Love it or hate it, you can’t get away from it — honking is an unavoidable part of the driving experience. Some people believe that honking has gotten out of control, and that’s the basis behind the new campaign to "Stop Honkaholism.” At Crown Nissan of Greenville, we’ve got the details on this subject that’s sure to get people talking.
76 Branded Fuels, the company behind the campaign, calls “Honkaholism” “an epidemic that causes drivers to honk incessantly and often unnecessarily.” Of course, there are already guidelines and laws put in place to prevent the abuse of honking. The California Driver Handbook encourages drivers to use their horn “only when necessary, to avoid collisions,” attract the attention of another driver, or on narrow roads where you cannot see more than 200 feet ahead.
The people behind “Stop Honkaholism” have another solution, though. Drivers in California, Oregon, or Washington can request a free 76® Honk Suppressor™ for themselves — or for someone else. The suppressor will replace the horn with a beep that is inaudible to those outside.
What do you think about this new development? Do you know anyone that you think actually needs a honk suppressor (don’t worry, we won’t tell)? Join the conversation on the Crown Nissan of Greenville Facebook page.
 Q: Can pollen damage my car’s paint job?
A: Everyone at Crown Nissan of Greenville knows that spring is a glorious season. After all, temperatures rise, flowers bloom, and trees pollinate. That icky yellow substance subsequently wreaks havoc on our sinuses and yes, our cars. Though it may seem as if pollen is only a problem for car paint on a superficial level, it is actually detrimental to your car’s appearance in the long run.
While pollen particles may look like a mere coating of dust on our cars, they are actually harsh and acidic in nature. Simply wiping pollen off your car is not enough, as the particles can scratch your car’s paint. Even worse, when mixed with rain, the adverse effects of pollen are intensified, eventually causing your car’s exterior to rust.
Our team at Crown Nissan of Greenville is proud to provide high quality detailing services. Contact us today to learn more about pollen’s impact and what you can do to mitigate it.
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 Whether your daily commute consists of bumper-to-bumper traffic on the highway or a serene drive on the countryside, one thing we all have in common is the desire to save money on gas. Our team at Crown Nissan of Greenville came up with these helpful tips that can not only save you money at the gas pump, but also reduce your overall fuel consumption.
1) Utilize gas station finder apps
In just one city, gas prices can vary up to 20 cents per gallon. Save time and money with gas-finder applications, such as Fuel Finder or GasBuddy, which allow drivers to find the cheapest gas prices in their area. Not only are such apps user-friendly, many are also available for download at little to no cost.
2) Avoid extra weight
Not surprisingly, heavy loading can negatively affect your car’s overall performance. But did you know that extra weight can also affect your car’s fuel economy? According to the Department of Energy, an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle may reduce your MPG by up to 2 percent. Remove excess weight from your car or trunk to save money in the long run.
3) Take a detour
Getting from point A to B isn’t the only benefit of your GPS, as the rerouting technology standard with most systems also saves time – and gas. For instance, while stuck in traffic, the idling and constant braking wastes your car’s fuel. In such driving conditions, it is wise to deviate from your scheduled route and take advantage of your GPS capabilities to avoid wasting your gas and–ultimately–your money.
4) Use air conditioning sparingly
While that cold burst of air from your air conditioning may feel amazing on a hot summer’s day, it is also significantly reducing your fuel economy. If rolling down the windows isn’t your first choice, try utilizing your car’s air conditioning recirculation option to reduce the amount of hot air in your car and considerably save on gas.
5) Drive the speed limit
Not only is speeding dangerous, it is also hazardous to your gas tank — and your wallet. When driving at speeds above 60 miles per hour, your gas mileage rapidly decreases. According to Fueleconomy.gov, each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional 24 cents per gallon for gas.
Here at Crown Nissan of Greenville we aim to help you save time and money while driving more efficiently. What are your tips for saving money at the pump?
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 Myth: Premium gives the best gas mileage.
Fact: Gas is expensive. At Crown Nissan of Greenville, we don’t want you to waste your money believing this longstanding myth.
While premium gas does enable high-performing engines (such as that of a luxury car) to perform at their full potential, that does not necessarily make it better for your car than regular gas. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, the vast majority of cars are designed to run fine on regular. Unless otherwise stated, premium gas will not improve the fuel economy or performance for most cars.
