Summer may be over, but we’re still in the thick of hurricane season. While Florida usually gets the brunt of the storms, there are good chances that those strong residual winds, rains, and other terrifying weather will affect the Charlotte area as well. And when that happens, it’s crucial to protect your Nissan from the damage these strong storms can cause. 

Storms can cause a lot of damage, especially if you’re unprepared. Falling trees or limbs, hail, debris blown around by the strong winds, and all of this and more can pose significant risks to a car sitting out on the street unprotected. And there’s nothing worse than waking up after a crazy storm to see your car dented or windows cracked or broken as a result. While your favorite local Nissan experts at Rock Hill Nissan are here to help repair any damage, we’d rather you avoid that situation completely. So here are some things you can do to keep your Nissan out of harm's way! 

How to Protect Your Car During Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

Strong storms like hurricanes or even severe thunderstorms can produce some crazy weather conditions. These can include hail the size of quarters or larger that can fall at speeds faster than 100 miles per hour, fast and strong winds sometimes reaching speeds of 74 miles per hour, and incredible amounts of heavy rain averaging around 16 inches, all resulting in flooding from storm surges, personal and property damage, and more. If you’ve left your car out on the road in the middle of a hurricane, tropical storm, or even a severe thunderstorm, there’s a good chance that your car will be on the receiving end of some crazy damage from trees, debris, water, and a lot more. We’re here to help give you some tips on how to protect your car in the event of severe weather events and future-proof yourself a bit in the process. 

Preparing Your Car For The Storm

Protecting your car from any potential damage is definitely the first thing you should be thinking about. There are a handful of things you can do to prep your car from the barrage of wind, rain, and more that is bound to come during any severe weather event. 

• Remove any crucial documents and personal items
• Lock all doors and close windows and moon/sunroofs
• Protect windows and lights with foam and duct tape
• Set your hand/emergency brake to brace your car
• Fill the gas tank
• Use a car cover or large blanket/rug

The number one thing you want to do is secure any and all documents as well as personal items. This can include your insurance cards, registration, and any other important papers you may be keeping in your glove box. In the event of flooding, you definitely don’t want any of those papers to receive any severe water damage. Once you’ve got all you wanted to out of your car, you can begin adding layers of protection. Placing foam against the windows secured with duct tape will support your windows during intense winds. Setting your parking brake gives your car something to brace against in the event of flooding and winds. And of course, covering your car with a heavy blanket paired with a tarp will help protect against falling debris or hail. Filling your gas tank is a really good way to give yourself an out if you suddenly need to move your car or evacuate from your house or apartment. All of this, as well as anything else you come up with, will be great ways to protect your car the best you can from damage during a storm. 

Where to Park Your Car During a Storm

Knowing where to park your car during a storm can give you a huge advantage and help you avoid serious damage. It should come as no surprise that parking under a tree or next to the water is probably not the greatest idea during an intense storm. You want a place that does more to protect your car and avoid anything that may easily break off and land on said car. Places like covered parking garages are very ideal, as they provide not only nearly complete coverage on all sides but often place your car at a higher elevation which can protect your car from flooding. You definitely want to avoid basement or low-level parking areas, as those will be the first places to flood during heavy rainfall. However, any enclosed parking space will be more ideal than an open-air parking lot, so if you have a parking garage best make use of it. And even if you’re car is protected on all sides, it’s still a good idea to implement all of the layers of protection. More protection is always a good idea.  

Future-Proof Yourself

Before any serious storm, if you’re expecting the chance that your car may be damaged, it may be a good idea to take pictures of the condition of your car BEFORE the storm. Most car insurances do provide a level of natural disaster coverage. However, insurance also typically will look for any reason not to pay out that coverage. If you take pictures of the condition of your car before the storm, you have a solid baseline to compare any damage that may have taken place during the storm. And photo evidence is irrefutable in most cases. 

Driving During a Severe Storm

Obviously, it’s not a great idea to head out on the road in the middle of a hurricane or other severe weather event. However, some situations are unavoidable, like having to evacuate from your home or apartment building, or driving back home and you get stuck in a storm. So if you’re going to be driving in the middle of one of the worst situations possible, be smart about it. 

The number one thing to avoid is any flooded roads or washed-out bridges. Even if you have a decent off-road vehicle that’s prepared for situations like that, you likely don’t have the necessary training or experience to come out of that unscathed. Find a new route that takes a higher road. Another road hazard to watch for is fallen objects or downed power lines. Storms can bring down a whole manner of branches, whole trees, telephone poles, and power lines that can pose a great risk to you on the road. Don’t take the risk of trying to move the branch and definitely don’t touch downed power lines as they are likely still live and extremely dangerous. Stay in your car and find a way around or a completely new route. 

