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Impressive horsepower and torque ratings help make Nissan Maxima a top choice for used sports sedan rn By Product Expert | Posted in Nissan Maxima on Friday, July 19th, 2019 at 8:00 amrn Nissan Maxima Horsepower and Torque Ratings If you’ve been searching for a sports sedan that can deliver the performance you need on the road without breaking your budget, you’ve just found the perfect vehicle. The Nissan Maxima is a four-door sedan that offers impressive horsepower and torque ratings that help deliver an incredible driving experience on the road. With many powerful engine options over the years, this Nissan sports sedan has become a favorite choice with performance-minded drivers who also need a vehicle that can give them the technology, comfort, passenger space and safety they need. Keep reading to learn more about the engine specs of the Nissan Maxima. Nissan Maxima Engine Specs The Nissan Maxima is the flagship sedan of Nissan that is sometimes overlooked by drivers. Its interior quality is incredible, and it offers high-end features at an affordable price. The best thing about the Nissan Maxima is its ability to deliver amazing driving dynamics on the road. Thanks to some powerful engines over the years, the Nissan Maxima has never had a problem with giving you the horsepower and torque ratings needed to have fun behind the wheel. Underneath the hood of a used Nissan Maxima, you can find a couple of different engines depending on which model year you’re looking at. In older used Nissan Maxima models, you’ll see a 3.5-liter V6 engine that can push out 290 horsepower and 261 lb -ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Newer used Nissan Maxima models receive an updated 3.5-liter VQ V6 engine that features 24 valves and a continuously variable valve timing control system (CVTCS). This powerful engine offers 300 horsepower and 261 lb -ft of torque and features a Drive Mode Selector and Nissan’s Xtronic CVT® transmission with dynamic step shifting, a wider gear ratio, and an adaptive shift controller that help give you a spirited drive without sacrificing fuel efficiency. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz Drivers are impressed with long list of features and options available in Nissan Maxima sports sedan Instagram offers drivers a closer look at the Nissan Maxima sports sedan in 6 photos < Previous post Next post >

Fun Road Trip Games for Adults and Kids While road trips are very fun, you will find yourselves sitting in the car for a very long time. To help keep your passengers occupied, we put together a list of games you should consider playing in the car while on a road trip. The Alphabet Game I Spy Mad Libs 20 Questions License-Plate Game Name that Song Would You Rather The Quiet Game Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz What is the Debt Snowball Method? How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? How to Maximize the Trade-In Value of Your Car < Previous post Next post >

Halogen vs LED Headlight Comparison Taking a drive? Whether you are on the road for a short or long drive, you’ve likely noticed that certain cars have different bulbs. Two of the most common headlight bulbs found in vehicles today are halogen lights and LED lights. How are these different? Is one type better than the other?   rnrn Halogen Bulbs Pros and Cons Found in old and new vehicles, halogen bulbs are the most common headlights found today. Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent lights that function with halogen gas. Vehicles that have a yellow color to their headlights are the ones using halogen bulbs.   What are the pros and cons offered with halogen bulbs? If you are on a budget, you’ll find that replacing a halogen bulb is more affordable than replacing an LED. The yellow light is also a softer light that won’t easily blind other drivers either. So, what’s the drawback to halogen bulbs? Ultimately, it comes down to energy usage. When a halogen bulb runs, it becomes hot to the touch. Since these bulbs emit lots of heat, the bulb requires more energy, thus energy becomes wasted. LED Bulb Pros and Cons LED bulbs are the opposite of halogen in many ways. LEDs emit a white light that is brighter than most halogens. This makes seeing things around corners easier and looks much cooler. In addition, LEDs are far more efficient than halogen bulbs. While halogens generate a large amount of heat, the amount of heat created with LEDs is far smaller, helping save energy. Since these bulbs save more energy, you can expect an LED bulb to last longer than a halogen bulb. Thanks to these advantages, LED bulbs are gaining popularity among drivers. Today, LEDs are being offered with most modern vehicles as standard or optional features.   On the flipside, LEDs are more expensive to repair. Not only that, but it is far more complex to replace an LED than it is a halogen bulb, requiring more drivers to have a mechanic do the work for them. Also, since LEDs are brighter, it can be harder on other drivers’ eyes when traveling at night. Whether you are searching for an affordable vehicle with your desired bulb choice or you don’t have a preference, you can find the car you need here at OKCarz. Don’t believe us? Explore hundreds of high-quality options right on our website. If you need more details about any of our vehicles, contact us and one of our team members will help answer any questions. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz Should I Buy an SUV or Minivan at OKCarz? What’s the Difference Between an Automatic Transmission and a CVT? What are the Differences Between Crossovers and SUVs? What are the Differences Between Coupes, Sedans, and Hatchbacks? < Previous post Next post >

