Gallery Archives - Page 19 of 19

6 Reasons Why Dieselgate Could Benefit a Car Buyer

Jason Unrau
November 10, 2015

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By now, the whole world over has heard about Volkswagen’s woes. The iconic German car maker has been integrating software into its diesel engine-equipped cars and SUV’s that detects when it is undergoing an emissions test so it can modify its operation to fool the testing equipment. The end result is up to 40 times the legal limit of air pollution leaving the tailpipes of millions of diesel Volkswagens.

This isn’t going to be just a slap on the wrist for Volkswagen. It’s estimated that there will be billions of dollars in fines from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will put a tangible damper on VW’s ability to operate. The top executives and other participants who knowingly implemented the illegal software defeat will probably be prosecuted criminally. And they’ve already suffered a stinging blow to their reputation which will affect the purchasing decisions of countless car buyers.

The most recent development has now landed Volkswagen’s sister companies, Audi and Porsche, in the same hot soup. Previously only the 2010 Car of the Year, the Audi A3 TDI with a 2.0-liter clean diesel engine, was part of the debacle. Now, 3.0-liter diesel engines that produce up to nine times the legal limit of nitrous oxide emissions are added to the list. That includes:

2015 Porsche Cayenne
2016 Audi A7 AND A8 Quattro
2016 Audi Q5
2014 Volkswagen Touareg

That’s really bad news for an automaker that was hoping their ill-advised acts would slowly disappear from the headlines. Just when the Dieselgate issue was settling down and cooling off on the back burner, a new batch of vehicles pulls them right back into the fire.

How Does This Benefit the Buyer?

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What is a terrible (though self-inflicted) situation for Volkswagen could ultimately be of significant benefit to someone in the market for a new or used car.

Dependable Cars

Volkswagen has always had a brilliant history of building dependable, long-lasting cars and though the future is grim with Dieselgate hanging over them, their vehicles are just as reliable as they were before. Their engines are still efficient and solid, and last forever. Their transmissions are still as dependable as they always have been. The interior gadgetry is still innovative and their cars are well-appointed. Their vehicle designs are still aerodynamic and attractive. Volkswagen cars are still among the best-built cars on the road.

Blowout Prices

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Volkswagen prices have plummeted. Dealerships are reeling from the announcement that they have to hold all diesel stock until further notice, or at least until a repair is released for the software defeat. Not only are they saddled with cars they can’t sell, but they don’t have customers coming through the doors. The population of Volkswagen buyers as a whole have turned their backs on the dealers that sell the brand and have exchanged their pride in the German cars for disdain. The only recourse VW dealers have right now is to drop their prices to blow out the cars they are able to sell.

8 Great SUVs for a Connected Outdoors Lifestyle

Jason Unrau
October 27, 2015

Pages: 1 2 3

The outdoors is calling again.

It seems these days, nearly every generation and demographic group are becoming reacquainted with the great outdoors. From hiking and fishing to hunting and skiing, there is a push to enjoy the nature and beauty that surrounds us.

There is a massive difference in how that happens now, as opposed to the secluded, off-the-grid nature experience of previous generations. Now, kids and adults alike need to stay connected. They need to be comfortable. It is now an experience, not a lifestyle for most.

Vehicles are now catering to the experience-based nature lover. With optional equipment that includes WiFi hotspots and luxurious amenities, the outdoors-capable vehicles have much more than a sturdy frame and four-wheel drive.

Here are some great SUVs for an outdoors lifestyle:

Jeep Wrangler

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It seems almost cheesy to mention the Wrangler. It fits on every list of capable SUVs. With a rock-solid four-wheel drive and a rugged appearance, weather-resistant interior, and basic features, it’s a go-to vehicle for outdoor enthusiasts. It has an available 285-horsepower engine that provides propulsion the optional Rock-Trac 4x4 system and Tru-Loc locking differentials, making it more than able to go places most others can’t. For the diehards a Jeep Wrangler is a formidable option, though millennials and hipsters may not find enough comfort and convenience options to be attractive.

