Fall and Winter Driving Tips from Georgia's Clean Air Force

 

With fall in full swing and winter looming, it is important for motorists to be mindful of changing weather and temperatures and their potential effects on vehicles.

“Keeping cars well-maintained facilitates cleaner vehicle operations, which leads to better air quality for Georgians” said Michael Odom, Mobile & Area Sources Manager, Georgia Environmental Protection Division. “Georgia’s Clean Air Force encourages motorists to take some time this fall to attend to car care basics for cold weather driving.”
 
Here are some suggestions to ready your vehicle for the upcoming months:
 
Check the lights. Fewer daylight hours and the potential for winter precipitation are compelling reasons to ensure that all vehicle lights, including headlights, taillights, flashers, and brake lights, are in good working order.

Check the brakes. Both brake lines and brake fluid can be impacted by cold weather. Have them inspected to make sure they’re ready for the season.

Check the tires. Tires lose air pressure more quickly during cold weather than during warmer weather. Low air pressure contributes to lower gas mileage, decreased tire lifespan, and longer stopping times. Commit to checking tire air pressure on a regular basis.

Check the heater and defroster. You will undoubtedly use both more frequently during colder months, and they are essential for comfort and safety.

Check the battery. Freezing temperatures can cause a vehicle’s battery to lose strength. Check your battery now and attempt to keep it adequately charged during the winter. A fully charged battery has much more protection against the cold than a mostly depleted one. 

Stock a roadside emergency kit. Include items such as gloves, blankets, flashlights, a first aid kit, an ice scraper, reflective warning triangles, bottled water, jumper cables, and a portable phone charger.

Check the wipers. Make sure your vehicle’s wipers are doing their job before heading into the chill of winter. Don’t ask them to do more than their job, though. Use the car’s defroster and an ice scraper, not the wipers, to remove frost, ice, or snow from the windshield.     

2022 Nissan Sentra: Small Sedan Offers Big Value

 

Compact sedans can be seen as the most basic level of automobile transportation. But even as such, there can still be a lot to like about small cars, and the 2022 Nissan Sentra proves the point.

The Sentra is a sedan with seating for five and front-wheel drive. Under the hood there is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 149 horsepower and is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. 

Fuel economy is rated at 28 mpg city, 37 highway, which is one of the key benefits of driving a small sedan. It's become popular in recent years for people to choose hybrids or electric vehicles as they seek to cut down on the usage and expense of gasoline. However, those types of cars are generally still markedly more expensive than most traditional-fuel vehicles of the same size. So it still makes financial sense to purchase small, traditional-fuel vehicles. 

The Sentra features 18.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which is another selling point that you might not think of when considering a small sedan purchase. That space in the Sentra isn't cavernous, but it's pretty good for hauling around basic small loads that you might have. 

For the 2022 model year,  Nissan added a Midnight Edition Package that’s offered on the SR trim level and has a black grille, a black rear spoiler, black 18-inch alloy wheels and black badges.  

Other strengths of the Sentra include its interior quality and ride comfort. 

The Sentra is priced starting at around $20,000 and ranging to about $23,000.

For a reliable, low-maintenance small sedan, the Nissan Sentra deserves a good look. 

2022 Lexus NX 350: Sharp Small Crossover is Fun, Functional

 

The popular small crossover vehicle segment has a number of competitive entrants, including today's test-drive model, the 2022 Lexus NX 350.

This all-new edition has seating for five passengers. 

Under the hood, there is a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 275 horsepower and is linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. 

The NX 350 has fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 29 highway, according to EPA. 

This version of the vehicle features a more dynamic design, with maximum cargo capacity of 46.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

The NX 350 comes in four trim levels: Base, Premium, F Sport and Luxury.

The NX 350 offers solid driving dynamics and a smooth ride. 

Pricing starts at around $42,000 and ranges to over $50,000.

For a compact crossover with some nice luxury features, the NX 350 is a solid choice.