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9 crazy car hacks everyone should know

January 29, 2018/in Car Maintenance /by admin

Interior Car Hacks

Cereal container for a trashcan

When we finally take the time to gather all the trash and throw it away, we can find receipts, gum packs, coffee cups, tissues and so much more trash in our vehicles. It would be so much cleaner if we only had a trashcan in the car. Cars might not have trashcans but you can definitely make one yourself. All you need is a cereal container and a plastic bag. Put the bag in the container and put the container on the floor of the front passenger seat. Then simply collect all the trash in it and throw away the plastic bag once it is full.

Silicone muffin cups to protect your cup holder

Cup holders are somehow always difficult to keep clean. Being sticky from spilled coffee or juice is just the beginning. Whenever there is no cup in there, we tend to make use of the space by putting all kinds of things there such as change, chopsticks, and even open cereal bars that leave crumbs. After a while, the cup holders become very dirty.

An easy way to fix this is to put silicone muffin cups at the bottom of your cup holders. Cleaning would be as easy as taking out the muffin cups and washing them.

Shoe organizer for additional storage

You might not have pockets on the back of the two front seats, which means less storage space for you. It doesn’t have to be this way. You can simply attach shoe organizers to the back of the front seats and make use of the many pockets. It might be even better than the typical seat pocket as things would be organized.

Gum container to keep your change

Everyone keeps spare change somewhere in their car, usually thrown in the cup holders and other small places. A more convenient way to keep change would be in a gum container.

Exterior Car Hacks

Use toothpaste as headlights cleaner

Headlights get foggy and it can get annoying when driving at night. The solution to this inconvenience is simply to use toothpaste to clean your headlights.

Park facing east

In the winter, we often have problems with ice all over the car. Park your car facing east can be a solution. The sun rises in the east, so you will be using the sun’s warmth to defrost the ice formed on your windshield. Depending on the weather, maybe not all ice will be melted before having to leave in the morning, but it would definitely save some time.

Plunger will “repair” dents

Plungers are usually used for unclogging the toilet, but you can use it in another way as well. Save yourself some time and money by using it to get rid of any small dents on your car. When pulling the plunger back, the suction formed will pull the dents forward and back into place.

Bonus: Garage Hacks

Pool noodle to protect your door

If your garage is small and you always have to be careful not to hit the wall when opening your door this is the solution you have been looking for.

At the specific height where the car door and garage wall meet, fix a cut-in-half pool noodle. You can glue, nail or bolt the noodle. Thus, your car door is safe from scratches.

Tennis ball as a parking guide

This tip is for those who have difficulty estimating the distance between the front or back of your car and the garage wall when parking. To solve this problem use a tennis ball as a parking guide. Simply hang the ball from the roof directly above the middle of your windshield, so you would know how far in to go and when to stop.

10 Preventable Car Problems

January 18, 2018/in Car Maintenance /by admin

If you own a car, you know how important it is to keep up with regular maintenance. While you should take your car in for scheduled maintenance, day-to-day “check-ups” don’t always have be done by professionals. If you pay attention to some signals that your car is sending you, you will be able to prevent a bigger breakdown and even an accident. Here are ten most common problems and how you can prevent or fix them in no time.

Flat tire

This is perhaps one of the most common problems a driver can experience. If you hear a loud thumping noise or your car is tilting while you are driving, then you need to pull over and change your flat tire. Quite often the pressure is the cause of the problem, therefore adjust the tire pressure in accordance with the car manual. Since a flat tire can be caused by external factors that you cannot prevent, such as holes on the road, it is advisable to check that your spare tire, the jack and other tools are in place and in good condition.

Bad belts

If you start hearing a creaking sound coming from your belts every minute or two, this is a sign that something is going on and your belts are already worn-off. It is better to go and have them replaced before they tear while you’re on the road.

Dead battery

You know that your battery is dead because your car doesn’t start. Buying a tester and/or charger is the way to solve this problem. The battery dies if it is not recharged regularly and surely, at some point you need to replace it with a new one. Make sure to check for corrosion and clear it immediately as this decreases the lifespan of your battery.

Damaged/bad spark plugs

You know that you have faulty spark plugs if there is a hard start, problems with starting or slower acceleration. To avoid problems, make sure that you replace them regularly according to the manufacturer instructions.

Problems with the alternator

If you have continuous battery problems, you are not able to start the car or the gadgets inside your car don’t even lighten up, then it means your alternator is dead. The best way to solve these problems is to go and have your car checked by a mechanic and have the alternator replaced.

