2015 Nissan Versa Note Added to ‘10 Tech-Savviest Cars Under $20K’ List

For the second year in a row, the Nissan Versa Note has been named to the Kelley Blue Book ’10 Tech-Savviest Cars Under $20,000’ list. The Versa Note earned its spot thanks to the vehicle’s multitude of standard and available tech options. Buyers can opt to add hands-free texting, Bluetooth with Pandora capability, the AroundView Monitor system, a 360-degree overhead view that assists with parking, and more.

Ask a Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville Technician: Why Is My Car Dripping Oil After an Oil Change?

Q. I just got the oil changed in my car, and a couple of days later I noticed my car was dripping a little bit of oil. What’s going on? Is this related to the oil change? Is this normal?
Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville says: You shouldn’t have any drips after an oil change if it was done properly. A few things can go wrong and cause the drips you’re seeing.

2016 Nissan Maxima: '4-Door Sports Car' Turns Heads in NY

Nissan is used to making bold moves. Why, just one look at all the adventurous designs peppering the company’s lineup of vehicles is enough to notice that Nissan isn’t your average car company. That desire to break free from boring is what makes Nissan so special. At the 2015 New York Auto Show, Nissan showed off another special vehicle—the all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima.

Despite teasing us during the 2015 Super Bowl, the 2016 Maxima’s debut in the Big Apple provided a lot of solid details surrounding the new model. Most notably, it will feature a revised 3.5-liter V6 engine that’s mated to a continuously variably transmission. Unlike the current model, however, the new Maxima will boost horsepower to 300, up from 290.

Nissan Sway Concept: A Glimpse at What's to Come?

Oh how we love concept cars! Not only do they typically possess a wealth of future tech and styling, but they often provide the public with a glimpse into the future, be it a design element or even a future model. Which brings us to Nissan’s latest concept car, the Sway.

Recently debuting at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the Nissan Sway Concept is a sneak peek at what future-generation compact Nissan models might look like if the company’s striking new design language was applied to a European hatchback.

Teen Car Insurance Tips from Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville

All drivers need car insurance. For many young drivers, however, the cost of insurance costs more than their car. Parents handle teen drivers differently, depending on their values. Some parents will pay for car insurance for their teens, while some teens must buy their own insurance. Regardless of family arrangements, the following tips from Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville for buying teen car insurance can help.

Explain insurance

Parents should spend time explaining insurance to their teenage drivers. Important information parents should emphasize includes:

• Why car insurance for teens costs so much. More teenagers die in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. than from any other cause.
• How a ticket costs far more than a fine. Teens must know that a single ticket can cost thousands of dollars in the form of higher insurance premiums.
• Common reasons for accidents involving teen drivers. Speed, distracted driving, and alcohol all contribute to teen auto wrecks.
• Teen driver safety tips. Teens should always use their seatbelts. Also, teens should stay off the roads between midnight and 4 a.m.
• Strict household driving rules. Parents must insist on teen-driver accountability. Teens that repeatedly drive too fast and demonstrate other unsafe driving habits should lose their driving privileges until they complete additional training.

Mandatory insurance

Drivers do not choose whether to buy car insurance—states require drivers to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance before they can take a car onto the road. Banks and finance companies usually require car buyers to have collision and comprehensive coverage on financed vehicles.

Teen drivers must understand why they need insurance. Insurers insist that insurance policies list all licensed drivers in a household. Parents may choose to add their teen driver to their existing policy if the teen does not buy separate insurance.

Affordable car insurance

The term “affordable” rarely describes a car insurance policy for a teenage driver. However, parents and their teens can work together to get the best rates possible using the following tips.

Shop around. Different insurance companies have different premiums, so spending the time to shop around usually pays off.

Get discounts. Some companies offer discounts for good students. Other companies offer parent-guided safety discounts. When asking for quotes for auto insurance for their teen, parents should ask each company about the teen discounts it offers.

Use tracking devices. Some car insurance companies offer a discount for teens with GPS-enabled tracking. These systems track the location and speed of a car. Sophisticated tracking devices have cameras that activate when the system detects risky driving practices. Parents should speak ask prospective insurers about what tracking products qualify for a discount.

Share policies. Teen insurance often costs more when purchased separately. Parents willing to add their teen to their existing insurance policy can substantially reduce the cost to insure their teen. However, this option may not appeal to parents who expect their teens to pay the extra cost.

