Auto Review: 2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL

August 22, 2010 | Posted by cmcelroy 

The 2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL is available as both a sedan and a hatchback. The sedan starts at $16,470 MSRP whereas the hatchback starts at $16,900. Both vehicles feature a 1.8L L4 122HP engine.

2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL

For fuel efficiency, the sedan achieves 24 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. The hatchback gets 28 and 34, respectively. But each does come with the multi-point injection fuel system.

Both vehicles handle well with ABS and a brake assist system. In addition, you get two disc brakes with two ventilated disks and electronic brake distribution, an immobilizer and stability control.

Exterior vehicle features also have some similarities, though there are obvious differences. Both have painted front and rear bumpers and power painted door mirrors on both sides of the car.  Both vehicles also feature complex surface lens halogen lights, but only the hatchback has fog lights and a roof spoiler. Other exterior features are similar to both vehicles.

Standard interior features on both vehicles include:

  • Air conditioning
  • Roof antenna
  • Anti-theft protection
  • RDS audio system with AM/FM and CD with MP3 capability
  • Delayed/fade courtesy lights
  • Cruise control
  • Front bucket seats with manual height adjustment on the driver’s side
  • Front seat center armrest
  • Ventilation system with micro filter
  • Vanity mirrors on both front visors
  • Plastic steering wheel with tilt adjustments
  • Six speakers
  • And a whole lot more

The 2011 Nissan Versa 1.8 SL is a nice ride and a beautiful family car either way you go. There’s a little more cargo room in the hatchback, but the sedan makes up for that with a little more passenger room. Pick your value and go with it.

How to Handle an Overheating Engine in Your Nissan

August 16, 2010 | Posted by dragonfly 

If you are using the fluids that were recommended by the manual that came with your new Nissan car you should not be having any problems with an overheating engine. However, if in rare circumstances you are finding this to be a problem, keep in mind that all new Nissan cars come with a warranty and you should return the vehicle to the dealership to be repaired. However for those of you who may be out of warranty, here are a few things you can check.

Nissan Temp Gauge

1. If you are noticing that the problem is happening without warning, check your thermostat. If the thermostat is broken or damaged, it may well be giving you false readings of your engine temperature.

2. Poor circulation may also keep your engine from cooling properly. Bad hoses or a water pump may mean that coolant is not getting to where it’s supposed to go.

3. Pay attention to the anti-freeze/water mixture. If your engine continually overheats, your mixture may have too little anti-freeze in the mix.

4. Look for leaks. If you are finding brightly colored puddles or spots under your vehicle after it has been parked for some time, this is a sure sign of a leak. Repair or replace any leaking hoses right away.

5. Check the radiator cap. If it is not holding pressure properly then liquids will start boiling, causing the car to overheat.

If you are unable to determine or correct what is causing your engine to overheat, think about returning to your Fort Meyers area Nissan dealership where you purchased your new Nissan car. Although the warranty may have expired you will be getting quality service from a qualified Nissan mechanic. This will ensure that the problem is corrected and you can go back to enjoying your Nissan without fear of being stranded at the side of the road.

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Auto Review: 2010 Nissan Rogue SL

July 21, 2010 | Posted by cmcelroy 

Starting at $22,050 MSRP, the 2010 Nissan Rogue SL is a good family sedan with all the right features in all the right places.

2010 Nissan Rogue SL

For starters, the engine block is comprised of a 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 175 pound feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. It also includes continuously variable valve timing control, platinum-tipped spark plugs along with the patented Nissan Direct Ignition System and engine balancer system.

The drivetrain is front wheel drive, however, all wheel drive is an option you can upgrade to. You also get 2- or 4-wheel Active Brake Limited Slip as a standard feature.

The suspension is independent strut on the front and independent multi-link on the rear with stabilizer bars on both the front and rear.

For wheels and tires, the SL trim comes with 17″ X 7″ 5-spoke aluminum alloy with P225/60R17 all-season tires compared to 16″ X 6.5″ steel wheels and P215/70R16 on the S trim.

Another feature you’ll find on the SL trim that isn’t on the S trim are the roof rails, great for traveling or carrying your skis or other sporting equipment. You also get rear privacy glass not available on the lower end S trim. As an option you can add a power sliding glass moonroof.

