2008 Nissan Altima hybrid problems
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size car manufactured by Nissan since 1992. It is a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1955.
The Altima has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima. The first through fourth-generation cars were manufactured exclusively in the United States and officially sold in North and South America, along with the Middle East and Australia. For other markets, Nissan sold a related mid-size sedan called the Nissan Teana which was between the Altima and Maxima in terms of size. In 2013, the Teana became a rebadged version of the fifth-generation Altima.
The name "Altima" was originally applied to a top trim line of the Nissan Leopard for the Japanese market in 1986, and then to the Nissan Laurel mid-size car sold in Central America and the Caribbean before 1992. In 1992, Nissan discontinued the Stanza which was a Nissan Bluebird clone, replacing it with the US-built Altima, while remaining a compact car. The first Altima was produced in June 1992, as a 1993 model. All Altima models for the North American market were built in Smyrna, Tennessee, until June 2004, when Nissan's Canton, Mississippi plant also began producing the model to meet high demand.
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Common 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid problems
The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to the engine and exhaust system, as well as the steering and in-car electronics.
One of the most significant issues is the carbon buildup in the engine due to improper discharge, which can lead to a design/manufacturing defect known to Nissan for years. This problem can cause the cylinder head to need replacement, which can cost at least $4,500. This issue is particularly problematic because it can occur within the five-year warranty period, but Nissan may not honor the warranty or recall the vehicle, leaving owners to bear the cost of the repair.
Another common problem with the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid is related to the exhaust system. Owners have reported issues with the muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, and leaks. Some owners have reported that their car suddenly stopped, and the engine continued to run, but the car would not move. After getting stranded multiple times, the dealer confirmed it was the alternator, but replacing it did not solve the problem. The dealer then blamed the battery, but changing it did not solve the issue either. Ultimately, another mechanic confirmed it was the alternator, and replacing it resolved the problem.
The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid has also been reported to have issues with the steering system. Some owners have reported problems with the steering lock assembly, electronic steering column lock (ESCL), and steering system. These issues can cause the steering wheel to lock up, making it difficult or impossible to steer the vehicle.
Additionally, the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid has been reported to have issues with in-car electronics. Owners have reported problems with the electronic steering column lock (ESCL) stopping working, which can cause the steering wheel to lock up and make it difficult or impossible to steer the vehicle.
In summary, the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid has several common problems related to the engine, exhaust system, steering, and in-car electronics. These issues can be costly to repair and may not be covered under warranty, leaving owners to bear the cost of the repair.
Is 2008 Altima hybrid a good car?
Great car at a great value
I have owned two 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrids. I drive a lot of miles for my job and this car gets good gas mileage and rides well. It is in easy car to spend a few hours in while I drive from city to city.
Is Nissan Altima 2008 a good car?
Pros. Strong engine performance, smooth and responsive continuously variable transmission (CVT), quick steering, good-looking cabin with quality materials, coupe's sporty styling.
What is the biggest problem with Nissan Altima?
Most Common Nissan Altima Problems
- Failed Crankshaft Sensor. One of the most commonly reported Nissan Altima problems is related to the crankshaft or camshaft sensor. ...
- Transmission Issues. ...
- Acceleration Problems. ...
- Catalytic Converter. ...
- Engine Start.
Why was Nissan Altima hybrid discontinued?
Its fuel efficiency was 6.7 L/100 km (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US) city and 7.1 L/100 km (40 mpg‑imp; 33 mpg‑US) highway, based on revised EPA measures for fuel economy ratings. After the 2011 model year Nissan discontinued the Altima Hybrid due to poor sales.