Nissan Accepts the 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award

Nissan has earned the ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award. The Sustained Excellence Award is only given to organizations that are committed to protecting the environment by making operations processes at their facilities more energy efficient.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives the award out annually. Nissan’s “continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy management” has landed the organization on the list for the fourth year in a row. Nissan has reduced energy usage by changing to more efficient LED lights, fixing compressed air leaks, and incorporating an environmentally friendly paint process.  

"Since Nissan became an ENERGY STAR partner in 2006, we have made continual improvements to our operations, which has helped us reduce both our environmental footprint and manufacturing costs," said John Martin, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing. "In 2014, those improvements reduced the amount of energy required to build vehicles by 13 percent—that's the same amount of energy it would take to power more than 5,400 homes for an entire year."

Nissan is among the top 25 percent of the automotive manufacturing industry in energy management. Nissan’s Vehicle Assembly Plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, which produced more vehicles than any other auto plant in 2014, and Nissan’s plant in Canton, Mississippi, were awarded the ENERGY STAR certification for the ninth year in a row.

Nissan works with ENERGY STAR to complete its company sustainability program, the Nissan Green Program, which pledges to reduce Nissan’s carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2016.

We are honored that Nissan has been awarded the 2015 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award here at Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville. To learn more about Nissan’s sustainability initiative or want to test drive one of Nissan’s energy efficient vehicles, stop by today!

Shop the Seasons at the Farmers' Market: Spring

Grab your reusable grocery bags, small wheely cart, and a wad of cash with plenty of small bills. It’s time to go to the farmers’ market! There’s nothing quite like fresh, local produce. Every season has its own flavor. Going to your local farmers’ market is a great way to make the most of seasonal ingredients, buy organic and help out the little guy in the process.

Here are a few tips from Sheehy Nissan of Mechanicsville to help you get the most out of your shopping:

• Get there early and have a plan, but be open to new ideas.
• Make a loop to get a lay of the land.
• Talk to the farmers. They know their stuff and are usually more than happy to give you tips on how best to prepare the food.

Ah, the joys of Spring! The flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and the Yankees are headed to Florida. And, it’s a great time to head out to your local farmer’s market and start enjoying some of nature’s abundance. Here are just a few of the fruits and vegetables that spring has to offer.

Arugula - Spring is about greens. Arugula is just one of the many delicious greens available. Baby forms of greens have wonderfully tender leaves which are great for salads.

Apricots - Look for these in late spring and early summer. If you’ve never tried it, apricot cobbler is a great spring/summer desert.

Artichokes - Tastiest. Thistle. Ever. Don’t let it intimidate you. Get some kitchen sheers and show it who’s boss. Pluck off some of the straggler leaves and steam or braise for a tasty side dish.

Asparagus - Grill it, roast it, steam it. Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil or a little lemon butter. Get creative and chop some up and toss into an omelets.

Baby carrots - They might be immature, but they sure are adorable and good for you too. These are not the whittled down big carrots you buy at the grocery store; these are the real baby deal. Eat them raw or cook them and add a little dill butter.

Green garlic - They look a bit like leeks, but don’t let that fool you, this is genuine, fresh, hasn’t had a chance to dry yet garlic. They’re versatile and can add flavor to oodles of dishes. Make a pesto or a soup or plop in whole with your roast.

Fava beans - This buttery, nutty and sometimes bitter bean comes in a big alien head pod. They’re great in salad or pureed with cream and butter. Oh, and don’t forget a nice Chianti!

Fiddlehead ferns - This crazy little veggie is only available for a few weeks in spring, so be on the lookout. They’re the unfurled fronds of a small fern and look like something out of a James Cameron movie. They taste a bit like asparagus. Try them gently sautéed with garlic and butter.

Mint - Mint starts appearing in the spring and is usually available up until fall. How does some tender lamb with a nice mint chutney sound? If you’re not sure about minty food, you can always mix yourself up a Mint Julep and retire to the veranda. Oh, Magnolia!

Morels - This mushroom has built up a virtual cult following. And, if the idea of eating a little fungus among us doesn’t bother you, you’ll soon see why. Try them in a cream sauce with some Madeira, shallots and garlic.

Peas - Whether they’re snow, garden or snap peas, spring is a great time for peas. Sides, salads and soups. Peas do it all with a smile.

Strawberries - They’re beautiful, sweet and chock full of vitamin C. Put them on some ice cream, make some strawberry shortcake or just eat them by their little old selves.

Spring onions - These little guys are like the scallions’ big brother. They’re great in soups and salads or just grilled.

Meal Suggestion: Try a fiddlehead and morel salad on a bed of baby greens with a little Gouda cheese. Follow with roasted chicken flavored with spring onions and sides of snow peas and grilled asparagus. Top it off with an apricot cobbler and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.