Heat vs. Your Car: who will win?

As we all know, it has been a hot one in Tulsa this summer.  What you may not know is how that heat can affect your car.  If you are not careful and aware then damage caused by the heat could leave you stranded or with large repair bills.  Here are some things to keep in mind as you take care of your car as we head into the fall.

When we drive around town we pay attention to and avoid hazards like nails, glass and debris that may damage our tires.  Heat is a comparable hazard to our tires and there are some precautions we need to take to prevent damage caused by the heat.  Road temperatures can exceed air temperatures by 10-15 degrees and with the temps we hit in Tulsa this summer that is pushing the surface temperatures of the roads near 130 degrees Fahrenheit.  The extreme heat increases the stress on tread cracks, sidewall bubbles, bald spots and makes other deficiencies worse.  Any of these issues can cause your tires to blowout, especially at highway speeds.

To prevent your tires from suffering a heat-related blowout you should inspect your tires for proper inflation and take a close look at your tread depth.  Make sure there are no other signs of wear or damage and you can also use a protectant containing UV protection that will help maintain the elasticity of the rubber.

Beyond your tires, your battery is also vulnerable to the stresses of a hot summer. High temperatures can accelerate your battery’s chemical operation and can cause internal fluids to evaporate, which will make the battery burn out quicker.  You do not want to be stuck in a car with 100+ temperatures and no battery to operate your air conditioning.  Preventing damage to your battery may be as simple as keeping it clean.  Make sure the terminals are free of corrosion.  If they are not, then apply a solvent of water and baking soda with some steel wool to get rid of any corrosion.  Also have your battery checked at regular intervals by a professional mechanic; if your battery cannot hold a charge it could be a sign of a problem with your alternator.

 Even modern engineering and new cars use belts and hoses to move essential fluids and turn fans to help maintain the proper operating temperature for engines.  These parts are vulnerable to the increase in heat.  Because you cannot always see damages that may lie inside hoses or on the underside of belts, you need to make sure that you have your belts and hoses inspected regularly by professional mechanics and you need to replace them when they are damaged.

One thing you might not think about being affected by the heat is your paint.  Constant direct sunlight can damage the finish on your car and can cause paint, rubber and plastic trim to fade, crack or peel.  Extreme heat can also cause the temperature inside your car to rise to a point where your upholstery can fade, dry out or crack.  In the absence of a garage or other covered parking, you may consider a cover for your car.  You should also wax your car as an essential process for protecting the paint color and finish.  Interior protectants should be applied to help keep upholstery from drying out and cracking.

The most expensive part of your car that is stressed by the heat is your transmission.  With so many internal parts under increased stress during high temperatures it is essential to keep your transmission properly maintained.  If your daily routine includes stop and go driving or hauling heavy loads, it is critical to make sure your vehicle is in the top condition possible during the summer. Keep on top of your scheduled maintenance including filter and fluid changes and be aware of your car’s towing capacity.  You have to make yourself knowledgeable of your car’s limitations and stop short of testing them.

It is easy to get complacent during the summer heat and let your car’s condition slip.  If you want to take the appropriate steps to prevent damage to your car, it is as easy as paying attention to your car and taking a close look at the vulnerable parts listed in this article.  Maybe the number one tip for you to remember is that when in doubt take your car to a certified mechanic and get their opinion.

From all of us here at Nelson Nissan, we hope that your vehicle is staying cool this summer as best it can! Don’t forget to tune in to KJRH tomorrow morning between 8 – 10 a.m. and see what amazing deals we are offering on our lot!

News from Nelson Nissan

It’s another busy Friday here at Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow! We are recovering nicely from our BIG $5 Car Sale that we held last Saturday; it was a success. Thank you so much to all who came out to watch the events unfold and congratulations to those who were fortunate enough to get a fabulous deal on a Nelson vehicle. We had cars go for as little as five bucks…seriously! Our customers are truly the best when it comes to loyalty; we had some folks that literally camped out all night long to take advantage of the low prices. Thank you all for that!

