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The cabin air filter is a part of every car, but many do not know much about the part. The purpose of the filter is to clean the air that comes into a car through the air-conditioning, heat, and vent system. The filter catches airborne material like dust to prevent respiratory problems in a car. Did you know a cabin air filter should typically be replaced every 12-15,000 miles? Have you ever had your filter replaced? Aside from mileage you should also pay attention to the air flow, noise from your air system, and bad odors. These could be signs that your cabin air filter needs changed. Cabin air filters can be located in a couple places within your car, typically behind the glove box or under the car dashboard. If you want to find and replace it yourself, you should be able to find details about it in the owner’s manual. If you would prefer to have someone do it for you, your local dealership can check and replace it fairly quick! If you replace your filter or have it replaced, look at the inside of it, especially if it’s been a while. There are many things that can be found inside of the filter including bugs, sticks, and grime. Let’s just say what you see, typically will make you want to replace it more often! When it comes to looking for a replacement filter, there are several options because there are several different filter materials, makes, and longevity in various filters. In order to figure out which one is best for your car, do a quick Google search or contact your local dealership for a recommendation. Whether you have a funky smell in your car or just feel like the ventilation system isn’t working well, check your cabin air filter. It’s important to breathe easy while you’re driving, so don’t forget to replace it!

The spread of the Corona Virus is the biggest topic in our world right now. You have probably disinfected your bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, but what about your cars? Do you think you can catch a virus from your car’s surfaces? Well the answer is YES, you absolutely can so we’ve collected some great tips to help you reduce the spread of the virus in your car! What should I use to clean my vehicle? Soap and water are always the best choice because it limits the amount of chemicals in your car, but alcohol is the most common cleaner used by automotive manufacturers. A natural cleaner sprayed on a paper towel or microfiber cloth can work well too. Statistics say the steering wheel has four times the amount of germs found on the average toilet seat! GROSS! Disinfecting products such as Lysol wipes can be used, especially for common surfaces like the steering wheel and radio, but use sparingly on leather seats. What products should I NOT use to clean my vehicle? Never use hydrogen peroxide or bleach on your vehicle because it’ll damage your surfaces. Also never use ammonia-based products such as Windex on leather or radio touch screens because it will break down the material and damage it. MAKE SURE YOU NEVER COMBINE THESE PRODUCTS BELOW! Rubbing Alcohol + Bleach = Toxic Chloroform Bleach + Vinegar = Toxic Chlorine Gas Baking Soda + Vinegar = Ineffective Cleaning Solution Ammonia + Bleach = Toxic Chloramine Vapors Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar = Toxic Peracetic Acid How often should I disinfect my car? Disinfecting your car depends on how often you are driving. If you are driving daily, consider using a disinfecting wipe at the end of every day to wipe down your steering wheel, door handles, and radio. If you’re not driving often then just disinfect after a few uses or when you’ve been somewhere with lots of people. Wash your hands and sanitize! The easiest way to prevent this virus from being on your car’s surfaces is by washing your hands! Wash your hands before you get in the car, when you get out, and sanitize before and after you get out in public areas, especially gas pumps! Keep a hand sanitizer in your car with at least 70% alcohol in it to use. Think about the interactions you’ll have before you get in your car! If you’re going to get fast food, make sure you have your sanitizer to put on your hands before you get to the window and after they return your card and food. Know you need gas? Make sure you have napkins or Lysol wipes ready so you don’t touch the buttons or gas pump. Daily coffee run, just bring your own cup, immediately pour the drink in it and dispose of the store cup. Wash your hands, ALWAYS. Disinfect when you can. Try to think ahead! It’s important we stay clean, especially in our cars. Use these simple tips and stay healthy!

