2016 Nissan Rogue to Feature Plenty of New Technology

Nissan redesigned the Rogue back in 2014, so it’s no surprise that its changes for the 2016 model year are minor. Though they are not significant changes, some of the features Nissan is adding are ones that you would expect from a higher-end car, not a compact crossover from Nissan.

Looks-wise, the 2016 Rogue carries over almost unchanged. Fortunately, the redesign in 2014 put it ahead of the curve in terms of styling, so it can carry on with this look for a few more years. What’s more, the 2016 Rogue continues with its unique seven-person seating capacity, which is not easy to find in a crossover with this small of a footprint.

View Our New Nissan Rogue Inventory

The changes for this new model year include tweaks to its safety equipment, infotainment system, and a few light exterior tweaks.

In the safety department, Nissan adds Forward Emergency Braking to the SL trim level. This feature uses radar technology to sense a vehicle ahead and adjust the speed or stop as needed, Also new on the safety side of things is the change from a camera-based to a radar-based Blind Sport Warning system.

The Rogue SL’s infotainment system will gain NissanConnect Services, while the SV trim with the Premium Package and SL trim will get Siri Eyes Free. Also new for the Rogue SL is a motion-activated power rear hatch, so there’s no fumbling around to find the hatch release with your arms full of groceries.

The final changes that Nissan announced today are minor tweaks to the exterior appearance. These include body-colored outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and chrome door handles on the Rogue S Appearance Package and a new Magnetic Black exterior color option.

by Justin Culper - Insider Car News

With Crossover Conversion, Nissan Pathfinder Blazing New Trail

Now that Nissan Pathfinder has shed its truck-based platform to join the popular crossover world, sales have soared.

Buyers may wonder how it stacks up with the brand’s similarly sized and priced Murano. Interestingly, Pathfinder sales – almost 80,000 last year – now overshadow its cousin, which was redesigned for 2015.

 Pathfinder looks more like a traditional sport utility than the curvaceous Murano. Matching that look, it’s a tougher, stronger crossover with a little more interior space and standard third-row seating. Murano, however, offers a somewhat smoother, quieter ride and more refined interior.

Both are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine rated at 260 horsepower, but the heavier Pathfinder loses by one with combined miles per gallon topping out at 23. A hybrid version, new last year, increases that to 25.

Both come with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Towing capacity is a hefty 5,000 pounds and a leader in the class.

View Our Nissan Pathfinder Inventory

 Next question: How does Pathfinder stack up against other midsize crossovers?

With prices starting at $30,515, including destination, it’s on the high side along with popular rides like Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe.

But, as noted, it’s a tougher rig, retaining a hint of its former off-roading ways. Think of it as a solid family weekender or security blanket on slick roads rather than hopping boulders or slugging through mud and such. The $1,690 all-mode 4-wheel drive system allows drivers to select front front-wheel, automatic and 4-wheel lock settings.

It’s not a sporty driver by any means, and while acceleration is smooth it’s not particularly quick. Fuel economy, however, is above average for the class.

 The interior is quite classy and has some thoughtful touches. For example, that standard third row is about as good as it gets on midsize crossovers. Access is aided by second-row seats that easily slide fore and aft, and you don’t have to detach child seats. Another plus for those in back is the standard tri-zone climate control. You also get a monitor that beeps when you fill tires to the recommended pressure.

Options include a rear entertainment system, power tailgate, dual sunroof, leather seats, and navigation with real-time traffic and weather. Oddly, the rearview monitor and Bluetooth hands-free phone technology are standard on uplevel models, but not even available on the base S.

 New features such as a blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert as well as CVT improvements highlight changes since Pathfinder’s 2013 makeover. Expect minor tweaks, including a cold-weather package, when 2016s come out in December.

Now that Pathfinder has crossed over, loyal Nissan fans looking for off-road thrills will have to go with the big Nissan Armada. The back-to-basics Xterra will end production this year.