We will have another live event tomorrow, so be sure to tune in to the news on KJRH at 8 a.m. to see what great deals we will be having. Our host, Jeff Lazalier, will fill you in on all the latest news!

For all of you who are active on our facebook page, we have another game coming VERY soon. It will be something new and different, so be ready! The prize for this contest’s winner will be a Sony PS3. What better way to get an awesome video game system, than to play our game and win it…for free? Keep an eye out; the game will be live any day now! In addition to the game, our facebook page has plenty of other features. You can view our entire inventory, see our latest specials and schedule service appointments.

Perhaps you’re not on facebook? No problem; you can check out our newly designed website and see all of the same features, plus many more! Even better, you can often chat live with one of our friendly sales representatives, so you can get any questions that you may have answered. It’s also a great way to see our latest specials.

This week’s featured pre-owned vehicle is a 2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition for just $10,977!  With blue exterior and leather interior, this is a lot of luxury for a low price. Other features include power locks, cruise control, dual zone climate control and dusk sensing headlights. Plenty of other conveniences can be found on this SUV; for more details and photos, please click HERE.

Have a wonderful weekend, Nelson Nissan fans! Thank you for being a loyal fan of Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow, home of The Brand!

It’s time…for the BIG $5 Car Sale!

Hello, Nelson Nissan fans! The day you’ve been waiting for is almost here…TOMORROW! Saturday, August 6, marks the day of the BIG $5 Car Sale, only at Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow.

This event is going to be huge! We will be selling cars for $1500, $500, $100 and yes…even FIVE DOLLARS!

Yes, you read that right.

Tomorrow is the day to get a car for the best price ever. Here’s how it works: gates open at 8 a.m. (We are located on the BA Expressway, at the Elm/161st Street exit, on the access road, just west of Taco Bueno). Stroll around the lot and see which car you’d like to get a fantastic price on (we always have great prices, but tomorrow is definitely something unique!). Be the first person standing next to the car you’d like to purchase at 10 a.m., and at that time, you’ll find out what the low, low price will be. It could be five bucks!

The event is going to be a big one! Pencil us in and come see us tomorrow morning; if you can’t make it at 10 a.m., don’t worry. We will have low, low prices all day long! Can’t make it tomorrow? We’ve even got special deals going on tonight!

If you can’t make it, but would like to stay informed, you can tune in to KJRH in the morning and watch us live with our host, Jeff Lazalier, listen to the latest on KVOO or see our ad in the Tulsa World. It would be even better if you could come see us, though!

Visit our website at www.nelsonnissan.com or find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/nelsonnissan to view our entire inventory. Have a fabulous Friday, and come beat the heat with us tomorrow morning at Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow, home of The Brand!

It’s coming…SOON!

Hey, Nelson Nissan fans….this is going to be HUGE! There is only ONE MORE WEEK until the one, the only…$5 Car Sale. Take a moment to let that sink in.

$5 Car Sale.

No lie. If you need a car for a low price ($5, $500, $100), you need to be at Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow next Saturday, August 6th. Gates open at 8 a.m., so you can get there bright and early and start checking out the inventory. At 10 a.m., you must be standing next to the car that you want to purchase. We really do have several vehicles that will go for FIVE DOLLARS! See our ad in the Tulsa World, listen for our radio commercials on KVOO, and watch for our television commercials for even more information. Next Saturday. BIG DEAL.

Of course, we will also be live on KJRH and KVOO next Saturday morning, so be sure to tune in and get the scoop, or better yet, just come on by and see us in Broken Arrow!

But before that, tune in tomorrow to watch us live on KJRH with our host, Jeff Lazalier; we’ve got some tremendous deals going on right now! See what Jeff has to say about saving money and beating the heat, only at Nelson Nissan.

It’s nearly time for back to school, and if you have a teen heading off to college, it’s probably time to invest in a reliable used car for him or her. So how about a 1990 Lexus LS 400 for under 5k? You heard me; it’s only $4995! This blue sedan has an automatic transmission and a V8 engine, and is a great choice for your favorite student. For more info, please click HERE.

