator can help direct emergency services to your location, should something happen. (See "Video: Don't let a GPS navigator steer you wrong.")

5. Kid prep. If you’re driving with kids, make sure you pack enough snacks, water, games, videos/DVDs, and music to keep them occupied during your journey. (See our "10 tips for a stress-free road trip with kids" for more advice.)

6. Traveling with pets. Be sure to secure your pets, either with harnesses and seat belts or by placing them in a crate. Animals can be a dangerous distraction when driving and physical threat in an accident, should they travel about the cabin or escape onto a busy motorway. Bring water, food, toys, leash, and clean-up supplies—you never know.

7. Be patient. During busy travel times, expect to hit traffic. It may make sense to drive late at night or early in the morning to avoid the rush and ensure you get to your destination on time and with minimal stress. A GPS device with traffic information and an exit guide can help you navigate around congestion and help find desired pit stop locations.

8. Don’t be distracted. Cell phones and driving don’t mix, so if you need to send a message or make a call, hand your phone to a passenger or pull over. It’s not worth risking your life or others on the road.

9. Buckle up. Always use your seat belt, make sure children are properly secured in a car seat and are seated in the rear seats if they are under 13.

10. Watch for weather. If you’re driving in wintry weather, make sure you clear off the snow and ice for better visibility, allow for longer braking distances, and reduce your speed. (Check out our winter driving guide if you are headed to a snowy location.)

11. Keep control. There could be a variety of scenarios on the road, but if you stay calm and be prepared you can get through any challenge. Check out our story “Surviving the worst-case scenarios” for more on driving in fog, snow, or if you car has brake failure, overheats, or your tire blows out.

And finally, be safe and patient. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Article courtesy of: http://news.consumerreports.org/cars/2011/11/safe-driving-tips-for-thanksgiving-2011-travel.html

Review of the 2013 Nissan Sentra

Targeting your sensibility and your sense of style, Nissan has improved the Sentra’s fuel economy considerably while wrapping that high-mpg engine tech in a package with premium design.

Fitted with an all-new 1.8-liter engine and matched with a new and lighter CVT (which weighs 40-lbs less than 1st generation unit), it makes 130 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque. Equipped with an optional CVT transmission the Sentra achieves 30 mpg city and 39 mpg hwy for a best-in-class combined 34 mpg. A fuel economy package will up the highway rating to 40 mpg, while a standard six-speed manual transmission on the base model delivers a less impressive 27 mpg city and 36 mpg hwy for a combined 30 mpg.

THE SENTRA OF ATTENTION

Nissan’s desire to bring something sophisticated-looking to the compact segment has paid off handsomely. From front to back, the new Sentra’s styling has dramatic lines and improved road charisma. Mixing noticeable styling cues from the recently refreshed Leaf, Versa and Altima, Nissan designers and engineers have gone a step further to infuse the design with the best details of higher-range vehicles like Altima and Maxima.

Key elements now setting the Sentra apart from the boxy outgoing model include a lower roof, chrome front grille and door handles, standard LED-accented headlamps and taillights, new alloy wheels and body-color mirrors. Adding to the improved look is its larger size, with more rear seat room and improved trunk space. The new compact is also longer, with improved rear passenger room and a trunk that has gained 2 cu-ft for a total of 15.1.

For those who demand an edgier look the SR model includes sport front and rear fascias, a new front grille, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and a chrome single exhaust tip finisher. It’s safe to say that the SR dressing gives the Sentra a complete flair to an already impressive makeover. Also optional with the SR is a Driver Package, which includes rear disc brakes and auto headlights. Regardless of color, including the standout Metallic Blue on our test car, it’s hard not to appreciate the Sentra’s new look.

Extending the intentions of the outer platform to the inner lining, the Sentra’s new cabin has better standard front bucket seats, a communal dash and roominess exceeding expectations. It’s been newly refined with either cloth or leather trimmings, sliver accents, and even available maple wood. Standard creature comforts include power windows, power door lock and remote keyless entry.

Cloth comes standard across the board with an optional Leather Package of $1,030 solely for the SL model; which is unfortunate as leather would be an attractive combo with the SR’s personality. Heated front seats and dual-zone climate control are also only optioned for the SL model.

Easily seating five passengers, Nissan boasts that the new Sentra has the largest rear seat legroom in its class with an inch more than the top-selling Corolla, with overall cabin volume above the ChevyCruze and Ford Focus.

Furthermore, the Sentra’s cabin ergonomics and onboard technology are aesthetically fashionable yet still basic – as is expected of this class. Depending on taste and needs, adding NissanConnect is a decent option with good navigation and a new Point of Interest feature powered by Google Maps.

As per the audio components, for the first time ever, Nissan is affording the Sentra an optional premium audio system incorporating Bose audio. Other optional audio gadgetry includes Pandora radio and Bluetooth streaming, voice recognition text messaging and response, via steering wheel audio controls and more.

Read more: http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/nissan/2013-nissan-sentra-review-video-2254.html

How to Jump a Car

The first thing you want to remember when jump-starting a car is that a slight possibility of explosion does exist. This is because hydrogen gas--which forms as a battery discharges and loses its fluid--is flammable, and a spark from the battery cables could, theoretically, set it off. We emphasize slight because the gas would have to be fairly dense around the battery for this to happen. This is unlikely unless the battery has been sitting for a long time and little or no air circulation has occurred in the area, but it is possible.

That said, I should add that in the last 15 years I have performed at least 50 "jumps" on various automobiles (you see, I used to own a lot of Chrysler muscle cars) and have never had a problem. One of the keys to avoiding the big bang is to hook up your jumper cables in the proper order. Follow along and we'll show you how.

