One-of-a-Kind Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is fast approaching, and it’s time to get Dad a gift. Your dad is an original, so why get him the same tie as Mr. Johnson down the street? This Father’s Day, don’t settle for a one-tie-fits-all gift. We know shopping for dads is hard, so Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville has put together a quick list of gift ideas that celebrate your dad’s quirks, whatever they may be, to make this year’s Dad’s day extra special.

For the Dad on a Health Kick

Is your dad constantly on his way out for a jog? Would he ditch a suit for his favorite wicking t-shirt any day? Are your childhood memories haunted by sweaty dad hugs and smelly gym shoes? We’ve got the gift for you. Whether your dad’s been a health-nut his whole life, or he’s trying a new healthy lifestyle, a FitBit will help him both stay on track and reach his goals. The latest FitBit products track both physical activity and sleep, and come in a variety of shapes and colors so dad won’t have to sport a hot-pink gizmo on his sleeve.

For the Scotch on the Rocks Man

Your dad is a classy individual that loves to sit back in his favorite leather chair, or behind his desk crafted from rich mahogany, sipping on his most prized aged scotch to end a busy day. This specially designed glass and ice-ball-maker combo from Brookstone create the ultimate on-the-rocks experience, and your dad needs to have it.  The ice ball releases aromas and flavors of the liquor while simultaneously cooling the drink without watering it down. How? Science.

For the “The Fish Was This Big, I Swear!” Dad

Is your dad one of the dedicated few that thinks it’s fun to get up hours before dawn and stick his hands in a bucket of worms to lure the best catch of the day? Is the center picture on your mantel one of him and that huge bass he caught last summer? Does he wish it were? This all-in-one Kombo fishing tool is perfect for any fishing-father. It’s one hand-held device that serves as a “bonker,” scooper, sharpener, and high-quality filet knife. He’ll be the envy of his fellow fishermen, even if the fish wasn’t quite 3 feet long.

For the King of Dad Jokes

Your dad has an incredibly refined sense of humor, even if that means it’s refined to a small audience: him. Is he embarrassing sometimes? Sure, but most importantly he loves to laugh and that’s what you love about him. Comedian and father Jim Gaffigan’s latest book, Dad is Fat, is filled with hilarity to which any dad could relate. It’s sure to leave your dad chuckling, if not rolling on the floor and clutching his sides.

For the Dad with a Sweet Tooth

This one doesn’t require much explanation. Beer+pretzels+caramel= crazy delicious candy that your dad will drool over. The only thing that could make these babies better would be bacon. Maybe serve them up during Father’s Day brunch with a side of bacon. Best. Brunch. Ever. Just make sure you don’t eat them before you hand them over. Heck, they’re only $9. Treat yourself.

For Bat-Dad

Does your dad have one of those loveable geeky-sides that you hope doesn’t come out too strongly when you’re in public? Did he practice his Batman voice for weeks before The Dark Knight Rises premiere? Would he wear a cape outside if you would allow it? Was your first Halloween costume Robin to his Batman? Even if he isn’t this extreme of a fan, your dad will love this stylishly nerdy Batman money clip. Because, Batman.

We hope this list gave you some ideas, or at least got you thinking outside of the tie-box for this Father’s Day. Best of luck on your search for the perfect Dad’s Day present, for your perfectly quirky dad.

Must-Do Maintenance for Summer

Whether it's to the beach, the pool, or Uncle Gary's July 4th barbecue, higher temperatures mean more driving. It's easier to be on the road in summertime than in winter. Sudden downpours can make surfaces slippery, but there's (usually) no snow or ice to worry about, and plentiful daylight ensures good visibility. Surprisingly, though, long road trips in high temperatures can be hard on both car and occupants, and who wants to break down in the middle of nowhere?

Schedule some summer maintenance

Cooling systems and air conditioning work harder when the mercury rises, so have a technician check them out before hitting the highway. Tires, batteries, and windshield washers can all cause problems as well, so add them to the list. Here are five things to ask about when you go in for summer maintenance:

Engine cooling

It's not just a case of checking that the radiator or reservoir are full - and NEVER open a hot radiator cap! Coolant needs replacing every few years to avoid corrosion inside the engine and radiator. Hoses should be inspected for signs of cracking and replaced as necessary. Ask to have them swapped out when the coolant is changed.

Oil also provides a lot of engine cooling, taking heat away from the cylinders to the pan or sump where it gets transferred to the moving air. If it's been a few months since your last oil and filter change, get this done too.

Occupant cooling

A non-functioning A/C system can overheat passengers, leading to frayed tempers and a ruined trip. Air conditioning systems can leak refrigerant gradually over time, so have a technician check the system thoroughly. If there are leaks you'll want to get them fixed as the leaking gas is bad for the environment as well as your wallet!

Many modern vehicles also have a cabin air filter to keep out dust and contaminants. These will clog up over time, reducing the volume of air that can blow through. Have the tech add an air filter replacement to his "To-Do" list.

Tire pressures

As hot air expands in the tires their pressures increase. Throw in the heating during a long drive over sun-baked asphalt and pressure levels could get high enough to cause a blowout. Have your tires checked while the a/c and cooling system are updated.