Inside, the upper class SL trim has several features not included in the S trim standard package, such as:

  • Rear heater ducts
  • A drive computer
  • Outside temperature display
  • Interior accent lights
  • Driver seatback pocket
  • Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors
  • Two 12-volt DC power outlets
  • Cargo light
  • 6-way manual adjustable driver’s seat
  • Fold-down front passenger’s seat

The 2010 Nissan Rogue SL has an available leather package that can make the interior even nicer with leather seats, lumbar support for the driver, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and heated front seats.

Fuel economy for the vehicle boasts 22/27 for front wheel drive and 21/26 for the all wheel drive version.

Compared to other vehicles in its class, the 2010 Nissan Rogue SL is a classy ride and very affordable.

Understanding Your Nissan’s Air Conditioning

July 19, 2010 | Posted by dragonfly 

One of the most important systems in your Nissan when it comes to comfort is your air conditioning. While you don’t rely on the air conditioning to keep your car going or keep you safe, it’s a system that is pretty important, especially if you live in a warmer climate.Air Conditioning

There are several major components to your Nissan’s air conditioning system. There is a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, an accumulator or receiver and dryer. If your Nissan air conditioning is broken, any one of these components to the air conditioning system could be at fault.

Most often, however, the reason that an air conditioning system will stop functioning properly is because it runs out of refrigerant. There are two types of refrigerants commonly in use in today’s vehicles: for vehicles made before 1994, the refrigerant is R-12. For vehicles 1995 and later, the refrigerant is R-134a.

Understanding just these few basic ideas about your air conditioning system can help you to make good choices when it’s time to have your air conditioning system looked at by your auto repair professional.  If you’re experiencing problems with your air conditioning, take it to your local Naples, FL Nissan dealer for maintenance.

Auto Review: 2010 Nissan Titan King Cab XE

June 16, 2010 | Posted by cmcelroy 

The 2010 Nissan Titan King Cab XE is a powerhouse of a pickup. Its 5.6-liter 32-valve V8 engine kicks out 317 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 385 pound feet of torque at 3,400 rpm. The rear wheel drive drivetrain also comes with a switch-operated 2-speed transfer case four wheel drive option. The transmission is 5-speed automatic with tow/haul mode.

2010 Nissan Frontier XE King Cab

The 4X4 trim features all wheel active brake limited slip (ABLS) while the 4X2 features the 2-wheel ABLS. It also comes with brake assist and Electronic Brake force Distribution.

The front suspension is independent double-wishbone with stabilizer bar and the 4X4 pickup also features Dana® axles. The rear suspension is multi-leaf with Dana® axle. The steering column is engine speed sensive and made up of rack and pinion with power assist.

For fuel consumption, the 4X2 is estimated to deliver 13 mpg in the city and 18 on the highway. The 4X4 trim is estimated at 1 mpg lower.

If your interest in the 2010 Nissan Titan King Cab XE is for cargo carrying purposes then you’ll pleased to find that the tailgate locks, it also includes a cargo bed light and it comes with 4 fixed cargo bed tie downs.

Inside, the front seat is a 40/20/40-split bench with a center fold-down arm rest. In the rear cab there’s a 60/40 split fold-up bench seat. The seats are cloth on the XE trim.

Looking for audio? The Titan King Cab XE features AM/FM/CD audio with six speakers.

Safety features include front air bags, roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags, seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags for the front passengers and rollover head protection for all passengers. It also includes the LATCH system for child safety. And there’s the standard tire pressure monitoring system. But there are man other safety features beside these. For the full list check out Nissan’s website.

For a small pickup, the 2010 Nissan Titan King Cab XE is full of room. Over 65 inches of shoulder room in the front cab and 64.9 inches of shoulder room in the rear cab. The cargo bed length is 79.1 inches. Its depth is 19.9 inches and the width at the widest point is 63.8 inches. Between wheel wells there are 50 full inches of cargo space.

Nissan pickup lovers will enjoy this vehicle. Devoted Titan drivers will live and breathe by it.

How to Determine What’s Leaking

June 15, 2010 | Posted by dragonfly 

It happens all the time. Someone takes your car for a drive, and after they have pulled out of the driveway you notice a puddle sitting where your car used to be. How do you determine if the puddle is a problem, and what do you do about it? Here are a few tips to help you diagnose what’s happening.