Chevrolet Tahoe

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You can combine rugged durability and feature comforts to get you in and out of nature without losing touch with the rest of the world. Tahoe is a full-size SUV with loads of interior space for cargo without compromising on elbow room for passengers. Luxury features like an available 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display and heated leather seating surfaces make getting into the bush comfortable while the 355-horsepower V-8 engine pushes the Autotrac 4WD over even the roughest terrain. And let’s not forget the most important feature for the connected generations: a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot courtesy of OnStar.

7 Worst Problems for your Car in Winter

Jason Unrau
October 22, 2015

Pages: 1 2 3

It’s that time of year when all you want to do is grab a warm blanket and hibernate in your bed until it passes. It’s that time when everything becomes more difficult, takes longer, and is literally painful because of the weather.

It’s called ‘winter’.

It may come as little or no solace, but your vehicle finds winter just as tough as you do. Every joint feels stiffer, every task is more difficult, and performance is sluggish. There is no easy way through winter besides shoving off on a five-month cruise, and that’s an option not available to your vehicle.

Preparation is the best prevention of vehicle problems in the wintertime, and the only way to be prepared is to be aware of the most common vehicle problems in winter. Here are the seven worst things for your car during winter.

Your Coolant Strength is Too Weak

Your engines water pump circulates coolant throughout passages, through the heater core, and through the radiator. The coolant, also known as antifreeze, is responsible for removing heat from the engine and dissipating it in the radiator. Although it may seem ironic to discuss heat dissipation in the winter, the task still needs to be performed. Engines produce mass amounts of heat, and temperatures will skyrocket if the antifreeze doesn’t flow whether it’s -40F or 100F outside.

Engine antifreeze prevents the fluid from freezing in the engine, which not only restricts the coolant flow but also can cause horrific amounts of damage to the whole cooling system. Making sure your coolant strength is good for -40F is excellent standard practice no matter what climate you operate in. The rule of thumb is usually mixing the straight antifreeze 50/50 with distilled water. If you are using pre-mixed coolant, obviously don’t mix it any further.

Spinning Tires When you are Stuck

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If you’ve ever driven in snowy and icy conditions, you’ve likely been stuck or hung up in the snow with your vehicle and know the frustration associated with it. If you find yourself in this place, be very careful about spinning your tires. You may need to spin them to get traction and pull yourself out of a sticky situation, but be sure your tires won’t either suddenly grab the pavement, or jerkily move between the gears on an automatic transmission. Not only will spinning your tires wear your tires extremely fast, but the sudden grip on the tires from reaching pavement, or the sudden shifting from drive to reverse to drive to reverse can cause severe damage to your transmission. It can be as bad as a differential pin flying through the transmission case, so beware.

20 Most Iconic Cars of Hollywood

Staff Writer
October 15, 2015

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Cars and movies have a long, rich history. From the ragged out shell that eventually became the Ghostbuster’s ride to Christine to the iconic DeLorean in the Back to the Future Movies (and countless others), America’s love affair with the automobile is intimately intertwined with our love for movies. What are some of the most iconic cars ever to grace the big screen? There have been plenty, but we’ve collected some of the most impressive (and sometimes notorious) cars from movies below in no particular order.

Christine

Who could forget the possessed, sentient car that loved its owner as much as he loved it? Christine was a 1958 Plymouth Fury, and the rumor is that director John Carpenter actually destroyed 20 or so of them during the filming of the movie.

DeLorean

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No list of iconic Hollywood cars would be complete without the DeLorean that was so very iconic in the Back to the Future franchise. If you came of age back then, this was probably your ultimate dream car. While the DeLorean is no longer around, the movies still are and you can get your fix anytime.

