If you’re like me you leave the work to the professionals, but what if I told you that if you rolled up your sleeves and got a little dirty you could save yourself a lot of money! I’m not saying every fix can be a DIY project sometimes we have to leave it the professionals, but there are a handful of DIY projects you can do to save a couple of bucks! This includes keeping all of your fluid levels at the proper spots! So pop open that hood (there is a lever inside your vehicle) and fill up some fluids! If you feel that you aren’t able to do this on your own we advise you ask for help or get professional help! If you need help filling you fluids give us a call or come into Loughead Nissan, we’d love to help!

• Oil
  1. Your oil cools your engine, lubricates moving parts, and keeps the moving parts clean.
  2. You should change it regularly based on dealer recommendation and check it monthly!
• Coolant
  1. Coolant regulates your vehicle’s temperature.
  2. It is located in a reservoir near the radiator.
  3. If the level is low (level is indicated on the reservoir) take the vehicle to the shop to get your coolant topped up.
• Power Steering Fluid
  1. This helps you steer the vehicle.
  2. It’s located in a reservoir at the base of your windshield.
  3. Do the same as above, if the level is low take your vehicle to the shop to get the fluid topped up.
• Brake Fluid
  1. Brake fluid helps braking mechanisms work properly.
  2. If the level is chronically low, your brakes could be wearing out.
• Windshield Washer Fluid
  1. As you probably know, this helps clean your windshield of dust, debris, bug guts, etc.
  2. If you run out, get more at your local gas station and just refill the clearly labeled tank.

It’s the season of all seasons. America’s favorite time of the year. Yeah, that’s right, it’s football season! That means it’s time for tailgating and sporting events like no other! Come on, you can’t go to a football game and not tailgate… it’s un-American! That’s why this week we have the perfect tailgating kit for your vehicle. There’s nothing like a good tailgate, but imagine being the life of the party, having your Nissan all the decked out and tailgate ready that you bring all other tailgaters to their knees in awe! Okay, okay I’m getting too competitive now, let me get back on track… If you want to dominate the tailgate party and learn how to get your vehicle tailgate ready check it all out below!

1. Create a Tailgating Toolkit

• You can easily turn a humble toolkit into a tailgating emergency kit.
• Fill a toolkit with the items you need for a tailgating party and you’ll always have them on hand. The toolkit will also help your trunk stay organized.
• Remember essential utensils like spatulas, bottle and can openers, a basting brush, and a mini flashlight. Disposal items like toothpicks, wooden skewers, and plastic zip bags are also useful.
• Remember our favorite condiments, spices, and seasonings can give your tailgate meal a customized kick.
• Sunscreen and a plastic poncho will help you enjoy the party no matter what the weather has in store.
• A ready supply of trash bags, paper towels, and wet wipes will make clean-up a breeze.

2. Maximize Your Space

• If you’re trying to turn your vehicle into tailgating central, you’ll want to maximize your space. If your vehicle’s not as large as you’d like, you can get some extra room by attaching a small trailer, or a rooftop or hitch-mounted carrier.
• Don’t let any surfaces go to waste! Use your car’s dashboard, roof, and tailgate can all be utilized. You can add more space by bringing along blankets and folding tables too.

3. Decorate It Right

• If your car is your pride and joy, you might reluctantly decorate it for your tailgating party. Fortunately, there are plenty of decorating ideas that won’t damage your precious paintwork.
• Erasable chalk ink markers make it easy to create a vibrant gameday design that washes clean once the whistle blows.
• Erasable chalk ink markers make it easy to create a vibrant gameday design that washes clean once the whistle blows.

4. Find the Right Parking Spot

• A good tailgating vehicle is only as good as its parking spot. Make sure that you arrive at the venue early for your pick of the parking spaces.
• Look for sheltered spots to keep sun, wind, and rain away.

5. Keep Everyone Entertained

• The best tailgating parties need more than food and good conversation. Install some gutsy stereo speakers so everyone can hear your party soundtrack or the pre-game highlights
• You might also consider bringing along a large television so everyone can watch the pre-game action.
• Popular tailgating games will also create the right atmosphere. Cornhole and ladder ball are everyone’s favorites.

This September we have a generous amount of ways for you SAVE BIG at Loughead Nissan! We want to get you, your family, a friend, whoever it might be, behind the wheel of their dream Nissan at their dream price! We have a wide selection of cars, trucks, and SUVs and we are confident that we can find the perfect Nissan for your lifestyle! This month you can save big when you shop our available cars and SUVs below thanks to our September Specials! Check them here or on our specials page and then stop into Loughead Nissan today and allow our sales team to get you into your dream vehicle! Fall is the perfect time to slip into a new, reliable vehicle, so don’t wait and get yours now!

Cars:

The 2018 Nissan Sentra S – Get for only $15,537* or $107/mo*

The 2018 Nissan Altima 2.5 S – Get for only $18,497* or $137/mo*

The 2018 Nissan Maxima S – Get for only $27,377* or $197/mo*

The 2018 Nissan Versa Sedan SV – Get for only $13,977* or $97/mo*

SUV:

The 2018 Nissan Rogue S AWD – Get for only $21,957* or $157/mo*

The 2018 Nissan Murano S  – Get for only $26,847* or $187/mo*

The 2018 Nissan Pathfinder S 4WD – Get for only $26,967* or $187/mo*

The 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport S AWD – Get for only $20,377* or $147/mo*

*All deals expire 10/01/2018. Visit our specials page for more details.

