The coming of spring can inspire us to renew and refresh many aspects of our lives. However, it’s not just us that can benefit from a refresh and renewal. Spring is also a great time for car maintenance! Here are a few things we can do for our cars this spring.

Wash your car: Yes, this is pretty basic but every car can use a good washing after the winter months. If you’ve experienced lots of snow and/or ice, then you’re likely to have salt accumulated on and underneath your car. Wherever there is a buildup of road salt, corrosion is likely to occur. This makes it important to wash underneath the car and in the wheel wells. After doing a thorough top-to-bottom wash, waxing can add a beautiful shine and help protect the paint job.

Clean the interior: Now that you’re done with the outside of the car, it’s time to move inside and remove any trash. Now is also a good time to organize anything that needs to be in the car so you can more easily access it when needed. Vacuuming comes next, and you’ll want to be sure to thoroughly vacuum the entire interior, so don’t forget the trunk! You can also clean the upholstery of the seats and dashboard during this time as well. What you use will depend on the material in your car, so be sure to do some research ahead of time.

Change your wiper blades: Winter can take a heavy toll on your windshield wiper blades, so it’s a good idea to replace them at this time as well. Newer blades will be more effective at clearing water, which will help your visibility while driving.

Check your tires: Between potholes and inclement weather, your tires can become worn down which can limit your braking power. You’ll want to test your tires for wear and make sure the air pressure is at manufacturer recommended levels. If you use winter tires, be sure to replace them with non-winter tires as soon as possible. Leaving them on too long will result in excess wear.

Perform a quick test of your ventilation system: To prepare for warmer weather, make sure your air conditioner is working properly. Do this by turning on your car’s air conditioner to its highest setting to see if it reaches a cool temperature in a reasonable amount of time. If not, schedule a maintenance visit. You can also check your car’s cabin air filter during this time as well. If it’s dirty, then have it replaced.

Check and replace fluids:  To preserve the life and health of your car, it’s important to regularly check your engine oil and replace it when necessary. Oil needs to be added if your dipstick indicates that it’s below the manufacturer-recommend level. You should also pay attention to the oil’s color. If it looks lighter, it could be an indication of engine trouble. Also make sure your windshield wiper fluid is topped off, since it can be depleted by winter weather.

Following these tips will keep you and your car happy as we head into the spring season. At Scott Clark Nissan we are always here for your maintenance needs so stop by and let us help keep your car on the road for years to come!

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Tags: maintenance, spring maintenance
Posted in Car Maintenance Tips | Comments Off on Spring Car Maintenance Tips

Decisions, decisions! The answer to this question is going to vary from individual to individual and from circumstance to circumstance. Car financing doesn’t have to be confusing, so we’re here to make this important decision a little clearer for you.

First, a look at the benefits of buying a car:

• Eventual ownership
• No mileage limits
• Modify the car without fear of breaking contract agreements
• Once it’s paid off, you can sell it at any time

Sounds great right? Maybe to some, but maybe not to everybody. So, here’s a look at the benefits of leasing a car:

• Lower down payment
• Lower monthly payments available
• Repairs will typically be covered under warranty
• No selling involved
• An option to get a new car every few years

Generally speaking, there are three factors to consider when deciding whether to lease or buy a vehicle.

1. Monthly Costs: It is important to remember that this includes more than just monthly payments. You also need to consider car insurance, as collision and comprehensive coverage may be required when you’re financing a car or leasing one. It may also be a good idea to look into adding GAP insurance too, though some lease agreements will include it at no additional cost (always ask if it’s included).
2. Overall Costs: This includes down payment, repairs, depreciation, and leasing fees. Examples of leasing fees you may have to pay are:

• Acquisition fee- covers costs for arranging the lease.
• Security deposit- Roughly equal to one month’s payment.
• Early termination fee- Charged if you end the contract early. Amount can vary.
• Disposition fee- Covers costs for cleaning and selling the car at the end of the lease.

3. Flexibility: Are you the type of person that cringes at the idea of being locked into one car for a long period of time? If so, then leasing might be your best option. However, it is important to remember that leasing may not be as flexible as it appears. If you break your lease early, you could be liable to pay steep penalties including covering all of the remaining lease payments and additional penalties on top of other fees.

