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Let it snow! Winter is in full swing, and no surprise here, but that includes snowy days. Even if you’re no stranger to snow, I think we can all agree that driving in the snow is no fun. Lucky for you, your friends here at Loughead Nissan have you covered with winter driving tips that are sure to help you get from point A to point B safely! We want to urge you to stay home and avoid travel if possible, but if you need to travel for work or whatever else on your agenda for the day, we’re here to help! Below you can find tips and tricks for driving in the snow, long drives, and everyday travel! And if you were planning on stopping in for service, shopping, or a test drive, we invite you to head over to https://www.lougheadnissan.com/ to shop online, schedule a test drive, or even schedule a service appointment, all from the comfort of your home, NOW! Tips For Driving In The Snow: Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for gaining traction and avoiding skids. Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Don’t stop if you can avoid it. Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Make it know what kind of driving assistance you have (AAA, Roadside Assistance, etc.) Everyday Driving Tips: Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage. Make certain your tires are properly inflated. Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up. If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy, and snowy weather. Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand). Always look and steer where you want to go. Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle. Long-Distance Driving Tips: Watch Weather Reports Service your vehicle before hitting the road Keep at least half a tank at all times If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled-up window to signal distress, if needed. Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice, or mud if you slide off the road Start Your Search Here!

March is in full swing and before you know it spring will be here! We’re confident you have some pretty exciting plans for the upcoming months and we want to make sure you’re behind the wheel of a vehicle you can trust in the meantime! Lucky for you we have new specials on Nissan cars, trucks, and SUVs and when you shop the Nissan Now Sales Event, you can score exclusive deals, but they’ll only last now till the end of the month! So don’t waste any time, schedule a test drive or give us a call and we can work with your schedule to make your dream ride a reality! The All-New 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport S Lease for only $137/mo for 24 months* Or Buy for only $22,605* The All-New 2020 Nissan AWD Altima 2.5 S Lease for only $195/mo for 36 months* Or Buy for only $22,985* The All-New 2019 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X Crew Cab Lease for only $217/mo for 24 months* Or Buy for only $30,987* The All-New 2020 Nissan Pathfinder S Lease for only $239/mo for 36 months* Or Buy for only $28,477* The 2019 Nissan TITAN SV Lease for only $488/mo for 36 months* Or Buy for only $26,9997* AND MANY MORE!! *All Specials Expire 3/31/2020. See Our Specials Page For Information. Nissan Savings Start Here!

This summer is heating up and with these hot summer days comes summer night storms. These storms can be pretty intense, and although they might be calm and relaxing to watch from your front porch, if you find yourself stuck on the road in one of them it could be very dangerous. Many of us have driven in a rainstorm before, but if the rain becomes too rough to drive in we want to remind you to pull over. You might be put behind schedule, but you and your passenger’s safety is the most important thing. One of the scariest things that can happen when driving in a storm is hydroplaning. If you don’t know what hydroplaning is, hydroplaning is uncontrollable sliding on the wet surface of a road. There are a few things that can cause hydroplaning, but mostly it is all about speed. It’s no secret that it is a good idea to slow down when driving in the rain or on a wet surface. But in order to avoid hydroplaning all together, slowing down is crucial! In fact, many people believe your chances of hydroplaning are higher in a downpour, but the truth is the road is most slippery at the beginning of a storm! So whether it’s pouring or not, it’s a good idea to slow down! Want to know more about how to prevent hydroplaning? Check out our helpful list below! If you find that your vehicle has been damaged during a storm, schedule a service appointment with us and we can get your vehicle in tip-top shape today! Tips For Avoiding Hydroplaning: Keep your tires properly inflated Rotate and replace tires when necessary Slow down when roads are wet: the faster you drive, the harder it is for your tires to scatter the water Stay away from puddles and standing water Avoid driving in outer lanes where water tends to accumulate Try to drive in the tire tracks left by the cars in front of you Turn off cruise control Drive in a lower gear Avoid hard braking Try not to make sharp or quick turns Service Your Ride At Loughead Nissan!