Insufficient oil in the car engine

Do not let your engine run out of oil. Always change it on time – every 3,000 miles or once in three months, depending on the type of oil you use and the make of your car. Checking oil levels regularly and changing it on time will prevent many issues.

Overheating engine

In scorching temperatures, your engine is threatened from overheating, which may entail much greater problems. To prevent them, keep an eye on the car’s temperature gauge. This way, you will know the status of your cooling system. When you see that it reaches critical limits, pull over and let the engine cool down for about 30 minutes before you continue.

Head or tail lights not working

Check your car lights before hitting the road. Keep a spare bulb handy so that you can change it in case any of the head or tail lights are off.

Missing/broken side-view mirror

If all of the sudden your blind spot grew bigger, it means that something has happened to your side-view mirror. Since replacing this part is fairly easy, do not embarrass yourself by driving with broken, missing, hanging or make-up replacement mirror.

Damaged or worn brakes

If you hear loud squeaking sound every time you step on the breaks or it takes you forever to stop, then it is high time to have your brake pads and rotors checked. If there is any corrosion, distortion or excessive wear on the brakes the results may be fatal. To prevent accidents, visit a mechanic and replace the necessary brake system parts.

Key tools to help you diagnose and repair minor car problems on the go:

A set of service manuals to help you troubleshoot
A garage toolkit that includes the basic instruments such as a car jack, set of screw drivers and wrenches, and support stands
A multimeter to test the electrical current
An OBD code reader that you can plug in and check what the problem with your car is. It can be easily connected to your smartphone for more convenient operation
A portable battery charger and jumper cables to help you revive a dead battery.

7 Best Family SUVs 2017-2018

November 30, 2017/in Cars /by admin

It’s been a long time since SUVs were frowned upon as being cumbersome, heavy-cargo vehicles, designed for off-road. They’ve proven themselves as the car of choice for families with kids and car manufacturers have been trying to make them even more appealing to those customers.

This year brought us some really nice models from Toyota, Jeep, and Ranger Rover, as well as brands which – until recently – were hardly associated with “family” cars like Bentley and Porsche. Now 2018 promises even broader range of SUV models to be presented to the market. Their features are already announced and it is clear what we can expect. It is going to be hard to pick one that’s best, but perhaps our list will help you choose the one that’s best for you.

1. 2017 Toyota 4Runner

This old-school SUV will get your vote if you are a fan of tough-looking vehicles. The 2017 TRD Pro comes with the impressive 270 horsepower and 5-speed transmission. With its greater ground clearance, under-body protection, and electronically controlled suspension that adapts to different types of terrain, we could say that its main purpose is to get you wherever you’re going. If you plan to get off the beaten path, that’s the car for you. Toyota is known for their reliable vehicles and you can be confident that this SUV won’t let you down.

2. 2018 Volkswagen Atlas

When we talk about Atlas, it comes down to three things – it’s big, it’s functional, and it looks good. The inside space is more than plenty, with room for 7 passengers and/or lots of cargo. The 280-horsepower going out to all four wheels is just enough to make it more agile than one would expect by looking at it. And the curvy design adds a distinguishable modern feel to it, so you can drive in the city with confidence and pride.

3. 2017 Tesla Model X

You may be tired of hearing about Tesla, but we feel that our list wouldn’t be complete without their large Model X. Its standard model comes with seats for six, but it is possible to opt in for 7 seats. It is mostly known for its electric motor, making it extremely cost-efficient, compared to its gasoline and diesel engine rivals. And don’t get us started on its futuristic Falcon Wing doors. But there is a lot more to it that could make you want to make it yours. It is definitely built with families in mind, focusing on comfort and safety.

4. 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe

Santa Fe has long been a top selling SUV and has a well-deserved place in every “Best SUV” list. It is popular mostly thanks to the competitive price – quality ratio with a very low base price which makes it perfect for families. Even though its V6 engine is far from being astonishing, Hyundai achieved great results when it comes to safety, comfort and overall performance on the road. They also made sure to include quite a few of the latest technology features – some of them being AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay – as available options. Overall, Hyundai Santa Fe is a great family SUV.

5. 2018 Ford Expedition MAX

Yes, the Ford Expedition that we know will now be called Ford Expedition MAX. As you probably imagine, the change in name is because this SUV is getting bigger in size. It will be almost a foot longer while – fortunately – losing on its weight. The engine has the staggering 450 horsepower and you can opt for a 10-speed automatic transmission, making it a real pleasure to drive. It will also come with a much-needed facelift, and a modern look, as you can see on the images. With a price of about $47k, it is worth thinking about taking this wonderful family vehicle to your garage.