Nissan Pathfinder
Midsize sport utility

Base price: $30,515

MPG: 20/27, front-wheel drive; 19/26, 4-wheel

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: 4 of 5 stars for front impact; 5 for side; 4 for rollover resistance; www.safercar.gov


Review by Phoenix Business Journal - Cathy Luebke

Driver Attention Alert System

A safety feature that helps reduce drowsy driving

According to a study[*] conducted by the AAA and published in 2014, most people view driving while drowsy as a serious threat to their own personal safety and a completely unacceptable behavior. Virtually all drivers (94.9%) consider it unacceptable for someone to drive when they are so sleepy that they have a hard time keeping their eyes open.

Despite these strong attitudes, more than 1 in 4 drivers (28.3%) reported having driven when they were so tired that they had a hard time keeping their eyes open. One in five (19%) reported having done this more than once, and 2 percent reported having done this fairly often or regularly.

A separate study[*] by the AAA shows that drowsy drivers may be involved in as many as 328,000 police-reported crashes a year, including 6,400 fatal crashes.

This is obviously a serious problem on our roads, so Nissan decided to help address it—we developed the Driver Attention Alert (DAA)[*] system. This technology helps detect erratic driving caused by drowsiness or inattention.

How does it work?

Using steering angle sensors, DAA monitors steering input patterns to establish a baseline or a “snapshot” of how you were driving. Then, it continuously compares subsequent driving patterns to the most recent snapshot using a statistical analysis of steering corrections.

If DAA detects driving behavior consistent with drowsy driving, it will let you know by:

1. Sounding an audible chime
2. Displaying an amber coffee cup in the instrument panel
3. Displaying the message “Take a break?” next to the coffee cup

The system also includes logic to help address false detections such as lane changes, braking events, and even poor road conditions. It’s even smart enough to know when you may be drowsy, and also know when your driving patterns have to be adjusted to fit the circumstances.

Driver Attention Alert resets itself automatically when the engine is turned off, and you can turn the system off entirely if you wish.

The system is currently available on the 2015 Murano, and will be available on the 2016 Maxima Platinum Grade.

"A study by the AAA shows that sleepy, drowsy drivers are involved in hundreds of thousands of accidents a year[*].  The good news: we can help do something about it."

Visit Laurel Nissan Today!

5 Tire Tips You Didn't Know

Some of the best advice we’ve ever heard: Invest in what goes between you and the ground. That means good shoes, a good mattress and good tires. People often neglect their tires or just don’t pay too much attention to them in general. It’s important to check your tires’ PSI once per month and have them rotated every 5,000 miles.  

Here are a handful of tire tips from caranddriver.com we bet you didn’t know :

1. Skinny tires, much taller and narrower than the norm, are coming back. BMW’s i3 electric/plug-in hybrid, which relies on minimal rolling resistance to achieve acceptable driving range, is leading the charge. The i3’s Bridgestone Ecopia EP500 tires have aspect ratios ranging from 55 to 70 (narrow tread, tall outside diameter) to reduce energy loss as the tire rolls into and out of its footprint. This shape also reduces the car’s frontal area and aerodynamic drag. To compensate for a reduced air cavity and a smaller-than-normal footprint, Bridgestone uses an elevated inflation pressure to deliver the desired acceleration, braking, and cornering traction.

2. In the strictly theoretical sense, increasing just the width of a tire does nothing to improve acceleration or braking traction. A wider tire will have a shorter contact patch, which is precisely what you don’t want when the goal is maximum longitudinal grip. Jamie McNutt, the replacement-tire development manager at Bridgestone Americas, says that a longer, not wider, contact patch helps you climb faster to maximum braking grip.

3. Wider tire treads do, however, increase cornering grip. Again, though, tire engineers are always working with multiple variables. See our first point about the modern Corvette, which uses skinnier tires than its predecessor yet increases its roadholding with a stickier compound. To maximize traction in all directions, tire engineers aim for an even pressure distribution throughout the contact patch.

