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Because buying a car may involve a lot of money, putting together a comprehensive budget is one of the first things shoppers should do. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be very difficult, as our Nissan finance department has a rule to follow that makes it easy. more 20 – The Down Payment When financing a vehicle, many people are confused about how much they should include for a down payment. Putting up 20 percent of the purchase price is a smart idea. When that percentage is immediately cut off, this shrinks the amount you will need to borrow substantially. The result can be smaller monthly payments and a shorter loan term. 4 – The Loan Term Speaking of loan term, you should aim for four years. Spreading out the payments over four years will give you very reasonable payments each month. If you go lower than four years, this will hike the payments up quite a bit. Higher than four, and you will end up having to pay more in interest. 10 – Your Monthly Income When thinking about how much you can afford to spend each month on your car, consider your income. You don’t want to go over 10 percent of what you bring in. Additionally, don’t just focus on the car payment, as this should also include gas, insurance, and other vehicle expenses. Make the Right Financing Choices at Bedford Nissan At Bedford Nissan, we want our customers to get a great car that fits their budget. If you have questions about financing, feel free to contact us. You can also start the process by filling out our online application that will get you pre-approved for a loan.

If you have only bought cars but now you’re interested in leasing one, you probably have some questions. While leasing is similar to financing, there are some differences, and a big one concerns the down payment. If you’re thinking about a Nissan, here’s what you should know about the initial Nissan lease payment. more Putting Money Upfront When you buy a car, you need to supply a down payment. For the most part, this isn’t a requirement with leasing. There are, however, upfront fees, which may include the first month’s payment and security deposit. Why a Down Payment Could Make Sense While you may not need to include a down payment for your lease, you might want to think about it anyway. The more money you supply right away, the less you will need to pay over time. A sizable down payment could shrink your monthly payments significantly. How Much Should You Put Down? If you do want to include a down payment, the next step is considering how much it should be. You should put up as much as you feel comfortable spending. You may also not need to take anything out of your pocket. If your leased vehicle will be a replacement for your current car, this old vehicle may still have good value that can go towards the down payment. Find the Right Lease at the Right Price at Bedford Nissan If you’re ready to lease a new or pre-owned Nissan vehicle, visit Bedford Nissan to see what’s in stock. We’ll let you know about our current lease offers and help you find the perfect model that fits your budget.

How’s your Nissan car driving these days? If it’s not in the best of shape and needs some work, you have to decide whether to get a Nissan car repair or trade it in for something else. To make the best choice, answer these questions: more How Much is Your Car Worth? The first step is to get a good valuation of your car. You need to know what it’s worth before you do anything. Of course, the estimate you get will be for a vehicle in good condition, so whatever repair is necessary, that will probably affect it. How Much is the Repair? When you’ve got a good idea of your car’s value, compare that to the repair cost. If they are close, you may have a toss-up on your hands. If they are dramatically different – like several thousand dollars – it will probably be easier to make a decision. How Old is the Car? The age of your vehicle could play a big role when deciding what to do. If it’s on the young side and has never had any issues – perhaps the repair is the result of an accident – then it could be worth fixing. If, however, it is a little older and constantly needs work, this is probably a sign that you need something different. Bedford Nissan can help you figure out whether it’s best to repair your car or trade it in. Make an appointment with our service center so your vehicle can be evaluated by experts. Once we know what the problem is and how much it will cost you, you can decide on your best course of action.

With prices where they are, it’s perhaps more important than ever to keep your Nissan Versa in great shape so it will last for as long as possible. Fortunately, this is actually pretty easy – you just need to stick to a service schedule. more Tire Pressure and Fluid Checks It’s a good idea to keep close tabs on both the air in your tires and the fluids under your hood. Every few months you should be checking each. It’s important that your tires are at the right levels both for safety and to improve fuel economy. The systems that require fluid need them to be at the correct levels in order to function properly. Oil Changes and Tire Rotations Perhaps the most essential service task for your Nissan Versa is regular oil changes every six months. These allows your engine to stay healthy and run efficiently, which boosts power and increases gas mileage. You should also be rotating your tires twice per year. This helps ensure that they give you good performance, and it also means that they will last a lot longer. Brake and Battery Inspections Every year, both your braking system and battery need to be checked. Every time you drive, your brakes feel the strain, so it’s crucial that you know what kind of condition they are in. And because batteries only last about five years or so before needing to be replaced, getting it tested annually is smart. If your Nissan Versa is due for any of these maintenance tasks, get in touch with the service center at Bedford Nissan to make an appointment. We can also put your car on a schedule, so you’ll always know when service is needed.