Popular Hiking Trails in Central FL Sick of staying at home? Want to get outdoors? Thankfully, central Florida is filled with beautiful hiking trails for you to get some fresh air and exercise while staying distant from others. Here are a few recommendations you should consider visiting. Hal Scott Regional Preserve and Park 5150 Dallas Blvd. Orlando, FL Website Black Bear Wilderness Area 5298 Michigan Ave. Sanford, FL Website Tibet-Butler Preserve 8777 Winter Garden – Vineland Rd. Orlando, FL Website Spring Hammock Preserve 2985 Osprey Trail Longwood, FL Website *The status of the COVID-19 pandemic is changing daily. Before visiting your desired trail, confirm that the trail will be open. Be sure to stay at least 6 feet away from others and wear a face mask if required by trail management or state laws. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz Where Can I Go Biking in Central Florida? Fun Things to Do for Father’s Day 2020 Fun Things to Do with Kids in Tampa, Florida How to celebrate Mother’s Day in Tampa, FL < Previous post Next post >

Why You Should Get Your Wheels Aligned Over time, the wheels on your vehicle will become misaligned. This could be due to suspension parts getting worn, running over a pothole, hitting a curb, and many other scenarios. Regardless of why it happens, wheel alignment is maintenance that should be taken seriously as completing the work can help prevent a variety of future problems. So, how do you know if you need to get a wheel alignment? Let’s take a look at some signs that your wheels are misaligned as well as the recommended wheel alignment schedule. Signs That Your Wheels are Misaligned Even if you understand the importance of why you need to get your wheels aligned, you need to know which symptoms to watch for. A few common signs that your wheels are misaligned are: Your tires wear unevenly There is slight or sharp pulling in one direction Your steering wheel vibrates The steering wheel is crooked/off-center Recommended Wheel Alignment Schedule Experts recommend that drivers get their wheels aligned every two or three years. Since tire changes happen roughly every three years for most drivers, you can save yourself a trip to the mechanic by getting your wheels aligned when you replace your tires. If you start noticing any of the above symptoms before this range, you should get your wheels aligned early. Looking for more tips on how to properly maintain your vehicle? Follow the OKCarz blog for more tips and tricks like this! Shopping for an affordable and reliable vehicle? Contact us and we will help you find the vehicle that meets your needs. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter How to Properly Maintain Your Car Battery < Previous post Next post >

What are the Differences Between Crossovers and SUVs? By Product Expert | Posted in Comparisons, FAQs on Monday, May 11th, 2020 at 2:35 pmrn Crossover vs SUV Comparison If you have been shopping for a family vehicle lately, yournlikely have heard of crossovers and SUVs. Generally, dealerships group theserntwo types of vehicles together. That raises a certain question for buyers –rnwhat are the differences between crossovers and SUVs? With our crossover vs SUVrncomparison, we will explore some similarities as well as notable differences tornhelp you understand which body type will better suit your driving needs. Crossover and SUV Platforms Many car experts will argue that the main difference between crossovers and SUVs is the platform. The platform that crossovers are built from is based on sedans. This is due to the unibody construction that crossovers are given while in production. Meanwhile, SUVs are built off the truck platform, meaning that SUVs are constructed with a body-on-frame design. Design and Size Regarding the design, crossovers tend to appear sportier asrnthey resemble sedans more closely. Due to the lighter weight of the crossover,rnthese vehicles also excel with providing better fuel economy and, at times, arnmore affordable price.   On the other hand, SUVs are built to be more durable. Withrnthe help of the truck platform, SUVs are typically designed to withstand heavyrntowing and hauling weight while also offering more off-road options. Also, SUVsrnhave a tendency to be more spacious than crossovers. Its large size makes itrneasier for big families to travel together and for large items to berntransported. Finally, SUVs also tend to come equipped with stronger engines. Similarities Between the Crossover and the SUV Despite the differences, crossovers and SUVs are veryrnsimilar. Both types typically seat at least 5 people, have the cargo arearndirectly behind the rear seats rather than offering a separated trunk, isrnhigher off the ground, and give more space. Due to so many similarities,rncrossovers are sometimes referred to as “compact SUVs” or “subcompact SUVs”. Yournmay even see some models referred to as “crossover SUVs”, combining both names. Should I Buy a Crossover or an SUV? You should set your own requirements when deciding whetherrnto buy an SUV or a crossover. If you want to save some money and don’t need arnvery large vehicle, a crossover may be the way to go. If you need more space,rnpower, and off-road capabilities, consider shopping for an SUV. Need more help finding the right vehicle for you? Contact us at OkCarz and we will bernhappy to offer some recommendations. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz How Does the Anti-Lock Braking System Work? What is the Debt Snowball Method? When Should I Buy a Different Vehicle? What’s the Difference Between a Sunroof and a Moonroof? < Previous post Next post >