Step One
Park the booster vehicle close to the one that needs to be jumped, but not so close that the vehicles are touching in any way. You'll want to use a good set of jumper cables with thick wire and clean clamps. As you are hooking up the jumper cables, make sure they don't dangle into either engine compartment where they could get caught on moving parts (belts, fan, etc.). Turn off the ignition of both vehicles, set the parking brakes, and make sure that they are in either "Park" or "Neutral" depending on whether the vehicles have an automatic or manual transmission. Also, turn off all accessories like lights, radio and, if the vehicles are in a safe area, the hazard flashers.

Step Two
Begin the process by clamping one of the positive jumper cable ends (red) to the positive battery terminal (labeled with a "+" on the battery) of the dead vehicle. Be sure the connection is strong with the clamp securely "biting" onto the battery terminal.

Step Three
Connect the other end of the positive cable (red) to the positive battery terminal on the booster vehicle (again, confirm that a "+" is next to the battery terminal). If the terminals are corroded on either vehicle, you may have to scrape them with an abrasive such as steel wool to achieve a solid connection.

Step Four
Connect the negative cable end (black) to the negative battery terminal on the booster car (marked with a "-"). Finally, attach the other end of the negative cable to an unpainted metal surface on the engine of the dead car. Find an unpainted bolt or bracket that is as far from the dead battery as possible. This will provide a solid ground while further reducing the possibility of igniting any hydrogen gas.

Step Five
Make a final check to confirm that the jumper cables are not near any moving engine parts, and start the booster car. Let it idle for several minutes, depending on the state of the dead battery. If the dead battery is new and was drained by the lights being left on an extended period of time, it will probably start immediately. If it is an old battery or it has sat for a long time (more than a month) it will probably take awhile to charge it sufficently.

Step Six
Start the dead vehicle and let the two vehicles idle for a few minutes. If the dead vehicle refuses to start, don't keep trying or you might damage the starter. If there is the possibility of additional problems, like a lack of fuel, don't continue trying to start the dead vehicle until the other problem(s) are solved.

Step Seven
Once the dead vehicle is started and running smoothly, disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were connected. As you disconnect them, be careful not to let the dangling cables fall into the engine compartments or touch each other.

Step Eight
Drive the revived car to somewhere safe and secure before shutting off the engine. Depending on the battery's condition, it might need to be jumped the next time it is started. To properly charge the battery, attach it to a certified battery charger and leave it connected for at least 12 hours. You can also take it to an automotive repair shop for complete charging. Driving the car for an extended period can also charge the battery, but this should be done only if the other two options aren't available. A vehicle's alternator is primarily designed to maintain a battery, not charge it from a complete drain.

Article courtesy of: http://www.edmunds.com/how-to/jump-start.html

The Haunted Acres

The Haunted Acres (located at 207 Mindish Road Sidman, PA  15955) is a 20 minute walk through the chilling woods that will take you through many different themes and Scares.  There will be strobe lights, artificial fog, black lighting, and creatures that will make you jump and scream!  You will not be touched on the trail, and we ask you do not touch the creatures or props.  The trail is not recommended for children under the age of 7 (Except on our Kids Night show event date).

Our "Kids Night" show scheduled for Nov. 3rd from 4pm until 6pm is for those who want a little less fear and a little more fun.  For the adults who want to experience both...come back on the 3rd from 7 to 10:30pm and get in free.

Currently, all events scheduled for this week have been cancelled. Right now, the Kids Night is still on for Saturday. For more information please visit http://www.thehauntedacres.com or call 814.619.8903

Tire Buying Tips

Understand Tire Basics

Simply put, a tire is a flexible container of compressed air. This air container support the vehicle's load; propels a vehicle forward, backward and side-to-side; stops the vehicle; and cushions the load from road imperfections.

Today's tires have between 19 and 25 different components. Tires are built from the inside out rather than the outside in. The heart of every tire is an inner liner. Its job is to give the tire shape and hold in air. Fabric belts are wrapped around the inner liner. The bead is fastened to the bottom of the fabric belts and holds the tire to the wheel.

On top of the fabric belts are steel belts. These belts have two jobs: They give the tire stability and make the tread pattern as flat as possible. (A flatter tread means more contact with the road.) The tire tread is on top of the belts. There are different tread patterns for different types of tires. The sidewall on the side of the tire gives it stiffness and ride characteristics. A taller, softer sidewall will absorb more bumps, while a shorter, stiffer sidewall will provide better cornering ability and sharper steering response.

On the sidewall of every passenger-car and light-truck tire is an alphanumeric code that describes the dimensions of the tire. For most tires, this code will start with a "P." Some may start with an "LT" to signify light truck. Some tires may have a "Max. Load" indication. When selecting new tires, it is important to make sure a tire's load rating is at least a high as the tire you are replacing.

Choose the Right Tire

Perhaps the biggest mistake a consumer can make whenreplacing tires is not using the correct size. On the sidewall of your tire, you'll find a code that tells the tire's size and capabilities. Here's a sample code:

P195/60R16 63H M+S

• P - Type of tire
• 195 - Width of the tire across the tread in millimeters
• 60 - Aspect ratio of the sidewall compared to the width
• R - Radial construction
• 16 - Diameter of the rim in inches
• 63 - Tire's load rating
• H - Tire's speed rating
• M+S - Tire is suitable for all-season driving

If the tire-size code starts with LT instead of P, it means the tire is a light-truck tire. Light-truck tires are designed to have higher-load carrying capacities and are usually found on pickups and SUVs. These vehicles are not required to have LT tires, and in many cases, the original-equipment specification calls for passenger-car tires.