Spring has arrived and although many of us breathe a sigh of relief that winter driving is over (hopefully), the truth is spring driving can be just as dangerous. It’s important to realize that each season brings different driving conditions and that just because there isn’t snow on the ground, doesn't mean you shouldn’t practice safe driving. In order to help keep you and your family safe on the roads this spring, check out our helpful tips below. Be On The Lookout For Potholes: Winter weather takes a big toll on our roadways, which leads to some pretty nasty potholes. If your speeding down the road and don’t slow down in time and hit a pothole, then chances are that your vehicle is gonna have some damage, serious damage. Damage can include a punctured tire, bent rim, suspension damage, poor alignment, and exhaust system damage. Slow Down For Spring Showers: Did you know that roads are most slippery when it first starts to rain? This is caused by the rainwater mixing with contaminants on the road, such as oil and grease. Make sure to increase your following distance to allow for proper braking. Watch For Animals On The Move: Animal activity is up when the weather starts getting nicer. That means keep an eye out and drive slow especially for animals like deer that are known to be out at dusk and dawn. Watch For Pedestrians: Similar to animals, people tend to be out and about more when the weather starts getting warmer. Whether that means there are more walkers, cyclists or kids play hopscotch. Be sure to slow down especially in residential neighborhoods and busy streets. Share The Road With Motorcycles: Spring is when the motorcycle riders come out, and because of their speed and size, they may come in and out of your blind spots quickly. Be sure to listen to the sound of their bike and take a few extra seconds before switching lanes. If you are following a motorcycle, remember to leave a good amount of space in between. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure: During the winter months, your tires lose air due to the cold temperatures, this cause your tire to be under-deflated. Vice-versa, warm weather will cause them to be over-inflated. Each situation can lead to increased wear and poor handling. Inspect Your Tires: Spring will bring the showers and when that happens making sure your tire tread is in shape is important to the quality of your driving. Just like snow, rain makes the road slippery and having good tires will make or break your driving experience. Remember to use easy tricks the penny test to check your tire tread and regularly check your tire pressure if your vehicle doesn’t display it for you. Pay Attention In Construction Zones: When the snow washes away and the spring days are here to stay, construction will start up again. One thing to keep in mind is that construction zones ask you to slow down for a reason, do it. Remember to... Be attentive. Construction workers and equipment may suddenly enter the roadway. Traffic patterns can change daily to accommodate the work being done. Understand and follow the signs Make safe lane changes. Solid lines in construction zones mean that you should stay in your lane. Slow down. Fines may be doubled in construction zones. In addition, slowing down can save a life Get Your Ride Ready For Spring

Getting out and adventuring is important and one of the main reasons we invest in a reliable and strong vehicle. But sometimes we run into weather issues or accidents that we didn’t expect. Now we hope that this doesn’t happen to you, but if it does, then the best thing to do is be prepared But how can you be prepared for something you don’t know is going to happen? Well, when you create your own DIY Emergency Kit to have in your car, you and your passengers will have the tools you need to get out of whatever situation you might find yourself in. So if you don’t currently have an Emergency Kit in your vehicle it might be a great idea to take a look at our DIY kit list below! If you have any question feel free to give us a call and if you have to tailor your kit to fit your needs we suggest doing so! Happy traveling! What to Pack in Your Kit: First aid (For more minor accidents) Band-Aids Hand sanitizer. Antiseptic. Antibiotic ointment. Bug spray. Aspirin (or similar). Cotton balls. Gauze pads. Tweezers. Bandana. Ace bandage. * This one might be best kept inside the vehicle in a place like a glove compartment* Fire extinguisher (For more serious accidents) Choose a smaller one that is easy to store Jumper cables. Rain Ponchos. Flashlight and extra batteries. Scent-free baby wipes. Drinking water and non-perishable snacks. Multipurpose tool. Cell Phone Charger Weather-based items: Ice scraper. Cat litter for slick roads. Small battery-powered fan. Blankets and/or warm clothing. Fluids to keep in your car: Oil Antifreeze Brake fluid Stay Safe With Nissan Intelligent Safety Shield® Technologies