The rainy season is here, which means when you’re driving you depend on your wiper blades a lot. It’s important you’re not that person leaning down so you can see under the water smudge or having to pull over because your wipers just aren’t doing their job. If you are that person or you just want to learn what wipers are best, then keep reading below for our recommendations when it comes to wiper blades. How often should I change my wiper blades? Wipers should be changed twice a year. You can easily check your wipers by running your fingers up and down the rubber part to see if there are any ridges or cracks in the rubber. Another way to check your wipers is to turn them on and spray your cleaner, if there are any streaks or blurs left then you need to replace your wipers. How do I know which wipers to buy? Wiper blades come in various sizes, which means they’re not universal for every vehicle. Look at your vehicle’s user manual or talk to someone at your local dealership or auto-parts store about which size is best for your car. Don’t worry, wipers are easy to install or you can have the dealership or auto-parts store install them for you. The type of wipers you buy are important so we included some of our top recommendations below! Two of our top brands are Nissan Value Advantage Wiper and Mopar wiper blades. We carry both of these brands in our dealership, both in various sizes and models. They have great price points, along with versatility when it comes to their model options. As for other various wipers we have listed our top 4 depending on what you are wanting the wipers to do for your windshield. Bosch ICON Wiper Blades - A higher price point, but also a longer life span than most blades. If you don’t live in an area with all types of weather then this might not be the best choice for you, but if you want a universal blade when it comes to weather this is your best choice. ANCO 31-series - This is one of the most budget friendly options and a top pick for those of you who do not experience much rain or snow. Although these are very budget friendly, if you get snow and ice these won’t last near as long as other wipers. Aero Premium All-Season Windshield Wiper Blades - These wipers are a perfect choice for those who live in the Midwest, especially during summer and fall. They have a great price point and reviewers love their ease when it comes to installation. Michelin Stealth Ultra Hybrid Wiper Blades - Last, but not least our pick for a top winter wiper choice. These feature a rubber blend different from others so the blade remains flexible through snow and ice. This wiper would be a great choice for your second change of the year, so you can be well prepared for the winter season.

Now that winter is behind us and spring has decided to make an appearance, it’s time to start thinking about spring cleaning – for your vehicle! Winters can be harsh on your car, which makes spring the perfect time to do some good maintenance and a deep clean. Oil Change. A good rule of thumb is to get an oil change approximately every 5000 miles.  It’s an easy and inexpensive part of your vehicle maintenance and it really helps extend the efficiency and reliability of your vehicle. A GOOD Car Wash – Inside and Out. More than just the aesthetic of having a clean car, giving your vehicle a good wash at the start of spring is a step toward maintaining the overall health of your car. Road salt left on the exterior for too long can deplete the color and corrode the metal. (And spring rain showers are not enough to rinse off all that winter grime). Don’t forget the wash the undercarriage as well – this is where a lot of the road salt tends to sit and cause problems. Don’t forget about the interior.  Winter tends to encourage a trash buildup in the doors, nooks and crannies of vehicles. Take 20 minutes after your car wash and vacuum out the entire inside. Replace Wiper Blades. Winter can be very harsh on wiper blades and small tears and cracks can appear without you being able to see them. With the onslaught of spring showers, you want to make sure that your wiper blades are up to snuff. Check Tire Pressure and Alignment. Your tires are literally the cushion between you and the road, so it’s especially important to take care of them. We recommend checking your tire pressure monthly. Most newer vehicles will send you an alert when one or more tires has fallen below the recommended level. Check the tread for wear and tear. Roads can be very slippery during spring rain storms, so you want to make sure you’re able to stop without sliding. You’ll want to rotate and align them in the spring as well. Change Air Filters. You may not be using that AC just yet, but before it becomes an absolute necessity, make sure that your air filters are unclogged and replace them if necessary. Review Your Insurance Policy. This is one of the vehicle maintenance items that people always forget about. Oftentimes, your agent will proactively reach out to you every so often, but if they don’t, spring is a good time to be proactive about it yourself. Are you in the most efficient policy for your family? Will you be adding a new teen driver to your policy soon? Call your agent and find out if there are any deals or discounts that you can get as well.