Windshield wipers and washers

Summer brings bugs, and on a long trip many end up on your windshield. It's important that the washers are working properly so you can wash those bugs away and maintain visibility. Don't forget to have the blades replaced at the same time!

Battery check

Winter is notoriously hard on batteries, but the high temperatures of summer can be worse. Temperatures under the hood can easily exceed 100°F and that dramatically shortens battery life. Starting may not be a problem before the freezing temperatures of winter arrive, but it's prudent to have an auto shop check the battery. It's always better to replace ahead of time than struggle with a car that won't start on a December morning!

Don't let your car spoil your summer

Memories are made from road trips, picnics and vacations. Don't let car trouble make those memories bad ones. Talk to our technicians at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville about getting your vehicle in shape for summer.

What to Ask to Get the Most out of Your Service Appointment

If you were to make a list of 100 things you wanted to do today, there's a good chance that "take your car in for a service appointment” is not on it. But why not? There's no need to waste time.Here are some good questions to ask to get the most out of your next service appointment at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville.


Are you ASE certified? An ASE certified mechanic has fulfilled the voluntary requirements of the US National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. To become certified, a mechanic must have at least two years of experience and pass at least one specialty test. ASE certified mechanics must renew every five years. Although ASE certification doesn't guarantee anything, you probably want your mechanic to be ASE certified much in the same way, you'd like your doctor to have a medical degree.

Are you familiar with this make and model? There are plenty of good mechanics properly trained to handle routine maintenance and repairs on most vehicles. But your vehicle is not routine. It's yours. It gets you to and from work. It gets your kids from one activity to the next. It, therefore, behooves you to make sure your good mechanic has experience working with your non-routine vehicle. The best place to start for expert mechanics on your vehicle is to check out the service department where you bought it.

How much do you charge to diagnose the problem? It's hard to fix your car's problem if the mechanic doesn't know what the problem is. In order to find out what the problem is, the mechanic needs to diagnose the problem. This takes time. Find out beforehand what the diagnostic costs are. Quite often, the service department will waive the diagnostic cost if you opt to have it fixed there.

Are you clear on why I brought in my vehicle? Remember when you were in middle school and you were given an assignment and you got home and realized you weren't entirely sure what you were supposed to do? Chances are you didn't do the assignment, did poorly on it, or ended up having to do it late. You don't want the mechanic to be like a lost student who's not quite clear on what it is you want done. Before you leave your vehicle, make sure the mechanic can clearly state what the plan is. Also, make sure he has a phone number in case clarification is needed.

How did you arrive at this estimate? A good, honest mechanic will have no trouble explaining how he or she arrived at your vehicle's repair or maintenance estimate. Most will volunteer estimate basics without needing to be prompted and most will go into more detail if asked to do so. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or explanations for specific items if you're not sure what's going on or if you think something just doesn't sound right. It's the mechanic's responsibility to make things clear.

Asking the right questions gets you the service you deserve and helps the mechanic provide the best service based on what you want.

Nissan Held a Silent Race to Demonstrate the Nissan LEAF’s Quiet Power

Have you “heard” the latest about the Nissan LEAF? If not, that’s the point. You might have to strain to hear the LEAF’s nearly silent 100% electric engine in action. In an effort to prove just how silent the Nissan LEAF electric engine is, Nissan pulled a daring stunt in one of Europe’s quietest villages.

Nissan set up a race course in the middle of this village, on International Hearing Awareness day. Then, in the middle of the night, they raced Nissan LEAF vehicles around the town. The goal? Don’t wake anyone up, not even the chickens in the backyard.

The results were jaw-dropping. At one point in the video, a LEAF races past, mere feet from a chicken, and the chicken just keeps on snoozing. No one woke up, not even when the Nissan LEAF vehicles whipped around corner after corner at drag-race speeds.

Why do we care about the LEAF’s silent engine? We already know that electric vehicles cut down on pollution by eliminating fuel emissions, but now we know the LEAF’s quiet presence will cut down on noise pollution, too. Stop by Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville today for a test drive and hear the difference for yourself!

Nissan Develops First Self-Cleaning Car Technology

Do you find yourself spending unnecessarily large amounts of time and money regularly cleaning your car? If so, Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville has some exciting news: Nissan is testing innovative self-cleaning technology that might make a significant improvement in your daily life. This specially engineered automotive paint could mean future Nissan owners will never have to clean their vehicles again. 

Marketing and testing

In Switzerland, Nissan has begun testing state-of-the-art paint technology that has been engineered to repel mud, dirt, and rain. This super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint is designed to consistently repel water and oils in daily use and has already been tested on the all-new European Nissan Note. Preliminary tests have shown that the engineered coating maintains protection against rain, spray, frost, sleet, standing water, and everyday dirt.

The science behind this technology

This technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry®, has never before been applied to automotive bodywork. The coating creates a protective layer of air between the car paint and the external environment, preventing muddy water and road spray from leaving dirt marks on the surface of the car. 

The future of this product

While there are currently no plans for this self-cleaning technology to be marketed as a standard feature, Nissan will continue to test and consider this paint coating application as a potential aftermarket option. Nissan is dedicated to discovering and testing cutting edge technology, such as this innovative paint coating, to further improve the everyday lives of their customers. For more information on Nissan’s current features, visit Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville today.