When someone says hybrid, the first thought associated with this vehicle is usually its eco-friendly stature. Which is a great first impression to make! Hybrid vehicles have countless benefits.. Keep reading to see if this is the perfect car for you!
A lot of car buyers rule out hybrids right off the bat because they don’t think there’s a model that fits their needs. That’s where they’re wrong! Nowadays, you can find a hybrid version of almost every model vehicle you could think of! It has become less of a rare breed and more of a beneficial trend! From sedans and SUVs to hatchbacks and minivans, there is a hybrid out there for almost everyone! Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the Top Consumer Rated Hybrids of 2017!
You hear “hybrid” all the time now, but maybe you don’t actually know what a hybrid car consists of. Let me give you a crash course! Hybrids have a gasoline engine and an electric motor. Don’t get them confused with electric cars. Hybrids still require visits to the gas station, but utilize their electric component by collecting and reusing energy in the vehicle that would normally go to waste in a regular car. With this mix of the two systems, you get a hybrid! Within this hybrid realm are different types of hybrids. If you decide this style of car is for you, next decide which type of hybrid matches your lifestyle best. Then you can narrow down your decision to the different makes available in that style!
If you’re an environmentally conscious and proactive individual with fuel efficiency high on your priority list, then a hybrid car is for you! While the hybrid version of that car you love might be a tad pricier, going the hybrid route will become the smarter financial choice in the long run. The miles per gallon in hybrid vehicles range from around 25 mpg to over 100 mpg! Just imagine how much more for your dollar you’d get at the gas station!
While hybrid cars come jam-packed with tons of benefits, this style of vehicle may not be the best decision for everyone. If you find yourself driving mostly at high speeds on the highway, you won’t experience as many of the benefits that come with a hybrid. And, gas savings can sometimes take years to add up and compensate for the original purchase price of your hybrid. So, if these scenarios coincide with your lifestyle, or maybe you’re just not as patient of a person, perhaps a hybrid is not the best choice of car for you.
If you can get upwards of 70% better gas mileage in a hybrid compared to the mpg in a regular car, why not?! Don’t stop yourself by thinking it takes a certain kind of person to drive a hybrid. Yes, buying a hybrid can be a costly original purchase, but if this car is one you plan on driving for years, it will pay off in the long run, trust me!
Trucks are some of the most self-explanatory body styles out there. While you can drive a truck in almost any environment, one’s lifestyle usually is a heavy factor into choosing a truck as their preferred mode of transportation. Maybe you really do need all of that cab space, or maybe you just like the look of it–whatever your reason, a truck is a definite reflection of the driver’s personality.
If you live in a sea of smart cars, don’t let that stop you from driving a truck! No, it obviously isn’t the most practical choice for that environment, but your car is an extension of you–let your personality shine! Trucks are also extremely practical, whether the vehicle is a necessity for your job or it helps you fulfill your hobbies on the weekend, a truck has many benefits. It is just more dependant on your environment you live in and the lifestyle you lead.
Trucks have an obvious list of pros: powerful engines, tons of storage, towing capabilities, durability, safety, and so on. A trucks safety coincides with its size (most of the time). When in an accident, the bigger vehicle is more likely to suffer less damage than the smaller vehicle. But, like I’ve said before, a vehicle’s safety is dependant upon the driver. With every pro list comes the cons: trucks offer less seating space, can be difficult to maneuver and are not as fuel efficient. The #1 complaint when it comes to trucks usually relates to their gas guzzling reputation. Whether it’s a compact truck or a full-size, extended cab truck, its mpg remains a hot topic. Let’s not jump to stereotypes here, though. Trucks have come a long way in the benefits they have to offer! You’d be surprised with what mpg some of the models get. Just take a look at this article, I bet some of these trucks on the list get a better mile per gallon than that SUV of yours!