Reasons Why Your Engine Could Be Overheating The engine is the heart of every vehicle. Your vehicle can’t run without this piece of machinery and replacing or repairing it is very expensive. Therefore, an overheating engine should always be taken very seriously. While this issue shouldn’t happen at all, there are many things that could cause an engine to overheat. You also need to be prepared to know what to do if your engine starts to overheat in order to prevent any further damage. Signs of an Overheating Engine Sometimes, knowing your engine is overheating is obvious. Other times, not so much. Here are a few signs you should watch for: The temperature gauge entering the red or spiking at “H” Steam coming from underneath the hood An odd smell coming from your engine What You Should Do if Your Engine Overheats While Driving Whether you are driving on the highway or you are simply five minutes from home, every minute matters. As soon as you realize that your engine is overheating, do the following: Turn off the A/C and crank the heat. This will be uncomfortable for you, but this will pull some of the heat away from your engine. Pull over to a safe location. Turn off the engine and let the engine cool for at least 15 minutes. While you wait, get help on the way. Call a towing company, family member, or close friend to let them know of the situation and to come help you. If this ever happens to you, the most important thing to remember is that you should not panic. With that said, you should never drive while the engine is overheating as this can cause damage and even complete engine failure. Always allow the engine to cool before opening the hood, as this will help protect you from getting burned due to the steam or heat. Finally, never let this problem linger as the issue will only get worse. Things That Can Cause an Engine to Overheat Sometimes, the issue can be resolved by simply topping off some fluids. In other cases, parts need to be replaced in order to prevent the issue from happening again. Here’s a list of common things that can cause an engine to overheat. Low coolant levels Leaking hoses or coolant reservoir Malfunctioning or stuck thermostat Low oil level Searching for more ways to take care of your vehicle? Follow the OKCarz blog for everything automotive! Are you in the market for an affordable and reliable car? Explore our inventory right on our website. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? How to Check Your Tire Tread with a Quarter How to Properly Maintain Your Car Battery < Previous post Next post >

Warning Signs of a Transmission Going Bad in a Car The transmission is a vital component of every vehicle. Like the engine, this piece of machinery is required for the car to run and is very expensive to replace. Therefore, it’s important to spot the signs of a failing transmission so that you can minimize repair costs and avoid the headache of getting stranded after it fails completely. Here are a few common warning signs to watch for. Leaking Transmission Fluid To help reduce damage due to friction, keep the gears cool, and facilitate gear shifts, your transmission will use transmission fluid. If the fluid level gets too low due to a leak, you will need to get the leak repaired and your transmission fluid topped off. You can check if you have a leak by looking for a red fluid underneath your vehicle. Burnt Transmission Fluid Similar to oil, transmission fluid will break down eventually. Fresh transmission fluid should be a clear red or brown in color. If the transmission fluid is burnt, it will be dark, thick, and may even have a sweet burning smell. Thankfully, though, transmission fluid doesn’t need to be changed very often, so if you do get a change, you won’t need to for a long time. Struggles to Change Gears Trying to change gears but the gear just doesn’t seem to want to shift? If shifting is rough or delayed, you need to get your transmission checked out right away. Gears are Slipping This sign is very noticeable and dangerous. Gears should always be locked into place unless you are changing them. When gears slip, it may feel as if your vehicle isn’t moving even though it is getting the gas it needs to move. Trying to accelerate and noticing a delay is also a serious sign.   In addition to the symptoms above, always be on the lookout for strange noises like humming or grinding. Sometimes, your car will also tell you something is wrong with the ‘check engine light’. Regardless, you should always take the possibility of a failing transmission seriously and seek help immediately. For more helpful posts like this, follow the OKCarz blog. Need to buy a different car If you need a vehicle that is both affordable and reliable, you can find the perfect match with us. Browse hundreds of options with our online inventory to get started. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz How Does the Anti-Lock Braking System Work? What is the Debt Snowball Method? How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes How to Tell if Your Power Steering Pump is Failing < Previous post Next post >