Credit Score When it comes to big purchases, credit score is something we constantly worry about. Whether you are starting to build your credit score or you have not made all your payments in time, these could possibly affect whether you could finance a car or not. Most people don’t realize how much a credit score determines when buying a car; the interest rate, monthly payment amount and your loan terms. We are here to give you the run down on credit score and even include some tips when it comes to getting approval to finance a car. What is credit score? Every person has a three-digit number which is determined by how you repay debt, this is called credit score. Lenders, banks, and in this case dealerships use these scores to approve a person for a loan or financing. Your score is not based on any personal information, just specifically on making on-time payments and your accounts being in good standing. Credit is not always an indicator of your financial standing, but it could mean you have a lot of borrowed money to pay on consistently. Not only does your credit score determine your loan approval, but it also will determine your interest rate. The higher the credit score, the lower interest rate you will typically be charged. Make sure to keep building your score, especially before a financed purchase, because every lender has a different standard. Something most people do not know is you are more likely to get approved and get a better interest rate through a car dealership than a bank, so keep this in mind when you are buying a car. What does my credit score need to be to purchase a vehicle? Overall a good credit score is considered 720 or higher. When it comes to buying a car many people underestimate how much car dealers really want to sell a car to you. This does not mean everyone will get approved, but your chances are higher than you think if your score is below 700. Another important unit to calculate is your credit utilization, also known as the percentage of available credit being used at the current time. For example, if you have 5 credit cards with $10,000 limits, your available line of credit is $50,000. If you owe $46,000 then lenders will be concerned you are tapped out because your utilization is 92%, and you only have 8% available. If you owe $10,000 then your available credit is 80% because you’re only utilizing 20%. This is another important factor to evaluate along with your credit score. Don’t stress if you have a low credit score because it’s possible you can still get approved! If you have a credit score under the needed level, you could always consider having a co-signer. If you have someone who is willing, a person with a higher credit score can co-sign onto the loan to help you get approved. If this is not an option for you, dealers and lenders can always work with you to find other potential lenders who might approve a loan based on your credit history. I’m looking into buying a car, but just learned about credit score, now what? If you have a credit card, then you can typically find your credit report by logging onto your account. If you do not have a credit card or are struggling to find your credit score you can also visit sites such as creditkarma.com or nerdwallet.com to check your credit score for free without affecting your score. Knowing your score can help you have an idea of how easy the loan process might or might not be for you. If you are worried about getting approved, work on improving your credit before you start shopping. Also it’s easier to get approved for a pre-owned car than a new one so keep that in mind. Remember the longer you have your credit history the better, especially if you are making good payments on it. Work on paying your bills on time, don’t apply for any other credit, and keep old credit cards open instead of closing them. Discipline yourself to spend less than you make instead of accumulating debt on your credit cards. If you have already signed a loan to buy a car, then keep improving your credit and watch your scores. If the loan is high-rate and you have made all your payments on time, then after 6-12 months you might be able to refinance the loan for a lower interest rate. As long as you have a credit score you have a chance to get approved, so always make sure you try through both the dealership and your bank. If you do not get approved you can use these tips to build up your score, which could happen quicker than you might think. Don’t let your credit score get you down or keep you from buying a car. There are always ways to improve your score and get an opportunity to buy the car perfect for you! https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-scores/ https://www.nerdwallet.com/?trk=nw_gn_4.0

Summer is coming to a close, kids are back in school and families are starting to focus on getting things done other than blowing up pool floats. Fall is a busy time for all of us, but it’s also the perfect time to slowly start getting your vehicle ready for the winter, (yuck, the ‘w’ word), months ahead. Getting a head start in the fall means that you don’t have to scramble in once winter does hit and it may be too late. The following are our Fall Car Care Tips to help get your vehicle ready for both fall AND winter. No need to have all these done at once. Spread the cost out over the fall so that by winter you’re safe and ready to drive! Here are our September Service Specials for Toyota, Chrysler/Nissan, and Chevy Buick GMC. Check your Tire Tread – you can visually check this yourself. The easiest way is to grab a penny and insert the penny into a tire groove on each one of the tires. Make sure that Abe Lincoln’s head is upside down and facing you. If you can see ALL of Abe’s head, it’s time to replace your tires. This isn’t a fool proof test though, depending on your tires, so if you have doubts, definitely bring your tires in to be checked by a service professional. Check ALL your Lights – it will start getting darker sooner and you don’t want to be caught out driving at dusk with lights that don’t work. Grab a family member or friend and have them help you check to see that your brake lights, turn signals and high beams all work. Check fluid levels – most vehicles will now alert you when you need to replace fluids or if there is a fluid leak, but if you have an older model vehicle, you will need to check for these manually yourself or have a service professional do an inspection. Washer fluid – this is an easy issue to rectify yourself and washer fluid is inexpensive. But oftentimes people forget to refill this and then find themselves in a scary situation when “winter” weather creeps into fall months without warning. Heating and Cooling – checking the HVAC system is something that is a little bit more difficult to do at home. Obviously, you can tell if your AC/Heat has completely stopped working, but if the system is on it’s way out, you may not notice right away until the temps drop drastically. But at a service center this is a quick test and they can tell you exactly how adequately yours is working. Tire Pressure – air pressure in a tire decreases 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change. This is something that you will want to check a few times each season. And the nice thing is that putting air in your tires is free! Not just to help ensure your safety this fall and winter, keeping your car properly tuned can improve your gas mileage by an average of 4%* - everybody likes saving on gas money! *source: The Car Care Council