Are you searching for a new car to give to a new graduate? Any of these three Nissan cars could be ideal: more Nissan LEAF For most new grads, money is generally in short supply, which means that filling up a tank with gas (especially right now) may be difficult. This is something they’ll never have to worry about with the fully electric Nissan LEAF. The Nissan LEAF gets 111 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) combined city/highway, which is a great number for the glass. With the standard 40-kWh lithium-ion battery it can go up to 149 miles on a single charge. The 62-kWh battery increases that to 226 miles. Plus, with a 240-volt outlet, the Nissan LEAF can be completely charged in just 7.5 hours. A DC fast charging station will get it to 80 percent in only 40 minutes. Nissan Rogue Everybody gets great peace of mind when they drive a car they know will help keep them safe, especially younger drivers. This is why the Nissan Rogue is perfect, as every model comes with: Forward collision warning Automatic emergency braking Rear parking sensors Rear cross-traffic alert Driver attention monitoring Pedestrian and cyclist detection Blind spot monitoring Lane departure warning Automatic high-beam headlights Nissan Armada The Nissan Armada is a huge SUV that fits up to eight people and comes with a total of 95.4 cubic feet of space. This is ideal for transporting materials (like moving boxes) or just to have a big and flexible cargo hold. In addition to its size, the Nissan Armada is also loaded with advanced tech features, including: A Wi-Fi hot spot Satellite radio A 12.3-inch touchscreen Four USB ports Android Auto™ Wireless Apple CarPlay® Bluetooth® Navigation There are also quite a few things to add, such as a second-row entertainment system, wireless device charging, and a 13-speaker Bose® stereo. Visit Bedford Nissan to find the perfect car for your new grad.

Are gas prices keeping you at home a lot more? Perhaps you’ve put off a road trip because it will just cost too much? Fortunately, there are things you can do right now to help cut your gas costs. While there are many fuel efficient cars to consider upgrading to, you don’t have to buy another vehicle. Instead, just try these tips. more 1. Slow Down Did you know that your car starts losing fuel efficiency once you reach 50 mph? This means that for every mph you go over that, you’re wasting gas, which is why just following the speed limit can help save money. Also, try not to accelerate very quickly or brake too hard. 2. Reduce Idling Sure, now that temperatures are climbing, it can be very tempting to get the a/c going in your car before driving. But, you have to remember that needless idling is just causing your car to eat up gas faster. 3. Lighten Your Load How much stuff do you have in your car that can be removed? The lighter your car is, the better gas mileage you will get. Be sure to clear out any clutter that doesn’t need to be in there. While it may be a little extreme, if your car has a roof rack, you may want to consider taking it off, especially if you rarely use it. 4. Service Your Vehicle Regular service is also vital for improving fuel economy. This needs to involve changing the oil about every six months so your engine can run as efficiently as possible. You also need to monitor the air pressure in your tires to ensure that it is at the right level. If your car is in need of maintenance, just get in touch with the service center at Bedford Nissan to make an appointment.

When you buy a Nissan electric vehicle, much of its longevity is up to you. Just like anything else, if you treat your car well, it should last a long time and give you great performance. more Regular Service Just like a gas-powered car, an electric vehicle requires periodic maintenance. Because your car doesn’t have an engine, you won’t need to bother with oil changes. However, there are other key tasks that are important. These include: Brake Inspections While things like shoes and pads in an electric car don’t tend to wear out as fast as vehicles that run on gas, they will eventually need to be replaced. This is why it’s worth having the entire system inspected on a yearly basis. Tire Rotations To get the best performance out of your tires, they need to be rotated about every six months, as this helps them wear down more evenly. This also allows them to last for thousands of miles longer. Fluid Top-Offs As mentioned, there is no oil in your electric car, but there are quite a few other types of fluid. Your power steering system, transmission, and brakes all rely on it. This is why all of these fluids should be checked regularly and topped off if needed. Battery Maintenance Another way to give your electric vehicle a nice long life is to be very good to the battery. Keeping your car out of extreme heat – like parking in the shade on very hot days – can go a long way to keeping your battery in good shape. You also shouldn’t use a fast-charging station very frequently, as this strains the battery. The service center at Bedford Nissan will keep your electric car humming. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

If you’re hoping to buy a car soon, there are probably a lot of must-have features you are looking for. And, thanks to skyrocketing gas prices, fuel efficiency may be near the top of that list. So, does this mean you should look at used cars or new ones? more The Make is the Most Important Factor Generally speaking, the gas economy of vehicles improves the newer they get. However, this doesn’t mean you have to buy a new car to get a very fuel-efficient model; you just have to pick the right make. When it comes to gas mileage, Nissan vehicles are always some of the top models. Taking a Look at the Nissan Rogue Let’s use the Nissan Rogue as an example. If you opt for the new 2022 model, it will give you 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive. With all-wheel drive, those go down to 28/35 MPG. Those are outstanding numbers for the compact SUV class. If you go with an older model, you’re still going to get a very fuel-efficient vehicle. The 2019 model, for example, offers 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive vehicles get 25/32 MPG. As you can see, the newer car’s numbers are a little better, but you’re still getting a model with excellent gas mileage. Find the Most Fuel-Efficient Vehicle at Bedford Nissan Now is the time to trade in your gas guzzler for a car that will help save you a lot of money. To find the perfect vehicle for your needs, come down to Bedford Nissan to see what’s in stock.