How to Reduce Debt with the Debt Snowball Method If you are reviewing your finances and realizing that you are underwater in debt, it can feel very stressful and challenging to get yourself out of it. The Debt Snowball Method is a strategic way to reduce, and eventually, eliminate debt. Here’s how the Debt Snowball Method works. How to Use the Debt Snowball Method As the name suggests, the Debt Snowball Method is designed to help people get out of debt by starting small and gaining traction as time goes on. Follow these steps to use the Debt Snowball Method. Gather your debts and list them from smallest to largest. Common debts include credit card, student loans, auto loans, and medical bills. Pay minimum payments on each debt on time. Doing this will ensure that you aren’t charged any late or missing payment fees and your credit doesn’t take a negative hit. With your remaining money, pay off as much as you can for the smallest debt. Let’s assume that your credit card is $1,000 in debt, your auto loan has $2,000 left to go, and your student loan still has $10,000. With the Debt Snowball Method, you will want to pay down your credit card balance first before your auto or student loans, even if one of these loans has a higher interest rate. Roll over payments from debts paid off to the next. This is where the snowball effect comes in. Money that you would’ve normally paid towards that credit card debt is now available to be put towards your auto loan. Once your auto loan is paid off, money from both your credit card debt and auto loan will now be available for your student loan. Soon, you will realize that by eliminating smaller debts, it will be much easier to pay off larger ones. Also, getting rid of that smaller debt will certainly feel good! Repeat until you are debt-free. A big part of getting out of debt is discipline. Eliminating one debt doesn’t mean you should take on another. Stay focused and stay positive about paying down your debt and eventually you won’t need to stress over it any longer. While not all debts are planned, such as an emergency trip to the hospital or an unfortunate car accident, you can help reduce the financial strain from these sudden debts with healthy budgeting habits. Check out the popular 50/30/20 budget rule to find out if you are spending too much each month.   For more financial tips, along with everything automotive, make sure to follow the OKCarz blog. Do you need a high-quality reliable vehicle that fits your budget? Explore our current pre-owned vehicle inventory online here.

How to Finance for a Car on a Student Budget The next school year is starting soon, which may mean that you need some reliable transportation to get to classes on time. If you are a student shopping around for a car, you’re likely on a tight budget. To help you find the right car at the right price, follow these simple steps. College tuition and textbooks are expensive. On top of that, students will need to pay for rent, utilities, food, and more if they aren’t staying with family throughout the semester.   Before you begin shopping, you must have a clear understanding of how much you can afford to pay towards your car. Determine your monthly income and subtract all expected costs, including any cash you put into savings. If you don’t have any income, consider finding employment as the search will be much harder without a job. Once you determine how much money you have left over, set this number as your budget. Remember that this budget should include the cost of the vehicle, interest, gas, and insurance.   Unless you chose to go back to school as a non-traditional student, you likely only need the vehicle for commuting purposes. In other words, if you aren’t taking care of a family throughout college, you likely don’t need a large vehicle. Cars like sedans or hatchbacks are the most common choice among students as they are the most affordable to own and insure. However, if you are taking care of a family throughout college and need the extra space, then you should consider potentially selecting a larger vehicle like a crossover or SUV.   In addition to body style, students typically don’t have the funds to purchase a vehicle new. Instead, you can easily find a pre-owned model that can take care of your needs at a fraction of the cost. Many options could even be in like-new condition!     Let’s assume that after budgeting and setting your requirements, your plan is to find a sedan or hatchback within $10,000. To get started, you will want to browse a variety of models, add potential candidates to your list, and research those models. At OKCarz, we offer hundreds of affordable options and dozens of popular and reliable brands that you can view right at home. Once you find a vehicle you are interested in, contact us to learn more, schedule a test drive, and review finance options. We’d love to help you select the right vehicle for your budget and requirements. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz What is the Debt Snowball Method? Tips for Improving Your Current Budget Ways You Can Minimize Credit Card Debt Tips for Choosing the Right Vehicle < Previous post Next post >

