2016 Nissan Sentra to get heavy restyle

Nissan is having a banner year when it comes to launching updated products in 2015. The latest Maxima is already on sale in showrooms, and the next-gen Titan joins it later. Refreshes for the Sentra (2014 model year pictured above) and Altima are also on the way, and the changes are likely to be significant to stay competitive in the compact sedan segment. 

"It will be an incredibly freshened Sentra," Fred Diaz, Nissan Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the U.S. said to Automotive News. The big changes reportedly include a thorough restyling and some new tech. Nissan North America Director of Product Communications Dan Bedore confirmed to Autoblog the company will launch refreshes to the Sentra and Altima "later this year" but wouldn't give a more precise timeline or other details about them.

However, rumors about the restyling are already out there, and Sentra's overhaul reportedly takes inspiration from the Pulsar in Europe. That might mean a move to Nissan's pointed, V-shaped grille and more aggressive, angular headlights with better-integrated LED running lights than the current design. Meanwhile, the Altima's update potentially borrows cues from the Murano and Maxima and could see improved fuel economy.

This comprehensive restyling comes despite Nissan already having a major success in the US with the current Sentra. Volume this year is up 15.5 percent through May with 88,701 sales. Also, the sedan had its best numbers in the past 25 years in 2014 with 183,268 of them sold, according to Automotive News.

5 Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Car | Auffenberg Dealer Group

Here are Five Spring Car Maintenance Tips

 1. Remove leftover salt

Salt, used on roads to melt ice and snow, can cause serious damage to cars, especially their undercarriages where metal can rust. Take your car to a highly rated car wash to eliminate salt, and check that the business has sprayers that clean the undercarriage.

2. Check alignment and suspension

Driving over potholes can damage your car’s alignment and suspension. You might have a problem if you notice that the car pulls to one side or the steering wheel vibrates as you drive. An alignment check typically costs $25 to $40.

3. Change oil and check fluids

“If your last oil change was before winter, then this is a great time to do it, spring is also an ideal time to flush your transmission fluid. It’s one of the most neglected services. Mechanics say spring is a good time to check your car's fluid levels. Waiting too long to change your fluids can lead to a costly repair. Mechanics recommend changing your car’s oil every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.Don’t forget to check window washing fluid levels, as well as your brake and cooling system fluids.

4. Rotate tires and check air pressure

You should check the tire pressure, including the spare should you ever need it. Your car’s tires affect the ride, handling, traction and safety.Mechanics recommend tire rotation every 5,000 miles to keep tread wear even.One of the biggest issues we see is the front tires wearing out prematurely.

5. Inspect brakes

Nothing, perhaps, is more important than having brakes that function properly. Have a technician check the pads and rotors to ensure there are no safety issues. Neglecting them can lead to a costlier repair down the line.

2016 Kia Sorento now an IIHS Top Safety Pick

The new Kia Sorento has taken it up a notch, securing a Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thanks to a major improvement in the small overlap crash test. When the Sorentowas in 2014, the crash dummy didn't have an easy time of it, almost missing the front airbag and suffering nearly a foot of intrusion in the footwell. That earned it a "poor" mark.

The 2016 model did much better, with the dummy properly restrained, proper airbag deployment, and just four inches of intrusion in the footwell, all of which was good enough for a "good" rating. Add that to the good ratings it's received for all the other tests, the Sorento's overall status is elevated to Top Safety Pick. You can check out video of the small overlap test above.

Springtime Auto Tips

Springtime Auto Tips

Spring is one of the prime times for auto maintenance. That first wash-n-wax on a warm Saturday afternoon is liberating. Winter's gloom (to say nothing of grit and road salt) is literally washed away. Take out the snow shovel, the gloves, and heavy boots and store them 'til next season. Surely summer can't be far away.

Some preparation now will help ensure that your summer driving plans go as smoothly as you envision then now. Here are some tips on getting your vehicle ready for summer.

