Nissan’s Commitment to Staying Green

Nissan was one of the first companies to successfully produce and market an electric car to the masses.  By doing so, the Nissan LEAF, which was introduced in the United States in December 2010, has been able to bring home several accolades that speak to its innovative ways, including the “2010 Green Car Vision Award,” the “2011 European Car of the Year,” the “2011 World Car of the Year,” and the “2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan.”

Now, Nissan is upping the ante on their green initiatives once again by cutting its use of the rare-earth mineral dysprosium in the LEAF’s engine by 40 percent without affecting performance.  In fact, if anything, drivers should actually feel increased performance in their LEAF.  Dysprosium is used in the electric motor magnets to help increase their resistance to heat.  However, a new process called “grain boundary diffusion” allows Nissan to drastically cut back on its use of the rare-earth mineral.

As if this isn't impressive-enough news, Nissan also announced that they will be creating 15 new hybrid vehicles over the next four years.  Nissan has always been one of the most innovative companies we know of, and with commitments like that it’s easy to see why.

Rothrock Reviews: The 2013 Dodge Dart

Now that the 2013 Dodge Dart has been out for a few months, we think it’s only fair to give it a proper review.

Let us start by stating that we love this car.  We just can’t get over the look of it; it’s unique enough to never be mistaken for another car, yet has enough subtle inspirations from well-loved past Dodges like the ’66 Charger to make it immediately recognizable as a Dodge.  Some of our favorite stylistic touches include the flying buttresses and the racetrack-shaped LED taillights.

Making our way to the interior, we’re faced with an infotainment package that outshines anything else in its class.  The 8.4-inch Uconnect in-dash technology is quick and intuitive, and features a slew of information including multiple speedometers, navigation information, economy readouts and vehicle information updates.

Under the hood you’ll find a 2.4-liter turbocharged Tigershark engine capable of producing 184 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque.  That’s a lot of bang for your buck.

If you’re interested in taking one of our 2013 Dodge Darts for a test drive, please feel free to give us a call at 866-204-3627.

Would You Buy This Car For $3,000?

What would you say if we could offer you a brand new Nissan for just $3,000?  Just about everyone we know would say something along the lines of “Where do I sign up?!”

Well, we have good news and bad news.  The good news is that Nissan is actually planning on making this a reality by reviving their Datsun model from the 1950s.  The bad news is that in order to realistically bring the cost of the car down to that level, just about everything has to go.  And when we say just about everything, we aren’t just talking about handy features like electronic locks and windows.  We really are talking about just about everything.

Start by throwing out anything electronic, and then scrap the air conditioner.  Then add broadcloth seat fabrics, a two-cylinder engine, and forget about automatic transmission.  After that, it’s time to get rid of some of the safety features that are standard on nearly every car under the sun.  This includes anti-lock brakes and stability control.  Also, throw out that strong emissions control; this car is not going to be environmentally friendly.

So in the end, the revival of the Nissan Datsun might not be the most luxurious car.  But it was never meant to be luxurious, only affordable.  We can’t wait to see the prototype.

Impressive Safety Features of the 2013 Nissan Altima

 

There’s no two ways about it: The 2013 Nissan Altima is one of the most impressive 2013-model year vehicles there is.  It’s full of tech, fuel-efficient, comfortable, attractive, powerful, and is even a bit luxurious, and you get all this for a starting MSRP of just over $23,000.  There’s one thing that you don’t hear about too often with the 2013 Altima, though, and that’s safety features.

Many trim levels of the 2013 Nissan Altima come standard with safety features that you may expect to see in cars that cost in excess of $50,000; one of these features is the Lane Departure Warning System.  This system works by having a small camera scan the lane markers as you drive.  If the camera senses that you are going to drift out of your lane, a warning light will turn on and you will hear a subtle beep.

Another impressive safety system is the Blind Spot Warning System.  The same warning light used with the Lane Departure Warning System will emit if you try to change lanes when another vehicle is in your blind spot.  It will even apply the brakes if the warning is ignored.

Yet another safety system featured in many trim levels of the 2013 Nissan Altima is the Moving Object Detection System.  The backup camera begins coming standard on the 2.5 SV trim level, and the Moving Object Detection System takes the camera a step further by adding clear guidelines to offer perspective and emitting a warning tone if something might be in the way.

Your Thanksgiving Dinner is on Us!