The way you drive will also change depending on the situation. During low visibility and high winds and rain, it’s best to slow down as much as you can. Driving slow allows you to have more time to respond to stalled vehicles or road hazards, while also giving you more control against strong winds. 

Stay Safe Out There

Hurricanes, tropical storms, and other forms of severe weather are no joke. They’ve accounted for billions of dollars of damage and countless deaths over the years and we don’t want you to fall victim to the increasing danger these severe weather events bring with them. While these tips are not a guarantee that you’ll avoid any and all danger or damage by any means, they are certainly a good start to protecting yourself and your property. To learn more, please visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes and stay safe out there! Remember, a car is replaceable, you are not.

Escaping over the border into Charlotte for a bit of R&R can be truly enjoyable. However, the parking situation, like that of many larger cities, is less than ideal. Garages and parking lots tend to be pricey, which leaves street parking as the most cost-effective option. 

As a Rock Hill resident, you know that parking downtown can be hard to come by, especially on weekends. With street parking as one of only a few options available to you, it's simply an unavoidable part of your life behind the wheel. So, if you have to park on the street, you may as well stay safe doing it. Below are some basic things every Rock Hill Nissan driver can do to ensure the safety of their vehicle when parking on the street.

Enjoy Your Visit Without Stressing About Street Parking

There are many fears when it comes to leaving your car parked on the street, but none compare to the idea of having to actually park. Parallel parking is something that many drivers struggle with, but it’s an important skill to master. So, how comfortable are you with parallel parking? More importantly, can you parallel park? Because if the answer to either of these questions is no, you may want to just pony up the twenty-or-so bucks required to gain access to an oversaturated parking garage. However, if you have the mettle to take on the tall task of parallel parking on a busy city street, keep reading. Whether it’s a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or Fiat, parallel parking is a must. 

Easy Tips for Safe Street Parking in Charlotte

• Read the street signs: A common joke among big-city drivers, street signs are something that should be simple to interpret but, oftentimes, are not. With differing messages, time restraints, and symbols all coexisting on the same small rectangular sign, parking legally on the street can require some focus and mental fortitude. Take your time, read the signs and ensure that you won't be returning to a freshly booted vehicle.
• Park under street lights, not tree branches: If possible, it's always a good idea to park your car in a well-lit area. In general, the more visible your car is, the safer it will be. Parking under trees, on the other hand, should be avoided whenever possible. Trees shed debris with rain and wind and, on occasion, come down completely in severe weather. Not to mention bird poop is rather annoying, especially with a convertible.
• Fold in side mirrors: One of the easiest ways to protect your car when parking on the street is by simply folding in your driver-side side mirror. This prevents an irresponsible driver from passing too close to your parked car, clipping off your mirror, and continuing on with their day, leaving you with the bill for repairs.
• Take or hide your things and lock up: On average, over 80,000 unlocked cars are stolen each year. That's right, unlocked cars. So, while this may seem like an obvious tip, it is an important one. Lock your car, take your keys with you and be sure that no valuables are visible to people passing by and peeking in. Make sure potential thieves have no reason to be interested in your car or anything inside it.
• Hey Siri, Drop a Pin: People are forgetful. We forget our keys, our phones, our wallets. Heck, sometimes we forget whether or not our kids are in the backseat. We also, on occasion, forget where we park. Prevent this issue by dropping a pin on your maps app before you leave your ride behind. Then, when you're ready to return, simply pull up the pin and find your ride in no time.

Worthwhile Ideas

• Car wash: Getting your car washed about every two weeks is a great way to make sure your car looks presentable. Beyond that, it shows would-be thieves that you pay attention to your vehicle. Oftentimes, car thieves target vehicles that look neglected. The idea here is that they will have more time after the theft to do with the car what they want before the owner even notices it's gone. So, protect your car's exterior appearance and show people you care about your ride with frequent washes. 
• Snow cover: A snow cover or car blanket protects your car from all elements. Whether that's snow, hail, tree debris, or bird droppings, a cover is a great way to protect your ride and prevent passersby from seeing what's inside.
• Sunshade: Over time, constant exposure to the sunlight will cause fading and cracks on your dash and other areas of your interior. A sunshade is a great way to protect your car's interior and prevent potential thieves from seeing something worth stealing in your car.
• Catalytic converter shield: This may sound like an unnecessary precaution, but when you consider the fact that an experienced thief can steal a catalytic converter in about two minutes, that $350 shield is looking a lot better than a $2,000+ converter.