The speed rating translates into the tire's ability to dissipate heat, or prevent heat build-up. Heat is a tire's enemy. The more heat, the faster the tire wears, and the faster a tire might break down. A tire with a higher speed rating can dissipate more heat on long highway trips. If a consumer were to spend little time on the highway, the speed rating might not be an important factor in choosing a replacement tire.

Tires are speed rated from 99 to 186 miles per hour (159.3 to 299.3 kilometers per hour). The most common speed ratings are T (118 miles per hour or 189.9 kilometers per hour) and H (130 miles per hour or 209.2 kilometers per hour). Both of those ratings clearly exceed the nationally posted speed limits and would make excellent long-distance highway tires. If a consumer were to drive only in urban situations at low speeds, a tire with an S (112 miles per hour or 180.2 kilometers per hour) speed rating might be completely acceptable.

Another important factor in choosing a replacement tire is the load rating. The load capacity number on the tire-size code indicates the load-carrying capacity of that single tire. When selecting replacement tires, consumers have to be careful not to select a tire with a lower load-carrying capacity.

Regardless of a tire's speed rating, load-carrying ability, size and construction, traction are the keys to safety. A common mistake is to select a tire without considering its ability to hold the road. Savvy consumers will balance a tire's traction in dry conditions, in wet conditions and in the snow. If you desire a high-performance tire but live in northern climates, consider a "winter" tire for driving in the snowy season. If you live where the weather is warm all year, a touring tire may suit your needs just fine.

Most consumers will make the mistake of waiting until spring to get new tires. As a tire wears out, dry traction generally increases and wet and snow traction decrease. So the best time to buy new tires is not in the spring, but in the fall.

Passenger-car and light-truck tires are very different. Pickup and SUV owners will generally select passenger-car tires because they are less costly and offer a smoother ride. However, if a vehicle will consistently be loaded with cargo or will be asked to pull a heavy trailer, then perhaps the higher load-carrying capacity of a light-truck tire would be the better choice.

 

Consider How You Drive

Regardless of where you get new tires, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• Know the size and type of tire recommended by your owner's manual.
• Determine your needs and priorities. What type of driving you will be doing? Do you prefer a soft ride, a firm ride, or a mix of the two?
• Make sure you purchase a tire that is capable of supporting the load your vehicle might demand. Don't buy a passenger-car tire if you need a light-truck tire.
• Don't buy more tire than you need. Consumers often overestimate their tire needs. In most cases, a quality all-season tire will suffice where a touring tire might be suggested.
• Keep in mind that any tire selection is a balance between ride quality, noise suppression, fuel economy, wear, load capability and cost. It's the job of the tire-store expert and the consumer to select a tire that is the right balance of each.
• An interesting trend in the automotive aftermarket industry is "plus sizing." It involves mounting bigger wheels and tires on a vehicle to enhance the look or improve handling.

Plus sizing usually increases cornering response and traction. Often these gains come at the expense of increased ride harshness. In addition, these larger wheels and tires are often not as durable as OEM wheels and tires.

A few items of note for consumers considering plus sizing:

• Make sure that the tire and wheel are approved for use on your vehicle.
• Make sure that the replacement tire has the same load-carrying capacity.
• The new wheel and tire combination should be within 3 percent +/- the original tire diameter.
• Make sure that a new tire placard is installed to inform future owners of the correct tire pressure.

New vs. Used Tires

You've probably seen used car tire piles along the side of the road at some point. But should you purchase a used tire to save money and will it hold up as long? Most people opt for new tires, but some look to used tires as a way to save money.

Consider the fact that some retailers have deals where you buy three tires and you get the fourth free. You may not necessarily need to replace that fourth tire, but you do because it's free. Used tires that are only slightly worn, like in this situation, may be a good option to save a little money.

The flip side is purchasing an old or worn out tire that isn't safe. Used tires may have defects, punctures or tread-wear you may or may not be able to see. When considering purchasing a used tire you can test the depth of the tread by using a penny. Simply flip the penny upside down and place it inside each of the tire's tread grooves. If the top of Lincoln's head can be seen from any of the grooves then the tread is too low [source: Consumer Reports].

If the tread is still good, you still need to inspect the tire for any defects. This may be difficult and some problems may not be noticeable until the tire is on the vehicle. Purchasing a used tire that has already been plugged or patched may save money, but is not a good idea. Worn tires will not stop as fast and will be more likely to skid on wet surfaces [source: Consumer Reports].

New tires will come with some type of guarantee or warranty that a used tire will not have. If you want a little piece of mind that your tires are in the best condition possible, buy new ones.

Read more tire buying tips: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/buying-selling/cg-tire-buying-tips.htm

How to Share the Road with Truckers

Everybody has a horror story to tell about an encounter they've had with an 18-wheeler on the Interstate, and how they were nearly killed by the inattentiveness of the truck driver. News programs like Dateline NBC and 60 Minutes feed this fear with selectively edited stories regarding truck safety. But what nobody seems to consider is that they themselves may have caused the problem because of ignorance about what is involved in driving a truck, or by engaging in righteous driving behavior that did nothing but endanger their own lives and those of the people they care most about.

Personally, we've seen rude truckers hog the road, and we've seen dimwitted drivers set themselves up for what could be a very painful, if not deadly, lesson. Furthermore, not all trucks traveling the nation's highways are properly maintained, due to a lack of finances or pure laziness. But for most truck drivers, who are paid by the mile and are held responsible for damaged goods, their lives and livelihoods depend on driving a well-maintained truck carefully, and getting freight to its destination on time.