If you’re trying to decide what type of vehicle is best for you, a truck is one of the more straightforward choices. Either you have a job or lifestyle that points you in the direction of actually needing to drive a truck, or, you’re an adventurous, extroverted, outgoing individual that simply loves the aesthetic of a pick-up.
So, you’re looking to get a new car. When you’re surrounded by hundreds of cars every day, it can become easy to feel swamped with all of the makes and models that exist. That’s why I’m here to help! The perfect car is out there for you, you just have to find it!
Narrow down your choices by deciding which body style is the best for you. This decision alone has many tough factors to compare, which is why this series is here to help you find your perfect match! From SUVs to sedans, by the end of this series, you’ll know you’ve found the one.
There are tons of factors that weigh into your decision of which car to buy. There is the car you want, the car you need, the most practical car, the most rational car… the list goes on and on. I’m here to tell you to take a step back, breathe, and take a look in a mirror. What type of car are you? Look at all the body styles available and answer the question: which one matches your lifestyle best?
Make a goal for this new car of yours. What is it that you’re setting out to do in your new ride? Are you carpooling a soccer team around? Commuting to work? Whether you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint or simply make a statement with your car, these are questions you need to start out asking yourself. Figure out which style matches you best by making a goal for yourself.
These goals you set coincide with the type of lifestyle you’re leading. You need a car that will match your lifestyle best, and in turn will become a reflection of you. Your wants and needs can be two totally different things, so really think about what body style will suit you best, and then narrow down your car search from there.
You need to prioritize yourself. You’ve set your goals, analyzed your lifestyle, but maybe you’re still stuck. What is most important to you? Size? Safety? Let me go ahead and debunk the myth that the larger the car, the safer it is. Your safety in a vehicle starts with you and the way you handle it. Don’t be deterred from a convertible if that’s what you’ve had your heart set on, just be a responsible driver. The safest collision is the one you avoid. So, don’t let the size of a car limit your search. If you commute an hour into the city every day, a giant pick-up may not be the smartest decision for you. So, this is where prioritizing comes in.
Perhaps fuel economy isn’t your priority, and that’s OK. The moral of the story here is to find the car that will make you happy. If you’re just looking for a cheap ride to get you from point A to point B, I promise there’s an affordable used car out there that will mesh well with your lifestyle. Don’t feel like you have to settle. Put a little effort and emotion into your car search, and I promise you’ll end up happier. Find that one that matches your lifestyle best and you’ll be set!
Whether you’re a 16-year-old who just got their first set of keys, or you simply haven’t driven until now, there are copious amounts of rules, regulations, laws and more that I’m sure have flooded your brain throughout your driver education course. The gist of it all is to ensure your safety on the road, and safety begins with you! Your driving is not only imperative for your safety, but also those around you. Welcome to the open road new drivers! I have some tips for you to keep in mind.
- Familiarize yourself with your car. Maybe you just got a brand new car, or you have been driving the same one throughout your driver’s ed. Regardless, make sure you are familiar with the car you are driving. Know what all the buttons do, where your hazard lights are, how to turn your windshield wipers on and off, how sensitive your gas and brake pedals are, how to adjust your mirrors, where your blind spots are… the list goes on and on. Become confident on the road by gaining confidence within your own car!
- Become aware of your surroundings. You passed your test to get your license, now become aware of all that surrounds you on your drive! Stay observant of your surroundings while you’re driving, and you’ll avoid and prevent many potential hazards. For instance, look beyond that light that just turned green. Is there someone about to run a red light? Is there enough room for you to make it through the intersection? Start to think about observations like this, and you’ll become a safe driver in no time!
- Pay attention to traffic signs. You see them everywhere. They’re there for a reason. Whether it’s a speed zone sign or a one way sign, they all have a purpose. By becoming aware of your surroundings, take note of all the signs you pass. This will help you from speeding through that school zone or work zone on accident!
- Don’t follow the driver ahead of you. You don’t know what the driver ahead of you has planned, or how defensive they may be capable of driving. They may not be following the rules of the road, so don’t let that rub off onto you. Set a good example on the road with your own driving, don’t rely on those around you to.