4. Static electricity build-up is an old concern that has returned to haunt modern tires. An inadequately grounded vehicle is an issue during refueling and when occupants slide out of the car’s interior. Modern tire compounds have become less conductive as manufacturers have greatly reduced the amount of carbon black in rubber compounds to cut weight and rolling resistance.

5. A run-flat tire can roll for more than 100 miles after it loses pressure. Tire manufacturers typically claim that a deflated run-flat can cover 50 miles at 50 mph, but if you slow down, you can stretch that distance much farther. Lee Willard, a product development engineer at Michelin, says the range roughly doubles if you drop your speed to 40 mph. Slow down more, and the range continues to grow. It’s all about reducing the amount of heat generated in the tire.

For the full list of tips head over to Car and Driver’s Blog: http://bit.ly/1IKbyxg

Top 10 Excuses People Used When Being Pulled Over

“Well gosh officer, I didn’t see the speed limit sign!” – the most common excuse police hear when pulling drivers over, according to an article from Cars.com about a survey done by Insurance.com. The comparison pooled licensed drivers 18 an older. More than a fifth of the drivers polled said when they gave an excuse to the officer that pulled them over they said they couldn’t see the sign that told them not to do something.

There were 10 other popular answers given among drivers polled. They are listed with their percentages below:

1. I couldn’t see the sign telling me not to do it :20.4%
2. I’m lost and unfamiliar with the roads: 15.6%
3. I didn’t know it was broken: 12.4%
4. Everyone else was doing it: 6.4%
5. I’m having in emergency situation in my car (for instance spilled a hot drink on your lap): 5.4%
6. I missed my turn/exit: 4.8%
7. I had to go to the bathroom: 5.6%
8. I didn’t do anything dangerous: 4.2%
9. I was on my way to an emergency (for example, to help someone who was ill or injured): 4.0%
10. My GPS said it was the right thing to do: 2.2%
11. I’m just helping out; I wasn’t even supposed to be driving (for example, your friend is intoxicated): 2.0%

To read the full article from Cars.com, click the link : http://bit.ly/15XAT5U

Driving in The Rain: 3 Tips to Stay Safe

Getting caught in a rainstorm while driving can be a scary thing. You’re not only worried about yourself but those driving around you as well. Defensive driving techniques should always be applied to the road, but even more so when driving in the rain. There are around 707,000 automobile crashes each year due to rain, resulting in approximately 3,300 deaths and 330,200 injuries.

Statefarm has offered a few tips for driving safely in the rain:

1. Turn on those headlights. It’s the law in all states to turn headlights on when visibility is low, and many states also require having the headlights on when the windshield wipers are in use. Praeter says that well-working wipers and relatively new (not threadbare) tires also are must-haves when driving in rain.

2. Beware of hydroplaning. That’s the technical term for what occurs when your tires are getting more traction on the layer of water on the road than on the road itself—the result is that your car begins to slide uncontrollably. It’s easy enough to hydroplane: All you need is one-twelfth of an inch of rain on the road and a speed of more than 35 miles per hour. If you start to hydroplane, let off the accelerator slowly and steer straight until you regain control.

3. Turn off cruise control. Ironically, on rain- or snow-slick surfaces, cruise control may cause you to lose control. You might think it’ll help you stay at one steady speed, but if you hydroplane while you’re in cruise control, your car will actually go faster.

Read the full article from Statefarm here: https://learningcenter.statefarm.com/auto/safety/5-tips-for-driving-safely-in-the-rain/

How Much Auto Insurance is Enough?

Your auto insurance plan is a collection of policies that cover various things in the event of an auto accident. It’s illegal to drive without auto insurance and the bare minimum you must hold is a liability insurance policy.

Wall Street Journal has laid out other various policies and what is covered under each one. Some drivers may need more insurance than others so it’s incredibly important to review your policy before choosing one.

