As the temperatures rise and the days get longer, you might be itching for a road trip. Whether you’re heading to the beach, the mountains, or just hitting the highway, there’s nothing like doing it in your Nissan!
To make your trip the best yet, we’ve put together some of our top tips on packing up your vehicle for a good time.
Planning Your Nissan Adventure
You might think you’re ready to get going, it’s a good idea to stop and do a little planning before hopping in the car. Here are a few tips to ensure road trip success:
- Check Your Tires. A flat tire is never convenient, but when you’re on a road trip, it can really wreck your plans. Before traveling, check your tires to make sure they’re in good shape and replace any with low tread. Low tread–anything under 2/32”–is unsafe to drive with and puts you at risk for a blowout.
- Check and Top Off Fluids As Needed. Pop the hood and take a look at your oil, transmission fluid, windshield washer fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and antifreeze. You may even decide to get an oil change, where a professional can check and refill these fluids as necessary.
- Get an Oil Change. Speaking of an oil change, if you’re due for one, you’ll definitely want to get one before taking off!
- Change Your Windshield Wiper Blades. New wiper blades make a huge difference in your visibility on the road. If your current windshield wiper blades are more than a year old, it’s a good idea to replace them.
- Brake Check. Properly working brakes are one of the keys to a safe vehicle. If it has been a while since your brakes were last inspected, let a professional take a look at them and make repairs before heading out on your road trip.
Comfort, Convenience, and Organizational Hacks
Now that your car is road trip-ready, it’s time to pack up! We recommend cleaning the inside of your vehicle so you’re starting with a clean slate. In addition to your luggage, here are some must-have items for any road trip:
- Vehicle registration and insurance cards
- Car chargers
- Paper towels
- Jumper cables
- Small tool kit with wrench, pliers, WD-40, screwdriver, etc.
- Spare tire (make sure it’s still in good shape!)
- Flashlight
- Spare car key
- First aid kit
- Weather-related items
- Bottled water and snacks
One of the things that make Nissans so great for road-tripping is NissanConnect®, a technology suite with cutting-edge infotainment, communication, and navigation features. You’ll get turn-by-turn directions, view detailed traffic information, find the best restaurants and shops with the Places Directory, and more. If you’re in an EV model, you can even use the trip planner feature to find routes with charging stations.
The Best Nissan Road Trip Vehicles
If you’re not a Nissan driver yet, you might be wondering which model is best for road trips. Here are our top four suggestions:
- Nissan Pathfinder. This midsize crossover is designed for comfort and boasts room for eight. The leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather upholstery, and adjustable seating ensure you and your passengers enjoy every ride. You’ll also have 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. Need more room? The second and third rows fold down. When it comes to fuel economy, the Pathfinder gets approximately 25 MPG highway, which is impressive for a vehicle its size!
- Nissan Rogue. The Rogue is the best-selling SUV in the US, so it’s been on a road trip or two. It’s smaller than the Pathfinder, but still seats 5 and provides just over 36 cubic feet of cargo room. You’ll get 35 MPG highway, so gas station stops will be few and far between.
- Nissan Armada. If you’re looking for a full-size SUV, the Armada is the perfect choice. It boasts seating for up to eight, 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, and a host of comfort features. If you’re towing a camper or boat, the V8 engine and FWD capacity deliver up to 8,500 pounds of towing capacity. You can expect to get around 16 MPG highway.
- Nissan Leaf. The Leaf may be a compact car, but it seats up to five and provides 23.6 cubic feet of cargo space. But the real road trip appeal is in the range. You’ll get up to 215 miles per charge.
Visit Your Nissan Dealer in Orangeburg Before Your Next Road Trip!
At Nissan of Orangeburg, we’re here to help make every road trip memorable! Explore our new Nissan inventory to find your next ride. We also have a wide range of used vehicles from a variety of manufacturers.
When you find one you’re interested in, visit us for a test drive! Our friendly team is here to help you get into a new ride!