Almost everyone’s life revolves in or around their car. You need it to get to work, to see your friends and family, drop the kids off at school and to complete many other errands throughout the day. The big issue is that we don’t always take the best care of our mighty steed! So what are some quick and easy steps to keep your vehicle looking and feeling good?
Here you go:
Step 1: Freshen up your scent!
That new car smell is one of the best things you can step into. The only problem is that over time, like your favorite black t-shirt, it begins to fade. Well instead of letting everyday odors take over, make your own favorite scent the talk of every car ride! To do this, all you’ll need is a wooden clothespin and a few drops of an essential oil of your choosing. After dropping that oil onto the front of your clothespin, clip it on any vent and let the air flow do the rest!
Step 2: Wax on, wax off!
Seeing streaks when your wipers are on? A quick way to clear those away is by running a cloth or wipe containing alcohol to clean off any gunk left over from cleaning off grime or pesky bugs you may have accumulated on the road. Now you have a clear windscreen and full steam ahead!
Step 3: Shine on…with clear headlights!
Are your headlights getting foggy? Not only is it extremely important to have a clear view when driving after dusk, it also gives your vehicle a nice look during the day. An easy way to keep your headlights clean and give you the right amount of light is…toothpaste! That’s right! Not only used for keeping your pearly whites gleaming, it can also clear away that grime that’s making your headlights foggy. Use a toothbrush to apply (preferably not the one you use on your teeth) and after covering the whole surface, use a bit of water and an old rag to wipe away. Voilà! Your evening drives will be clearer and safer!
There are plenty of ways to keep your vehicle in great shape without spending a pretty penny. Taking a little time to care for it means it’ll take great care of you all year round.
Road trips can be long and exhausting. Whether you are by yourself or with a group of people, it can be easy to run out of things to do, making the car ride even more long and dreadful. It can seem like you’re in a car forever longing to reach your destination. I know this feeling, that’s why I wanted to share some ways you can make the most out of your road trip!
- Road Trip Playlist
Before you venture out onto the road, make a playlist of songs you want to hear during your trip. Add all of your favorite artists and fun tunes that will keep you in a good mood while in the car. Make a fun karaoke game out of it with your fellow passengers!
- Make Road Trip Games
Play word games like “Concentration,” where each person has to stay on beat while coming up with an answer to a topic. For example, if the topic is “fruits,” each person has to name a fruit, but cannot repeat a fruit that has been said or hesitate when answering. Games like this will keep you entertained and are sure to pass the time.
- Make Pit Stops
Have you ever seen those billboards encouraging you to visit the “World’s Largest” and “World’s Greatest” something? Make stops at those places! Visit and explore these small towns and eat at the local diners along the way to your destination. Make sure to take lots of photos too! This helps break the trip and add more memories.
- Collect Souvenirs
Make it a point to collect a souvenir from every town you visit. It doesn’t have to be anything big, but it will help make the trip meaningful. If you’re traveling with friends you can make it a competition. Whoever collects the most souvenirs win!
Are you planning on taking a road trip this year? Let me know where you are going! Before you go make sure that your car is road trip ready!
It’s the middle of the week, and I thought I’d change things up and give you all some fun facts! Maybe they’ll come in handy some day at trivia night… or maybe you’ll just impress your friends! I’ve compiled some of the most interesting car facts I’ve come across. Some of them are quite surprising—enjoy!
- In 2016, the Lexus ES 300 has been the #1 most likely car to get pulled over, with the Nissan 350Z coming in second.
- That coveted “new car smell” is actually composed of over 50 volatile, non-toxic, organic compounds.
- The average American spends about 38 hours a YEAR stuck in traffic!
- Car wrecks are the #1 cause of death for Americans under 35.
- There are more cars than people in Los Angeles, California.
- The inventor of cruise control was blind.
- Honking your car horn (except in an emergency) is illegal in New York City. However, that doesn’t seem to phase them.