Thanksgiving can be a fantastic time to get together with friends and family around a table full of fantastic stuffing, turkey, potatoes and cranberry sauce.  Unfortunately, all this food comes at a price.  In fact, the average cost of Thanksgiving dinner in 2011 was $49.20.  For those with large families, this cost of food could really put a strain on your wallet.

Thankfully, the Rothrock Pre-Owned Super Center has a solution.  From now until November 30, when you purchase any pre-owned vehicle at our Rothrock.com internet price, you’ll also get a FREE $250 gift card for Giant Food Stores.  That’s enough for five Thanksgiving dinners!  Now that’s something to be thankful for.

For more details, please call 1-(866)-218-7720.  You can view our pre-owned inventory online at Rothrock.com here.  Our pre-owned inventory is constantly changing, so feel free to stop by often.  Remember: if you don’t see your next car listed, we’ll find it for you!

How to Take Care of a Flooded Car as a Result of Hurricane Sandy

 

Hurricane Sandy caused massive damage over almost the entirety of the East coast, and we couldn’t be more aware of it here in the Lehigh Valley.  Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have lost so many irreplaceable items and to those less fortunate than us.  Here’s what to do if your car, truck or SUV has water damage.

Call Your Insurance Company – You usually need to have comprehensive coverage for flooding or water damage to be covered.  Be sure to call your insurer to check if you’re unsure.

Leave the Engine Be – Until your car has been inspected by an expert, you need to go as long as possible without starting your car.  You could actually cause even more problems if water is in certain parts of your engine.

Leave a Wet Interior to the Professionals – Fixing the issue of a wet interior isn’t as easy as simply letting it dry.  Carpeting and upholstery can press moisture pressed against metal parts which can cause rust and can grow mold.  Cars and homes have been further destroyed in the past from people trying to dry their cars themselves using heaters or hair dryers, so we highly recommend against the DIY method.

If you have any further questions, please call our service department at (484) 223-0570.  Good luck to everyone and stay safe.

Jeep’s Command-Trac 4WD System

Jeeps are well-known as off-road vehicles.  Much of their off-road capabilities must be attributed to their powerful engines and sturdy frames, but the true hero can be found behind the scenes.

In vehicles like the 2013 Jeep Wrangler, Jeep’s Command-Trac four-wheel drive system is what gives it its off-road prowess.  The system is based on a Dana 30 solid front axle, the transmission (automatic or manual is fine) and a Dana 35 rear axle.  This system allows for a very easy and smooth transfer from two-to-four wheel drive.

Two-wheel drive is designed for every day driving on paved surfaces and provides the best fuel economy.  Four-wheel drive high range is best for when your Jeep is driving over loose terrain or if you get stuck in snow or ice.  The system also has a neutral system for situations where you’d like your Jeep towed behind another vehicle.  Finally, the system also offers a Four-Low range mode, which is used for difficult off-road or towing situation.  This mode requires that you move that a very low speed, but multiplies your torque to 2.72-1.

If you’re interested in a 2013 Wrangler or other Jeep vehicle, let us know!  We’d be happy to set up an appointment for a test drive!

October is National Car Care Month!

October is known as National Car Care Month, and we think that’s a reason to celebrate!  We feel the best way to give the proper celebration for such an event is to host a plethora of specials that we hope will get you in the mood to treat your vehicle right!

1. Express Oil Change Service Special – From now until Nov. 30, 2012, have your oil changed with our express service department and get a free exterior car wash, a free multi-point vehicle inspection and a free tire rotation.  Did we mention that our express service department is now open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday?
2. AAA Members Special – If you’re a member of AAA, simply show your membership card and receive a 10% discount on all repairs!
3. Repair Special – Do you have scratches or dents on your car?  Stop by our collision center to make your vehicle look like new again!  We repair all makes and models, and since it’s National Car Care Month, we’ll even throw in an extra 10% off!
4. Wiper Blade Special – All of our wiper blades are 10% off!  Ever have a time where your wiper blades just couldn’t do the job against a winter storm?  Don’t let that happen to you again this season!
5. Accessory Special – We’re even offering 10% off on all Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Nissan vehicle accessories!
6. Free Battery Test – Last but not least, we’re offering free battery tests!  If you decide that you need a new battery, we’re even offering $5 rebates on all of our batteries.

These specials will last until Nov. 30, 2012 and cannot be combined with any other offer/discount.  Some offers cannot be used toward insurance claims or deductibles.  Please call 484-223-0632 for details and to make appointments.  We hope to see you soon!