Tractor trailer trucks are responsible for carrying nearly 30 percent of all the cargo shipped in the United States. Technology and improved roadways have allowed the use of trucks for shipping to increase steadily since the 1920s, resulting in larger vehicles and heavier loads. Yet, traffic fatalities involving trucks have steadily declined during the past 50 years, except for a small spike upward in the early 1980s right after the trucking industry was deregulated. Fatalities due to accidents involving semi trucks total 5,000 annually on average, with the vast majority of those fatalities suffered by occupants of passenger vehicles that collided with a truck. As motorists who must share the road with semi trucks, we can do our part to help reduce this number even further if we simply take the time to follow a few simple driving rules and try to understand how difficult it is to maneuver a tractor-trailer in traffic.

We asked Michael Taylor, transportation special programs developer for the Tractor Trailer Training Program at Triton College in River Grove, Ill., what the top five pet peeves truckers had with fellow motorists were. Here is his list:

1) Riding in a trucker's blind spots. Trucks have large blind spots to the right and rear of the vehicle. Smaller blind spots exist on the right front corner and mid-left side of the truck. The worst thing a driver can do is chug along in the trucker's blind spot, where he cannot be seen. If you're going to pass a truck, do it and get it over with. Don't sit alongside with the cruise control set 1 mph faster than the truck is traveling.

2) Cut-offs. Don't try to sneak into a small gap in traffic ahead of a truck. Don't get in front of a truck and then brake to make a turn. Trucks take as much as three times the distance to stop as the average passenger car, and you're only risking your own life by cutting a truck off and then slowing down in front of it.

3) Impatience while reversing. Motorists need to understand that it takes time and concentration to back a 48-foot trailer up without hitting anything. Sometimes a truck driver needs to make several attempts to reverse into tight quarters. Keep your cool and let the trucker do her job.

4) Don't play policeman. Don't try to make a truck driver conform to a bureaucrat's idea of what is right and wrong on the highway. As an example, Taylor cited the way truck drivers handle hilly terrain on the highway. A fully loaded truck slows way down going up a hill. On the way down the other side of the hill, a fully loaded truck gathers speed quickly. Truckers like to use that speed to help the truck up the next hill. Do not sit in the passing lane going the speed limit. Let the truck driver pass, and let the Highway Patrol worry about citing the trucker for breaking the law.

5) No assistance in lane changes or merges. It's not easy to get a 22-foot tractor and 48-foot trailer into traffic easily. If a trucker has his turn signal blinking, leave room for the truck to merge or change lanes. Indicate your willingness to allow the truck in by flashing your lights.

According to "Sharing the Road," a booklet distributed by John Deere Transportation Insurance, the three most common types of accidents involving heavy trucks involve the following:

1) Crashes caused by the truck's inability to stop in time.2) Crashes caused by a motorist trying to pass a truck on the right while the truck is making a right-hand turn. Also known as the right turn squeeze.3) Crashes caused by a motorist riding in the trucker's blind spots. Use the following rule of thumb: If you cannot see the truck driver in his mirrors, he probably cannot see you.

By taking simple common-sense steps to protect yourself and your family when driving near large trucks, traffic fatalities will continue to drop. Over the years, the trucking industry has improved the quality of truck drivers by making it more difficult to qualify for and keep a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Mandatory drug testing has also been instituted. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) published the following data in 2008. The intoxication rate for drivers involved in fatal accidents was:

27% for motorcycle riders 23% for light truck drivers (pickups and SUVs, that is) 23% for passenger car drivers 1% for truck drivers

Still, more work must be done to combat tightly scheduled deliveries, overbearing stacks of paperwork and driver fatigue caused by federal regulations that work against the human body's natural circadian rhythm.

After meeting with truck driving instructors at Triton College, with representatives from the Illinois Transportation Association and learning what it takes to pilot a tractor-trailer by taking the wheel myself, we joined Taylor for a ride in a brand-new empty tanker truck.

We covered suburban roads during a half-hour loop just to the southeastern side of O'Hare airport. During our 30-minute ride, two motorists turned left across traffic directly in front of the truck. One young woman in a Toyota Celica crossed no more than 50 feet in front of us as she zoomed onto a side street. An older couple in a Dodge Grand Caravan turned in front of our International tractor, and incredibly, slowed so they wouldn't scrape the van on a steep driveway apron to a convenience store. A dude in a Camaro RS blasted by on the left, cut in front of the truck and stopped at a red light we were approaching. When the light turned green, he turned right.

These are the kinds of driving habits that we must break for truck-related accident rates to drop even lower. After a day at truck driving school, we left Chicago for Denver in a Subaru Outback. During that evening and the next day traveling I-80 and I-76, we were keenly aware of the needs of the truckers with whom we shared the road. We behaved more courteously toward truck drivers and fellow motorists than usual, and exercised more patience. We doubt very much that by driving more defensively and less aggressively we arrived in Denver any sooner than we would have had we not let that Kenworth into our lane back in Iowa or had we tried to beat that Freightliner to the construction zone near Lincoln, Neb. We do feel, however, that our trip was a safer one, that we had done our part to make highway travel better. Now it's time to do yours.

Source: Edmunds.com

Sandyvale Pumpkin Sale This Weekend!

Don’t miss the Sandyvale Pumpkin Sale at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens Trail and Dog Park on Saturday, October 13th. There will be pumpkins and corn stalks for sale at competitive prices.  Be sure to sign up for FREE giveaways!  Bring your dogs to enjoy the dog park, walk the Sandyvale Trail 1 mile loop - enjoy a beautiful Fall day with your family and friends!

For more information call 814-539-8995

Is Your Car Seat Installed Properly?