- Up to 80% of the average car is recyclable.
- The first speeding ticket was issued in 1902.
- In Shanghai China, red cars are prohibited.
- In 1924, a Ford cost $265.00!
- About 60 million vehicles are produced every year, that’s about 165,000 produced per day.
- Toyota produces 13,000 cars…a day.
- Only 35% of the world’s population drives on the left side of the road.
- “Highway Hypnosis” is an actual thing. This is when you have no recollection of your drive (to work, school, etc.) This is when you truly are running on “autopilot.”
- At the world’s first real automobile race in 1895, the top speed was 15 mph.
- Texting while driving increases chances of crashing by 23 times.
- The windshield wiper was invented by a woman, Mary Anderson, in 1905.
- “Topping off” your gas at the pump can actually lead to long term leak damage.
- Ice cream trucks are illegal in Iowa.
- Women buy more new cars than men.
- Paved roads were originally intended for cyclists, not cars.
- To almost instantly cool down your hot car, roll down a window on one side and open/close the door on the other side 5-6 times.
- In France, it is compulsory to keep a Breathalyzer kit in your car.
- In Russia, it is a criminal offense to drive around in a dirty car.
- Residents in Churchill, Canada leave their vehicles unlocked to offer an escape route for pedestrians who might encounter a polar bear on Main Street.
- In many states in USA, you can be charged with a DUI even if your car is parked, and you’re sleeping while drunk.
- Your car remote can lose synchronization with your car if a button is pressed more than 256 times when the remote is out of range.
- In Sweden, your car headlights must be on at all times, even when driving in daylight.
- If driving 60 mph, and actually possible, it would take less than 6 months to drive to the moon.
Now you know more than you probably wanted to! Which random fact was your favorite? Take your new found knowledge and impress someone today!
Most of us took drivers ed in some fashion, but that seems like it was light years ago. Do you think you could answer those drivers ed questions now? I thought I’d shake things up a little this week and give you all a fun outlet to exercise your brains. All of the terms used for this puzzle came from a drivers ed handbook! Feel free to print this out, put your knowledge to the test, and scroll down to find the key!
Across
- A measure of a vehicle’s total consumption of natural resources weighed against the Earth’s ability to regenerate those resources.
- Abbreviation for front-wheel drive.
- Also known as “cap cost.” The negotiated price of a vehicle to be leased, and one of the components used to determine the monthly lease payment.
- A powertrain that combines an electric motor and an alternative means of propulsion and/or power generation. The most common type of this is gas/electric.
- A transmission that uses a clutch and a shift (gear) selector to change gears.
- A fifth wheel/tire that is stored on/in a vehicle for use if another becomes disabled.
Down
- Anti-Lock Brake system
- The areas of a car that the driver cannot easily see
- A high-speed divided highway without intersections.
- A driving condition where the tires of a car lose traction on a wet road.
- A strip of land separating traffic going in opposite directions.
- The privilege of the immediate use of the highway. Pedestrians always have this.
- Following too close to another vehicle.
- A payment credited against the purchase price of a vehicle, which reduces the amount to be financed.
- For a vehicle that has been financed through a loan, this is the difference at any time between what a vehicle is worth at that time and the amount that is then owed on the loan.
- Abbreviation for Annual Percentage Rate. The cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate.
- A payment offered as an incentive by the manufacturer to consumers, which is usually applied by the consumer to reduce the net price of a vehicle.
- The legal document issued by the state in which the vehicle is purchased that reflects the person/entity registered with the state as its legal owner.
How did you do? Can you believe this is all from a simple drivers ed handbook? Whether you’ve been following along with my musings about the automotive world, you randomly stumbled upon this post somehow, or you’re just simply interested in cars, this is for all of you! We all are surrounded by cars everyday in some fashion, and it is my goal to give you all the information I can to make the automotive world easier for you.
