Monthly Archives: February 2013

Fun Facts About the Nissan Xterra

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Here are few things you may or may not know about the Nissan Xterra:

  • One of the most distinguishable characteristics of the Xterra is the “hump” on the back hatch. What is it? The first aid kit.
  • Even thought the Xterra was first introduced in the spring of 1999, the first model was dubbed a 2000.
  • In 2002, Nissan discontinued two colors from the available paint scheme, khaki and Aztek Red. But Nissan added Shock Blue, Sedona and Molten Lava.
  • The color Atomic Orange was only available in the year 2003.
  • In 2005, the Xterra was given a major overhaul redesign, utilizing the Frontier/Titan platform instead of the Pathfinder platform.
  • Although Nissan is a Japanese company, the Xterra is not assembled there. Believe it or not, all Xterras-along with Frontiers and Pathfinders-are assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee.
  • When Nissan first introduced the Xterra, they used an ultra-catchy slogan to promote it. Remember it? “Everything you need, __________.” (and nothing you don’t)

2012 Nissan Xterra

For more information of the Nissan Xterra, or to view available inventory, please visit http://bit.ly/YC45pN.

Nissan Opens Silicon Valley Research Center

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The Nissan industry has opened a new research facility in Silicon Valley, where they plan to focus on autonomous and connected vehicles. The new facility is called the Nissan Research Center Silicon Valley (NRC-SV) and will be used alongside local educational institutions and companies to work on new vehicle projects. The initial projects will focus on autonomous vehicles and connected vehicles using the internet to communicate with the outside world.

“As we continue to expand our R&D capabilities throughout the world, we aggressively pursue our activities to create new values of mobility, by harnessing the latest information and communication technologies here in our new research center in Silicon Valley,” said Nissan Executive Vice President supervising Research and Development Mitsuhiko Yamashita.

Nissan is looking for 60 “outsiders” to be involved in this research initially. An “outsider” would be someone who is not from the auto industry. Nissan has hired former NASA scientist, Maarten Sierhuis, to lead the project. It is believed that autonomous cars could be in showrooms within a decade if many issues are resolved.

For more information about the latest Nissan Car News and Nissan’s newest models, please visit our website at http://www.jamescerantinissan.net.

5 Tips to Help Keep Your Car on the Road for 10 Years

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car care james ceranti blog

If you are looking to keep your car around a long time, consider preventative maintenance for your vehicle. Car manufacturers provide recommendations on when to complete maintenance tasks. For instance, most experts recommend checking battery fluid levels four times a year. Find out what your car’s manufacturer recommends and stick to it. Spending a little now can save you from a big expense, and hassle, later on.

Check and replace fluids

No fluid was meant to last forever. Checking and replacing fluids can help keep your vehicle on the road longer. Consider that engine oil usually needs to be changed every 5,000 miles, or every six months; engine coolant needs to be checked twice a year and flushed and replaced as necessary; and transmission fluid needs to be flushed every two years or 30,000 miles.

One that is most consistently overlooked is brake fluid. Brake fluid attracts and absorbs moisture, and over time, it can do a lot of damage to the internal parts of your anti-lock braking system. It should be flushed every two years regardless of mileage. And, don’t forget to flush the power steering and change the differential lubricant, as well.

Slow down, lead foot!

It’s pretty obvious that driving recklessly will take its toll on your vehicle.  Slow down for potholes, take corners at a reasonable speed, and avoiding putting your foot to the floor. According to the US Department of Energy, it takes 73 percent more horsepower to cruise at 60 mph, and a whopping 159 percent more at 70 mph, than it does at 50 mph. Maintenance costs can increase 38 percent by driving 10 mph faster on average! Each mile per hour you travel over 50 mph will cause a 1.5 percent increase on fuel consumption, the Department of Energy says.

Buy a reliable car

Overall, cars are getting more reliable, but there is still a wide range of reliability from company to company, model to model, and even between different model years of the same vehicle. When you’re shopping for a new or previously owned car, choose one with a proven track record of reliability. Also, be sure to choose a car company that’s going to be around for a while, with a good reputation for supplying parts.

There are many sources that provide this information, such as Kelley Blue Book. So if you’re really interested in getting the most out of your car, choose a reliable model to begin with–not just one that looks good.

Consider an extended warranty

Even following these steps perfectly, no car is built to last forever. Parts break or wear out and it’s never a convenient time! One way to protect yourself from this inevitable circumstance is to invest in an extended warranty for your vehicle. An extended warranty can help ensure that your vehicle is always in the best mechanical condition and can help you avoid expensive repair bills.

We hope you car continues to run for years to come, but if you ever need another one, please consider us as www.jamescerantinissan.net!

Reventon vs. Nissan GT-R vs. Ducati 1098

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What to do with two supercars and one impressive motorcycle?

2013 Nissan GT-R

Drag race, of course! Motor Trend has done it again, this time with three breathtaking pieces of machinery and one long straightaway.

The Lamborghini Reventon is a mid engine sports car that debuted in 2007. The average price of one of these babies is around two million dollars! Rated at 693 hp, its tops speed has been recorded at 211 mph. Ducati manufacturers claim 160 hp and the 0-60 mph time is less than three seconds. Top speeds are estimated around 180 mph. The GT-R has been upgraded in the 2013 models to 580 hp.

The results of the first race may have been based on the Nissan’s tune-up, because it raced for first with the Ducati, while leaving the Reventon far behind after a poor launch. When the Ducati opted out of a second race, the GT-R triumphed again, despite the Lamborghini’s improved launch. In one final race, the all-wheel-drive supercars raced from a rolling start. So which car won the third and final race? You’ll have to check out the video below for the answer!

For a list of our award winning Nissans please visit www.jamescerantinissan.net or come see us at our Greeneville Store!