This beautiful weather also brings storms that could be very dangerous.  Tornados, hail, and white-out rain storms are prevalent this time of year.  We put together some tips on what to do if you find yourself stuck in a storm while you’re in your vehicle. Tornado Safety If Caught In Your Car It’s easy to think that your vehicle could easily outrun a tornado, but they can change directions quickly and strong tornado winds are capable of picking up a vehicle and depositing it miles away from where it started. 'Trying to outrun a tornado in your vehicle is the number one thing to remember not to do. AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist, Dave Samuhel, said that trying to outrun a tornado is a bad idea because tornadoes have the potential to travel over 60 mph and they don't have to follow road patterns. Driving on a 90-degree angle away from the tornado is a good strategy to follow in order to distance yourself from the tornado. "A compass or GPS may be helpful to determine which way to drive on a 90-degree angle away from the storm," Samuhel said. If you see a tornado developing where you are driving, the best thing to do is to pull over and evacuate your vehicle. Seek shelter in the nearest sturdy building or storm shelter; do not hide under your car. The wind could potentially roll your car over. If there is no available shelter, find the nearest ditch or low-lying area and crouch low to the ground covering your head with your arms. Potentially sturdy structures to look for while driving are fast food restaurants and banks. Fast food restaurants will usually have a cooler that could withstand a tornado similar to a safe in a bank, according to Samuhel. Also, seeking shelter in an interior wall is a good idea. "The more walls between you and the tornado, the better off you are," Samuhel said. (excerpt taken from AccuWeather.com).' Protecting Your Vehicle (and Yourself) During a Hail Storm Hail storms can be detrimental to your vehicle and your pocketbook. Being prepared ahead of time can help you avoid some significant damage, and even injury. Obviously, a garage is ideal. If you have a garage that needs to be cleaned out to allow space for your vehicle(s), now is the time to do some spring cleaning! No garage? There are lots of other options: - Invest in an inexpensive car port - Purchase a padded car cover - (if you have time before a storm hits, add some blankets or towels underneath the padded cover for added cushion) - Make sure you receive weather alerts on your phone. Lots of free weather apps offer this service so that you know ahead of time when a hail storm should hit. - Put those floor mats to use - in a pinch, use floor mats to cover your hood and roof. It won’t protect the entire vehicle but it will help mitigate the damage. - Use tall buildings as hail shields. If you are caught driving during a hail storm, find the tallest building near you, determine which directions the hail is coming from and park your car on the opposite side as near to the building as possible. Parking on the west side of a tall building during an easterly hail storm will help minimize your hail damage as well. - If caught driving before a storm hits, try to get into a building before hand, and put those floor mats to work on your while you’re taking shelter inside. And should your vehicle sustain any hail damage, the Monken Service Department is here to help you fix any damage you may have sustained. What To Do When Caught In a Heavy Rain Storm While Driving Our number one tip for staying safe while driving in a heavy rain storm is to get off the road when visibility is bad.  Pull over to a rest area, a store parking lot or to the side of the road in a pinch.  Note: If you pull off to the side of the road, be sure to put on your hazards. If you can get under a gas station overhang, try to. DO NOT park under large trees in the hope of trying to stay dry and avoid damage. Even large trees can topple or lose heavy branches during a heavy enough rain. During lightning and thunder, do not leave your vehicle unless you can QUICKLY get into a nearby building.  If lightning hits your vehicle, the electrical current will travel through the metal cage of your car and into the ground.  Note: the electrical current could still affect your car’s electrical system, so be careful not to touch any metal buttons or instruments in your car until the lightning has subsided. If you notice that the road is starting to flood, turn around. Don’t try to drive through a flooding road - two feet of water can float a car and even a truck. And to be on the safe side, keep an emergency kit in your car at all times.  For tips on what to keep in your emergency car kit, see our post here.