If you’re planning to buy a car and you’ll be financing the purchase, borrowing money may be difficult. Due to a low credit score or lack of income, a lender may be hesitant to give you a loan. Fortunately, you may be able get the funds you need by utilizing a cosigner. Here our Nissan finance department goes over this option and what it could mean for you. more How a Cosigner Works When looking for a cosigner, you need to find someone who is in solid financial shape. They should have a credit score at least in the Good category and steady long-term employment. This person will then apply with you for the loan. The reason their income will get scrutiny along with yours is to gauge their risk. Even if you make every payment, the lender will want to know that your cosigner would be able to pick up any slack. Why Use a Cosigner? To Secure a Loan If you are unable to get a loan because of your credit score, a cosigner could be your best way to change this. To Get a Lower Interest Rate Even if you can get a loan, it could come with a high interest rate. A cosigner may be able to help lower it. And when you build your credit, eventually you might be able to refinance for an even lower rate. To Buy a Better Car A cosigner may encourage the lender to give you a larger loan, which could help you get a better car. Start the Financing Process Now Bedford Nissan makes the financing process easy, and you can start it right now for both you and a cosigner. Just fill out our online application and someone will get back to you shortly.

Our Nissan service aims to help drivers in all situations, which is why they’ve put together this guide that will help you prevent a lockout and also deal with one. more How to Prevent Getting Locked Out There are things you can do to avoid a lockout, such as: Carrying a Spare Key If you always have a spare key, you’ll never get locked out. However, the question then becomes, where do you keep it? You can’t keep it on your keyring, as this will defeat the purpose. It has to be somewhere that won’t also get locked in the car. Using a Magnetic Key Holder A magnetic key holder could be a good option. This lets you keep your spare key in a little box attached to the outside of your car. Of course, this needs to be in place that won’t be obvious to any passersby. Creating a Digital Key If your car is new enough, you may be able to set up a digital key. This will allow you to unlock your car with a device, so even if you lock your keys inside, it won’t be a nuisance. Dealing with a Lock-Out If you do find yourself staring at your keys in your locked car, you have some choices: Find the Spare If you have the spare on you – or in your magnetic key box – getting inside is easy. Or, maybe you can call somebody who can get you your spare. Contact Your Auto Club If you’re a member of an auto club, they can get your car door opened very quickly, so it might be worth giving them a call. Break a Window While we don’t condone hurting your car, if you’re desperate to get inside – perhaps it’s a hot day and a pet or baby is in there – then you may have to bite the bullet and break a window. Just try to do this safely so nobody gets hurt. For any maintenance needs, contact the service center at Bedford Nissan.

Even if you know nothing about cars other than how to drive, there are some tasks you are perfectly capable of doing. Changing a flat is a great example. This may seem difficult, but if you follow these steps from our Nissan service center, it’s probably a lot easier than you realize. more Get Your Equipment Of course, to change a flat tire you first need to have all of the right equipment in your car. This includes a jack, lug wrench, and spare. Loosen the Lug Nuts The next step is to use the lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Don’t take them off completely, however. Jack Up the Car Now, find a strong part of the car’s frame, put the jack under there, and start turning the handle clockwise. Lift the tire off the ground several inches. Take off The Flat and Put on the New Tire Next, remove the lug nuts and the flat tire. Then, line up the holes with the good tire and put the lug nuts in again. Lower the Car Finally, turn the jack handle counter-clockwise until the tire is back on the ground. Make sure the lug nuts are very tight. Put the jack and lug wrench back in your car, and you’re good to go. See how easy that is? Even if you’ve never changed a tire in your life, we bet you’d be able to do it. Of course, there is another step you can’t forget about: getting another spare. Because a flat can happen at any time, you should always be prepared, and you can count on the parts department at Bedford Nissan to get you what you need.

Thanks in large part to YouTube and so many home improvement shows, many people think that making repairs or renovations isn’t that hard. And they’re not…if you have the skills and knowledge to do them. If you don’t, however, you’re probably just going to make things worse. These are some of the systems in your car that require a trained Nissan repair professional to fix: more Air Conditioning While an AC in your home does have some similar components to the AC in your car, just because you may be handy with the former doesn’t mean you’ll know what you’re doing with the latter. Plus, if the issue is related to a broken fan or a leak, you’ll have to find the precise replacement parts. Electronics The electronic components in your vehicle – like the infotainment system and stereo – are controlled by the computer, and they include a very complicated wiring system. Even if you work in IT, you probably won’t be able to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it. Suspension System If your car bounces all over the road, something is probably up with the suspension system, which is comprised of struts, arms, and brushings. And while replacing one or more of these may not be too difficult, there’s much more to fixing a suspension than just putting in new parts. It has to be fine-tuned, and one mistake can hurt the entire system. A DIY auto repair may sound like a great way to save money, but if you do it wrong, this could affect other components. And, since you will end up having to hire someone to fix your mistake, this will just cost you even more money. Save yourself a lot of time and trouble by leaving repairs to the experts at Bedford Nissan.