2008 Nissan Altima hybrid car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Altima hybrid problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid
The NHTSA has received 1035 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid vehicles.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-17
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AL21E18N
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 80 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. As a result, the contact crashed into a concrete barrier. The front of the vehicle was severely damaged including the front driver and front passenger side doors. The air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was deemed destroyed and discarded. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a concussion, whiplash on her neck, and bruising on her nose that required medical attention. The contact currently was still recovering from her brain injury and receiving treatment from a neurologist. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V363000 (Suspension) as possibly being related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- VIN: 1N4AL21E98N
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Dashboard material defective melted sticky and very reflective. No idea how toxic could be.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-01
- VIN: 1N4AL21E98N
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Leaking power stearing fluid. The seems to be an issue with fuel system. No light just does not seem to accelerate properly.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-08
- VIN: 1N4AL21E18N
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: My 2008 Nissan Altima's dash is degrading and has caused a sticky residue to form on it. This stickiness is very shiny and causes a glare to occur on the windshield. I live in Kentucky and when the sun is shining, and actually basically anytime driving, the glare makes it nearly impossible to see. I almost hit another vehicle because I could not see but instead went off the road to avoid a collision. This is very unsafe.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-11
- VIN: 1N4BL21E08N
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The dash is melting from the heat and is very sticky. It’s really unsafe due to the glare that affects the driver vision. It has already caused me to have one near miss when a tractor pulled into road and I was unable to see him until the last second. Then I jerked the steering missing the tractor.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-15
- VIN: 1N4BL21E28N
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The drive train I believe it’s called Or transmission is malfunctioning and yes it is available for inspection upon request Our safety was put in risk when the vehicle started driving at a low speed and would not accelerate eventually stopping completely The problem hasn’t been inspected or confirmed by a dealer or service center There was no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-17
- VIN: 1N4AL21E38N
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Parked car due to electrical and transmission issues had left it for a couple hours to receive assistance and the car was gone it had no plates because I was attempting to register the car that same day
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-08
- VIN: 1N4AL21E38C
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: 215/60R16 This is the second tire that failed at the sidewall needing to be replaced. First failed after less than 4000 miles. And the second w sidewall failure at about 10,000 miles of use. i have photographed the second tire failure. Seems odd that out of five brand new tires have sidewall failures 2 (40%) have very low use failures.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-01
- VIN: 1N4AL21E18N
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The dashboard is sticky and melted down. Also has cracks from the heat.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-19
- VIN: 1N4AL24E48C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Passenger airbag warning light is blinking Took to repair shop and tech said OCS is bad and needs replacing Code B1018 comes up I do not understand why there is not a recall because this is a safety Issue
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
- VIN: 1N4AL21E38C
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: The hood under car is messed up and makes noises while driving. I heard there was a recall on the hoods underneath. I need fixed as I live on disability. Tire light won't go off sensor is not working right.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-03
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1N4AL24E28C
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Was driving and heard a knocking sound similar to taps coming from the engine. Pulled over turned car off and turned it back on and knocking sound stopped. Drive about another mile and black smoke came out the vents. Pulled over and got out of vehicle. By the time I was out of the vehicle the car was on fire. By the time the fire department arrived car was completely engulfed. No check engine light was on and car gave no previous warning as to what could have happened.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-14
- VIN: 1N4AL21E98N
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: Glare off dash board is blinding on sunny days. Dashboard is melting, the melted dash reflection is distraciton/ binding on sunny days, and smell from dash is not pleasant. Not knowing actual product that is melting is concerning since melting plastics and vinyl can be toxic. Took car out for ride on sunny day had to pull over because of glare dashboard. Tried to contact Nissan about any products to resurface and contain the melted mess an smell. They offered no solutions besides take in to local dearliship. Not shelling out 500 dollars for nationally known defective material. You can contact any quality managment firm or producer that have working knowledge with plastics and vinyl to confirm that this is a major quality defect. I can not even find out what actual material was used to cover for soft dash.
AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-28
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AL21E88N
- Components: AIR BAGS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still spinning until I hit the off button. I had my foot on the brake the entire time to no avail. The heavy brush slowed the car somewhat. The airbags didn't deploy. I had several witnesses and they all stated they saw my brake lights on. I plowed approx. 50 feet through the brush before hitting the tree. I was the only one involved and was not hurt. This was Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023. It was in a state park and no police report made. Park Ranger took down info.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-01
- VIN: 1N4AL21E18N
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The dash as a sticky substance that causing a bad glare.Back rear window as a film on it blocking vision.And car as foul Oder when you get in it.