A car emergency kit is always something we recommend people have in their vehicle at all times. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize their need for one until it’s too late.  There are a number of kits that you can purchase, like this one from AAA, or this one if you’re prepping for a zombie apocalypse, but they are simple to put together yourself at home.  You’ll be glad you made one should you ever find yourself in the position to need it. Even if you have AAA, they may not come immediately, inclement weather may keep them from getting to you at all, and passengers inside the car could be injured. We put together our list of the 10 most important items to keep in your car emergency kit at all times. 1. A First-Aid Kit. Yes, a kit within your kit. These can be purchased very inexpensively at any drug store, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. and should include the typical items like Band-Aids, gauze, antibacterial cream, and anything else specific to your family’s needs. 2. Water. Depending on who your typical passengers are, you may want to keep more or less water handy, but a gallon jug is a good amount. We find this to be handy not even during a vehicle emergency, but also after a hike when you realize your dog doesn’t have quite enough water! 3. An extra cell-phone charger. Buy a spare charger that you NEVER take out of this kit. Most people have one handy inside the vehicle, but if your family is anything like ours, they mysteriously go missing from time to time. Keep one in the emergency kit that your battery-hogging teenagers don’t know about. 4. Non-perishable snacks. We recommend protein or granola bars and trail mix. We’ve also heard of people keeping those energy gel packets used by avid hikers and marathoners. 5. Rain poncho with a hood. This one sounds kind of silly, until you have to try and change your tire in the rain and you can’t see through the rain dripping down your face. It’s also helpful if you run out of gas and have to walk in the rain to the nearest gas station. 6. Multi-purpose utility tool. You can do a ton of cool things with a Swiss Army Knife, and the best part is, they are compact and lightweight. Handy for any number of emergencies, including, but not limited to, packing a romantic afternoon picnic and realizing you left your corkscrew or bottle opener at home. 7. Duct tape: One of the world’s most underrated inventions. A favorite of Michael Scott when he had to survive alone in the woods. 8. Flashlight and extra batteries. Bonus points if your flashlight is waterproof. 9. Jumper Cables. The longer the better, in case they have to be used after someone’s vehicle has gone off the road. 10. Foam tire sealant. Definitely not a permanent solution for a flat tire, but if you’re dealing with a small puncture, this foam sealant is a good quick fix to help you get from the side of the road to a nearby service center. Also, here is a list of our Roadside Assistance Numbers you may want to keep in your vehicle.

Intelligent Rear View Mirror Nissan's new Intelligent Rear View Mirror (I-RVM) 1 adds a built-in LCD monitor within the traditional rearview mirror to help provide clear rearward visibility unimpeded by traditional obstacles such as cargo or tall passengers. The 2018 Nissan Armada is the first Nissan vehicle to offer the new I-RVM technology. I-RVM is standard on the Armada Platinum grade. The I-RVM system utilizes a high-performance, narrow-angle camera and a specially shaped LCD monitor, with a unique aspect ratio of approximately 4:1, versus conventional monitors' 4:3 or 16:9. The camera projects a clear image onto the monitor for a better view, as well as a more comfortable driving experience. The high-quality camera and image processing system implemented in the LCD monitor consistently results in a clear image with minimal glare, even during sunrise or sunset conditions or when the vehicle is being followed by a vehicle with strong headlights.

