2018 Nissan Altima: A Good Fit among Midsize Sedans

The 2018 Nissan Altima remains a worthy choice among midsize family sedans. It is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 179 horsepower and is linked to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive.
There are four trim levels: the S, SR, SV and SL. The SR and SL models feature an optional 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 270 horsepower, mated to the same transmission.
Driving dynamics are solid, and even though not everyone is a huge fan of the CVT, it seems to have improved over the past few years and doesn't have so much of the "gear uncertainty" that drew criticism in the past.
The roominess of the interior is also impressive because the Altima, as a midsize sedan, seems more like a large sedan. Front and rear seat passengers get ample headroom and leg room.
Pricing for the Altima starts at around $24,000 and ranges to about $34,000.
The Altima offers attractive styling, solid driving dynamics and an overall good value. 

Tips for Winter Motoring

1. Change your engine oil.

Oil gets thicker in cold temperatures, so if the temperature regularly drops below freezing where you live, switch to thinner engine oil. If your oil becomes too thick and goopy, it won’t do a good job of lubricating your car’s engine. Check your owner’s manual for specific oil recommendations.

2. Check coolant levels.

It may seem counterintuitive to be thinking about coolants this time of the year, but your car’s coolant also keeps the engine from freezing up in the winter. Half coolant, half water is the typical mix.

3. Check your tire tread.

If the tread on your tires is getting low (use a tread depth gauge or simply a penny to check tread depth yourself), it’s time for new tires. All-season tires work well in light to moderately snowy conditions, but if you live in an area with heavy wintry weather, seasonal snow tires with nubs that bite into the snow or ice may be the smartest option. Think twice about mixing snow and regular tires, though, because uneven wear and performance can leave your traction dangerously imbalanced.

4. Air up your tires.

Did you know that cold weather can affect your tire pressure? Every 10 degrees Fahrenheit that the temperature outside drops, your car tires lose about one pound per square inch of pressure. Check your owner’s manual for the recommended pressures for your car.

5. Get your brakes inspected. 

Slippery winter conditions will demand precise braking. Have your brakes inspected to make sure they’re ready to keep you safely on the road this winter.

6. Get your belts and hoses inspected. 

Belts and hoses can break or tear more easily in cold temperatures. Have them checked for wear and tear before the weather turns severe.

7. Check your battery and battery cables.

Avoid getting stuck at the store on a snowy day by making sure your battery is in good shape. Check that the cables are firmly attached, and use a stiff wire brush to clean away corrosion on the posts or connections. If your battery isn’t the sealed type, open it up and check the water level inside. If it needs water, refill it with distilled water. If you’ve had your battery for a couple of years, ask your local garage to test its ability to hold a charge.

8. Clear the view out of the car.

Check to make sure your windshield washer fluid contains antifreeze to keep it from freezing, and keep an ice scraper at hand for clearing away snow and ice from your windshield and windows. Replace your windshield wiper blades if they’re worn or torn.

9. Restock your roadside emergency kit.

If you don’t already keep an emergency kit in your trunk, the prospect of being stranded in a winter storm makes putting one together now a smart idea. The typical roadside emergency kit includes: a blanket, extra gloves, an extra set of warm clothes and boots, a plastic jug of water and some food, a flashlight, a first aid kit, paper towels, spare windshield wipers, flares, jumper cables, a basic tool kit, tire chains, a tire gauge, a fully aired spare tire and tire-changing equipment, a small shovel, and a bag of something like sand, salt, or kitty litter to sprinkle on the ground to add traction if you get stuck.

-PFCU

Atlanta Auto Examiner's Top 10 Tested Vehicles of 2017

Here is our annual list of vehicles we really enjoyed and that earned our praises based on value, driving dynamics, versatility, fuel efficiency and other measures.