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-09
- VIN: 1N4AL24EX8C
- Components: STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The dashboard of this vehicle has become sticky to the touch and excessively shiny, and appears to be melting in spots, causing glare on the windshield that obstructs vision while driving.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-28
- VIN: 1N4AL21E48N
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The dashboard is melting. It's sticky and shinny. On sunny days it causes a glare on the windshield making it hard to see out of it.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-07-31
- VIN: 1N4BL21EX8C
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The dashboard in my 2008 Nissan Altima has been melting, cracking and deteriorating. When it is warm outside, It’s sticky to the touch and becomes glossy causing a major glare on my windshield plus, if I graze a finger nail across it when wiping it for dust or cleaning the windshield it comes apart showing nicks and indentations. I looked this up on the web today and apparently there was a class action lawsuit filed against Nissan that was settled in 2017 for 2008 and 2009 models but on for those folks living in Florida. I live in North Carolina. I started to notice this in 2016 but didn’t give it much thought because the car is garage kept and I have a company car so I only drive this vehicle now sparingly (mainly on weekends). You can’t see how sticky it is by the photos so I took my car registration paper and stuck it to the dash. The dash when warm has a “sticky note” type feel to it. The hotter it gets the more glazed and sticky the dashboard becomes. Today it’s on 61 degrees: https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2021/nissan-melting-dashboard-lawsuit.shtml https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/melting-dashboards-consumers-demand-answers-recall-from-nissan/232577/
AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-09
- VIN: 1n4al21e18n
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: The passenger side air bag is faulty due to AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT. This has been verified by an independent service center and puts passengers at risk. The airbag will not work without the entire seat being replaced. The airbag light shows that the system is “OFF”. This make and model had a recall issued but my VIN was not included but should have been included.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-01
- VIN: 1N4AL21E18N
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,STRUCTURE
- Summary: 2008 Nissan Altima: Noticed this year a shiny gleam on the dashboard. This windshield gets hazy. The dashboard is melting, it is sticking and shiny. When a fingernail is pressed, it will actually sink into the dashboard and leave a mark. The dashboard cannot take any cleaning or friction. When the dashboard is touched it leaves fingers sticky. Became more of an issue this year now that I have a grandchild. MY other vehicle is a mini cooper 2 door which is not feasible to hold a car seat and baby. I now have the carseat in the Nissan and now it has become more of a problem because i cannot use the other car as alternative transportation when I have my grandchild. It is very difficult to drive with the glare it causes, and it is a safety issue not only for me but for others. When the sun is out and it is hot (this summer) it is worst and causes the windshield to get hazy. Not sure if it is leaking chemicals as the dashboard is now soft, shiny and cannot be removed by cleaning. The glare is very dangerous and difficult to drive under the conditions. Thank You, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-09-14
- VIN: 1N4BL21E78C
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard had melted and was sticky. There were also cracks on the dashboard. The failure caused a glare on the front windshield, which obstructed her view of the roadway while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-08-29
- VIN: 1N4AL21E08C
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The passenger air bag has failed. If my passenger has an accident, the air bag will fail to deploy and could be seriously injured. When I took the car in Nissan confirmed the bag was not operational. The insurance company was notified. I had the dealership check the warning message.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-14
- VIN: 1N4AL21E88C
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I purchased a crankshaft from CarID and had a friend replace it with the old one in my 2008 Nissan Altima. Immediately after the repair, I noticed my steering power was gone. I had them put in the old crankshaft and regained my steering. I told CarID that the part was either defective or the wrong part despite their website claiming otherwise. They told me it wasn't under warranty and refused to refund or exchange the crankshaft. Well, this isn't a warranty issue, this is a defective part issue. On their own website they list the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which my situation falls under. Their part (WVE 5S11487 - Crankshaft Position Sensor) led to the failure of my steering. I called WVE, who said they do not sell directly to CarID and the part was most likely bought from a third party, hence the lack of warranty. The last I heard from CarID on this issue, they told me they would assist within 24-72 hours. That was 7 days ago. I emailed them a follow-up email yesterday that has gone ignored as well. CarID has not only shown any interest in resolving this issue amicably but shown willful disregard for the danger that their defective parts pose to their customers.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-17
- VIN: 1N4BL21E28C
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I’m having to replace at least 2 sensors every 6 or 7 months.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-01
- VIN: 1N4AL21E28N
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Passenger’s Side Air Bag OFF” message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, and the dealer informed the contact that he needed to pay out of pocket for the diagnostic test. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger's side air bag seat sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 158,000.