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Porsche: 10
Ferrari: 10
Ford: 10
Chevrolet: 10
Camaro: 5
Mustang: 5
Volkswagen: 10
Dodge: 10
Buick: 10
Chrysler: 10
Pontiac: 10
Impala: 5
Movie: 2
Plymouth: 10
Fury: 5
Trans Am: 5
Imperial: 5
Lotus: 10
Esprit: 5
Batmobile: 10
Cadillac: 10
Charger: 5
Roadmaster: 5
Mini: 10
Cooper: 5
Aston Martin: 10
Beetle: 5
Falcon: 5
928: 5
Performance: 6

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Top 10 Tracks to Attend a NASCAR Race

Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of best tracks to see a Nascar race

Staff Writer

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If you’ve only watched NASCAR racing on television, you haven’t experienced even a tenth of the brutal power, pure adrenaline and gut-wrenching action of the racing world. You HAVE to attend a NASCAR race in person to really get the full experience. Of course, there are tracks and then there are tracks, and the one you actually visit will make a huge difference in your overall experience. What are the best NASCAR tracks out there? We’ve compiled a list of the 10 best in the nation (in no particular order) to save you the hassle.

Daytona Speedway

We’ll start this list with the perhaps the most famous of all NASCAR tracks. It might not be held on the beach anymore, but the Daytona Speedway in Daytona, Florida is a hugely popular track, and the races held here are some of the most important of the entire season. Of course, the granddaddy of all races is the Daytona 500, but there are others held here throughout the year that are almost as enjoyable.

Talladega Super Speedway

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If you’re into the party scene and want to get your groove on at a NASCAR track, then Talladega is the place for you. Of course, there are more things to enjoy here than just the festive atmosphere. It’s also the longest track in NASCAR, and has been rated as the most dangerous, as well. It ranks as one of the fastest, too, and drivers can get over 190 MPH (which increases the likelihood of an accident, of course). Depending on the source, it’s ranked as the best or near the best track to attend in person.

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9 of the Best Apps for Drivers

Staff Writer
October 13, 2015

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Longing for the days when smart cars will take over and you can just sit back and enjoy the ride? Wish you could have your own onboard ‘Jarvis’ to tell you what’s up ahead, what’s coming down the road, or what that weird noise is coming from your engine? While we’re not quite there yet (but it is coming!), there are plenty of smartphone and tablet apps out there that can help make your dumb car at least a little smarter. If you’ve taken a look at the App Store or Google Play recently, you know that they’re both cluttered with potentially useless apps that are little more than a waste of time and money. How do you figure out which ones are worth your time? Here are 9 of the best apps for drivers.

Waze

Looking for a way to dodge those traffic snarls on your way home from the office? Waze is one of the most popular navigation apps, and it’s pretty fully featured, as well. Information is crowd-sourced and real-time, so you’re warned well ahead of time about things that might add extra time to your drive.

Canary

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Got a teen driver? Got a case of the nerves? We feel for you, but Canary can help. It’s available for both iOS and Android, and it’s a free app. Canary is all about keeping tabs on your teen driver’s phone use (not necessarily their driving habits). It’s really geared for making sure your teen isn’t doing something dumb like texting behind the wheel. It uses GPS information combined with phone usage records to tell you if your kid is texting, talking on the phone or doing something else with the device at speeds higher than 12 MPH.

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9 Must Have Auto Accessories

Staff Writer
October 4, 2015

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Automakers do a great deal to make today’s cars, trucks and vans more comfortable and accommodating than ever before. There are new features like satellite radio built in, new infotainment systems, heated seats and much, much more. Of course, there’s simply no way an automaker can account for every little thing you might want or need, so auto accessory makers have to step in to fill the gap. There’s a wide, wide world of accessories out there for your vehicle, but which are “must have” options? Here are some of the most important.

1. Tire Gauge

We’ll start our list with some of the more mundane yet essential options. One of the most important is a tire pressure gauge. This ensures that you’re able to easily and accurately check your tires at all times. Even if your car has a tire monitoring system built into it, you should still have a tire gauge on hand at all times. You can opt for either analog or digital. Digital technology is more accurate, but these models require batteries and they tend to be larger. Analog gauges might be a little less accurate, but you never need to worry about the batteries being dead.

