Stay Connected While You Drive: Tech Tips from Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville

Recent news headlines have highlighted the dangers associated with staying connected while you drive. Rather than risking your life and the lives of other drivers, use these tech tips from Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville to safely stay in touch.


Hands-free connectivity
Many cars have built-in Bluetooth systems that can integrate your smartphone so you can use voice commands to communicate. Combined with text-to-speech applications, you might find out you can dial your phone, look up information, compose e-mails, and send text messages without ever taking your eyes off the road. If you travel with other people in your car, you can keep your conversations private by using a Bluetooth headset. You can choose from various models designed for use with either one or two ears. Hands-free integration can help you stay connected with other automotive systems that include entertainment, navigation, and climate control. Come by our dealership if you need assistance learning how to use the hands-free capabilities of your car.

Mobile hotspots
As you drive, passengers can access the Internet for work or fun if you have a mobile hotspot in use. Some cars have built-in hotspots that require no additional hardware, but you can also buy mobile hotspot devices that use 4G and 3G networks to deliver data connections suitable for many applications. Data-roaming charges and usage limits may apply to your mobile hotspot connection, so check with your wireless carrier for details before starting a road trip.

Mounting devices

Whether you want to have a laptop, tablet, or smartphone accessible to you as you drive, you can buy accessories that will hold these devices in place. This way, your hands stay free, and you can stay up-to-date with maps and messages by glancing at screens while you drive. Before using mobile technology in your vehicles, however, you should check with every state in which you drive to learn about their laws about the use of in-car devices by drivers and distracted-driving laws.

Streaming entertainment

While on road trips, you can stay connected with your hometown by listening to your favorite local radio station as you drive. You can listen to news, talk radio, or music and feel the same as you would in your own neighborhood. Also, thanks to mobile Internet connections, you can use services such as Amazon Cloud Drive to stay connected to your favorite tunes, playlists and data files. As long as you have a data connection, all you need to stay informed, productive, and entertained will always be at your fingertips.

Use Wi-Fi

Many wireless data plans limit the amount of data you can use during a month and then charge high prices for overages. When safe to do so, tame your mobile data bill while driving by using Wi-Fi services available from truck stops, restaurants, and other sources. Wi-Fi can help your passengers work faster while on the road without incurring additional costs. Stay safe when using Wi-Fi by taking the same security precautions you would use on any other network.

Ready to learn more about the in-car technology available in the latest Nissan models? Contact us at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville today!

Image: 2015 Nissan 370Z interior (Nissan)