This might be a lot to take in, but here at Scott Clark Nissan we’re here to help! You can take our Buy Vs. Lease Questionnaire on our site, and stop by to talk to any of our knowledgeable sales men and women. We’ll be more than happy to help you figure out which option is best for you!

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Tags: Financing, Sales
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Comments Off on Should I Buy or Lease My Next Car?

Members of The Scott Clark Auto Group present Marty Clary, President of the Boys and Girls Club Greater Charlotte, with a $10,000 donation.

What started off as a unique campaign idea ended up having a big impact at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlotte with a large financial donation of $10,000, ice cream, and special recognition to children who participated in an art contest.

It all started with Rick Smith, President of Impact Promotions and founder of Helping Kids Help Kids, was looking for a campaign that would be different and fun. Having worked with The Scott Clark Auto Group for over 10 years, and hearing about the great work the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlotte does, he decided to work closely with the two organizations and hold a special art contest for the children of the Boys and Girls Club. When it came to the guidelines for the contest, the rules were simple. “I want kids to be kids, so I want them to draw whatever they want and anything to do with a car.” said Rick Smith.

After collecting all of the entries, the top 3 winners were chosen and awarded a plaque with their name and artwork on it, in addition to a gift card. The first-place winners artwork was also sent out to 30,000 people in the Charlotte area.

First-place winner Imani Hull receives her awards plaque from Scott Clark at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlotte.

After the awards recognition, ice cream was on hand for all of the children and staff.

Marty Clary, the President of the Boys and Girls Club Greater Charlotte, is thrilled with the turn of events. “The support that The Scott Clark Auto Group gave us today is a huge boost. This club and other clubs in the Charlotte area will benefit greatly from the financial contribution provided.”

It stood without question, from all in attendance, that the ability to help out children is the biggest win of them all. “This will provide our kids with the opportunity to come after school to do homework, have fun activities such as visiting museums, and just enjoy themselves after school, out-of-school, and during the summer.” said Smith.

To make your own donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlotte, visit bgccharlotte.org.

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Community | Comments Off on Scott Clark Auto Group Donates $10,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Charlotte

With summer in full swing, residents and visitors are always looking for a great place to picnic. Whether you want to throw a BBQ, throw around the football, read a book, or just let your little ones run wild, Charlotte has a number of great outdoor spaces for you. Here are three of Charlotte’s public parks that are perfect for a memorable picnic.

Freedom Park

Visitors to Freedom Park come for the wide open spaces, the pond, and all the green. Located at 1900 East Boulevard, Freedom Park is a convenient and fun park for all of Charlotte to enjoy. The large grass lawns are a great place for a picnic. Don’t worry if it’s a hot day because you can catch plenty of shade under the huge (did we mention green?!) trees. Bikers of all ages and skill levels love exploring the extensive paths that weave their way through the park. The family-friendly pond is the real centerpiece of Freedom Park, and the stone bridge over the pond is cute and fun to bike over.

Read the rest of this entry »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Around Town | Comments Off on Here are the 3 Best Places for a Picnic in Charlotte

The 2017 Nissan 370Z is a true sports car in every sense of the word. Fast, safe, and stylish at the same time, the 370Z can satisfy even the most ambitious drivers and is offered in a Coupe and Roadster. Both models come with various packages and colors. Regardless of which 370Z package you put together, it is an extremely fun car to drive.

The Coupe

The Coupe is the most popular model, and it has the widest range of options. New to 2017, the Coupe is available in Chicane Yellow, in addition to the classic white and black options. This two-door car looks as ready for the track as it is for daily driving. The styling is aggressive without being over the top or cheesy. The most distinctive feature is the boomerang style headlamps coupled with the black grill and red trim detail. From straight ahead the 370Z looks quite fierce.

Read the rest of this entry »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Car Buying Tips | Comments Off on Why You and Your Family Should Hit the Road in the Nissan 370Z

Theater and concert lovers in Charlotte can celebrate: You no longer need to fly all the way to New York to see quality live theater. Charlotte has a number of impressive live venues, offering a variety of shows. You can see musicals for the whole family, dramatic plays for the parents, or live concerts for the younger crowd. Here are four of the best places to see live performances in Charlotte.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

The Blumenthal Performing Arts Centers is much more than just a theater. While performances at the Belk Theater are the most popular attractions, the center offers more than just live theater. Opened in 1992, it is truly the backbone of Charlotte’s (and all of North Carolina’s, for that matter) performing arts scene.