2008 Nissan Altima hybrid recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid.
- Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
- Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
- Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Negative 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid car reviews
Positive 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid car reviews
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I recently purchased this car for my daily commute to work. While I haven't had the chance to use it extensively, I'm generally pleased with its performance. The ride is smooth and comfortable. I opted for the tech package, but I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money since the navigation system isn't as user-friendly as some aftermarket options. The rear camera is a nice feature, but I don't use it much due to my parking habits. My only major complaint is the noticeable vibrations when the system switches from EV to gas mode and back. If you're considering buying this car, I highly recommend taking it for a test drive. I've also noticed some kick-back from the brakes at times, but I'm not sure if this is due to the car being new or the VDC system kicking in.
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I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your car after 5 months of ownership! It sounds like you made a great choice in selecting a practical car that also offers some style. It's also great to hear that you've found the fit and finish to be good and that you're consistently getting 38 mpg overall. Thanks for sharing your positive experience with us!
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I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying your '08 Altima! It's great to hear that you haven't experienced any issues with it and that you're getting such good gas mileage, especially with a mix of city and highway driving. It sounds like you've really gotten the hang of driving it efficiently, even if it takes a little practice. And it's always a bonus to have a car that can really move when you need it to! Plus, getting over 600 miles on a tank is really impressive. I'm not surprised that you've received positive comments on its sleek styling - it's a great looking car! Thanks for sharing your experience with me, and I hope you continue to enjoy your Altima for many more months to come!
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I've only had my car for 3 weeks, but I'm happy to report that it's been great so far! One of the things I love about it is how roomy it is. As someone who's 6'5'' tall, I really appreciate all the leg room. Plus, it's got some serious power for a hybrid!
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I've been driving my Altima Hybrid for 10 months now and I must say, I really enjoy it. The pick-up is great and it feels like it was made just for me. It looks fantastic too! Although the fuel economy is not as good as I expected, averaging 30mpg mostly in city driving, I still find it worth it. I did have to replace the 12v battery and the headliner initially, and now there's an issue with the engine control module and the NAV system (which I find a bit confusing). Despite these issues, I still really enjoy driving it. The cargo capacity is a bit smaller, but it can still hold everything I need and it seats three kids comfortably in the back. Overall, it's a great combination of practicality and fun.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid problems:
2008 Nissan Altima Problems and Complaints - 26 Issues
Top 2008 Nissan Altima Problems · Nissan Crankshaft and Camshaft Sensor Recall · Check Engine Light Due to Failure of Catalytic Converter Closest to Cylinder Head.
1st Generation (2008-2011) Altima Hybrid Problems
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Jan 21, 2022 ... Some common problems owners encounter as the Altima ages over 100,000 miles include transmission failures costing over $3,000, ABS control ...
Nissan Altima 08 Hybrid Idle Issues - Q&A on P0507, Throttle Body ...
Dec 26, 2018 ... I have a Nissan Altima 08 hybrid and have issues with Idle going too high and low when I come to an stop.. I did the - Answered by a ...
2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid Consumer Reviews | Cars.com
Comfort 4.6; Interior 4.6; Performance 4.6; Value 4.6; Exterior 4.7; Reliability 4.6.
Other years of Nissan Altima hybrid
Are you having problems with your 2008 Nissan Altima hybrid?
Milan Wilkinson 2024-01-13
I really like my car, but I am a bit disappointed with the gas mileage. It's currently at 26 mpg in the city. During my six month oil change, the service tech mentioned that if the mileage didn't improve by the next change, they would look into it. Today, another service tech informed me that the estimated gas mileage ranges from 29 to 41 mpg. Although I'm averaging more than 10% less than the low end of the estimate, I still appreciate my car.