Being a safe driver should always be our #1 priority as drivers. And although we all vow to be safe drivers, we sometimes fall short. Whether it’s answering that phone call, looking at our texts, fumbling around with the radio instead of keeping our eyes on the road, even something as crazy as applying makeup! Now if I asked you if those were safe things to do while driving, regardless if they are things you do, I think we could all agree that they are unsafe to do while driving. However, one thing many of us might forget to add to that list is road rage. Now it’s easy to get annoyed by other drivers, especially when they cut you off,  when they are driving really close, or when they are driving really slow when you’ve got places to be! But the truth is, many of us can’t roll with the punches. In fact, many of us have pretty short fuzes and tend to jump to yelling and road rage pretty quickly. But the truth is, road rage is just as dangerous as all the other things we listed before. Road rage is an act of aggression and stress, which leads to dangerous driving situations. When we drive aggressively, we tend to forget about everything we learned when it comes to defensive driving. So staying calm, even when you’re really annoyed, is really important to the safety of you, your passengers, and other drivers around you. This week I wanted to help give you some tips to keeping come and carrying on safe driving. Check them out below and for more information on defensive driving, be sure to check out your local DMV website. Steps: Take Time and Be Prepared Safe driving starts the night before. Morning rushes increase the chance of accidents. Not only can driving drowsy be as dangerous as driving under the influence, but it makes for raw nerves that quickly flare. Breakfast in bed is romantic. Breakfast in the car is a recipe for disaster. Take your time! After drunk driving, speeding is the second leading cause of fatalities. Be Your Best Neighbor Give that driver who suddenly changed lanes the benefit of the doubt When aggravated, take a few deep, slow breaths. Your daily drive is a great time to practice patience and find your inner Zen. Mind your manners, no tailgating, yield to the right-away, leave the left lane for passing only, respect traffic rules, be polite, and understanding Tune Into Calm Sounds Of Bliss: Research has shown that listening to some types of music or conversational sounds can reduce stress Keep audio and passenger volume low to medium. Scents of Sensibility Certain scents produce blissfully calming effects and increase focus. Lavender promotes healthy relaxation to reduce stress and anxiety and energizes focus Citrus boosts alertness while inspiring positive, stress-reducing feelings Vanilla promotes calm, comfortable feelings of happiness to elevate mood, making smiling away aggression that much easier Peppermint or cinnamon reduce frustration and promote driver alertness without the jittery hazards of caffeine Stay Relaxed Behind The Wheel Of A Brand New Vehicle!

It’s no secret how important a car seat is to the safety of your little bundle of joy. It will be one of the most important purchases you make in your child's first year. However, car seats tend to be a little tricky to understand and figure out. Because car seats don’t tend to be ‘click it in and go’ like a regular seatbelt, a lot of mistakes tend to happen. And even if it is a tiny mistake, the outcome can be a big one. If your baby’s car seat isn’t properly installed they could fall out, tip over, stay strapped in but the seat could roll around, all leading to your baby injured or worse. This week we wanted help new and veteran mom and dads finally conquer the car seat, the correct way. Below we have outlined the top car seat mistakes and how to fix these mistakes. If you find that you have fallen victim to the car seat, be sure to fix the issue before putting your child back in the seat. Also be sure to have the car seat instruction manual near you. Every seat has variations and you want to make sure that you install properly for your specific car seat. Car Seat Do’s and Don’ts The child is turned face-forward too early: Babies must ride facing the rear until they are at least 1 year old or weigh 20 pounds or longer! The seat isn’t installed tightly enough: When jiggled in the area where the safety belt is pulled through, the chair should not move more than 1 inch in any direction. Harness straps are too loose: The strap should be so tight that an adult’s thumb and forefinger can’t fit in between Infant seat angled incorrectly The seat should not be reclined more than 45 degrees from vertical to ensure that the child does not flip over Harness straps are in the wrong strap In rear-facing position, straps should be in slots at or below the shoulder. In a forward facing position, straps should come through the uppermost slots The harness retainer clip is out of place The clip should ALWAYS be at armpit level The locking clip is out of place If needed, it should be positioned no more than an inch from the safety-belt latch. The safety belt isn’t in lock mode Check vehicle's owner manual to determine what type of belts you have. Then follow directions regarding how they must be used with a child-safety restraint. Find The Perfect Ride Your Family!

If you’re traveling this weekend, you might be a little nervous about the weather you could be hitting. Although some winter storms can be unbearable, most of them are not as bad as we think. In fact, if you know how to properly drive in winter storms you might not run into any issues. Just because it is winter does not mean you cannot travel. It just means you have to take extra precautions and it’s really simple to do. So, take a few minutes and check out some helpful tips we’ve put together for you. If you have any question or concerns about your vehicle, be sure to call us or come on into Loughead Nissan and we will help you with all of your vehicle needs. Be sure to have a fun but safe getaway! Don’t count on technology to keep your car under control: Don’t count on technology to keep your car under control, if you’re traveling in any snow or ice we suggest slowing down! It might take a little longer to get to your destination, but there is a better chance of you making it there safe! Your anti-lock braking system is great for bringing your car to a smooth stop but there still needs to be enough road between you and the next vehicle to stop you in time. We suggest you leave extra space between you and other vehicles! Prep your vehicle for a winter road trip: Be sure to check the heater, defroster, brakes, lights, oil levels, and exhaust system. Make sure the condition of your tires is prestige. Make sure the quality of your windshield wipers is good enough to see without a problem. This means no streaks, smears, skipping, etc. A car traveling in winter can’t survive without antifreeze in the radiator; make sure all of your vehicles fluid levels are properly filled. Bring your vehicle in for a tune-up and let the mechanic know you’re planning on traveling long distance. Don’t be afraid to ask them to pay a little more attention to be sure everything is in tip-top shape. Planning before you hit the road: Keep an eye on the forecast for several days, if it is predicted there will be a storm we suggest rescheduling. If you’re Planning on taking a trip that will take several days, plan to drive for a shorter amount of time. During the winter there are fewer hours of sunlight and winter driving can be more tiring. It would be smart to plan out stops, breaks, and sleeping ahead of time. Service Your Ride Before Hitting The Road!