Explore Charlotte Without Worry

With more and more people moving to major metropolitan areas each year, parking in areas like Dayton is getting harder and harder to find, while inventory for car thieves has never been higher. However, if you follow these steps, you can rest easy knowing that you've done all you can to protect your car while it's parked on the street.

2021 Nissan Kicks

The Nissan Kicks is a fantastic subcompact SUV for anyone searching for plenty of cargo room at a low price. The Nissan Juke was replaced by this vehicle in 2018, although the Juke is still available in other parts of the world. It has an extensive list of standard features and has excellent fuel economy for its class. Those who primarily drive in the city and place a premium on practicality and value should carefully consider purchasing this vehicle.

Trims to Purchase

The 2021 Nissan Kicks will be available in three trim levels: SV, S, and SR. Though this is a highly attractive SUV, its engine, which should have been better, is the single flaw in an otherwise excellent package. AWD (All-Wheel Drive) (AWD) is not available since Nissan prioritized fuel economy over off-road performance for this SUV.

Exteriors:

The 2021 Nissan Kicks, as Nissan's smallest crossover, gets a style refresh over the previous year, with streamlined headlamps and tail lamps, reworked bumpers, a bigger grille (double V Motion grille), and a completely new 17-inch aluminum wheel design. The front of the lower lip is attractively extended. The bonnet design is simple, with bulges running from the front to the A-pillar.

On the sidewalls of the SV trim, color-matched mirror caps and door handles can be observed. The roof rails are metallic silver in color. At the back, a shark fin antenna can be seen. A new feature for 2021 is a mimicked rear diffuser section at the bottom of the car.

Engine Performance and Specifications:

The engine of this vehicle is a 1.6-liter inline-4 that produces 125 hp of power and 115 lb-ft of torque. A CVT is used to deliver power (Continuously Variable Transmission) here. It takes 9.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. The vehicle has FWD (Front Wheel Drive) and has a City/highway fuel economy of 31 MPG/36 MPG. Clearly, this is not a car capable of competing in a drag race!

Interiors:

Inside the 2021 Nissan Kicks, significant alterations have been done to make it more appealing than previously. On the door panels, hard and basic polymers have been employed, with an aluminum finish. Door pockets of reasonable sizes can be seen here. The dashboard is also made of hard plastic, although it has a textured design. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are offered on an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

There are standard AC controls, as well as cubby holders beneath them. The stitch work on the armrest has been revised for 2021. There is good-quality, long-lasting textile upholstery, as well as manual seat controls for the drivers and co-passengers. Despite the fact that the Kicks is not a big SUV, headroom in the front is excellent.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks comes with a steering wheel with a flat bottom. In the instrument cluster, there is an analog speedometer. There are more than 25 cubic feet of rear cargo capacity here.

Safety Features:

Both Standard and Advanced safety features are available for the 2021 Nissan Kicks. Standard features include:

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert

• Blind Spot Monitoring

• Automatic Emergency Braking

• Pedestrian Detection

• Forward Collision Warning

• Lane Departure Warning

Advanced features are as follows:

• Driver Attention Monitoring

• Adaptive Cruise Control

• Rear Door Alert

2021 Nissan Murano

The aggressive exterior design of the 2021 Nissan Murano really stands out from other vehicles in its class. This SUV is available with a smooth chassis and very comfortable seats. It may look like a vehicle with a relaxed stance, but a powerful beast is lurking. Learn more about 2021 Nissan Murano below.

Trims Available:

Four trims of the Nissan Murano 2021 are available from dealers. The names of these versions are:

• SV
• SL
• S
• Platinum

Of these, the SV equipment variant offers the strongest combination of style and substance at an attractive price. You can also add a special edition package here. Expect some new colors for the 2021 Nissan Murano Boulder Gray, Magnetic Black and Scarlet Ember.

Exterior Appearance:

All versions of the SUV are available with LED daytime running lights and LED headlights; however, the LED fog lights are only installed from the SV version; The classic Nissan VMotion grille has lots of chrome accents on the Murano Platinum. SV and higher models have roof rails as standard; the window frames are chrome-plated and there is a floating roof line on the vehicle. The alloy wheels have an SUV-specific design with 18-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels. LED taillights in series form are visible on all models. A rear spoiler and a shark fin antenna in body color. There are two tailpipes here with tips in brushed chrome, here the L and Platinum trim elements are available with Powerlift doors.

Engine and Performance Details:

All variants of the 2021 Nissan Murano share the same engine, a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 that produces 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque in 3 seconds.