Oil Leak1. Hopefully, the puddle is clear water. If this is the case, there’s nothing to worry about. Because your new Nissan car has moving parts designed to heat up and cool down, water often condenses and drips from the vehicle. Most often it is simply condensation from the air conditioner.

2. Antifreeze and engine coolants are usually colored with a bright colored dye; blue, bright green, etc. If the puddle you have noticed is brightly colored this means that you have a leak in a hose, radiator, or water pump.

3. Any red liquid pooling on the ground would indicate that you are losing power steering or transmission fluid.

4. Oil leaks from your Nissan, perhaps the most common, will appears as black or brown spots or puddles. This could be from a bad gasket or seal.

Once you have determined what is causing that ugly puddle, you have a few options on what to do next. There are a number of different “stop leak” products available, which normally involves adding the product to the fluid that is leaking and it will patch up the leak for you. This involves very few tools and can usually be handled by the vehicle owner themselves.

If this method doesn’t seem to stop the leak the next step would be to try and locate the part that contains the leak and determine if it can be patched. This may involve tools the average car owner would not have.

Thirdly, you can return to the dealership where you purchased your new Nissan car and have a qualified mechanic examine it. As all new Nissan cars come with a warranty, this may be the best option as the work would be covered.

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Auto Review: 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

May 18, 2010 | Posted by cmcelroy 

The 2010 Nissan Sentra is a classy family sedan that comes in many trim levels. The SE-R Spec V is the sporty version. Actually, it’s a performanced-based sports coupe with all the class and style you’d expect from Nissan. It’s top of the line.

The Sentra class begins at the basic level 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter four cylinder engine. When you get to the SE-R trim level it bumps up to a 2.5-liter engine with 177 horsepower. The SE-R Spec V features a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine with 200 horsepower and a six-speed manual gearbox. Whopping power for its class.

2010 Nissan Sentra SE R Spec V

Smaller than an Altima or Maxima, but larger than a Versa, the 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V should be fun to drive at any age. It has a roomy interior and great fuel efficiency. True sports car lovers will be disappointed that its only available in a sedan, but it’s a nice sedan.

You’d think that a top of the line series would be something you’d have to pay through the nose for. Not so the Spec V. The MSRP is $20,800. That makes it an affordable sports sedan.

You’ll get 21 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. Not bad. Plus, it does feature the front wheel drive drivetrain, which makes it easy to handle. And you have a 5 passenger capacity.

The 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V does come with a 4-wheel ABS system. And it also has power rack and pinion steering. The suspension is independent strut on the front and torsion beam on the rear. Both have a standard stabilizer bar.

For safety, the SE-R Spec V has child safety locks on the rear doors. It also the tire pressure monitoring system and electronic stability control. Both front seats have front and side impact air bags. Additionally, rear passengers have a side impact air bag at the head level.

We can’t say the 2010 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V is the best vehicle on the road, but for the price and the class that it fits into, it’s a good ride. You’ll feel like you’re driving a sports car.

How Often Should You Service Your Nissan?

May 17, 2010 | Posted by cmcelroy 

It is important to service your Nissan vehicle every so often in order to keep it in good running condition and to prevent problems down the road. The best maintenance plan is preventive maintenance. It might cost a little bit here and there, but it will save you money in the long run and make your Nissan last longer.

Nissan Mechanic

Nissan recommends one of three service packs:

  • Premium: You should service your vehicle every 3 months or at 3,750 miles, whichever comes first. You’ll have your Nissan looked over completely with more services than on any other maintenance plan.
  • Schedule 1: Every 3 months or 3,750 miles, whichever occurs first. Fewer maintenance items are checks at the same interval as the Premium maintenance plan.
  • Schedule 2: Every 6 months or 7,500 miles, whichever comes first. This is the least of the three Nissan-recommended maintenance plans. You’ll get fewer maintenance items checked off less often. Only choose this option if you plan to perform certain maintenance tasks yourself – such as the periodic oil change.

It is important to have your Nissan serviced regularly. Just like regular medical checks ups for your body, having your Nissan looked over by a qualified mechanic will extend the life of your automobile and make for more enjoyable driving.  For scheduled maintenance, stop by your Fort Meyers Nissan dealer today.

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