Do you have trouble driving in the dark? Well, you’re not the only one! It is a proven fact that your vision can become impaired in the darkness. There’s a whole lot of science behind it but trust me it’s true! Anyway, driving in the dark can become difficult for some people, and it is harder for us to see in the dark to begin with. When you can’t see the road clearly this can lead to dangerous driving. Don’t stress this doesn’t mean that you can’t drive in the dark, it just means you should look up some tips to help you through the dark. Luckily I did the hard work for you! Check out our tips for driving after the sun has gone down safely! Don’t use “night driving glasses.” In fact, don’t wear glasses with any tint at all when driving at night. The only spectacles on your nose should be the ones with your prescription in them (if you wear glasses). Otherwise, keep that tint out of here! If approaching headlights tend to blind you, focus on the white line on the side of the road. You’ll stay in your lane and not get spots in the center of your vision from the oncoming headlights. Try to work your schedule around nighttime. If you know that you’re going to be driving after dark, try and find a ride home or to wherever you’re going. Ridesharing services or taxis are also a great option. Alternately, just don’t leave the house after dark. (This is what I do. I am very lazy and any excuse to stay in bed is a good one.) Try and drive in well-lit areas at night so that you can have the added bonus of streetlights. Have your dealer look at your headlights and ask about reconditioning or upgrading to brighter bulbs. It can make a difference! New car, Brighter lights! Check them out here!

Safety is hands down the most important thing your vehicle can offer you. When you get behind the wheel you want to feel more confident than ever before. You want to be ensured that you can make it from point A to point B without you and your passengers worrying about the “what if.” So if you’re in the market for a new Nissan, look no further because the Nissan Kicks™ is the best vehicle for you and your passenger's safety! The 2018 Nissan Kicks™ is the first in its family but isn’t afraid to make a big impact! With 31 / 36 City/Highway and 125 horsepower, this compact crossover has all the power it needs to get you and your family to wherever life might take you! And with standard and available advanced technology you can be confident whether your adventure takes you on or off the road! Nissan Advanced Safety Features Inside Your Kick™ The Nissan Advanced Airbag System: equipped with front airbags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplement airbags with rollover sensors. Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System: This helps you maintain you steered path, and Traction Control System helps reduce wheelspin in low-traction situations LATCH: Helps you keep your most precious cargo safe. LATCH lets you secure child restraints in the back seat without having to use seatbelts or locking clip. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System: Is an easy-fill tire alert, that lets you know whenever a tire is low, and when inflating it will honk the horn once you’ve reached the proper PSI. Nissan Intelligent Mobility features: Helps you see and sense more around you with technologies like Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear-Cross Traffic Alert, and Intelligent Around View 360 ° Monitor Roadside Assistance: In the case that you find yourself on the side of the road due to a flat tire, vehicle lockout, need a jump start, or emergency fuel delivery If you’re looking for a compact crossover that has the safety features that will give you a sense of reassurance and confidence that you’ve never felt before behind the wheel of a vehicle, then trade-in your old car for the brand new 2018 Nissan Kicks™! Check out our available inventory and schedule a test drive with us today! Pick Up Your Kicks™ Today!