Interior Appearance:

The wind noise in the cabin of this SUV is very low and ensures a pleasant driving experience, even though the Platinum has a panoramic sliding roof. The Nissan Murano 2021 allows good visibility in all directions.

Features at the front and all-around are as follows:

• 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat (SV)
• Cloth Seating Upholstery (S)
• Panoramic Moonroof (standard for the Platinum)
• 4-way power adjustable passenger’s seat (SV)
• Memory Settings (SV)
• Digital Display in Instrument Cluster
• Ventilated Front Seats (Platinum)
• 8.0-inch Touchscreen Infotainment System
• Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel (SV and above)
• Heated Steering Wheel (SL and Platinum)
• Dual Zone Climate Control

Features at the rear include:

• 31.1 cubic feet of rear cargo capacity
• 60:40 split
• Reclining Rear Seats
• Rear Armrest with Cup Holders (All Trims)
• Adequate Rear Legroom and Headroom
• Rear USB Charging Ports
• Heated Rear Seats (SL, Platinum)
• Rear AC Vents

Safety Features:

Nissan comes with the standard Safety Shield® 360 program which includes:

• Rear Automatic Braking
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Blind Spot Warning
• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• High Beam Assist
• Lane Departure Warning

For more information on the 2021 Nissan Murano available at Rock Hill Nissan, visit our website: https://www.rockhillnissan.com/nissan-murano-rock-hill-sc/

2021 Nissan Titan

There may be cases in which individuals have gotten exhausted with American pickup trucks, or they wish to investigate different choices on the lookout. Regardless, the 2021 Nissan Titan is a decent elective that accompanies a wonderful lodge and positive innovation. A solitary however incredible motor is on offer for this vehicle. Peruse more about it here.

Available Trim Levels:

There is an aggregate of five diverse trim levels to look over. These are as per the following:

•           SV

•           S

•           SL

•           Pro-4X

•           Platinum Reserve

As far as truck beds, Crew Cab and King Cab setups are accessible for the 2021 Nissan Titan. When bought, this truck will be something beyond a vehicle; it will be a partner and a partner through a few experiences.

Exterior Appearance:

Halogen headlights, combined with halogen high shafts and glowing blinkers are noticeable at the front. There is no mist lights yet stopping sensors and tow snares are available. The front grille of the 2021 Nissan Titan is looking like a T, signifying the Titan. Generous plan changes were at that point made in the year 2020, because of which there aren't any new pieces in the 2021 model.

The sides of the Titan look bulky, however not as solid as the Ford F150. It gets lively 18-inch wheels, with the kinds of trims and amalgams changing among the models. Dark mirrors are warmed, fueled, and accessible with Blind Spot Monitoring. The vehicle gets side rails with the Titan logo here.

Engine Specifications:

The 2021 Nissan Titan gets a mammoth 5.6 liter V8 motor that produces 400 hp of force and 413 lbs.-ft of force. Just a single motor is accessible across trims, and it has been matched with a 9-speed programmed transmission. 4x2 and 4x4 alternatives are accessible. When appropriately prepared, the King Cab 4x2 will want to tow as much as 9310 lbs. Payload limit of the vehicle is 1690 lbs. The force sliding back windows for the Titan are precise. A kick-step is useful to move into the truck bed.

Interior Appearance:

Delicate touch materials are accessible at the highest point of the entryway boards in the 2021 Nissan Titan. The measure group is advanced at the middle, and it very well may be flipped with the assistance of a catch on the controlling wheel, which gets a cowhide trim. Rough terrain settings are accessible inside the check group. Indeed, even the check group gets a secret Titan logo.

A 9.0 inch touchscreen infotainment with fast reactions can be seen here in the SV trim. Warmed seats are accessible on this pickup, as are cup holders at the front, 2 USB ports, and a great deal of room in the mid control area. Nature of textures on a mid-trim model is high. Force sliding force windows are useful for directing wind stream.

Driver side snatch handles are accessible at the front. This is an extraordinary adornment for staying stable on troublesome landscape. It tends to be seen in not many pickup trucks. Back AC vents and two cup holders are accessible at the back. Headroom and legroom are liberal.

Safety Features:

•           Blind Spot Monitoring

•           Lane Departure Warning

•           Rear Cross Traffic Alert

•           Intelligent Forward Collision Warning

•           Intelligent Driver Alertness

•           Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection

More information about the 2021 Nissan Titan and how to purchase on for yourself is on our website: https://www.rockhillnissan.com/nissan-titan-rock-hill-sc/