10. Ford F-250

9. Kia Sportage

8. Kia Cadenza

7. Ford Edge

6. Ford Expedition

5. Mazda MX-5 Miata

4. Toyota 4Runner

3. Lexus ES 350

2. Mazda3

1. Mazda CX-9

First Look: 2018 Honda Odyssey

Honda has given its hugely popular Odyssey minivan a makeover for the 2018 model year, with the result being altered styling on the interior and exterior and a number of new technological advances for passenger convenience. 
Exterior changes to the Odyssey are subtle, with a more sculpted look on the sides and a front end that is more squared off, to align it more closely with the Pilot SUV and Ridgeline pickup truck. A roofline appearance that seems to be lower also makes it look a bit sportier.  
On the inside, one of the biggest innovations is the Magic Slide second-row seat, which lets you remove the center part of the seat and slide the outer parts of the seat for more versatility. The outer seats can come together or remain separated with varying amounts of space in between. One of the advantages of that is allowing easier ingress and egress to the third row of seating. Another is to separate pain-in-the-behind fussing kids. The third row seat can fold into the floor for extra cargo space. 
The new display audio system is among the technological improvements, making it easier to customize and identify icons for features you need to use.  
There are also new CabinWatch and CabinTalk systems. CabinWatch lets passengers up front see passengers in the middle or rear seating on an optional 8-inch screen on the dashboard. CabinTalk lets the driver speak to middle and rear passengers with a microphone and the van's speakers. 
A new smartphone app, CabinControl, lets you access some systems such as climate control, the rear entertainment system and the navigation system. You can also upload songs to a playlist.
The rear entertainment system can link up to the internet with built-in 4G LTE, public Wi-Fi or using your mobile phone's data plan. 
The Odyssey has a 3.5-liter V-6 engine that makes 280 horsepower and is linked to a nine-speed automatic transmission or a new optional 10-speed automatic. 
Fuel economy has improved to 19 mpg city, 28 highway. 
The Odyssey is priced starting at around $31,000 and topping out just short of $50,000. 
For a reliable and surprisingly stylish family vehicle with lots of cool technology, it's hard to beat the Odyssey. 

2017 Ford Expedition: Capable People Hauler

With seating for up to eight people, the 2017 Ford Expedition is a quite capable family hauler that provides comfort and convenience. 
This full-size SUV with three rows of seating is powered by a standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine that makes 365 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. 
Fuel economy for the Expedition is an EPA-estimated 15 mpg city, 20 highway, which isn't bad given the size of this vehicle. The EcoBoost technology that Ford uses is to be credited for keeping the fuel economy numbers respectable.
The Expedition comes in four trim levels: XLT, Limited, King Ranch and Platinum.
This SUV features a long list of standard items such as satellite radio, backup camera, tire pressure monitor system and trailer hitch receiver.
Options include four-wheel drive, leather upholstery and blind spot monitoring system, among many others.
The Expedition is priced starting at around $48,000 and ranging to close to $70,000.
For a large people mover, the Expedition is a solid choice. 

Sneak Peek at 2018 Honda Accord

Honda showed off its newly revised 2018 Accord midsize sedan to media in Atlanta recently. It has stylish looks that are more distinctive than the Accords of the past. It seeks to remain a top-selling vehicle, amid more and more competition from crossover SUVs. We hope to provide a full driving review soon.

2017 Honda Pilot: Versatile and Reliable

With seating for up to eight people and five trim levels, the 2017 Honda Pilot is one of the more versatile mid-size SUVs on the market. 
The Pilot was fully revamped last year to bring it more in line with the look of its smaller sibling vehicle, the CR-V compact SUV. The lower front area has black underbody trim and the headlight clusters and front grille form somewhat of a triangular shape. Optional equipment includes front fog lights, LED headlights, roof rails, 20-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate and panoramic moonroof. 
The Pilot's trim levels are the LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite.
The standard engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 that makes 280 horsepower and is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Touring and Elite models come with a nine-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive optional. For better fuel economy, the engine operates with cylinder deactivation, and the Touring and Elite models have start/stop engine capability to boost efficiency. 
Fuel economy is rated at 18 mpg city, 26 highway with all-wheel drive and 20 and 27 with front-wheel drive.
The interior is comfortable and functional. The second row of seats comes as either a bench or two captain’s chairs. The bench can be easily folded down with the touch of a button to provide more cargo space. The third row seating is more compact, but still is suitable for children. 
Optional features in the EX model include HondaLink infotainment with Pandora internet radio, an extra USB port, HomeLink remote, an upgraded eight-inch display screen and tri-zone automatic climate control. Other optional amenities include heated/ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, navigation, acoustic glass for a quieter cabin, Blu-ray rear entertainment system and remote engine start. 
Safety technology on the Pilot includes LaneWatch and Honda Sensing, which provides a collision avoidance braking system, front crash warnings, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. 
The Pilot starts at around $31,000 and ranges to just shy of $49,000.
For a versatile, high-quality vehicle that is dependable, the Pilot is a great choice.