• Liability coverage – These policies help cover liability and expenses when you’re at fault in an accident. The money will go to the people you hit, but it won’t cover the people in your car.

• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) – This policy pays for the medical expenses of people injured in a crash in which you’re at fault. You’ll often see BIL policies described as a “20/50” policy or a “100/300” policy. These numbers describe the maximum dollar amount the policy will pay for a single person’s injuries and the maximum for all the injuries sustained by all the occupants of the other car. For example, a 20/50 policy will pay a maximum of $20,000 for a single person’s injuries, and up to $50,000 total for the injuries of everyone in the car you hit.

• Property Damage Liability – This policy pays for damage done to the other car if you’re at fault in an accident. Property liability is sometimes referred to alongside BIL as a third number, so a 20/50/10 liability package will cover up to $10,000 for damages to the other car.

The following policies cover you and your card in an accident:

• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – This covers your and your passengers’ medical expenses after an accident. If you lose time at work because of your injuries, this policy may also cover lost wages.

To see the other types of policies including uninsured motorist, collision and comprehensive coverage, check out this link: http://guides.wsj.com/personal-finance/insurance/how-much-car-insurance-do-you-need/  

6 Summer Tuneup Tips

It may feel like summer is winding down but there are still another 2 months of this glorious season left. You should paying extra special attention to your car as we enter the hottest part of the summer. Fluids tend to drain more quickly and engines are known to overheat easier.

Bankrate has provided 6 tune up tips for you car this season. All you have to do is remember the acronym SUMMER.

S: Scrub the battery

Long drives and hot weather can put a strain on your car battery. To keep your battery healthy, sprinkle some baking soda onto the battery terminals, and then lightly spray with water. Let the mixture sit for an hour, and then wipe it off with a wet sponge.

U: Use a sunshade

When you park in direct sun, not only does your car's interior heat up, you are putting strain on the dashboard and upholstery, which can accelerate wear. Use a sunshade to protect your car interior and lengthen its lifespan.

M: Maintain proper fluid levels

All fluids are important to your car's operation, but antifreeze, also known as coolant, should be your top priority. A low coolant level can cause your car to overheat. Check your antifreeze level and add more if it's low. Do not open the coolant tank lid while the engine is hot.

M: Make sure tire pressure is correct

Check your tire pressure regularly and before any long trips. Inflate tires to the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual for the number of passengers and the amount of cargo you'll be carrying. Proper tire pressure will help prevent a blowout and can improve your fuel economy by up to 3.3 percent.

E: Expect an emergency

Like a good Boy Scout, you should be prepared for an emergency. Make an emergency kit that includes jumper cables, roadside flares or reflective triangles, a flashlight, old towels or paper towels, a first-aid kit, nonperishable snacks and water.

R: Replace your wiper blades

Summer means the dry season for many areas, but storms can occur unexpectedly. Make a note to remind yourself to replace wiper blades every six months or sooner if they are unusually squeaky or you notice decreased visibility.

For the full article from Bankrate please follow the link: http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/summer-car-tuneup-tips-1.aspx

5 Tips to Prevent Hot Car Deaths

It’s a tragedy that’s in the news too often: a young child is left in the car for a short period of time and they pass away from heat stroke. These senseless deaths can easily be prevented and are often caused by a brief moment of negligence.

From law enforcement officers to celebrities, everyone is doing their part to spread awareness about leaving your loved ones in a car on a hot day. Whether it’s your pet or your child, “don’t leave for a minute with your loved ones in it.”

Here are 5 tips from the Today Show to prevent hot car deaths:

1. Look before you lock. Open the backdoor and look in the backseat to assure that everyone is out of the car (even if you think you are childless).

2. Keep something you need in the backseat. Put your cell phone, briefcase, computer, lunch, ID badge, left shoe, or anything essential to your daily routine beside your child.

3. Travel with a furry companion. Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat. When baby is in the seat, the stuffed animal rides shotgun. The furry passenger serves as a reminder that baby's in the back.