KEY
Across
- carbonfootprint
- fwd
- capitalizedcost
- hybrid
- manual
- spare
Down
- abs
- blindspot
- freeway
- hydroplane
- median
- rightofway
- tailgating
- downpayment
- equity
- apr
- rebate
- title
You might think most of these facts are common sense, but you’d be surprised how frequently questions are asked about them. Test your knowledge and find out what is true and what is false! Scroll down to compare your answers.
- Rotating tires is important because it allows the tires to serve in all positions and keeps them from wearing unevenly.
- All cars need an engine oil change every 3000 miles.
- Automobile radiators are coolant exchangers used for heating internal combustion engines.
- RPM means Revolutions Per Minute, which measures the frequency of rotational speed.
- Spark plugs are necessary to your car starting. Poor quality spark plugs can lead to a drop in fuel economy.
- When the engine light comes on, it means you have a serious engine problem that must be checked immediately.
- Leaving the engine running while putting in gas isn’t actually that dangerous.
- TRUE. Each car can wear unevenly for a number of reasons, so rotating your tires regularly allows your tires to serve in the front and rear position which helps to even out their wear.
- FALSE. While some modern cars can put on up to 10,000 miles without fresh oil, every car needs an oil change on occasion depending on the make and model. You don’t have to worry about changing it every 3000 miles, but a change is necessary.
- FALSE. Radiators are heat exchangers used for cooling internal combustion engines. They transfer thermal energy from one medium to another for the purpose of cooling and heating.
- TRUE. RPM stands for revolutions per minute and measures the number of rotations (revolutions) completed around a fixed axis in one minute.
- TRUE. Spark plugs emit a spark of electricity that create the ignition for the combustion needed to start a car. With poor quality or unhealthy ones, your car will not be as powerful and can lead to a fuel economy drop.
- FALSE. While it could indicate a severe issue needing immediate help, this light usually indicates a detection of a fault in the engine management system. There are a variety of situations that can lead to what the light can mean, and while you should get it checked as soon as you can, don’t panic and think you have to go to the shop immediately.
- FALSE. Leaving the engine running while pumping gas can potentially generate a spark that can lead to a catastrophic ignition. While there are million-to-one odds that your car will be the one to generate a fatal spark around flammable gas, it still has happened and poses a risk. I would just heir on the side of caution and not bet against the odds.
How did you do? I hope this helped debunk some car myths and clear up some commonly asked questions! Send this to your friends and find out who really is the smartest!
Sometimes the need for speed hits, and I just want to watch a movie that is totally about cars. If you’ve ever felt the same way, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite car-themed movies to help you get your fix! Check it out:
1. Cars: I’m sure I don’t even need to explain this one—it’s a classic. But for those of you who haven’t seen Cars, just know that it’s got all the creativity and fun of Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and other great Pixar movies, but with an awesome car theme that any kid (or adult) can enjoy!
2. Gone in 60 Seconds: This movie from 2000 has an exciting plot wherein a retired car thief is forced back into the business to save his brother’s life. Sure, the storyline is a little far-fetched, but isn’t that why we love movies? You’ll get sucked into this thriller for sure!
3. Fast and the Furious: Another awesome action car movie! Seeing this one is a no-brainer because of Paul Walker (naturally), but also because the cars and illegal street racing will draw you in and keep you coming back for all the furiously fun sequels.
4. The Love Bug: This old-school Disney movie is about as charming as a car movie can get. In this movie, Herbie “The Love Bug” is a Volkswagen Beetle with a mind of his own. He becomes a lovable character that really seems to come to life, without any talking at all! His owner is a race car driver who comes to be a champion while behind the wheel of Herbie—an unusual pair to say the least.
5. Drive: Ryan Gosling—enough said. In this movie, Gosling plays a man of many trades: garage mechanic, Hollywood stuntman, and getaway driver. Though he’s trying to get away from a sketchy history, he gets into trouble when he falls for his married neighbor. You’ll have to watch the rest to see how it turns out!