The only guarantee with premium gas is paying up to 20 cents more per gallon, and our team at Crown Nissan of Greenville wants you to save money in the long run. Therefore, we suggest choosing the correct fuel grade for your car based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.
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 Driving a rental or loaner vehicle can be a fun break from your usual vehicle, even if you have been forced to do it by factors outside your control. If you are driving a car of this sort, however, you should not assume that it is simply a case of taking the keys and cruising away. It’s very important to understand what your obligations and responsibilities are. Here are some tips from Crown Nissan of Greenville to remember when driving a rental or loaner vehicle.
Fuel
It is vital that you check your liabilities for gas. In some cases you will be supplied a vehicle with a full tank of gas, and you must return it on that basis. In other cases, the tank will be close to empty, and you will simply have to put in the gas that you need to use. In the case of the former, make sure that you fill the tank up completely or you may be charged a nasty re-fueling fee. In the case of the latter, ensure that you do not put more fuel in the tank than you need or you may be funding the next user’s driving.
Damage report
Make sure that you have checked the car over for damage BEFORE you drive it away. In most cases, you will be issued with a damage report. Check this carefully, and do not be frightened to be too picky. In many cases, you can be held liable for all damage to the vehicle and if it is not on the report when you take the car away, you will be unable to prove that you did not cause the damage.
Emergency cover
Your rental or loaner vehicle will normally be supplied with inclusive emergency breakdown coverage. Ensure that you have all the details to hand that you may need in the event that you need to call for assistance. Check this before you drive off, but if you forget, give the rental company a call from home to clarify the contact details and level of cover that you have. Make sure that you are aware of any additional responsibilities that you may have. You may be asked to give the rental company a call as well as the assistance number, for example.
Mileage limits
You cannot assume that you are able to drive the car for unlimited mileage while it is on loan to you. In some cases, you may be limited to a reasonable mileage limit, after which you will be charged a hefty fee on a mile-by-mile basis. If you are on a mileage-restricted contract, ensure that you confirm the car’s mileage before you leave and that you reset the counter to zero so that you can easily keep tabs on your usage.
Documentation
Keep all the documentation related to your rental or loan vehicle. Do not leave it in the glove box or on the seat in the car. If the car is stolen, you will not have any paperwork related to the car. Make sure that you do not blindly sign every piece of paper put in front of you either. Like any other type of contract, make sure you know what you are signing before you sign it.
 Greenville, South Carolina is a sister city to Bergamo, Italy; Kortrijk, Belgium; Tianjin, Free Trade Zone, China; and it’s a lot cheaper to travel to if you live in North America. If you decide to forego the European sister cities and stick with Greenville, you’ll want to check out these suggestions from Crown Nissan of Greenville.
1.The Heritage Green. The Heritage Green is home to four museums: the Greenville County Museum of Art, the Museum & Gallery at Heritage Green, the Upcountry History Museum, and the Children’s Museum. There’s also the Greenville Little Theatre and the Hughes Main Library of the Greenville County Library System at Heritage Green. You can arrange a tour at any of the four museums or plan a coordinated tour of two or more. Regardless of which institution you visit, you’ll be sure to enhance your cultural knowledge.
2.Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery. In addition to the Museum and Gallery at Heritage Green, there’s a Museum and Gallery at Bob Jones University. The Museum and Gallery isn’t just for art aficionados. The Arts Encounter program’s mission is to educate “thousands of South Carolina’s K–12 students through its onsite tours and off-site classroom session.” The Bob Jones Gallery features the Old Masters Painting Collection, one of the largest collections of European Old Master paintings in America. Other exhibits include the Russian Icon Collection and the Benjamin West Collection.
3.Shoeless Joe Jackson Museum and Baseball Library. Major League Baseball banned Shoeless Joe Jackson for life after his alleged role in the 1919 game-fixing scandal involving the Chicago White Sox. Jackson’s supporters claim his innocence, pointing to his .375 batting average, his six RBIs, and his zero errors in eight games. The folks in his hometown of Greenville, despite MLB’s banning, have constructed a museum and library to honor one of baseball’s all-time greats.