By Rachel Swaby for Giz Explains The smell of a new car is intoxicating. It reminds us of money and shiny objects. It evokes that golden period before repeat coffee stains, moldy Tupperware, and our trunk's transformation into a Good Will depository change the way we feel about our car. But it's kind of a weird smell, right? It's so different from chocolate chip cookies or eucalyptus or whatever else we identify as pleasant. So we decided to get to the bottom of the new car smell. What  is it? The answer, according to Toyota's color and trim manager Janis Ambrose Shard, certainly leans toward a more Pavlov's dog-type reaction. We like the smell because we like the car. Unfortunately, says Shard, "The smell is mostly organic compounds in the vehicle off-gassing. Anything that is vinyl or plastic—the foam lamination on the seat surface, the plastic on the dash or on the door panel—it's the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) coming out of them that causes that smell." In other words, without the relationship to a brand new car, the smell would just, you know, smell. VOCs probably ring a bell because they're air pollutants. And they can do a number on your health. And they're everywhere. Thousands of household products-from paints to cleaning products to waxes-all emit the gasses, and they're normally found in low concentrations in indoor air. In your car, petroleum-based solvents in plastic and vinyl are to blame. VOCs escape from the dash and the seats because they don't require super high temperatures to evaporate. A normal ol' Tuesday will stir them up. Another VOC fun fact: You know that weird foggy film that builds up on the inside of your windshield? Blame the new car smell. The same VOCs that we're sniffing can be responsible for mucking up our windows, too. "That new car smell is not something we strive to achieve," says Shard. If anything, automakers are trying to cut it. Toyota has moved from solvent-based glues to water-based alternatives to slash VOCs, and other automakers, like Ford, have experimented with swapping petroleum-based seating for soy based foam. Natural materials, though, have their own set of challenges. For instance, Ford had to go through a lot of veggie-based foam trials to find one that didn't offend the consumer's nose. And because the natural material holds a lot of moisture, living somewhere like Louisiana where it's both hot and humid, can cause some natural materials to deteriorate rapidly, says Shard. Basically, they're working on taking that new car smell away. In the meantime, we should start working on ending our affinity for inhaling VOCs. Let's instead focus our olfactory efforts on new car leather. See, during manufacturing, the warm leather smell disappears from the pieces that go into cars. Leather manufacturers, knowing that the smell is important to us, make sure to add that smell back in before anything is shipped to consumers. Thank goodness we still have one unnatural smell to happily cling to.

By blogsadmin | Posted in Nissan Pathfinder, Safety on Monday, August 21st, 2017 at 4:29 pm What is the Nissan Rear Door Alert? In the summer, temperatures in a parked car can climb quickly, reaching dangerous temperatures. That’s why Nissan recently added a new safety feature that is designed to help remind drivers to check their back seat before exiting or leaving their vehicle. The Nissan Rear Door Alert was designed to ensure that nothing is forgotten in the back seat of a vehicle. Whether you’re packing your new Nissan vehicle up with groceries or driving home from the park with your furry friend, the last thing you want to do is forget to unload the back seat of your vehicle. As temperatures inside your vehicle in the summer and even the fall quickly rise, it can mean a minor inconvenience like melted ice cream, or a potentially dangerous situation for pets. That’s why it’s important for busy drivers to know that Nissan has your back, giving you reminders to check the back seat to ensure that everything – and everyone – is out of the vehicle. How does the Nissan Rear Door Alert Work? When the new Nissan Rear Door Alert feature is enabled, a door sensor is able to tell if a rear door was opened when you first entered and started the vehicle. If the driver then walks away with their smart key without reopening a rear door, the Nissan’s horn will honk to remind them to check their back seat. Nissan’s Rear Door Alert system is the first of its kind to offer an external, audible alert. The feature will be available on the upcoming 2018 Nissan Pathfinder.

We want to make sure our customers know who to contact in case they ever have vehicle problems while on the road.  You may want to print this and put it in your vehicle or make sure you have these numbers in your cell phone. If you have a factory or extended warranty you may contact the following: Chrysler Roadside Assistance - 800-521-2779 Nissan Roadside Assistance - 800-225-2476 Chevrolet Roadside Assistance - 1 800 Chev-usa  (243-8872) Toyota Roadside Assistance - 800-331-4331 Buick Roadside Assistance - 800-521-7300 GMC Roadside Assistance - 888-988-7267 First Extended Roadside Assistance - 800-270-8447 CNA Roadside Assistance - 877-373-9780 AUL Roadside Assistance - 888-810-5150 US Warranty - 800-432-4566 ASC Warranty - 800-442-7116 Local numbers to contact: Don's Body Shop - 618-532-4574 Wes Monken - Owner - 618-918-8065