6. 2017 Nissan Pathfinder

2017’s Pathfinder was a pleasant surprise with several tasteful design tweaks, making it stand out of the crowd. In addition, it got some important technical enhancements, a safety boost, and more power (which was a major downfall in previous models.) The 284 horsepower V6 engine is great, but if that’s not impressive enough, think about the Forward Emergency Braking, the Intelligent Cruise Control, and other driver assist features which granted it a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The base model comes with a price of just above $31000, which is an excellent price, considering the features included.

7. 2017 Honda Pilot

This is probably the most practical SUV in our list. With Pilot, Honda managed to combine everything that makes for a perfect family vehicle. With lots of inner space, fun to drive both in the city and on the highway, safe and beautiful Honda Pilot is a top pick for a family SUV. Its three rows of seats allow for a very comfortable trip for not 7 but 8 passengers. All rows can be folded, and the SUV easily turns into a spacious cargo-truck. To no surprise, this SUV has a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, and we all know this is an important factor when choosing a family car. The price of about $34000 positions the model in the mid-range, but looking at the interior you could easily think that it is on the edge of luxury.

There are many more family SUV models on the market, each of them with their advantages and downfalls. The best SUV for your family might not be on our list, but there is definitely one out there that would meet – and surpass – all your requirements. Before you start looking, our advice is to decide whether you need a low-, mid-, or luxury range model to limit the options. And even after you’ve compared all the numbers, make sure to go to your local dealer and actually try before you buy. Often the difference between two is the way they make you feel.

Printable Auto Maintenance Checklist

November 27, 2017/in Car Maintenance /by admin

Do you spend a lot of time in your car? Then you know how important it is to keep it well-maintained. If you want to save money and prevent major mishaps, you should know what to check and how often to do it.

Here are a few tips from the pros, as well as a printable auto maintenance checklist to keep you organized.

Why regular maintenance is important

Most of us truly cannot imagine our everyday routine without a car. Going to work, picking kids up from school or other activities, shopping or traveling all require having a reliable vehicle that won’t leave you stuck in the middle of the road. Therefore, it is important to get into the habit of regularly checking and maintaining your car in order to:

Prevent expensive repairs – you will save a lot of money if you keep an eye on the general condition of the car and especially by checking fluids. Make sure all levels are in accordance with your manufacturer’s recommendations and you will be able to avoid major damage;
Avoid unexpected problems with the car while traveling – this is important to keep in mind since it will not only prevent unexpected breakdowns but may also save you from harming yourself or others;
Understand how your car functions – it is good for everyone in the family to be aware of how the car functions and know how to look for problems and when it’s time to visit a shop.

One of the cases when regular maintenance can be of great help, though a bit indirect, is if you need your car as a collateral for a car title loan. Being able to show and prove that your car is in excellent condition may result in receiving more cash compared to presenting a car that is in rather bad condition.

How often to check each element?

Every month you have to check the overall condition of the car and the level of the fluids. Once it becomes a routine, you will find out that it only takes a few minutes. So, make sure to check the brake fluid level, the coolant level, the engine oil level, and the windshield washer fluid.

Make sure that all the lights of your vehicle function.

To ensure better performance and optimal gas consumption you need properly inflated tires, so check the tire pressure and overall condition.

Lift your wiper blades to inspect them for any damage or clear the debris that is accumulated under. It takes only a few seconds but will save you a lot of trouble when it starts raining.

Every three months

Once in three months or in every 3 to 5,000 miles, whichever comes first, make sure to do the following inspections and replacements.

Change the engine oil and the engine oil filter. You can do it by yourself or visit a shop. As long as you do it regularly, it won’t cost much.

The fluids that you need to check every three months are for the automatic transmission and the power steering fluid.

It is advisable to inspect the fan belt, the battery and all cables and hoses in your vehicle.

If you hear squeaking in your suspension then it is a good idea to crawl under your car and lubricate the chassis. This is something that can be done alongside changing the engine oil.

Annually

There are some things that you need to inspect or replace only once per year or every 12-15,000 miles, whichever comes first.

You need to change the cabin air filter and the engine air filter.

Make sure to inspect steering and suspension as well as brakes and wheel bearings.

It is also a good idea to flush the coolant in order to make sure that the corrosion protection does not wear down. You can do that once in couple of years too.

Take a couple of minutes to lubricate your door and hood hinges every year as well and to check them for any cracks.

Printable car maintenance checklist

If you believe that all this information is useful, you can print out the checklist below and make sure that you follow all the steps in it. Thus, you will have a car in excellent condition that will serve you much longer.

Download Checklist