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 .