Don’t forget to check out our completely revamped website, with such features as inventory search, specials, ask a service tech, payment calculator…the list goes on and on. It’s got a new look and is very user-friendly, so take a look at www.nelsonnissan.com. Also check out our facebook page; you can interact with other Nelson Nissan fans, get specials from our sales consultants, see our latest coupons and view our entire inventory. And please, tell your friends to “Like” our page, too!

Have a wonderful weekend, Nelson Nissan fans! Do your best to stay cool out there!

It’s HOT out there!

Hello, Nelson Nissan fans, and welcome to the oven that is Broken Arrow! (Actually, I guess half the country could be considered an oven; 29 states are under excessive heat warnings!) To help you beat the heat, we are going to cool things down at our live event tomorrow morning. We have plenty of cool deals happening, and our host, Jeff Lazalier, will be on hand to tell you all about them! Be sure to tune in to KJRH during the morning newscast to see us in action.

We will be offering $20 air conditioning checks, so if your A/C is on the blink, now is the time to let us take a look at it! In addition, every car we sell on Saturday will have a running air conditioner (whew!), and will come with a $500 accessory allowance. Want to buy a truck? Buy one from us tomorrow and get FREE tax!

Have you seen our new website? It has been completely redesigned; it is easy to navigate and full of information, like inventory, specials, finance info and a service scheduler. If you have a moment, take the time to check it out and let us know what you think. Visit us now at www.nelsonnissan.com!

This week’s featured pre-owned vehicle has summer written all over it! This 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo is ideal for family trips to the lake, the beach, the mountains, or the mall! It has room for the whole family, and even the family pet. But it doesn’t sacrifice style or comfort. And it has a rock-bottom price of $4977! This four-door silver SUV has power mirrors and windows, air conditioning, cruise control and tilt steering wheel. There are plenty more features, too! For more details and photos, please click HERE.

Try to stay cool out there, Nelson Nissan fans! Remember to tune in to KJRH in the morning to find out all of the latest happenings. Thank you for being a loyal fan of Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow, home of The Brand!

Just in case it ever rains again…

Since Governor Fallin has requested that Oklahomans pray for rain, we thought it would be appropriate to pass along some tips for driving safely in wet weather. Because you never know.

First, if you can, stay home! (Although if it’s a workday, your boss probably won’t look kindly on you calling in ‘rain’.) Driving in the rain, especially torrential rain, is incredibly dangerous. It only takes a few inches of water to wash your car right off the road. If you’re trying to drive into a puddle, go slowly. If the water is more than a few inches high, turn around and find another route. Not only is it hazardous, but water can cause major damage to your car’s electrical system. Plus, bright lightning can temporarily blind drivers, which is never a good thing.

Never drive at a high rate of speed when roads are wet and slick.  Slippery terrain makes it more difficult to stop, no matter how awesome your brakes are. Try to use brakes as little as possible, and slow down by letting off the accelerator. Hydroplaning is a very real threat when driving on slick streets, so it’s important to go slowly and be careful. Don’t follow anyone too closely, either.

Water tends to puddle in the outer lanes, so try to drive in the middle lane, if possible. When driving next to large vehicles, like big rigs or buses, keep your distance. They tend to spray a LOT, and the sheets of water splashing across your windshield will reduce your visibility to zero.

Make sure to keep your headlights on at all times! This is the only way to guarantee that other drivers can see you during times of low visibility. This is especially important if you drive a light-colored vehicle, like white or silver. But don’t use your high beams; that makes the situation worse.

Lastly, always keep up on your car’s maintenance. Make sure you always have windshield wipers in good working order, and your brakes and tires are always in good condition. Stay safe out there! And remember, you can always call in ‘rain’!