2. Jumper Cables

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A dead battery is frustrating in the extreme, particularly if you have to wait for someone to come along and help out. That situation is compounded if you don’t have jumper cables (the other driver might not either, meaning you’re in no better shape than you were). Make sure you have a set of jumper cables on hand at all times in your car. There are several options here, ranging from compact sets designed to tuck away easily to those that come with their own battery pack. You just need to make sure to keep the battery charged at all times.

20 Things That Should Be in Your Roadside Emergency Kit

A vehicle emergency kit needs warning triangles

Staff Writer
September 24, 2015

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Emergencies can happen at any time, to anyone on the road. Whether you have decades of experience behind the wheel, or you’ve only been driving for a year or two, there is always the possibility that something will go wrong, leaving you stranded, or even injured. Each season brings its own unique risk factors – ice and snow in the winter, heavy thunderstorms in the summer, spring winds and rains – and you must be prepared for them.

The simplest way is to ensure that you have a fully equipped roadside emergency kit. However, you need more than just a set of basic tools. Not sure what your kit should contain? Don’t worry. Here’s a list of the most important items for your roadside emergency kit.

20. Engine Coolant

Keep a jug of engine coolant in your kit just in case. Blown hoses, pinhole leaks and other issues can cause your car to run hot. With extra coolant on board, you’ll be able to top off easily.

19. Tire Pressure Gauge

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Don’t get caught by a low tire. A tire pressure gauge ensures that you’re always able to set your tire pressure correctly, and check your tires on the go.

10 Most Affordable SUVs of 2015

Jeep Patriot is one of more affordable SUVs on the road.

Staff Writer
September 15, 2015

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No matter how you cut it, the SUV has become an integral part of the American auto scene. They’re everywhere today and they come in all shapes and sizes; from full-size SUVs that clearly share the DNA of the hardworking American pickup truck to compact crossovers that blur the line between SUVs and passenger cars. There’s something for every need in this category. Moreover, there’s something for every budget. If you’re in the market for a new sport utility vehicle and don’t want to break the bank, you’ll find plenty of affordable SUV options out there. Below, we’ll cover some of the most affordable SUVs choices available to you.

10. Toyota 4Runner

The Toyota 4Runner is yet another SUV that’s been around for a very long time. The 2015 model starts at $32,000, so it’s at the outside of what you might term "affordable". With that being said, it’s definitely worth a look. Delivering 17 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, the 4Runner is powered by a V6 engine, and offers lots of interior space. The on-road handling is good, and off-road performance is excellent.

9. Jeep Grand Cherokee

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Priced at $30,000 for the base model, the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most popular mid-sized SUVs out there. It doesn’t deliver wonderful fuel economy, but you’ll find that the Jeep’s 17 mpg in town and 25 mpg on the highway won’t break the bank. What really sets it apart is the comfort and ride quality combined with its serious off-road capabilities, which are all too often mutually exclusive.

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10 Things You Do That Cause Your Car Damage

Staff Writer
September 9, 2015

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When most of us think about vehicle damage, we picture auto accidents and fender-benders, or maybe a runaway shopping cart colliding with it in a parking lot. Of course, there are plenty of other ways that your car can be damaged – a rock kicked up by the truck ahead of you can crack your windshield. An animal in the road can do some serious damage. Road debris can also be devastating. However, there are many things that you might be doing that are damaging your car without even knowing it. Here are some of the most surprising (and most easily stopped) ways that you’re causing your car damage.

10. Unload Your Stuff

Most of us carry more than a few things in the car at all times, but you might be taking things to the extreme. The more weight you keep in your car, the harder you’re forcing the engine and transmission to work. That costs extra fuel, yes, but it also adds unnecessary wear and tear. Lighten up.

9. Not Using Your Parking Brake

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If you’ve ever parked on a hill and just put the transmission into park, you’ve felt the vehicle roll backward and then stop with a “thunk”. That’s the weight of the vehicle resting on the transmission, and it’s damaging the system. First, put the transmission in neutral, and then engage the parking brake. Finally, put the car in park and avoid excessive wear.

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