What's Your Color?

When making the decision to purchase a car individuals have endless options from brand, style, model, transmission, trim, interior fabric, features, sunroof, tinted windows and most challenging the color. There is such a strong emotional attachment to color choices, when purchasing a car it isn't the time to let your favorite color lead your decision. Rather, it's a lifestyle decision and personality expression. 

“The most popular color in North America for the past three years is white,” says Nancy Lockhart, Color Marketing Manager for DuPont Vehicle Paints. It's no surprise that the most popular car color was White, in 2011 it represented 23% vehicles purchased in North America. Black and Silver were also popular, 18% and 16% of buyers preferred these shades. Gray ranked fourth with 13% and Red rounded out the top five with 10%. While Blue collected just 9% of the vehicles in 2011. Among the least loved colors:  Beige/Brown with 5%, Yellow/Gold with  3% and finally Green represented only 2% of purchased vehicles. 

Nissan continues to develop new colors and enhance on original ones in order to deliver to it's drivers the biggest variety of vehicle colors to meet their preference. For example, below you can see the 2012 Nissan Murano in Tinted Bronze and the 2012 Nissan Rouge in Graphite Blue.

We want to hear from you about your favorite car colors and what lead you to your decision, feel free to comment below and share with us your color of choice! 

The Importance of Tire Monitoring

Since each tire performs different tasks, tires wear at different rates. In order for your tires to have the longest life possible we encourage you to monitor your tires at to extend their useful life and to achieve a uniform tire wear.

Tire Rotation

It's important to rotate your tires according to the correct tire rotation pattern. Front tires encounter different tasks than the rear tires. And a front-wheel-drive vehicle's tires perform different tasks than those on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Your Nissan Owner Manual specifies which rotation pattern is right for your vehicle.

Wheel Rust or Dirt

Rust or dirt may not allow proper tightening of the lug nuts and a wheel may loosen over time. When you have your tires rotated, be sure to remove any rust or dirt from places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or paper towel, but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later to remove all rust or dirt and torque to specifications.

Wheel Alignment & Tire Balance

Your vehicle's wheels were aligned and balanced at the factory. But if you notice unusual tire wear or that your vehicle pulls one way or the other, the wheel alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle vibrating on a smooth road, your wheels may be out of balance.

A tire that is out of balance often affects ride quality and can shorten the life of tires, bearings, shocks, and other suspension components. A speed-dependent vibration — becoming noticeable around 45 mph and increasing as speed increases — is probably balance-related.

Tire Alignment

Alignment is critical for ensuring that you get maximum wear and performance from your tires. Poor alignment results from your vehicle's suspension and steering system becoming out of adjustment with each other. The biggest indicators of your vehicle being out of alignment are pulling one way or the other as you drive or unusual tire wear.

We Can Help

Because it's important to us at Nissan of Greenville that your vehicle is performing to the best of it's ability, bome by and visit us or contact our Service Department to schedule your appointment today!

Do Red Cars Attract Police?

In today’s era of radar and laser detectors, and the infamous heartless red-light cameras, the implied answer would be no. Most police officers will explain that if you’re speeding, you’re going to be pulled over no matter the color of your car. But could law enforcement subconsciously focus on bright colors, and red in particular?

They might be, at least based on research conducted by Dr. Mark Changizi, professor of Human Cognition at 2AI Labs. A scientist with expertise in theoretical neurobiology, vision, cognitive science, Changizi’s blog biography details his studies as a way to “grasp the ultimate foundations underlying why we think, feel and see as we do.”

According to his studies, our eyes have evolved to detect subtle changes in blood oxygenation. In simple terms: we notice pigment changes when, for example, someone turns red with anger or pale with fright. “It’s all about emotions,” says Changizi. “Our eyes are designed to see these color changes.”

Different emotional states depend on how oxygenated your blood is. “Red is a symbol of strength physiologically,” says Changizi, while mentioning recent studies that have proven wearing red sportswear leads to a higher probability of winning. Changizi says cultural factors also play an important role.

Millions of years of evolution, along with some inventive marketing, means that bright colors, especially reds, could simply be hard-wired in our minds as being powerful, fast and strong. Just don’t try to talk your way out of a speeding ticket by informing a police officer that he was genetically programmed to ticket your little red sports car.

Teen Driver Safety

statistical data source

A driver’s license and the car keys – it’s every teenager’s dream, and most parent’s worst nightmare. While mom and dad cringe as their baby backs out the driveway, alone – for the very first time, the teen’s heart races with the sudden freedom to go where he wants without the ‘rents hovering over him in smothering, over-protection.

Be a good role model. Remember that your child looks to you as a driver, so practice safe driving yourself. Set aside time to take your teen on practice driving sessions. It can be a great way to spend time together and to allow your teen to improve some basic driving skills. Your teen’s learning starts at home.

Learn about the state restrictions from the graduated driver licensing (GDL) program. Know the restrictions placed on your teen’s license and enforce those limits. Texas along with 46 States and the District of Columbia now have GDL programs that limit high-risk driving situations for new drivers. 

The Texas Graduated Driver License Program became effective in 2002, and created two phases of driving requirements for minors:

 Phase One 
Texas drivers under 18 years of age, must:

1. Hold a learner or hardship license for a minimum of six months.  
2. Be accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age.  
3. Maintain a valid learner license.  If a learner license is suspended or revoked, the remaining six-month period must be completed after the suspension has ended.

With the completion of phase one, reaching the age of 16, and the completion of the classroom and driving portions of driver education, a minor is eligible to obtain a provisional license and "graduates" to phase two. 



Phase Two 
restricts the driving privileges of provisional license holders, and motorcycle/moped license holders (under 17 years of age), during the twelve-month period following the issuance of the license. The following restrictions apply:

1. May not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member,
2. May not operate a motor vehicle, or a motorcycle/moped unless in sight of the person’s parent/guardian, between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency,
3. May not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communication device, except in case of an emergency. 
4. The restriction will be stated on license and will indicate the date phase two expires.

Upon completion of phase two, the restrictions no longer apply.

Obviously parents worry isn't without reason, teenage drivers are at incredibly high risk of accident or injury while on  the road. The thing is, parents are supposed to be over protective and parents have more influence on your teen than they may think. If you want to ensure your teenagers safety, have them drive a 2012 Nissan Rogue SUV that NHTSA rated, front impact: 4-of-5 stars and side impact: 5-of-5 stars.

So It Begins: The Nissan of Greenville Blog

The Nissan of Greenvile Dealership proudly serves the communities of Greenville, Rockwall, Mckinney, Plano,  Garland, East and Central Texas. At ORR has one of the most extensive inventories of Nissan cars, trucks and SUV's in the region. We work hard to get you into the vehicle you have always wanted.

Welcome to the ORR Nissan of Greenville Blog!  

This blog was created to share information with our customers about Chevrolet news, upcoming Dealership specials, marketing and social media dynamics, recent car buying trends, useful information and tips, but most importantly we aim to produce a blog that's interesting to read. 

We hope that you will follow along with us as we explore new topics and enjoy some driving tricks along the way. 

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