4.Greenville Cultural Exchange Center. The Greenville Cultural Exchange Center (GCEC) is dedicated to the preservation of African-American history in the Greenville area and “provides a haven of historical reflection, research and education.” The GCEC provides a non-circulating research library, a resource center, and exhibits that highlight the achievements of local African-Americans. Resources include biographies, news articles, tape recordings, photographs, and letters of prominent African-Americans.
5.The American Legion War Museum. The American Legion War Museum provides an overview of military history of Greenville and surrounding areas. Displays include the history of military bases in Greenville and South Carolina, pictures of local people involved in military conflicts throughout American history, and actual war artifacts from different eras.
 A growing water crisis is threatening more and more parts of the world, including large sections of the United States. Add skyrocketing water costs to the mix, and you will understand why many vehicle owners try to conserve water by choosing not to wash their car. Fortunately, you can wash your car using these suggestions from Crown Nissan of Greenville to save money and water at the same time.
Self-Service Car Washes
Where you wash your car can make the biggest difference in water consumption. A study cited in a Convenience Store Decisions article found out that gas station car washes use between 20 and 40 gallons per car, and full-service car washes use about 60 gallons for each wash. Washing a car in a driveway using a garden hose takes about 100 gallons of water. Vehicle owners who want to wash their cars without wasting water should consider using self-service car washes that only use about 17 gallons per wash.
Self-service car washes often operate in coin-operated configurations. Users choose wash and wax options, insert money, and then use the built-in hoses, nozzles, and other tools to wash their cars. The process takes surprisingly low amounts of water, allowing car owners to hand-wash their cars without contributing to the national water crisis.
Waterless Car Washes
Washing your car with no water at all completely solves the water problem. If you choose eco-friendly products, it also solves problems associated with harsh chemicals entering storm drains and sewers. Auto owners spray a waterless solution onto their cars and then rub it down with microfiber cloths in a two-step process. Waterless washing solutions may cost more than typical car soap, but many drivers believe the conservation benefits of the product outweigh any additional cost.
Mobile Car Washes
Some businesses operating mobile car washes use as little as one gallon of water per car, little or no foaming detergent, and bio-friendly solvents. Such car wash services can also save time because these services wash cars in mall and office parking lots. While drivers shop or work, a responsible technician washes their cars. Such convenience and environmental responsibility rarely coincide so well.
Home Car Washes
You can wash your car at home while taking steps to reduce the amount of water you use. First, make sure you wash your car in your yard, so toxic fluids from your car do not run off into the public sewer system or storm drains. Second, make sure you use a nozzle that automatically stops water flow while you wash. Finally, spend time repairing leaks in your hose and faulty connections between hoses. Often a simple hose-repair kit or rubber washers from a hardware store will help you responsibly use water outdoors.
 As a modern American, your life has endless possibilities. One minute you’re spending a weekday in a whirlwind of errands, kids’ sports practices, and shopping. The next, you could be embarking on a weekend getaway to the mountains, lake, or beach. For all this, you need a vehicle that can keep up with anything, yet doesn’t break the bank. Luckily, Nissan thought of all of that when creating the 2013 Nissan Rogue.
The capabilities start with a lightweight 2.5-liter engine that features some impressive numbers: 170 horsepower, 175 pound-feet of torque, and 28 MPG1 on the highway that gets you more than 400 miles per tank. The Rogue also features an intelligent Continuously Variable Transmission that keeps the vehicle virtually “gearless” and incredibly smooth while maintaining engine rpm. With the 2013 model, there’s also a new Sport mode for an even more responsive driving experience.
Inside this five-seater, the Rogue has been cleverly designed to easily hold anything your heart desires. With 28.9 cubic feet of space, a standard 60/40 fold down rear seats, and a fold-down front passenger seat2, the combinations for storage are endless. Up at the front, you can enjoy amenities like illuminated steering wheel controls, vents that fold flush into the dashboard, and a snugly-fitted LCD monitor and control knobs are functional and just flashy enough. And don’t forget finishing touches like the available eight-speaker Bose® audio system, the available 4.3-inch Display Audio screen, or the Around View3 Monitor to aid with parking.