rn rn What is the best way to clean cloth car seats? rn A car is one of the biggest investments a person will make, other than buying a home. It is only natural that they will want to make sure they get the most out of the money they spent. The best way to protect that investment is to take proper care of the car, truck or SUV they have decided to take home from OKCarz. Obviously, keeping up with regularly prescribed maintenance will help keep the vehicle on the road. But, making sure it’s kept clean will help the resale or trade-in value when it’s time to move on to something different. So, what is the best way to clean cloth car seats? The team of product experts at OKCarz did a little online research to help you keep your vehicle as close to showroom condition as possible. Let’s take a look at what they found. rn READ MORE: Why is my engine overheating? rnrnrn rn rn Before we get to how you can get your car seats clean, we want to remind you that experts suggest starting with the floor mats and carpets. Shake out the mats and aggressively vacuum the carpets before moving on to the seats. For more stubborn stains or dirt, you might want to invest in some cleaning products that are approved for automotive use. Always test the cleaner in an area that is hard to see to make sure it doesn’t cause any discolorations. rnrnrnrn How do I clean my car’s cloth upholstery? rnrnrnrn If you’ve already purchased material cleaner to get stains out of the carpet, you might also be able to use it on the seats. Before you start spraying cleaner and scrubbing, make sure you vacuum up any lingering crumbs, dirt or debris. Each cleaner will probably have more specific instructions to get the best results, but for the most part, you will spray the seats with the cleaner and let it dry. Some scrubbing will be required, and you may have to run the vacuum over the seats one more time. rn rnrnrnrn rn rn rn rnrnrnrn Your relationship with OKCarz isn’t over when the ink on your sales paperwork dries. Reach out to one of our product experts today if there is anything we can help you with. rn Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest rn rn rn More from OkCarz rn rn rn rn rn What is the Debt Snowball Method? rn rn rn rn rn How to Improve the Lifespan of Your Brakes rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn What Do I Need to Replace a Flat Tire on My Car? rn rn rn rn rn How to Maximize the Trade-In Value of Your Car rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn rn < Previous post rn Next post > rn rn rn rnrn rn

Tips on Lowering your Car Insurance Payment Nobody likes paying a big bill for their car insurance. Even if you are a good driver, your insurance payments can go up. We have some solutions to help you save more money. Here are our tips on lowering your car insurance payment. READ MORE: Good Credit Car Loans vs Bad Credit Car Loans Research One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of money you pay for car insurance is to do your research. The phrase shop around is very helpful here. There are several car insurance agencies that you can call and see if they can give you the same coverage for a lower rate. Discounts and Savings Asking your insurance company about discounts can also help you save. Asking for a higher deductible can also shave off the top of your payment. If you have an older car, you can reduce the coverage to help you save as well. Maintaining a good credit score can also help you save on future payments and shows new car insurance companies that you’re a reliable driver. Driving Behavior Driving safely is another way you can keep your car insurance payments down. Anytime you are in an accident, your payments will go up. Making sure that you go the speed limit and driving safely can make your payments less of a headache. READ MORE: How Will Late Car Payments Hurt My Credit Score? These tips on lowering your car insurance payment can help you save. If you are looking for other tips and tricks, you can take a look at our blog for more information. If you are looking for a budget-friendly, used vehicle, we have several to choose from. Visit our online inventory and schedule an appointment with us at OKCarz today on our website. We hope to see you soon inside our dealership. Sharing is caring! Facebook Twitter Google+ Pinterest More from OkCarz What Information Should I Exchange After a Car Accident? 10 Things You Need To Do After a Car Accident How to Find Best Deals on Auto Insurance as a Teenager What to Do if Your Vehicle Was Broken Into < Previous post Next post >