 

Car maintenance for girls

So you’ve come to Nelson Nissan, and you’ve bought a car. Now, you have to take care of it! It’s vital to maintain your vehicle so that it will last you for many years to come. Although if you don’t take care of it, and you need another car, you can always come back and see us! A lot of these things seem routine, especially if you’re a man. Let’s face it, women are normally not as adept at auto repair. (I’m a woman, so I can say this. I have routinely driven my car without oil, without an oil cap, with the emergency brake on, and with a loose belt that made a horrible noise, yet I kept driving. Please keep in mind that this is over the course of 15 years of driving, and I’ve gotten a bit better. But just a tiny bit.)

Seriously, maintenance is number one when it comes to keeping your vehicle in good shape. First, it’s important to get a tune-up once a year. It’s like going to the doctor for a yearly physical. It’s important, I promise. Take the car to our service department or an auto repair center that you trust. Have them check the hoses, fluids, plugs, filters and battery. This is a good way to know if something may go wrong; it’s easier to stay ahead of any problems you might have.

You MUST get your oil changed every 3000 miles. If you don’t, it spells serious trouble for your engine. It’s a good idea to check your oil every time you get gas. And if you happen to be checking the oil, or adding oil yourself, do NOT talk on your cell phone. You WILL forget to put the cap back on, and you WILL drive away. And when a man finds out, he WILL laugh at you. Yes, I’ve done this in the past two years. Twice. If you’re one of those people who like to take your dog with you for car rides (like me), don’t take the dog to get your oil changed. They don’t like the noise that the compressor thingamajig makes, and your pup will freak out, causing much laughter on the part of the service technicians. If your oil light comes on while you’re driving it, get your oil changed immediately. If you have to wait another day, buy some oil at the store and add it yourself to tide you over. (But don’t talk on the phone.)

Keep your tires at the right pressure. It makes a difference with your alignment, the life of your tires, and even your gas mileage. If you don’t know how to check your pressure, ask. First you buy a tire gauge. You can get the old-school “pencil” gauges at Walmart for less than a dollar. To check the pressure, remove the cap on the tire, place the gauge over the opening and push down. The lever will pop out of the gauge, and then just read it. It’s really easy, I just learned how myself. If that’s too overwhelming, go to an auto parts store, and act pathetic and ask. This generally works better for women than men.

While you’re checking the pressure in your tires, check your tread, using the penny test. Place a penny between the treads. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, you need new tires. Or to save money for a short time, have the front tires moved to the back, if the back tires are in better shape, which they should be, because front tires wear out faster than back tires. It’s good to have your tires rotated once a year, as well. You can go to a tire shop, like Hesselbein or Hibdon, or you can go to Walmart or Atwoods for tires.

I hope these tips are helpful to you. Trust me, if you do something silly, you aren’t the first. I guarantee you I’ve done it, and while I may have gotten laughed at, I survived, and so will you.

Thank you for being a loyal fan of Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow, home of The Brand!

 

A few tips for the Fourth

The Fourth of July is almost upon us. The official summer holiday, a popular activity for July 4th weekend is grilling out some grub with friends and loved ones. But one thing you may not be looking forward to is a trip to the local emergency room, which will happen to 19,000 Americans this year due to lack of grill safety precautions.

There are some basic tips to keep in mind before you ever light your grill. Keep your grill in an open area; don’t cook under a roof, car port or awning, because those can easily catch fire. (I need to go home and move my grill now; it’s under an overhang because we cooked out while it was raining. Oops.) Also be aware of any tree branches that may hang over the grill, and make sure to either cut those down, or move the grill to a different location. It’s important to keep the grill away from your house or any other building, like a shed or garage.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. (Ladies, you may have to provide this, since most men will think they don’t need one. Kind of like directions.) It’s important to know how to use it, too. It’s really very simple. Remember the word PASS. Pull the pin, Aim the extinguisher, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep back and forth in a continuous motion.

If you’re using a charcoal grill, use only lighter fluid to start the fire. Don’t ever use gasoline or kerosene, because both are extremely flammable and can explode. And you really don’t want to have to use that fire extinguisher.