We know you won’t forget about safety – and Nissan didn’t, either. That’s why the Rogue has six standard airbags for full protection and coverage, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental airbags with rollover sensor provide head protection for front and rear outboard passengers4. Meanwhile, Vehicle Dynamic Control monitors steering and braking, Traction Control System slows your vehicle to maintain traction, and Electronic Brake Force Distribution sends more power to the rear brakes if it senses additional weight.
We know you’re already plotting where you can take your own Nissan Rogue first, so don’t waste any more time! Check out our available Nissan Rogue inventory, and then stop by Crown Nissan of Greenville to get in one today! We can’t wait to help you.
1Rogue FWD 23 city/28 highway. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions – use for comparison only.
2See Specifications for availability.
3Introduced first by Nissan’s Infiniti Luxury division. Parking aid/convenience feature. Cannot completely eliminate blind spots or warn of moving objects. May not detect every object. Always check surroundings before moving vehicle. Not a substitute for proper backing procedures. Always turn to check what is behind you before backing up.
4Air bags are only a supplemental restraint system; always wear your seat belt. Even with the occupant-classification sensor, rear-facing child restraints should not be placed in the front-passenger’s seat.
Bose® and Nissan are two companies that are focused on bringing the highest-quality products to the table, always implementing efficiency and attractive design. Naturally, the two have partnered. Bose created a custom stereo for the 2013 Nissan Leaf that reduces audio energy requirements by half.
The system is a part of the Bose Energy Efficient Series. It features lighter speakers and amplifiers and a 4.5-inch bass woofer to provide higher-quality sound while reducing battery stress. The stereo is part of the premium package available on the SV and SL versions of the Leaf.
This improvement in the Leaf is in addition to other standard luxury features like the Display Drive Computer, heated seats, and Bluetooth® connectivity, making each driving experience extraordinary.
Why wait? Step into the 21st century with style and efficiency from the 2013 Nissan Leaf. Visit us at Crown Nissan of Greenville and let us introduce you to your new favorite vehicle.
 Greenville sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a beautiful place to visit. Here are some of what we at Crown Nissan of Greenville think most unique features.
Cherokee Nation. After the Treaty of 1763 ended the French and Indian War, what is now Greenville became a protected part of the Cherokee Nation, and whites were prohibited from entering. Here comes the weird part. There were already white settlers living within the boundary, and white traders had a route going through the territory. During the American Revolution, the Cherokees sided with the British, who had established the protected boundary, against the colonists, who felt they had a right to live and conduct business there. After the war, the Cherokee officially ceded what is now Greenville County to South Carolina.
Richard Pearis. Richard Pearis was the first permanent white settler in Greenville while it was still part of the Cherokee Nation. Pearis married a Cherokee woman and received several tracts of land in 1770. He was forced to forfeit the land after the Revolutionary War because he sided with the British. That’s kind of weird, but not as weird as naming of the second most prominent peak in the area for him after he was forcibly removed from the area. The name of the peak was later changed from Pearis to Paris.
The Greenville Toll Road. Anyone who’s paid an outrageous fee to cross the Bay Bridge in San Francisco or crossed the bridge from New Jersey to Philadelphia only to get lost and end up having to pay the same outlandish toll five minutes later understands the necessary evil of toll roads. Toll roads in large cities, in fact, are quite normal. Toll roads in medium-sized cities, however, are weird. Take Greenville, for example. Many aren’t aware of the Southern Connector Toll Road, seldom used by locals, that goes by Greenville. If you’re from New York and miss the joy of toll roads, feel free to take it.
Falls Park and Liberty Bridge. Liberty Bridge, completed in 2004, is 380 feet long and 12 feet wide. The Falls Park and Liberty Bridge project cost the city of Greenville more than $13 million. That’s not the weird part. The return on investment is the weird part, especially considering the difficult economic climate that enveloped the region soon after the project’s completion. The $13.4 million project led to an estimated $100 million or more in new businesses and development.
Greenville’s Historic Contribution. Most students of World War I don’t associate the war with Greenville, South Carolina. Those students need to study harder. Greenville served as an army training base in World War I. After World War II, Donaldson Center Airport served as a military base until the 1960s. And Greenville’s unique contribution is not just limited to war preparations. On August 9, 1960, a sit-in at the S. H. Kress store in Greenville helped lead to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned segregation laws.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy Greenville!
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