Nissan takes family safety very seriously making it a top priority. To show how serious Nissan is about safety check out the PDF guide online that suits your specific vehicle for "Snug Kids".


Snug Kids®, an industry-first program geared specifically toward safety for children in child restraint systems (CRS), commonly referred to as "child safety seats". Not all CRS fit in all vehicles. Nissan safety engineers have spent thousands of hours evaluating hundreds of CRS by installing them in all the rear seats of our current Nissan vehicles. The result is the Snug Kids® Child Safety Seat Fit Guide which helps parents confidently select a CRS that fits their vehicle while also providing valuable tips on the proper fit of a CRS.

The Snug Kids® Child Safety Seat Fit Guides for Nissan vehicles are available for download here.

Too Much Of A Good Thing?

What do you do when you have too much of a good thing? Well, with the Leaf Nissan is making it more affordable to consumers with huge discount savings!

Article from CBS News:


Nissan is offering cheap leases and big discounts on the Leaf because of slow sales of the all-electric car...

In September, Nissan started offering Leafs for $219 per month with $2,999 down for 32 months. They were going for $249 a month earlier in the year. Also, the TrueCar.com auto pricing site says Nissan raised discounts to $3,250 per Leaf in August from $850 in January.

The Leaf starts at $36,050 including shipping. It can go up to 100 miles on a single charge.







Original story: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505144_162-57522595/nissan-offers-big-discounts-on-leaf-to-spur-sales/

Nissan Leaf #1 Commuter

TotalScore.com has ranked the Nissan Leaf as the #1 car for commuting based on energy efficiency, technology, and overall quality.

Sacbee writes:


 Need to get from point A to point B in the most fuel-efficient and convenient way possible? TotalCarScore.com suggests hopping in a 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF, which it recently named the No. 1 car for commuting.

TotalCarScore.com is a website that scores vehicles based on evaluations from authoritative sources such as Consumer Guide, Edmunds.com, MSN Autos, US News/World Report, The Car Connection, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. To determine the "10 Best Cars for Commuting," a vehicle's Total Car Score is combined with its fuel-efficiency rating in city-driving conditions.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/18/4832160/totalcarscorecom-names-nissan.html#storylink=cpy

The Nissan FCEV

The Nissan FCEV is a crossover SUV similar to the Juke on the outside with the exception being that it's slightly larger. It's also powered by a 0-emissions hydrogen fuel system that is highly efficient and operates 4 electrically driven wheels giving the FCEV all wheel drive control.

Sound pretty fancy? It is! But, the catch... it's not out yet, it's in the conceptual stages.

Motortrend writes:


Nissan has revealed details about a Paris Motor Show concept that combines the style of a Juke, the running gear from the Leaf and Pivo, and seats at least partially inspired by the McLaren F1. It's called the Terra, a fuel-cell-powered crossover.

Nissan is previewing the Terra before its Paris Motor Show reveal later this month, suggesting that it represents the next generation of Nissan fuel cell vehicles. The car, which is about 1-2 inches larger than the current Nissan Juke in every exterior dimension, is powered by a hydrogen fuel cell stack, which generates electricity for a driveline essentially ripped straight from the battery-electric Nissan Leaf. But to give the Terra off-road (or all-weather) chops, Nissan installed an in-wheel motor in each of the rear wheels, making the Terra an all-wheel-drive vehicle. As with all in-wheel motor setups, giving the Terra torque vectoring - like what's offered in the all-wheel drive Juke -- is as simple as sending a little more electricityto an outside wheel motor in a corner.


Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/paris/2012/1209_2012_paris_nissan_terra_fcev_crossover/#ixzz26NRnuoSA

Autoblog: 2013 Juke

The 2013 Juke has the features and design to impress, and although it took a few days to grow on him, this reviewer fell in love!

The Nissan Juke has been a polarizing vehicle ever since it launched, and unless Nissan changes things up, it will remain that way. For most of its history in the United States, the small car segment was pretty much devoid of style. 

Expressions of design and standout features were left for more expensive (usually luxury) segments further above. With a new generation of buyers coming up that doesn’t regard being small as inferior, manufacturers are looking to reach these demographics with more stylish options.

Read more: http://www.automoblog.net/2012/09/06/2012-nissan-juke-review/

Slimming Down

It's official, Nissan is slimming down... in a good way. Talk of the town was that Nissan decided to start cutting weight off of its cars by 15% and that plan has started with the Sentra.

Making it longer, narrower and slimmer (not to mention it's very easy on the eyes) Nissan was able to cut the weight of the Sentra, and by proxy cut the engine size a small amount in order to increase fuel economy for consumers.

USA today writes:


The aging Sentra's replacement gets its public début tonight at a college football game in Dallas. The car goes on sale in the fall. Price isn't set yet. The current model starts at about $17,000.

Nissan made the car 2.3 inches longer and 1.2 in. narrower, to streamline the shape and improve highway mileage. Nissan stretched the wheelbase 0.6 in. to get generous rear leg room. Weight was cut 150 lbs.

You'll see a lot of that streamlining and lightening as automakers wick up efforts to improve fuel economy now that the feds have finalized a requirement for 54.5 mpg in 2025, up from 29.7 now and 35.5 mpg that previously was set for 2016.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/driveon/post/2012/08/nissan-finally-updates-sentra----bigger-lighter-better-mpg/1#.UEDto9ZlRmM

Get Active With The Soccer Skills Challenge!

Announcing the 2013 Ford Escape Soccer Skills Challenge! Get Your Soccer Cleats On!

In anticipation of the rollout of the All-New 2013 Ford Escape, AND are excited to bring you the Ford Escape Soccer Skills Challenge!

