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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Ten nonprofit proposals get a chance to pitch for support Full slate of events set for Independent Media Week Teacher's Tips: Spring! Time for standarized testing Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland to host Thanks for the Memories' 'Company' for one night Education Ten nonprofit proposals get a chance to pitch for support Teacher's Tips: Spring! Time for standarized testing Schneider Children's Center set to close Ashland School District seeks volunteers for Educators' Appreciation Luncheon Planning meeting set Wednesday for farewell party Environment Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course Rarely seen Pacific fisher to have prominent spot Students at Walker Elementary School in Ashland get hands dirty for Earth Day Ashland Fire & Rescue Alarm Box: There are good fires and there are bad fires Lots to celebrate at SOU Arbor Day rites Business Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland to host Thanks for the Memories' 'Company' for one night Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Ride & Drive: 2015 Ford F-150 FX4 Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan Frontier Politics and elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Council wants changes to agreement with ODOT for I-5 welcome center Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable State News Bill under debate in Oregon would limit livestock antibiotics Oregon lawmakers begin minimum wage debate Runners to follow historic salmon migration path Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Death Notices Mary Margaret Galati F. Jane Hooper Laurence G. (Larry) Corbin William (Bill) Huett Shareable Sports Latest Stories Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course Fantasy Sports: A farewell toast to ‘niche’ faithful Two Raiders place seventh in CCC Multis Brick city, baby Neal, Reitman lead SOU at multi-event championships High school Two Raiders place seventh in CCC Multis Neal, Reitman lead SOU at multi-event championships Ashland Karate Academy racks up trophies in Medford Ashland drops eight-inning pitchers' duel SOU swept, but gets help in playoff race Southern Oregon University Two Raiders place seventh in CCC Multis Neal, Reitman lead SOU at multi-event championships SOU's Maguin pockets fourth CCC honor SOU swept, but gets help in playoff race For Raiders, a homecoming Voices Latest Stories Granlund cartoon: Prom safety Granlund cartoon: Prom fairy godmother Kent Bush: Joe Biden needs to run for president Granlund cartoon: Armenian atrocities Letters to the Editor, April 27 Editorial Our View: Fun with university funding formulas Our View: Passion vs. practicality spelled demise of Ashland theater company Our View: Raises raise eyebrows Our View: Close gun-sale loophole Our View: Help fill empty bowls in Ashland Letters Letters to the Editor, April 27 Letters to the Editor, April 25 Letters to the Editor, April 23 Letter at Length, April 22 Letters to the Editor, April 20 Guest opinions Guest Opinion: A good day to act Guest Opinion: Allegations unfair to Dr. Tomashefsky Guest Opinion: Fremont cottonwood is not a hazard Columns Chris Honoré: Things for which there are simply no satisfactory explanations Herb Rothschild Jr.: 'Right to rest' misguided Guest Opinion: A good day to act Jeffrey Gillespie: Bad cops vs. smartphones My comic adventures Chris Honore Council Corner Editor's Notes Jeffrey Gillespie Herb Rothschild Revels Latest Stories Community blog: Cut up that poetry Community blog: Workshop on writing and craft Ashland Middle School to perform "Shrek Jr." musical A Taste of Ashland returns Five picks for entertainment this week Theater Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland to host Thanks for the Memories' 'Company' for one night Ticket Availability Ashland Middle School to perform "Shrek Jr." musical Ashland New Plays Festival is ready to grow, says new director Ticket Availability Music The Farr Side: Slow disappearance of physical music On TV: Your guide to the Academy of Country Music Awards The Farr Side: Intriguing time on the Hot 100 Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship The Farr Side: Is Kelly Clarkson’s weight truly news?  Visual Art More films, excitement than ever for AIFF Ashland's First Friday Art Walk Movies Movie review: ‘Lambert and Stamp’ doc tells who was behind The Who Movie review: ‘Ex Machina’ is the droid you’re looking for Movie review: Fairly smooth sailing for ‘The Water Diviner’ Movie review: ‘Age of Adaline’ is sweet but a little sloppy Movie review: Powerful, tense kidnapping story ‘24 Days’ delivers a strong message Food and Drink Business profile: Couple opens second Pita Pit in Ashland Cruelest Month: Poetry Blog Lifestyle Latest Stories Rogues Episode 2.9: Into the Cave of the White Dragon Season Stepp: Make seared steak fajitas for Cinco De Mayo Prudence Hilburn: Funnel cakes range from sweet to savory Prudence Hilburn: Mayo now used as binding agent in baking Cars We Remember: Mr. Hot Rod’s 1966 Chevelle 396 Aging Happens Inner Peace Column Inner Peace Blog Rogues: Tales from the Valley Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Photos Videos Blogs Business Business Services NEWS NOW Full slate of events set for Independent Media Week ... Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course ... Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland to host Thanks for the Memories' 'Company' for one night ... Full slate of events set for Independent Media Week ... Adjustments, contributions keep Mt. Ashland on course ... Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland to host Thanks for the Memories' 'Company' for one night ... Ride & Drive: 2015 Nissan Frontier Comment By Neal White More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Apr. 24, 2015 at 7:05 AM By Neal White More Content Now Posted Apr. 24, 2015 at 7:05 AM » Social News One of the pitfalls of being an automotive journalist is how easy it is to become spoiled by constantly driving vehicles with all the bells and whistles and latest technology. For the sake of efficiency, it makes sense for the automakers to put their highest trim level models in the media fleet in order to demonstrate as many features as they can in a single evaluation period. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining, but during the past four months, every media vehicle I’ve evaluated has been equipped with push button start. I haven’t taken the keys out of my pocket in so long, I’ve forgotten how to use them. This week, my friends at Nissan delivered the 2015 Frontier PRO-4X to evaluate. I love everything about this mid-size pickup except for one thing — it’s not available with push button start. The first time I drove it, I couldn’t figure out why the engine wouldn’t start when I pressed the button. Then I realized I was pressing the button for the emergency blinker lights. It’s been so long since I’ve had to use one, I actually had to think about how to start the engine with a key. But I digress. The 2015 Nissan Frontier is a great mid-size pickup, delivering exceptional performance and a smooth ride both on and off the road. With a base price starting below $18,000, the Frontier is available in King Cab or Crew Cab body styles as well as a choice of rear-wheel or four-wheel drive configurations, along with five trim level choices — S, SV, PRO-4X, Desert Runner and SL. Consumers also have the option of two available engines. The primary Frontier powerplant is a 4.0-liter V-6 engine rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lbs.-ft. torque. A 2.5-liter I-4 engine (available only on King Cab rear-wheel drive models) is also available, delivering 152 horsepower and 171 lbs.-ft. torque. As I mentioned earlier, performance is exceptional. Fuel economy, not so good, especially as many of today’s full-size pickups achieve higher EPA numbers than the 19 mpg city, 23 mpg city I-4 Frontier equipped with manual transmission. There are very few changes for the 2015 Frontier, with the exception of the following enhancements: • Moonroof has been added as standard on Frontier SL long wheelbase models. • NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps now standard on PRO-4X models. • NissanConnect with Mobile Apps and 5-inch color display now standard on Frontier SV and Desert Runner models. • Arctic Blue Metallic has been added as a new exterior color. What I enjoyed most about the Frontier is its comfortable ride, performance and its size. I do a lot of driving in the city and it is easy to maneuver on crowded streets and in tight parking lots. And when I need to tow something, Frontier V-6 models have the capability to tow a trailer up to 6,500 pounds. I also appreciate the easy to use cargo management system in the bed. For those in the market for a mid-size truck, add the Frontier to the test drive list. Neal White has been covering the automotive industry for more than 20 years, and is affiliated with the Texas Auto Writers Association. THE NUTS AND BOLTS MODEL: 2015 Nissan Frontier 4- or 5-seat midsize pickup Rear- or four-wheel drive Crew Cab or King Cab 59.5 or 73.3 inch bed lengths Trim packages: S, SV, PRO-4X, Desert Runner, SL PRICE RANGE: $17,990-$36,000 ENGINE: 2.5L I4 (152 hp/171 T) 4.0L V6 (261 hp/281 T) TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic 5-speed manual 6-speed manual EPA: 17/16 mpg city, 23/21 mpg highway (I4 King Cab/V6 Crew Cab A/T) FUEL: Regular unleaded STABILITY CONTROL: Vehicle Dynamic Control BRAKES: ABS LENGTH: 205.5/219.4 inches WHEELBASE: 125.9/139.9 inches WIDTH: 72.8 inches FUEL TANK: 21.1 gallons TIRES: 15-, 16-, or 18-inches TOWING: Up to 6,500 pounds By Neal White More Content Now DailyTidings.com By Neal White More Content Now Posted Apr. 24, 2015 at 7:05 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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