Installing a car seat is not as easy as it seems to be, all new parents can attest to this...actually any parent can let’s be honest! And the scary fact is most children aren’t riding as securely as they should be. The good news is I have some information to share with you from the experts, that will help you avoid the most common error and ensure your child's safety! If you have had a child before and have never followed these car seat safety rules and new had an issue, you’re lucky. But just because something worked for you doesn’t mean you can’t improve what you’re doing to better ensure safety for your child because that is the ultimate goal! Most Common Mistakes: Loose Installation: Always read the manuals for the car seat, I know we all think we can figure things out without help but the truth is when it comes to safety you want to make sure you’re doing EVERYTHING correctly. Generally speaking there should be no more than 1” of movement at the belt path when you give it a firm shake. The wrong recline angle: Getting the recline angle just right on a rear-facing seat can be tricky, but it’s crucial. Babies have big, heavy heads and weak neck muscles: If the seat is too upright, your babe might end up chin to chest, which can interfere with breathing. Plus being reclined also protects your baby's spine in the case of a crash. More advanced seats now come with a built-in indicator that will tell you if you have installed it properly, but your seat doesn’t have that the rule is generally a 45-degree angle. Loose or poorly positioned straps: If you are a parent you have probably experienced a wailing child saying that their straps are too tight, which then you might have pulled over loosed them and then got some peace and quiet. I’ll be the first to tell you not to do that. Yes, the screaming is annoying, and their seat belt probably isn’t too tight, You shouldn’t be able to grip the strap at all; if you can, it’s too loose. Make sure the chest clip is at armpit level—any lower means the clip isn’t doing what it’s designed to do Moving to a forward-facing or booster seat too soon In each state, there are different requirements based upon height, weight, and age, but those are bare minimum requirements. As long as the child can comfortably remain seated rear-facing, they should remain that way because it is safer. Using the wrong seat for your kid or your car Your manual will be able to provide you with information about the height and weight your child should be at in the car seat you have. Every baby has different body types but it is a good reference point to go off. Using a second-hand car seat: Unless you know with 100% certainty that a seat has never been involved in even a minor fender-bender or that there are no missing or damaged parts, it’s best to avoid it. You might be saving a buck but it’s more important to save your child’s life. Check out these cars with great safety options

There’s almost nothing in this world worse than a crowded parking lot - you can’t find a place close up to park, everyone’s driving like a maniac, there are shopping carts EVERYwhere (not to mention senior citizens in the middle of the gosh darn road)... what’s a driver to do? Well, the first step is to get a little bit of parking lot etiquette. As your mother probably told you, manners matter! That doesn’t only apply to the dinner table or social situations either. It also works for the parking lot! Take a look at our list of parking lot etiquette rules to live by, and then share them with everyone you know to help make the world a better place, one parking lot at a time. Make sure your car is pulled into the space far enough, but not too far. If you have a normal-size car, pull your vehicle all the way into the space so the rear of your car is in line with other cars. This makes it easier for other drivers to see past your car when they are backing out of adjacent spaces, and also gives the widest possible driving lane between rows. Pulling in properly is particularly helpful when shoppers pushing loaded carts are sharing the driving lane with moving vehicles. If you drive a super small vehicle, park so that the back end of your car is in line with the cars beside you. This lets drivers know that the space is occupied and does not give a false impression that the parking spot is vacant. Never force your car into a space that’s too small. Standard parking spaces are generally 9 feet wide while compact car spaces are only 7 feet wide and shorter. Obviously, a large SUV or pickup will not fit easily in a compact car space. Quite simply put, they are not supposed to fit. Watch for pedestrian crosswalks in parking lots. Crosswalks are common near the main entrances and exits of most large garages and lots. Created for the safety of pedestrians coming from and returning to their cars, they are usually marked with diagonal white or yellow stripes and often marked with a pedestrian crossing or stop sign.  As much as you are in a hurry to find a spot, slow down. Watch for pedestrians and obey all signs in the parking lot. Park straight in a parking space. In a parking lot or garage where cars are parked in slots, leave room on each side so you can open your doors without hitting the cars beside you. Park in the middle of a marked parking space. Overhanging the stripes will crowd the driver who parks next to you will inevitably lead to door dings in the paint. Don’t straddle a line and take up two spaces in a parking lot or garage. Some people with new cars or those who don’t want to risk having their car’s sides banged by adjacent car doors will park in the middle of two spaces. This is not only rude; it also makes it impossible for others to park at all.  Crowded garages and lots need every space. Take your turn when waiting for a parking place. In a crowded parking garage or lot, when you see someone pulling out of a space, get as close as you can and turn on your turn signal to let other drivers know you have “dibs” on the space.  If another car is close to the space and has its turn signal on already, you lose! The other car gets the space. If you and another driver both think you found the space first, be generous and let it go. A parking space is not worth a fight.  Another spot will be vacant soon. Make your intentions clear when walking in a parking lot. If you’re walking back to your car and you sense a car crawling down the aisle behind you, don’t assume they’re sightseeing. They want your parking space! Finally, don’t expect miracles. Even if you are already driving this way, or decide to adopt these courteous practices, don’t expect others to do the same. Be careful of letting your expectations for others’ behavior contribute to your own potential parking lot rage. Take a few deep breaths, and take your time. Fit A New Nissan Into Any Parking Space