We’ve teamed up with iSoccer, the Nation’s premier online skills assessment tool, to develop these fun and exciting challenges to allow youth ages 8-13 to show off, compete and improve their skills and get them on track to becoming a better soccer athlete!

Registered participants will receive a complimentary two-month premium plus membership to iSoccer and the first 50 participants on-site will receive a Ford Escape Soccer Skills Challenge T-Shirt. Six winners, one from each gender/age group division will be invited to attend the Regional Finals in Fall 2012.

Participation in the Ford Escape Soccer Skills Challenge is FREE and it just takes a few minutes to sign up. You will also be automatically entered for a chance to win a two-year lease of a 2013 Ford Escape!

There is no better time to get involved. The details of the event we are hosting are below:

Sat. Sept. 29th 12pm-3pm - Met Life Soccer Fields - 504 Schoolhouse Rd. Johnstown PA 15904

To sign up now, head to: FordEscapeSoccerSkillsChallenge.com/register

Event Code: EJ7UOSIJ

Want to start practicing? Head to isoccer.org/fessc to watch videos of the skills you’ll be tested on.

Mini Vans Making A Comeback

Minivans were once a strong competitor with every car maker, and though they've seemed to have fallen off the planet for awhile, a new report shows their popularity is growing again at almost a 24% gain overall!

NBC News writes:

If, by chance, you do a little car shopping this weekend, don't be surprised if the salesman steers you toward a particular type vehicle.

It’s a vehicle that's making a comeback.

A few decades ago, they were known jokingly as the "mom mobile," then they lost a popularity contest with SUV's.

But, now, the minivan's making a comeback. 

"Correct ! And the most popular minivan models are growing about 24-percent overall," said Paul Taylor, economist, National Auto Dealers Association.

To watch a video about the minivan comeback, click here!

Prevent Automotive Rust

Rust... in a car it's the root of all evil! It's not just something that affects the metal on the outside of your car keeping it pretty and preventing it from being an eye-sore, but it can affect the workings of your car...

For cars, rust is a disease, and it can spread like one too... once oxidation happens and a small hole opens it can spread like wildfire.

Howstuffworks has a fancy guide to preventing rust to keep your car in top shape:

Keeping your car in good working order requires regular maintenance and careful observation. One problem any motorist wants to avoid is rust. Rust not only makes your car less attractive, it can cause serious damage if left unchecked.

Rust is iron oxide, a molecule consisting of two iron atoms and three oxygen atoms. It's the product of an electrochemical process called corrosion. To create rust, three factors must be present: an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. An anode is a piece of metal that will readily release electrons under the right circumstances. Cathodes are metals that will accept electrons. Electrolytes are liquids that facilitate the movement of electrons.

Keep reading to learn how to prevent rust: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/prevent-automotive-rust.htm .

Computer Viruses... Now Affecting Cars

I bet when all of our grandparents were sitting around and thinking of wild things that would happen in the future there was one thing that wasn't on the list... Computers in your car. The only thing that seems more far fetched than the idea of a computer in a car is that computer getting infected with a virus... But it's happened.

Cars are almost more computer than machine these days, so it's not a leap to think that all those nasty viruses you get on your laptop, phone, or tablet can be translated to infect a car, and one angry mechanic did just that.

This guy did everything from making your car alarm go off without stopping to preventing it from starting at all. HowStuffWorks (the award-winning source of credible, unbiased, and easy-to-understand explanations of how the world actually works) wrote the following:

More than 100 Texas drivers could have been excused for thinking that they had really horrendous luck or -- at least for the more superstitious among them -- that their vehicles were possessed by an evil spirit. That's because in 2010, more than 100 customers of a dealership called Texas Auto Center found their efforts to start their cars fruitless, and even worse, their car alarms blared ceaselessly, stopped only when the batteries were removed from the vehicles [source: Shaer].

What seemed to some to be a rash of coincidence and mechanical failure turned out to be the work of a disgruntled employee-turned-hacker. Omar Ramos-Lopez, who had been laid off by the Texas Auto Center, decided to exact some revenge on his former Austin, Texas employer by hacking into the company's Web-based vehicle immobilization system, typically used to disable the cars of folks who had stopped making mandatory payments [source: Shaer]. Besides creating plenty of mayhem and generating a flood of angry customer complaints, Ramos-Lopez, who was eventually arrested, highlighted some of the vulnerabilities of our increasingly computer-dependent vehicles from a skilled and motivated hacker.

Read More: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-computer-virus.htm

Win A FREE Nissan!

How would you like to own your very own Nissan Sentra? Better yet, how would you like to get it FREE? Well, now's your chance!


Eligibility: Win This Car Event from The Tribune-Democrat and the Laurel Auto Group Sweepstake is open only to legal residents living within the home delivery boundaries of The Tribune-Democrat who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry. Employees of The Tribune-Democrat and their parent company of CNHI and Laurel Auto Group as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members, contracters of the Tribune-Democrat are not eligible. The Sweepstake is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations and is void where prohibited.

Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and Administrator’s decisions, which are final and binding in all matters related to the Sweepstake. Winning the prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

A limit of one entry per non-subscriber household is allowed during the duration of the Sweepstake.

Read more official rules: http://tribune-democrat.com/winanewcar/x546485308/Rules-for-win-a-new-car-contest

The Pittsburgh Regatta

Heading to the Pittsburgh area for the 4th of July? Next week is the Pittsburgh Regatta heading into its 35th year! The Regatta is FREE to the public and features a powerboat race, sand sculpting, fireworks, live performances and more!


