2011 Nissan drivers benefit from collision avoidance technology
2011 Nissan drivers may possess one of the safest cars offered to date. The automaker has perfected two new safety features to the point that they are ready to be included in future Nissan and Infiniti models. The features – the “Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Concept” and the “Moving Object Detection” - are really quite amazing even in the world of impressive technology we currently live in. Most importantly, the features will no doubt prevent future accidents.
The first feature aids drivers in stop-and-go traffic, something commuters can experience on a daily basis. 2011 Nissan vehicles possessing this safety feature, for example, will emit a loud noise within the cab of the car, while concurrently lessening the accelerator and engaging the breakes, when a radar, monitoring the speed and distance of the car in front of the car senses a sudden change. In addition, a warning will also appear on a display screen inside of the vehicle. The system’s first reaction is a slight one, so as not to cause a rear-end collision of its own, but continues to monitor the situation and will slow the vehicle more severely if needed.
The second, and equally as impressive and important feature, can be easily described as an extra set, eyes around the car. This feature will detect moving objects around the vehicle when the vehicle is moving at a very low speed – think little kids and hard-to-see-bicycles. Sensors are placed around the body of the car and notify the driver – again via a display screen and an audible sound – of any moving objects near the car. In addition to being designed in order to prevent small children from being hit, the feature also hopes to help drivers around hard-to-see corners in parking structures and tight city blocks.
Nissan Reaches 20,000-Reservation Milestone for Nissan LEAF; First Phase of Customer Reservations Completed
Consumer interest for the Nissan LEAF continues to grow, as Nissan North America Inc. today marks its 20,000th reservation for the 100-percent electric car.
Nissan had anticipated reaching its stated target of 20,000 reservations at the time of the first U.S. Nissan LEAF delivery, in December. This achievement comes three months ahead of schedule.
Achieving 20,000 reservations marks the successful completion of the first phase of the Nissan LEAF rollout, which began more than five months ago, and no further reservations will be taken until next year. Nissan now is focusing on providing the best level of customer service and premium ownership experience to those who already have enrolled. A subsequent phase of reservations will begin next year, after current reservations and orders have been processed.
Consumers who already have made reservations will continue to have the opportunity to purchase or lease an all-electric Nissan LEAF.
Those who are interested in the Nissan LEAF but have yet to make reservations are invited to sign up for information and updates on www.nissanusa.com. They will be contacted in advance of the next phase of vehicle reservations.
"As of today, 20,000 consumers have spoken, and they are choosing the Nissan LEAF and a zero-emission future," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. "We, along with our dealers, now look forward to focusing on providing an absolute top-level purchase experience to our first customers, and to help ensure that the transition to gas-free driving is a seamless one. We invite all who are interested in experiencing the Nissan LEAF to join us at the upcoming Drive Electric Tour, which is coming to 23 cities beginning this fall."
Consumers and other interested drivers will have the first opportunity to test-drive a Nissan LEAF in select markets starting Oct. 1 through the "Drive Electric Tour." The tour will provide information about the car, its technology, and its features, along with the first public test-drives.
Joe Sponseller - Nearly 40 Years of Helping Herb Gordon Customers
As Shop Foreman for Herb Gordon Nissan Joe Sponseller makes sure things run smoothly for all of the dealership's service staff. It is his job to solve issues with problem cars and act as a liaison between the dealership and manufacturer, even contacting Nissan Engineering for further information if necessary. However, Joe has so impressed Nissan that when they have difficulty solving certain mechanical issues they turn to him to help with solving the problem.
"I love my job because every day is an adventure with new problems to solve for customers." Joe has been working with Herb Gordon Nissan customers a long time - he started in 1971 and he has been a Nissan Master Technician since 1982. "Why have I stayed at Herb Gordon for all of these years? The management is top-notch and really cares about their staff. We have many loyal customers, some of our whom have been coming here since the 1970's. I love improving a customer's day - he or she may come in unhappy, but they leave with a smile."
Be sure to ask for Joe the next time you stop in for service. He will make every effort to see that you are another customer that leaves Herb Gordon Nissan with that smile.
The First Minivan
The 1936 Stout Scarab came about in the early 1930s when William B. Stout, head of the Stout Engineering Laboratories in Dearborn, Michigan, dreamed of rear-engine/rear-wheel drive. Stout created the 1936 Stout Scarab so that drivers would have better visibility. His Scarab, with its flush glass and electric door locks, bore scant resemblance to any car on Depression-era roads.
Although the Scarab looked long -- like an old Greyhound bus with postwar "bathtub" Nash overtones -- the dimensions weren't terribly startling. The 135-inch wheelbase was on the long side, but the overall length of just over 16 feet-about the same as a 1936 Pontiac-allowed only minimal overhang at each end. And the rear-mounted engine couldn't be more commonplace: an 85-bhp flathead Ford V-8 hooked to Ford's three-speed gearbox. On a 6000-mile trip, Stout's car got a creditable 18.8 mpg.
Scarab interiors were as unique as their bodies. Only the driver's seat was fixed. All the others could be moved around the big, flat floor-even positioned around a fold-down table if desired.
A Stout ad in Fortune announced that 1936 production would be "limited to 100 cars," with prices starting at $5000. Scarabs actually cost a lot more to build, however, and nearly all of them went to Stout board members, including such notables as Phillip Wrigley and Harvey Firestone.
Ahead of its time? Absolutely. Not everyone falls for the unorthodox shape, but they all take notice if a Scarab glides into view. Just a glance at that elegantly fanned rear grillework confirms that the Scarab was -- and is -- something special.
Maryland has how many counties? (Do not count Baltimore City.)
27
19
23
14
See answer under Car Doctor.
Ask the Car Doctor
Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist
By Matthew Wright
In addition to the added perils of winter driving, the change in weather can bring peril to your car's systems. Freezing temps, salted roads and wintery precipitation can gang up on your car if you don't give it a baseball-bat sized maintenance session. These winter maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble.
• Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car's winter protection. Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5. You did remember to perform a radiator flush last spring, didn't you?
• Inspect your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. It's been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32" (1/8") be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump 'em up.
• Replace your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.
• Check your windshield washer fluid
You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking like a Desert Humvee if you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!
Annual Maintenance Procedures
On top of the checks you need to perform to ensure safe winter driving, now's a good time to do some annual maintenance. These aren't necessarily specific to winter driving, but it's a good point on the calendar to get around to doing this stuff.
• Clean your battery posts
Starting problems are a bummer any time of year. Regularly treating your battery to a cleaning can keep electrical gremlins at bay.
• Inspect your spark plug wires
Cracked up plug wires affect performance, gas mileage and general reliability. Be sure yours are in top shape.
• Inspect your brakes
Brakes are not a good area to cut corners. Be sure your brakes have enough meat left to get you through the season.
• Check Your Engine Oil
This should go without saying and should be done at least monthly. But in case you're an amnesiac ... you should also do an oil change!
Cold weather safety should be a concern for anybody living in a cold climate. These tips will give you the upper hand when Old Man Winter tries to put a chill on your winter travels. If you're extra curious about staying generally safe in winter weather, the National Weather Service has an excellent Winter Safety & Awareness guide that covers everything from how storms brew to a list of history's billion dollar winter wonders.
Click Here to schedule a service appointment at your nearest Mile One Service Center.
The correct answer is 23
Anne Arundel, Allegany, Baltimore, Calvert, Cecil, Charles, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George, Queen Annes, Saint Marys, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester.