4. Always lock the doors. Even if the car is in the garage, keep the doors locked to prevent curious children from getting into the car.

5. Put the keys and fobs away. Kids might want to play with keys and be able to get into the car without parents knowledge.

Remember these 5 tips and you could possibly save a life. Be sure to check out the rest of the tips over at today.com: http://www.today.com/parents/7-tips-preventing-hot-car-related-deaths-children-t31551

The First 3 Steps to Sell Your Car

Unless you prepare on selling your car to a close friend or family member, you’ll have to put some time in planning on how to sell your car. If you want the most value out of you car, it’s not as easy as just looking up your car’s value and posting a craiglist ad.

Edmunds has compiled a list that covers everything from pricing to advertising to negotiating. Check out the easy-to-follow process below:

Step 1: Know the Market

Your first step is to check on-line classified ads to see how much other sellers are asking for your type of car. Keep in mind that dealers will have different prices than private party listings. The eBay.com classifieds and other Internet sites allow you to search with specific criteria. For example, select the year and trim level of your car and see how many similar cars are currently on the market. Take note of their condition, mileage, geographic location and selling price so you can list your car at a price that will sell it quickly.

Step 2: Price Your Car Competitively

There are always some exceptions to the rules of pricing, so you should follow your intuition. And be sure to leave a little wiggle room in your asking price. Ask for slightly more money than you are actually willing to accept. If you want to get $12,000 for the car, you should list the car at $13,500. People tend to negotiate in big chunks ($500-$1,000) rather than small increments ($100-$200). That way, when a person makes you a lower offer, it will be closer to your actual price, rather than below it.

You may have noticed how creative used-car dealers get in pricing cars. Their prices usually end in "995," as in $12,995. Are we not supposed to notice that the car basically costs $13,000? There is a lot of psychology in setting prices. A product that doesn't sell well at $20 might jump off the shelf at $19.95.

Step 3: Give Your Car Curb Appeal

Before you advertise your car for sale, make sure it looks clean and attractive. This goes beyond just taking it to the car wash. Here is a to-do list to help you turn your heap into a cream puff:

• Wash and vacuum the car and consider having it detailed.
• Make sure your car is both mechanically sound and free from dents, dings and scrapes.
• Consider making low-cost repairs yourself rather than selling it "as is."
• Shovel out all the junk from the inside of the car. That way, when a prospective buyer goes for a test-drive, they can visualize the car as theirs.
• Wipe the brake dust off the wheel covers and treat the tires with a tire gloss product.
• Thoroughly clean the windows (inside and out) and all the mirrored surfaces.
• Wipe down the dashboard and empty the ashtrays.
• Have all your maintenance records ready to show prospective buyers.
• If the car needs servicing or even a routine oil change, take care of that before putting it up for sale.
• Have your mechanic check out the car and issue a report about its condition. You can use this to motivate a buyer who is on the fence.
• Order a vehicle history report from Autocheck.com and show it to the buyer to prove the car's title is clean and the odometer reading is accurate.

To see the six remaining steps head over to edmunds.com where they lay out their list to help you get your car sold at it’s highest value: http://www.edmunds.com/sell-car/10-steps-to-selling-your-car.html

Avoid Blind Spots by Adjusting Your Mirrors Correctly

It’s happened to everyone. You’re attempting to make a lane change, you put on your blinker and you start to merge over, then a BLARING horn. Every car is susceptible to blind spots and it’s important to always check them before changing lanes.

Car technology today is doing everything it can to eliminate the blind the spot but it still has a little ways to go. You can avoid blind spot collisions by adjusting your mirrors in a way that gives you full view of everything going on next to and behind your car.  

Car and Driver has provided a nifty little infographic that shows you how your car’s mirrors should be adjusted:

For the full article from Car and Driver follow the link:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots

Use Science to Save Gas This Summer

Summer is a busy travel season. Everyone is going on vacation and taking road trips around the country. Gas prices also tend to peak in the summer which means we could be spending big bucks to get around.

