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Winterizing Your Vehicle: Essential Services to Prepare for Cold Weather

winter maintenance

You don't have to wait for the first snowflake to fall to get your car ready. Taking care of winter maintenance right away can save you from the inevitable headaches that come when the roads get nasty. As your local Honda dealership, we're here to make sure your car is prepared for the cold season ahead.

4 Essential Winter Maintenance Tips From Your Honda Dealership

1. Kit Out Your Vehicle With Winter or All-Weather Tires

Now that grip is going to be a very precious commodity, it's time to ensure your vehicle is equipped with the right tires. And because we're expecting temperatures south of 44 degrees Fahrenheit, the right tires here are winter tires. These tires are made from special materials that stay soft even in low temperatures, enhancing their grip on icy, snowy, or wet surfaces. They also have special treads, known as sipes, that bite into slippery surfaces to improve traction.

While winter tires are the obvious choice for harsh weather, but all-weather tires with decent treads are also rated for winter driving. As long as you're not pushing the vehicle through intense conditions and sticking to city driving, these tires can hold their own.

2. Test Your Battery

Cold weather can be tough on batteries, causing them to lose power faster than usual. If your battery is already on the edge, this winter could be the final straw, leaving you stranded when you least expect it.

To avoid this situation, bring your battery to us for a quick state-of-health check. We'll use special equipment to test it and let you know how much life it has in it.

3. Fill Your Antifreeze

Yes, antifreeze can freeze, and that's the last thing you want to happen when you're out on a cold winter morning. So, top off your antifreeze and ensure it's properly mixed for the lowest temperature you might encounter. Oh, and don't forget to use the right antifreeze for your engine, since it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you don't know which one to use, our technicians can help guide you to the perfect match.

4. Change Your Windshield Wiper Fluid

Don't even think about using just plain water in your washer reservoir this winter; it'll just turn into a block of ice. This time, you need something with antifreeze so the hoses and nozzles don't freeze.

Contact Columbia Honda in Columbia, MO, for more winterizing tips and services.

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Best Honda Vehicles for Road Trips This Year

Why Honda Is a Natural Fit for Long-Distance Travel When it comes to hitting the open road with confidence, few automakers offer the variety and reliability that Honda does. Whether you're planning a quick weekend escape or a cross-country adventure, choosing one of the best Honda vehicles for road trips means you're starting the journey right. Columbia, MO drivers have plenty of great options to consider, and this guide breaks down which Honda models are worth a closer look. The Honda Pilot: Space and Capability for the Whole Crew The 2026 Honda Pilot is one of the strongest Honda road trip vehicles available for families. With three rows of seating and a spacious interior, there's plenty of room for passengers and gear alike. The Pilot offers real capability beyond the pavement too - the TrailSport trim adds off-road-ready features for those who want to explore beyond the main highway. Comfort during long drives is a priority with this SUV, making miles feel far more manageable. The Honda Accord Hybrid: Efficiency Meets Comfort If you prefer a sedan and want to make fewer stops at the pump, the 2026 Honda Accord Hybrid delivers an impressive blend of comfort and efficiency. The cabin is refined and quiet, which matters a great deal when you're spending hours on the road. It seats five adults comfortably and offers a well-organized, intuitive interior layout. For drivers who want a smooth, composed ride on long hauls, the Accord Hybrid earns its place among the best Honda vehicles for road trips. The Honda Odyssey: The Original Road Trip Vehicle Few vehicles are as purpose-built for family road trips as the Honda Odyssey. The 2026 model continues to deliver versatile seating configurations, generous cargo space, and thoughtful comfort features that keep everyone settled in for the long haul. It also offers available rear entertainment options that can make a real difference on extended drives with younger passengers. As one of the most capable Honda road trip vehicles in the lineup, the Odyssey is hard to overlook for families who travel regularly. The Honda CR-V Hybrid: Compact Comfort With Standout Efficiency Not every road trip requires a large vehicle. The 2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid is a great pick for couples or smaller groups who want a nimble, fuel-efficient ride that still offers solid cargo room and a comfortable cabin. The CR-V Hybrid's available all-wheel drive adds confidence in changing road conditions, whether you're navigating mountain passes or wet highways. It's a practical, well-rounded option that proves the best Honda vehicles for road trips don't have to be full-size. The Honda Passport: Built for the Adventurous Traveler The 2026 Honda Passport is Honda's most rugged SUV, and that ruggedness translates well to road trip use. With a two-row layout, the Passport prioritizes passenger comfort and cargo capacity without stretching into full family van territory. The TrailSport trim adds trail-ready features for those whose road trips veer off the beaten path. If your travel plans involve scenic back roads and unpredictable terrain, the Passport deserves serious consideration. Find Your Road Trip Companion at Columbia Honda Choosing the right vehicle for your next adventure comes down to your travel style, group size, and priorities on the road. Whether you want a fuel-efficient sedan, a family-ready minivan, or a rugged SUV, Honda has a lineup that covers all the bases. Visit Columbia Honda to explore these models in person and find the best vehicle for road trips that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Best Honda SUVs for Growing Families in 2026