• Read the owner's manual and follow the recommended service schedules.
• Have hard starts, rough idling, stalling, etc. corrected before hot weather sets in.
• Flush and refill the cooling system (radiator) according to the service manual's recommendations. The level, condition, and concentration of the coolant should be checked periodically.
• If you are not a do-it-yourselfer, look for repair facilities that employ certified automotive technicians.
• The tightness and condition of belts, clamps, and hoses should be checked by a qualified auto technician.
• Have a marginally operating air conditioner system serviced by a qualified technician to reduce the likelihood of more costly repairs.
• Change the oil and oil filter as specified in owner's manual. (Properly dispose of used oil.)
• Replace other filters (air, fuel, PCV, etc.) as recommended.
• Check the condition of tires, including the spare. Always check tire pressure when the tires are cold.
• Inspect all lights and bulbs; replace burned out bulbs.
• Replace worn wiper blades and keep plenty of washer solvent on hand to combat summer's dust and insects.

Nissan Titan Truckumentary looks back through the brand's trucks [w/video] | Auffenberg Dealer Group

This is a set-the-stage episode, surveying the brand's truck history in the US from the 1960 Datsun 1200, one of the first vehicles it sold here, to the first truck it manufactured here in 1983 in Smyrna, TN, to the nineties Hardbody and the 1999 SUT Concept, among others.

Pickup-truck-lifer Brent Hagan, the product planner for the next-generation Titan - designed and engineered in the US - is our tour guide for this episode. If anything, after watching this video all we could think was, "Nissan, please bring back the good old days."

Redesigned 2015 Ford F-150 Will Gain New EcoBoost Engine, Lose 700 lbs. | Auffenberg Dealer Group

It’s not easy improving on the best-selling vehicle in the country, but the brand-new 2015 Ford F-150 is going to do just that. Introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and scheduled to go on sale later this year, the truck will showcase new features like: Integrated loading ramps for easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and more A new “BoxLink” system of cleats and brackets for attaching bed accessories Advanced camera technologies, including a 360-degree bird’s-eye-view system and a rearview camera with special guidelines to simplify hitching Remote tail-gate release and lock/unlock functionality 400-watt in-cabin power outlets Side-mirror-mounted LED spotlights and LED bed-box lights Ford’s next-gen tailgate step Driver-assistance aides including adaptive cruise control and curve control, as well as lane-keeping and blindspot-information systems There’s also something new available under the hood of the 2015 Ford F-150: a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder EcoBoost engine that delivers an “extremely high output and lightweight design.” Then, returning for the 2015 model year will be Ford’s 5.0-liter V-8, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 and naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, all providing their own unique combinations of “power, capability and efficiency.” The 2015 Ford F-150 will get a bolder and more modern appearance, too, but the biggest news is actually under the skin. That’s where Ford engineers have deployed a frame that now relies on high-strength, military-grade aluminum. As a result, while the 2015 Ford F-150 will serve up all the capabilities one expects from the Blue Oval’s workhorse, it will do so at a fighting weight that’s up to 700 lbs. lower than last year’s model. The bottom line from Mark Fields, chief operating officer of the Ford Motor Company: “F-150 is well-known for being Built Ford Tough. Now, it is both tough and smart. The all-new F-150 redefines the future of trucks, and it is yet another example of our One Ford plan producing vehicles that serve customers with a commitment to the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.”

Source: https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2014/01/13/all-new-ford-f-150-redefines-full-size-trucks.html Written by Charles Krome.

Auffenberg Dealer Group | Auffenberg O'Fallon IL

Auffenberg Dealer Group is a  multi-manufacturer automotive group located in O'Fallon, IL

Auffenberg is a family owned dealership that started in Belleville in 1942, and has amassed six different new car makes, including; Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Volkswagen, and Nissan; along with nearly 1,500 pre-owned vehicles.

We strive for excellence and customer service. If you are looking to purchase a vehicle, be sure to check our New Vehicle Inventory.  If you need service to be done to your current vehicle, be sure to stop by any of our fully equipped Servicedepartments so you can keep your vehicle on the road for years to come. Whatever the reason you are visiting, you will find that we adhere to a higher quality of standards.