Read the rest of this entry »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Around Town | Comments Off on Places to See a Live Performance in Charlotte, NC

Staying connected to your phone is as important as ever. We store so much personal info in our phone and use it make plans, research, and more. These things are obviously much harder to do when you are driving. The trick is to stay connected and safe at the same time while you are on the road. Nissan Connect helps drivers stay connected and safe on the road. Here are three features of the system that you will love.

Nissan Connect Services

Nissan Connect Services will save you a lot of stress. This service is similar to AAA, but it has more advanced features that you will find very helpful. For instance, it comes with a smart phone app that allows you to access your system and control actual car functions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Safe Driving Tips | Comments Off on 3 Ways That Nissan Connect Helps You Drive Smarter

This is the perfect time of year to sit out on one of Charlotte’s many rooftop bars and enjoy a drink or two while admiring the beautiful city skyline. Whatever the occasion — celebrating a special event or a casual catch-up session on a lazy Sunday afternoon, the rooftop bar scene in Charlotte has open-air spaces to satisfy any mood and occasion. We’re here to highlight a few of the most popular ones that you should try. Check them out below.

Rooftop Bar #1: City Lights Rooftop

If you’re heading Uptown for a night out, you should definitely add City Lights Rooftop to your night’s agenda. Located on the 19^th floor of Le Méridien Charlotte Hotel, this bar offers both an expansive and breathtaking 360-degree view of Uptown Charlotte and is the perfect place to end your night at. City Lights Rooftop is also the city’s newest and largest rooftop bar and features signature drinks and thumping music from the DJ. Whether you stay at City Lights Rooftop for an hour or all night, your time here will lead to memories that will last for years to come.

Read the rest of this entry »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Around Town | Comments Off on Drinks With a View: Charlotte’s 4 Best Rooftop Bars

Most parents have all been there before. You hop in the car with your family for a road trip or are traveling for the holidays when the unthinkable happens: your child gets car sick. It’s never a fun thing for anyone involved, and parents often feel helpless as they watch their child get car sick from the rear-view mirror. But have some hope! We’re here to tell you tips to help avoid this. Whether your child gets sick on long car rides or every time you drive somewhere, the below tips will help keep your child from getting car sick.

Tip #1: Manage Their Meals Before Traveling

There are certain foods that can upset your little one’s stomach more than others. When you know you’re going on a long road trip (or will be in the car for longer than normal), we recommend avoiding fruit, fruit juices, all dairy products, and artificially flavored items. Why? The sugars found it can cause upset stomachs. Plain biscuits, bread, and bagels are great options that will fill your child up without upsetting his stomach.

Read the rest of this entry »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Travel Safety Tips | Comments Off on Three Top Tips for Dealing With Car Sick Kids in Your Nissan

Want something fast, cheap, and delicious to eat? Whenever you’re on the go, tacos are the perfect go-to food! And you’re in luck. Charlotte is home to a variety of mouth-watering choices. From classic recipes to street-side options, no matter what kind of taco you’re craving, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for right here in Charlotte. Whether you’re looking to celebrate Taco Tuesday or are simply craving Mexican food, below is a list of some of the most popular and spectacular taco restaurants in the area! Check them out.

#1: Sabor Latin Street Grill

This locally owned restaurant has a unique focus on serving authentic dishes from El Salvador, Venezuela, Mexico, Columbia, and the Dominican Republic. Offering the freshest and most delicious food south of the border, it’s here where you can fulfill your taco craving! Featuring three different taco techniques (each topped with your choice of protein), there really isn’t anything on the menu that would disappoint. Just recently opening its eighth location in the Charlotte area, it’s no surprise that Sabor Latin Street Grill is one of the most popular taco restaurants in the city — and one you definitely need to try.

Read the rest of this entry »

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Posted in Around Town | Comments Off on Spice It Up Tonight: Four Top Taco Joints in Charlotte, NC