This highly anticipated event is appreciated by over 500,000 people annually... and great things are in store!

Expect some new twists to go along with all the favorites that have made Regatta one of the most famous festivals in the United States.

For more info visit: http://www.threeriversregatta.net/

Nissan Juke

Looking for a fresh looking car that's a ton of fun to drive? Check out the new Juke from Nissan!

This unique car is not only easy on the wallet when you purchase (Priced at $24,835 or lower), but is easy to fill at the pump with 30+mpg!

The Juke also features All-Wheel-Drive, and a 188hp turbocharged engine, so you get the speed you need!

Since the Juke is a Wagon / SUV sports crossover there's plenty of storage space to fit your lifestyle with up to 35.9 cu.ft. of storage space! Technology also doesn't take a back-seat, the Juke features bluetooth stereo connectivity, a rear facing cam, and Nissan Intelligent-Key (a proximity push-to-start feature).

Interested in looking at a Juke? We've got them in stock! Visit us today at: http://www.laurelnissan.com/profile.asp?vin=JN8AF5MV8CT120979&xMake=&FilterMake=0&zip=&distance=

Or call (814) 266-2886!

Driven: 2013 Nissan Altima

Of the 5 new models set to roll out for Nissan over the course of the next 15 or so months the Altima is set to see some changes. Most notably are the overall looks, as well as the drivetrain.

WindingRoad writes:


Of course, the first thing one will notice is the Altima’s new look. It’s about an inch wider and an inch longer, with a lower roofline than before, giving it a more planted stance. The sheetmetal is much more evocative, with strong lines and creases. To us, it looks as though it has taken some cues from big brother Maxima, and it feels like the Altima has grown up a bit. We have some reservations about the use of chrome on the exterior, particularly the one line across the rear of the car, but it doesn’t project the level of gaudiness sometimes seen on its American counterparts. We’ll let prospective customers make judgments about the car’s appearance, but we think most will find this to be a nice step forward for the Altima, with a useful infusion of some personality.

The fundamentals of the car have been updated as well, particularly in the powertrain. The Altima’s 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine has been redesigned, and is lighter and more efficient than that of the outgoing vehicle. In driving, we were pleasantly surprised by the ample and smooth accelerative feel of the motor’s 182 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque (up from 175/180). Especially considering the mileage this engine metes out (27/38 miles per gallon, estimated), it seems a quite capable and good fit for the new car.


Read More: http://www.windingroad.com/articles/reviews/driven-2013-nissan-altima/

Memorial Day Safe Driving Tips

Want to keep your car out of the shop this Memorial Day weekend? PRWeb has some great tips for avoiding accidents and keeping your family safe so you and your family can experience the most fun possible while traveling this year!

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, which means many people will be traveling for cookouts, pool parties and vacations. With so many people on the roads this weekend, Amica Insurance reminds everyone to use extra care while on the road. 
Here are a few reminders: 


 Don’t drink and drive. Make sure you have a designated driver.


Wear your seatbelt at all times. Police in many states are cracking down on seatbelt violations.


Avoid distracted driving. Many states now ban the use of hand-held cell phones and/or texting while driving.


Don’t speed or drive carelessly.


Get plenty of rest before a long trip and stop for frequent breaks. Don’t drive when you’re tired.


Slow down for road construction and beware of detours.


Read More: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2012/5/prweb9542982.htm

EV's Growing Momentum

You can't go anywhere these days without seeing an EV (Electric Vehicle) on the road, so Nissan is joining the revolution.

Nissan News writes:


 Electric vehicles are expanding in scope, size, and shape.  It’s a transformation that started nearly a decade ago and is just now solidifying.  Established car makers like Nissan have invested big because they are confident in an electric revolution.


“Let’s jump the end game.  The end game is a full-electric car,” said Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer.


Electric Vehicle Advocate Chelsea Sexton agrees that electric cars are no longer an idea of the future. 


She said they’re the cars with the most class and “cool.”


“They’re cool and they’re fast and they’re fun and the new thing to have,” said Sexton.


Electric cars started slow.  The first models were less advanced, but the latest Nissan LEAF and even newer Infiniti LE take going electric to a higher tier.


Click Here to read more and view a video.

Nissan DeltaWing

Nissan's innovative DeltaWing project is set to put rubber to road for the 24-hr Le Mans race in June. While they aren't racing and are participating as a demonstration, it's still set to be an interesting event. SlashGear has the long and short of it: [http://www.slashgear.com/nissan-deltawing-gets-wet-and-wild-2-20223897/]

Nissan’s DeltaWing project is on track to take on the famous 24-hour Le Mans race in June. It recently had its first serious run on the wet tracks of UK’s Snetterton circuit, proving that it can handle the slippery conditions that are common to the rainy competition. Unlike all the other fuel guzzling super vehicles gearing up for the demanding race, the Nissan DeltaWing uses half the gas thanks to its smaller engine, lighter weight, and more aerodynamic design.

The Nissan DeltaWing runs on a small 1.6-liter Nissan DIG-T turbo engine with about half the power of conventional prototypes. However, it’s also half the weight and produces half the aerodynamic drag of a traditional Le Mans racecar. As for its aerodynamic design, the DeltaWing is often compared to a modern day Batmobile. It also sports unusually narrow 4-inch wide front tires.

The vehicle had previously been tested on the Sebring circuit in the US where a water truck dampened the racetrack to produce conditions more similar to the Le Mans race. But that wasn’t nearly wet enough as real rainy conditions, which the Nissan DeltaWing team were lucky to get during their recent test run on the Snetterton track. The team is still tweaking the DeltaWing based on results from the run and is working with Michelin on the tires with only two months left before the Le Mans debut.