If you have a growing family, finding the right vehicle can feel overwhelming. You need space, safety, and reliability - all without sacrificing comfort or style. Honda family SUVs have long been a go-to choice for parents who want a vehicle that keeps up with their busy lives. Whether you're hauling kids to school, heading out on a weekend adventure, or navigating the streets of Columbia, MO, Honda has an SUV built for the job. Why Honda SUVs Are Ideal for Families When it comes to the best Honda SUVs for growing families, versatility is the name of the game. Honda designs its SUV lineup with real families in mind, offering generous cargo space, advanced safety technology through Honda Sensing, and comfortable seating for everyone on board. Each model also brings a level of refinement and dependability that gives parents peace of mind on every drive. Honda CR-V: The Family-Friendly Favorite The Honda CR-V is one of the most popular Honda family SUVs on the road today - and for good reason. It offers a spacious interior with room for passengers and cargo alike, making it an excellent fit for families that need practical everyday functionality. The CR-V also comes in a hybrid variant, which is a smart choice for families looking to cut down on fuel costs over time. Its comfortable ride and intuitive technology features make it easy to live with on a daily basis. Honda Pilot: Room for the Whole Crew If your family is larger or you simply want more flexibility, the Honda Pilot is one of the best Honda SUVs for growing families who need three rows of seating. The Pilot comfortably seats up to eight passengers and offers impressive cargo space even with all rows in use. It handles long road trips as well as short errands, and the available TrailSport trim adds rugged capability for families who like to venture off the beaten path. Honda Passport: A Midsize Option Worth Considering For families who want something between the CR-V and the Pilot, the Honda Passport hits a satisfying middle ground. It's Honda's most rugged two-row SUV, offering a bold stance and capable performance. With a roomy interior and a thoughtfully designed cargo area, it works well for families that don't need a third row but still want plenty of space. Honda family SUVs like the Passport prove you don't have to choose between practicality and personality. Honda HR-V: A Smart Pick for Smaller Families Not every growing family needs a large SUV. The Honda HR-V is a subcompact crossover that punches well above its size class in terms of interior space and functionality. It's an ideal option for smaller families or those looking for an easier-to-park vehicle without giving up the versatility of an SUV body style. The HR-V's modern design and smart features make it one of the best Honda SUVs for growing families who prefer a more compact footprint. Find Your Perfect Honda Family SUV at Columbia Honda No matter which model catches your eye, the best Honda SUVs for growing families are waiting to be explored. Each vehicle in the Honda SUV lineup brings a unique combination of space, technology, safety, and comfort that families can count on for years to come. Visit Columbia Honda to browse available inventory, compare models, and take the next step toward finding the right fit for your family.

Best Honda Models for Daily Commuting in Columbia, MO

If you spend time navigating University Avenue, I-70, or the local streets around Columbia, MO, you know that the right vehicle can make your daily commute genuinely enjoyable. The good news is that Honda offers a strong lineup of Honda commuter vehicles designed to balance comfort, efficiency, and reliability for everyday driving. Here is a look at some of the best Honda models worth considering for your daily drive. The Honda Civic Sedan - A Commuter Classic The Civic Sedan remains one of the best Honda models for daily commuting because it strikes a near-perfect balance between practicality and driving enjoyment. It is compact enough to handle city parking without stress, yet spacious enough to keep you comfortable on longer stretches of highway. The Sport trim adds a little extra personality if you want something with a bit more flair without stepping outside a practical budget range. For drivers who want to stretch their efficiency even further, the Civic Sedan Hybrid takes everything that works about the standard model and adds a capable hybrid powertrain. The Honda Accord - Comfort Meets Capability When your commute calls for a little more room and refinement, the Accord is hard to overlook. It is one of Honda's most recognized models for good reason - it consistently earns strong reviews for its roomy interior, smooth ride, and driver-focused technology. The Accord Hybrid is particularly well-suited as a Honda commuter vehicle, offering responsive performance alongside improved efficiency. Whether you are driving across town or taking on a longer stretch of highway, the Accord keeps things calm and composed. The Honda CR-V - The SUV Option for Everyday Drivers Not everyone wants a sedan for their daily commute, and the CR-V is a strong answer for drivers who prefer an SUV. It offers a comfortable seating position, a generous cargo area, and available all-wheel drive, which can be useful during Missouri winters. The CR-V Hybrid brings added efficiency to the package without sacrificing the versatility that makes this SUV so appealing. It is one of the best Honda models for commuters who also need a vehicle that handles weekends and errand runs with equal ease. The Honda HR-V - Compact Efficiency for City Driving If most of your commute takes place around Columbia, MO, and you want something easy to maneuver and park, the HR-V is worth a close look. This subcompact crossover offers a surprisingly roomy interior for its footprint, making it more practical than its size might suggest. It is one of the more approachable Honda commuter vehicles in the lineup, combining straightforward tech features with a comfortable driving experience. The Honda Prologue - For Drivers Ready to Go Electric For commuters who are curious about making the switch to an electric vehicle, the Honda Prologue offers a compelling entry point. It delivers a smooth, quiet driving experience that is genuinely well-suited to the stop-and-go nature of daily commuting. With an SUV body style and a well-appointed interior, it gives drivers a comfortable and modern way to commute without stopping at the pump. Find Your Ideal Honda Commuter at Columbia Honda Choosing among the best Honda models for daily commuting really comes down to how you drive, what features matter most to you, and whether you prefer a sedan, SUV, or something fully electric. Each of the models covered here brings something distinct to the table, and all are built with the quality and dependability Honda is known for. Stop by Columbia Honda to explore the current lineup and find the right fit for your daily drive.