Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone Case Heals Itself When Scratched

You want your iPhone to stay new-looking and shiny so it looks like you just took it out of the box. But in no time at all, your prized possession is scratched up. How do you keep it looking newer longer? Nissan is working on it – the automaker has been experimenting with a self-healing iPhone case.
Called the Nissan Scratch Shield iPhone case, this protective covering features Nissan’s self-healing Scratch Shield paint finish, which was developed in 2005 and used on a variety of Nissan and Infiniti models. Integrating the same type of technology as the paint, the Scratch Shield case has been designed to offer a more durable and long-lasting paint coat, and a closely fitting, tight case.
The Nissan Scratch Shield can mend itself after being finely scratched, thanks to the flexible and elastic properties of the paint technology. As well, since the case is gel-like rather than glossy, it is more scratch-resistant and offers a better grip. Plus, the case is made from ABS plastic, which is rigid and robust (and is used widely in the automotive industry). Wrapping it all up, the Nissan Scratch Shield case features an outer ‘paint’ made from polyrotaxane , so if you scratch the coating, the chemical structure bounces back to its original shape and fills in the gap, or in other words, it heals itself.
The Nissan Scratch Shield is currently being tested in Europe, and if all goes well, it will go on sale to the mass market later this year. There’s no word yet on when it will make its way over to North America.

Drive Carefully-And Let A Computer Prove It To Your Insurer

Drive carefully—and let a computer prove it to your insurer so you can get lower auto insurance rates. Save money on your car insurance with telematics.

(NAPSI)—Welcome to the world of telematics, bringing you minicomputers connected to your vehicle.

Telematics technology is the integration of telecommunications and computers-in other words, the collection and transmission of data in a seamless flow. Many drivers and others have a great interest in telematics because of what it can do, such as accurately record speed, location, number of miles, amount of time, time of day, braking and other data.

Some auto insurers already offer their customers discounts based on such information. In the future, insurers may use telematics data instead of more traditional rating variables, such as age. The voluntary use of telematics offers the opportunity to reduce premiums and promote safety through improved driving behaviors.

“Telematics devices can save lives because they tend to make people more aware of their driving tendencies, known as the halo effect,” said Christopher Sirota, CPCU, of Verisk Analytics (Nasdaq:VRSK) and its ISO business unit, a leading source of information about property and casualty insurance risk. “Truck fleet managers have already noticed the reduction of unsafe driving behaviors by 10 to 50 percent and the same results will probably apply to teenagers. One insurer saw a 30 percent reduction in claims for youthful drivers who opted in to a driving behavior program that applied a surcharge for after-midnight driving.” Insurers’ programs may differ because they will design around the information they collect.

He added that “a recent government study with volunteers using telematics connected to cameras showed that drivers took their eyes off the road for greater than two seconds preceding a crash or near-crash event. People take their eyes off the road for about four seconds while texting. At 55 mph, you’ll travel the length of a football field!”

Drivers need to learn more about the trade-offs that telematics offers on auto insurance rates. One key source of such information is an agent or broker with the letters CPCU after his or her name. That’s proof of advanced insurance education, industry experience and a commitment to a tough and enforced professional ethics code. To find a CPCU, visit www.cpcusociety.org, click “Consumers,” then click “Find an Agent/Broker.”

GT Academy Virtual Racers Finish 3rd At Dubai 24 Hours

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The team of racers assembled from the Nissan Playstation GT Academy earned themselves a remarkable honor at the Dubai 24 Hour race this weekend, finishing third in their class and 26th overall. All four drivers, Lucas Ordoñez, Jordan Tresson, Bryan Heitkotter and Jann Mardenborough, are GT Academy grads, having started out behind the wheel of virtual race cars to win the opportunity to attend the GT Academy racing program.
The team qualified the #100 car fourth in their class and despite some mechanical issues the four drivers endured all 24 hours of the race without any damage to the Nissan 370Z while earning a podium finish.
This is truly an unprecedented achievement in the world of motorsports. As we all know, it’s tough enough to earn a podium finish as a professional racer with a complete team backing you up. So to take four virtual gamers from Gran Turismo, train them – with Heikotter and Mardenborough having less than a year to go from gamer to racer – and to finish third in the class, the GT Academy should be extremely proud.
Who said video games are a waste of time?

New Garage Door Technology Makes Your Life Safer And Secure

New garage door technology makes your life safer and secure. LiftMaster, the garage door experts explain high tech security features like electronic eyes, garage door openers and closers, battery backup in case of power failures and exterior light options.

(ARA) - As the American home has continued to evolve with the speed of new technology, so has the garage. In order to keep up with the everyday busy lives of homeowners and the need for these homeowners to spread out and utilize all the space within their homes, garages have become a new frontier for functioning space within the home.

The majority of homeowners use the garage as the main entrance way into their homes, making the garage door and its opener imperative to the security of the home, protecting the people and property behind it.

Before, garage doors only opened and closed to let your car in and out of the garage, and you had to be there to do it. But garage doors and openers have improved dramatically in the last decade to do more. If you're interested in upgrading your home's security and curb appeal, don't forget to check out some of the newest high-tech features:

* Control From Anywhere Around The World:

Garage door openers are high tech now, and the LiftMaster openers with MyQ Technology allow you to control your garage door - as well as other household items - from inside your house, while at the office or even from halfway across the world by using your computer or smartphone. This technology lets you monitor if the garage door is opened or closed and allows you the freedom to operate it from a remote location, perhaps to grant access to a family member or allow a delivery.