Luckily, there are simple ways to cut down on the amount of fuel your cars are using. With a few simple tricks and tips provided by science, you’ll be able to look at your gas receipts without audibly gasping. Here are 3 ways science can save you gas this summer:

Use the Right Car for the Trip

Last year, I had an amazing time traveling around Montana and the vicinity, and I splurged on a one-way car rental to maximize the sightseeing. The rental car company first offered me an “upgrade” to a minivan, presumably because more space is supposed to be a good thing; however, if I hadn’t fought them for the economy car I had reserved, it would have cost me another $100 in fuel for the trip, money I would much rather spend on huckleberry ice cream and a national park pass. You might always default to the big SUV for your family, but if you can fit everything in a sedan, you’re better off. The lesson: use the most fuel-efficient car that will fit your stuff.

Slow Down

One of my favorite aspects of a road trip is taking in new scenery. When you’re flying down the road at 80 miles per hour, not only are you probably missing out on some surprising views—you’re also wasting fuel. Your car is optimized for somewhere around 55-60 miles per hour, and you can reduce efficiency by almost a third if you’re going 20 mph over. At today’s prices, driving 80 mph when the speed limit is 65 mph not only runs the risk of getting pulled over—it’s like raising the price of gas by almost $1 per gallon! Slow down and enjoy the trip.

Turn Off Cruise-Control (On Hills At Least)

On a long drive, you might be tempted to use the cruise control—but if you are driving through the rolling countryside, don’t. Not only does it allow you to pay less attention to driving, which is suboptimal for safety, the cruise control on most cars is a surefire way to waste fuel on anything but the flattest terrain because it tries to maintain a steady speed as tightly as possible. Instead, as a smart and attentive driver, you can maintain speed in a more efficient way.

Looking more tips on saving gas this summer. Here’s the full article from the Union of Concerned Scientists: http://blog.ucsusa.org/8-ways-science-can-save-gas-on-your-summer-road-trip-772

5 Reasons Your Check Engine Light May Be On

“Wait! How can my check engine light be on? I just went to the mechanic!”

There are many frustrations that come along with that little check engine light and sometimes it just never seems to turn off. Often times, the reason for that little light is an easy fix. Autozone has provided us with 5 reasons your check engine light may be on.

Your Oxygen (O2) Sensor needs replacing

Your oxygen sensor measures the amount of unburned oxygen in your vehicle's exhaust system.

What if I don't replace it?

Your engine will burn more fuel than needed.

You will experience loss of fuel economy (up to 40% if ignored)*

Faulty sensor(s) can cause damage to your spark plugs and catalytic converter

Gas cap is loose, damaged or missing

Your gas cap seals the fuel system and helps maintain pressure within the fuel tank. It also prevents gasoline fumes (hydrocarbons) from being released into the atmosphere while you aren't driving your car.

What if I don't replace it?

You can lose fuel through evaporation

You may make more trips to the gas pump

Catalytic Converter needs replacing

Your catalytic converter helps protect our environment by converting harmful carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide. Damage usually occurs due to neglected maintenance.

What if I don't replace it?

Your vehicle will not pass an emissions test

You will experience reduced performance and fuel economy

Your car may run at a higher temperature

Mass Airflow Sensor needs replacing (MAF)

Your mass airflow sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine to determine how much fuel is needed to run your engine efficiently.

What if I don't replace it?

Faulty sensors can cause damage to spark plugs, O2 sensors or catalytic converter

You will experience reduced performance and fuel economy

Spark Plugs or Plug Wires need replacing

Your spark plugs ignite the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs.

What if I don't replace it?

You will experience poor performance (reduced power, engine missing) and reduced fuel economy

Worn plugs and plug wires can cause clogged catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors

Read the whole article here at Autozone.com: http://www.autozone.com/landing/page.jsp?name=top-five-reasons-check-engine-light