After you’ve got everything ready to go, and your coals are burning, remember to NEVER leave the grill unattended. Also make sure to keep kids and pets away, as they won’t realize how hot the grill can be. Coals can reach up to 1000 degrees, so let them cool completely before disposing of them. If your fire starts to dwindle, never add more lighter fluid while there is still fire present. Remember Chevy Chase in European Vacation? It’s very embarrassing to lose your eyebrows.

Last but not least, use flame retardant oven mitts and barbecue tongs while cooking. Don’t burn yourself, it’s not fun. Just to drive the point home on how important grill safety is, take a moment to watch this video and see how quickly an unattended grill can go up in smoke. And flames. We here at Nelson Nissan wish you a safe and festive Independence Day!

News from Nelson Nissan

Hey, hey, Nelson Nissan fans! It’s been a HOT week here in Broken Arrow, and it’s not over yet! Tomorrow plans to be a busy day for us…we love Saturdays!

Tomorrow is a special day, since we will be hosting the drawing for the top players in our facebook Bouncing Balls contest! If you are one of the Top 20 scorers, please check your email (and the spam folder) and look for an email with the subject “You are invited.” Then RSVP! If you don’t RSVP, you’re out of the running, so please make sure to do this! If you are in the drawing, please be at the dealership at 9:00 a.m. We are located at the BA Expressway and the Elm St./161st exit, just off the service road. Our address is 800 W. Queens. We will draw three winners, and each will receive a $100 Visa gift card. We hope to see you there! Are you taking a family road trip this summer? Is your car too small? We can help! This week’s featured pre-owned vehicle is a 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan for just $4,995! This white, four-door van is ideal for long road trips to the beach or mountains because with three rows of seats, everyone can fit! It also has power windows and mirrors, rear window defroster, cassette player, 1-touch down and air conditioning. Not to mention it has a terrific price! Come see our friendly sales consultants for more information or to take a test drive. Click HERE for more details and photos.

From all of us here at Nelson Nissan, have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for being a loyal fan of Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow, home of The Brand!

Time for the Trade-Em Up Cash Corral!

Hey there, Nelson Nissan fans! Are you ready for this week’s event? It’s going to be a cool cowboy time as we celebrate our Trade-Em Up Cash Corral! We will be offering over and above Blue Book value on several makes and models, like $600 for Nissans, $750 for Toyotas and $1000 for trucks. We will pay cash for trades, even if you don’t buy from us. We will also accept other trades for new vehicles, such as motorhomes, motorcycles, boats and personal watercrafts. See our ad in the Tulsa World for more info and disclaimers. Also, be sure to watch us live in the morning on KJRH with our host Jeff Lazalier! We will be on during the commercial breaks during 2News Weekend Mornings.

Well, if you’ve been an avid player of Bouncing Balls on our page, you’ll know that this contest has been completed. The Top 20 winners will be notified via email, and the drawing will be held next Saturday during our live event. All winners will need to be at the dealership at 9 a.m. We will post on our facebook page when the emails are sent; you will have THREE HOURS to RSVP before your spot is given away. So be sure to stay tuned to our facebook page for the notification! We will be giving away three $100 Visa cards; that can definitely put some gas in your car, or a new outfit in your closet! Thanks again to everyone who participated.

We have another fantastic service special for you! If you are having an issue with your vehicle, bring it to our Master Technicians, and we will diagnose the problem for half price! This coupon is not valid with any other offer and must be presented at time of service. Coupon does not apply to prior service. Please click HERE to view and print the coupon and to see our other service specials.

This week’s featured pre-owned vehicle is a 2003 GMC Yukon for just $8,977! This pewter SUV is ideal for hauling the family to fun camping trips this summer, or buying plenty of groceries. It’s got plenty of seating for everyone to pile in. Other features include CD player, weather band radio, leather steering wheel, power seats, mirrors and windows and rear window defroster. For more details, please click HERE.

From all of us here at Nelson Nissan, we wish you a wonderful weekend! Please tune in to watch us LIVE on KJRH in the morning. Thank you for being a loyal fan of Nelson Nissan in Broken Arrow, home of The Brand!