* Electronic Eyes

- New garage door openers come with safety sensors that prevent the door from closing if something were to be underneath. If an object breaks the beam of infrared light spanning the width of the door, the garage door won't close - and if something were to cross the sensor as the door is closing, it would cause the door to reverse direction and open up again. This can help protect small children and pets from being struck by the closing door.

* Timers For Closing

- You've probably forgotten to close your garage door after pulling out of the driveway at least once in your life, leaving your home and property wide open to anyone passing by. New garage door openers allow you to customize the settings on your garage door opener to ensure that the door will close after one minute, five minutes or even 10 minutes of being open.

* Power Out? Not A Problem

- The harsh winter weather can leave many homes without power for extended periods of time. LiftMaster openers are equipped with battery backup, which is very useful during a power failure in severe weather conditions, providing your family with reliable, uninterrupted access to your home and automobiles in the garage.

* Shed Light On Safety

- Exterior lights also have seen technology upgrades, and when placed next to your garage, can deter unwanted visitors. Save money with solar powered lights, or lights that are motion-activated to brightly shine when something approaches the garage. In addition to discouraging unwanted visitors, lights also give your family members a safer environment when arriving home after dark.

Using new technology in and around your garage helps you maintain security and safety and can improve your life in so many different ways. Learn more about how the LiftMaster garage door openers with MyQ Technology can benefit your home and your family at www.LiftMaster.com.

2013 Nissan Pathfinder to Get 3.5L V6, Debut at NY Auto Show

Nissan debuted its 2013 Pathfinder Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show but didn’t disclose what would be powering the crossover – apart from the fact it would be a V6 engine. Motor Trend is now reporting that the 2013 Pathfinder will be powered by a 3.5L V6, perhaps identical to what the new JX35 will have.
The JX35 features a 3.5L V6 with 265-hp, 248 lb-ft of torque and we could expect the Pathfinder to have similar if not identical specifications under the hood. Fuel economy for the new Pathfinder will be a big improvement, with Nissan claiming that thanks to significant weight reduction, as well as the use of a new CVT transmission, we should expect gains of up to 25 percent.
What is more interesting though is that Nissan also told Motor Trend that it plans to unveil a second, completely new vehicle at the upcoming New York International Auto Show in April. Nissan stated that no outsider has ever seen this vehicle.

Nissan Xterra to Live on as a Proper Sport Utility

With Nissan‘s Pathfinder making the jump from truck based sport utility to soft roader for 2013, it has left many pondering the future of the Xterra, since from 2005-12 both vehicles shared the same, rugged, F-Alpha truck architecture, used on the Frontier and also the full-size Titan pickup.
Given that the Pathfinder has traditionally been positioned as the more mainstream of the two vehicles (despite its higher price point), it logically makes sense to turn it into a three-row crossover, as that will likely broaden its appeal significantly.
However, while the Pathfinder might be trading its Kamik boots for Hush Puppies, Nissan has said no such strategy is planned for the Xterra, which for now will remain the hardcore off-roader’s choice, with gutsy V6 power, transfer case and washable interior.
That said, it will be interesting to see when a next generation Xterra materializes and exactly what kind of features it incorporates, as well as Nissan’s pricing strategy for it (Starting out as the brand’s entry level SUV, the Xterra has morphed into an increasingly expensive and more specialized machine over the last decade).

Don't Tread Lightly On Winter Tire Safety

Don't tread lightly on winter tire safety, tire safety issues are something every driver needs to be aware of. Learn about all season tires, tread block design, and winter tires so are safe while driving during the harsh winter months.


(NewsUSA) - With winter upon us, tire safety in cold weather is something every car owner should be familiar with. Most drivers concentrate on tire safety in hot weather to avoid blowouts, but the same precautions should be exercised in the winter. One of the most effective ways to be safe on the road is to use a winter tire specially designed for cold weather.

Common all-season tires contain a tread compound that gradually hardens when temperatures dip below 45 degrees, resulting in a decrease in traction. These tires also tend to collect winter road debris, like snow and ice, which can impact a vehicle's performance on wintry roads.

Mark Ballard, spokesman for Discount Tire Company, America's largest independent tire and wheel retailer, advises motorists to replace all four tires with winter tires if they can expect to encounter snow and ice during the winter months. "It's best to use winter tires, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions where temperatures are below 45 degrees on a consistent basis," he explains. "Relying on an all-season tire to do the work of a winter tire can be dangerous to you and other motorists."

In recent years, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (www.rma.org) developed new standards for winter traction, which led to technological advancements in the manufacture of winter tires. For example, a newer tread compound featuring a higher sillica content retains tire flexibility even in freezing temperatures, allowing the tread to maintain its grip with the highway.

Also, tread block design has been greatly improved with the addition of thousands of "sipes," small cuts in the tread block that provide extra biting edges for more traction.

"Every aspect of today's winter tire has been engineered to provide better traction and greater ability to quickly expel water, slush and snow, provide a quieter ride and allow for longer tread life," says Ballard.

Winter tires tend to be slightly more expensive than all-season ones. But like all tires, winter tires perform optimally when properly inflated. Remember that a significant drop in temperature can lower air pressure. Typically, a 10-degree drop will cause tires to lose a pound of pressure.

To learn more about winter tire safety, visit www.tires.com.