Although the 2019 Nissan Altima isn’t here yet, it’s arrival is just around the corner and we wanted to give you a heads up on what amazing feature the sedan offers! At a glimpse, the 2019 Nissan Altima is the world’s first VC-Turbo engine*, Nissan’s first sedan with intelligent all-wheel drive, and is standard Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™!

The 2019 Nissan Altima has a bold and modern style that is sure to turn heads. Who decided that a sedan couldn’t awaken something inside of you? Blow past complacency with Altima’s exciting, forward-thinking design. Deep, cutting lines flow from front to back, blending seamlessly into the new muscular hood. While an available premium leather-appointed interior puts comfort and convenience at your fingertips.

Power will be no problem when you’re behind the wheel of the 2019 Nissan Altima. Imagine a sedan that anticipates what you want. With the world’s first Variable Compression Turbo engine* the Altima does just that! Whether it’s turbocharged power or fuel-sipping economy, Altima’s all-new VC-Turbo engine responds to your input instantaneously. It literally changes shape as it adjusts the compression ratio to maximize output or MPG.

The 2019 Nissan Altima is jam-packed with safety features to help ensure you and your passengers are safer than ever before. With Nissan Intelligent Mobility we’re rethinking driving, technology, and the road ahead. Now the most advanced tech you own is in your driveway. You drive with greater awareness and an assist when you need it most. And you connect like never before – from a compatible smartphone, to house, driveway to the car, it’s all one. Ready for what’s next? Nissan Intelligent Mobility is changing the way you drive forever, and it’s here for everyone right now. Driver assist technologies like the available ProPILOT Assist can help with your daily driving, responding in traffic – or the open road – at the push of a button.

Imagine a sedan that gives you the kind of all-weather capability you usually expect from an SUV. Altima’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system continuously monitors road conditions and responds to changes in an instant. Snow or rain-covered pavement, this system automatically sends power to the wheels with the best traction for a more confident drive.

So, are you ready to get behind the wheel of the brand new 2019 Nissan Altima? Unfortunately, the new Altima is not out yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get excited, right? The arrival is right around the corner, with its release date being early fall, so get ready and keep updated on all things Loughead so you can hear exactly when we get this beauty on our lot!

*World’s first production variable compression engine launched by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. in 2018.

Hard work pays off, and Nissan wants to be the one to reward you! If you’re a recent graduate, you could score major savings with the Nissan college grad program. Graduates can get up to $1000 cash back on top of existing offers! It’s time to celebrate your hard work and is there really any better way than saving $1000 on a brand new Nissan? I didn’t think so! Want to learn more about how to score big with Nissan? Check out all the details below!

How does it work?

• If you’ve graduated within the past 24 months or have written confirmation of upcoming graduation within the next six months, as well as proof of current or future employment that begins within 90 days, you could qualify for a major discount on your very own Nissan
• All you have to do is visit a dealer, choose your vehicle, and drive off for less

Want a discount on the Nissan LEAF?

• Same rules apply for the cash back discount, you must have graduated in the past 24 months, or are graduating within the next 6 months, as well as proof of current or future employment

What you’ll need…

• A valid driver’s license
• Proof of insurance
• Valid college student ID at any of the participating colleges

If you want to learn more about the Nissan college grad program check out nissan.com or contact your local participating Nissan dealership for more information!

Life tends to get busy and we find ourselves more worried about getting somewhere and less about how we actually get there. But when it comes to tire maintenance, proper tire tread depth is one of the easiest ways to help maximize your safety and performance. SO if you are thinking to yourself I have not looked at my tires in a while you might want to keep reading and then go give those bad boys a looking.

You should monitor your tread depth closely once it reaches 4/32 inch deep. If you want to check it yourself, here’s how to assess your tread depth:

• 4/32” or deeper = good
• 3/32” = replace tire soon
• 2/32” or fewer = replace tires now

There are a couple of ways to measure your tire depth. The first is the penny test, which is very simple to do. Take a penny and insert it in the tires tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see Lincoln’s head you tire’s depth is less than 2/32” which means you need to replace your tires.

Another simple test is the quarter test. Insert a quarter into your tread groove, if the tread touches Washington’s head you have at least 4/32” so you’re good to go!

Don’t have any change on you? No problem! Another way to check your tire tread depth is to look at the tread wear indicator bar that’s molded into most tires. The bars are located at the bottom of the tread grooves in several locations around the tire. When these bars become visibly flush with the adjacent ribs the tire has no more than 2/32″ of tread remaining. This is a

So next time you are unsure if it might be time to replace those tire of yours, use one of the handy tricks I told you about and you should be golden! Remember tire tread is very important, it is what grips the pavements stops your car instead of it sliding all over the place! With the fall/winter months approaching you don’t want to find yourself driving on slippery snow or wet pavement with little to no tread! So check out your tire treads and stop by Loughead Nissan for your tire fix, we’ve got them all!

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!

1. 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!
2. 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.
3. 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.)
4. Try and drive in well-lit areas at night so that you can have the added bonus of streetlights.
5. Have your dealer look at your headlights and ask about reconditioning or upgrading to brighter bulbs. It can make a difference!

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.