The aim for the DeltaWing Project, though, isn’t to win the Le Mans, but to make it to the finish line. The DeltaWing is considered a non-competitive entry or an exhibition racer that’s meant to be a proof of concept.

Juke-R

Take a look at the Juke-R Supercar, to be put into production by Nissan for a limited time:

C-Net has the full scoop here.

Last year a Nissan department based in Europe came up with the strange idea of putting the GT-R's engine in the new Juke small SUV. The car was introduced as a concept, and Nissan probably thought that was the end of the matter. Like most concept cars, the Juke-R would be consigned to a lonely corner of a garage, and eventually disassembled.

A strong positive reaction from the car-loving public, which must have taken Nissan by surprise, dictated a different fate for the car. After the Juke-R's first public appearance, in Dubai of all places, Nissan capitalized on its popularity by releasing videos of it racing a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, and a GT-R.

All along, Nissan insisted the oddball Juke-R was nothing more than a concept.

 But sometimes an idea is all that's needed to spark something new:

That is, until one of Dubai's wealthy elite made a firm commitment to buy two Juke-Rs, if Nissan would make them. Another undisclosed individual also joined in, running Nissan's Juke-R up to three.

And with that, the company says it will build more of the cars, as long as more people come forward. The company even offered up an e-mail address, Juke-R@Nissan.co.uk, where parties can express interest.

Nissan does not say how much one of the mighty Juke-Rs would cost, however. Given the source of one of the initial offers, we can assume a lot. Probably a lot more than a GT-R.

To juice up the offer, Nissan says its production Juke-Rs will use the running gear of the 2012 GT-R, meaning 545 horsepower from its twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-6. The concept Juke-R, based on the 2010 GT-R, only had 480 hp.

Nissan also released a new movie of the Juke-R on its Facebook page. Click here to watch.

If this idea really takes off, Nissan can start a whole new R division, producing the Altima-R, Versa-R, and Pathfinder-R.

2013 Sentra Teased in Beijing

More highlights from the Beijing Auto Show via The New York Times:

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/25/wheelies-the-underdog-edition/

The new Altima’s seats: inspired by NASA research: think they’ll take off? http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/10-biggest-tech-nyias/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&pid=1870

Nissan and Habitat for Humanity to team up

Nissan and Habitat for Humanity have announced a new collaborative venture! You can learn more via their announcement video:

Would you like to see the Datsun brand make a comback?

Nissan seems to be considering resurrecting the Datsun brand: http://www.bsmotoring.com/blogs/blog_storypage.php?autono=4764

What is Better Than Winning the Super Bowl?

What would you do after winning the Super Bowl?  Well, after his victory, NY Giants Running Back Brandon Jacobs recently rewarded himself with a 900-hp Nissan GT-R:

Forget about Disney World! If we won the Super Bowl, we would splurge on a highly tuned Nissan GT-R, too. And, that is just what New York Giants Running Back Brandon Jacobs did. With Super Bowl XLVI now over, Jacobs is ready to get behind the wheel of his 900-hp AMS-modified GT-R. As you may have already guessed, Jacobs is more into gut-wrenching performance than snazzy rims or a matte-black wrap.

That is why he headed to the extreme tuners out of Chicago, Illinois, last summer with the intention of making his already modified 850-hp GT-R even faster.

AMS Performance upgraded nearly every component of Jacobs’s GT-R, which features an Alpha 3.8-liter race engine, Alpha induction system, AMS intercooler, new exhaust, and a more-powerful fuel delivery system. It also upgraded the transmission and turbos. The result is 900 hp on 93-octane pump gas and an outrageous 1,000 hp on 105-octane race fuel!

Check out the full article about Jacobs’ upgrades with some great pictures here: http://www.dupontregistry.com/AUTOS/BLOG/post/2012/02/14/is-the-ams-alpha-9-nissan-gt-r-the-ultimate-post-super-bowl-reward.aspx

Slovak Mardi Gras

Slovak Mardi Gras will be held on Sunday at Venue of Merging Arts (307 Chestnut St) from 2 to 5 pm. There will be potato haluski cooking demonstrations, a travelogue presentation on Slovakia and a genealogy and heritage display. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children ages 6 to 11. For more information please call 410-2245

Sneak peek of the 2013 Altima!

   

The 2013 Nissan Altima will debut later this year.

Nissan will launch the all-new 2013 Altima later this year, and associate web editor Donny Nordlicht managed to snap these photos of an early prototype testing on a Michigan highway.

The midsize sedan clearly resembles the current-generation Altima, although it appears to have adopted a new front grille design also seen on the 2012 Nissan Versa sedan. Out back, the taillights swoop onto the car’s rear fenders, and have a combination of red and clear tinting that recalls the lights on the 2013 Pathfinder concept.

The 2013 Altima looks noticeably larger than the current sedan, especially in the rear — which would presumably improve trunk space and rear legroom. We also spot triangle-shaped rear quarter windows that lend the car’s C-pillar a kinked, concave appearance.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has said he believes the 2013 Altima will be a “very strong contender” in its segment, meaning the company probably wants to oust the Toyota Camry as America’s top-selling midsize sedan. The Altima will almost certainly offer a new hybrid drivetrain, but it remains unknown what other engines might be available. Some reports suggest the car will continue to offer a choice between a small four-cylinder and a 3.5-liter V-6. Given Nissan’s expertise and affinity with continuously variable transmissions, expect them to be standard.

Read more: http://rumors.automobilemag.com/spied-2013-nissan-altima-prototype-in-michigan-107979.html#ixzz1lnb1qkZt