Tag Archive for: Automotive

Automotive: How Do You Know Which Oil is Best For Your Car?

Vehicle engines require oil for several different reasons. Oil prevents wear and tear by protecting metal surfaces from rubbing against one another. If dust and grit get into your engine, oil will carry away this debris and reduce the risk of damage. To make sure your engine is kept in great shape, review the tips below.

Start With Your Manual

The manufacturer may recommend a brand for best results. Your manual can also give you a recommended viscosity.

Viscosity refers to the thickness of the oil. If you live in a cold country, your manual or mechanic may recommend changing to a lower viscosity oil before winter. Cold conventional oil is thicker and will provide less protection until the engine warms up.

Your manual may also recommend a synthetic oil rather than a conventional oil. Synthetics are less limited by extreme temperatures, so an October oil change to a lower-viscosity oil may not be necessary.

If you find that your vehicle is low on oil and you want to add to it but don’t have synthetic available, you can add conventional oil. There are no dangers in mixing synthetic and conventional oils.

Pay Attention to Temperature

Even the best oils can break down if exposed to very high heat for extended periods of time. If you’re planning a long road trip and will need an oil change when you get home, go ahead and get the oil change done before you travel.

Drivers tend to think of the radiator as the only part of the car that keeps things cool. However, the oil that pumps through your engine, lubricating metal parts and carrying away debris and grit, also contributes to cooling. When your oil is old, it may be loaded with excess debris or start to break down under extreme heat.

This breaking down of oil can leave a product known as “varnish” on the metal components of your engine. Varnish means that seals don’t quite fit; metal pistons that once fit snugly may now have gaps that waste fuel, and oil, and lead to more heat build-up.

You’re always safest to get your oil changed a bit early. Again, review your manual and take a look at the calendar and temperature recommendations.

Focus on Your Filter

The debris and gunk carried away by your engine oil will eventually become trapped in the filter. If you’re just adding oil when it’s low but never getting the filter changed, you’re putting your engine in grave danger.

A clogged filter can put your oil pump at risk. If your oil pump fails, it can lead to the same conditions as running your car with no oil at all. For those hoping to save money by changing their own oil, review your manual and purchase both a filter and enough oil to refill your oil reservoir.

Once you’ve installed the new filter and added fresh oil, let your car rest for a bit. DIY oil changes can fail for a couple of reasons. If you don’t get the plugin tight enough, oil will leak from the pan. If you don’t get the filter on tight enough, oil will leak around the filter. Putting a piece of fresh cardboard under your car overnight is a good way to make sure everything is properly sealed up before you drive away.

Consider How Many Miles You Have On Your Car

An engine that has a lot of miles on it may benefit from high-mileage oil. These oils are loaded with additives that can actually reinvigorate an older engine. For example, these oils feature seal conditioners.

The seals and gaskets in your vehicle are made of soft, flexible materials. Time and heat can leave these seals brittle; if a seal cracks or fails, you can have a serious engine repair bill. Once you have 75,000 miles on an engine, changing to a high-mileage oil may be one of the simplest ways to protect your engine for the next 75,000 miles.

Regular oil changes are an investment in your vehicle. Don’t let this crucial maintenance fall off the schedule! Check your oil once a month and get it changed as recommended by your manual and mechanic.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Best Oil

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Automotive: What Are the Top Rated Vehicles for 2024?

Modern shopping is full of conveniences that were unheard of just a few years ago! However, there’s still no shortcut when it comes to buying a car. That takes research. While dealers have made browsing easier than ever, shoppers still need to put time into finding the right cars. This snapshot of the best vehicles for 2024 is a great starting point.

Top-rated Vehicles for 2024

No list takes the pulse of the current vehicle market like the Edmunds Top Rated Awards list! For 2024, the company looked at 500 vehicles to identify the cars offering the best performance and value. Here’s a look at the winners by category:

  • Best of the Best: 2024 Kia EV9
  • Top Car: 2024 Toyota Prius
  • Top Electric Car: 2024 BMI i5
  • Top SUV: 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid
  • Top Electric SUV: 2024 Kia EV
  • Top Truck: 2024 Chevrolet Colorado
  • Top Electric Truck: 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning

This list represents the strongest picks for cars, trucks, and SUVs that customers can buy today. However, the casual observer might also notice that there’s a lot of range between these vehicles. Working your way backward by starting with the features that are the most important is a good way to narrow down the winners in your own personal category.

What Features Are Most Important?

Bells and whistles can certainly create an inspiring driving experience! However, safety remains the most important feature for most car buyers today. Consumers are increasingly seeking out high-tech features that help to increase visibility and awareness of the road. For example, new automatic emergency braking systems that prevent collisions when other vehicles are sensed can help to either prevent or reduce impact on the road. Similar systems can also detect pedestrians. Warning alert systems for blind spots are also making the must-have list for many shoppers. While rear-facing cameras have been around for a while, car buyers are increasingly looking for 360-degree surround-view camera systems that give the driver the ability to see the vehicle from a bird’s-eye view. This feature delivers unprecedented visibility to help drivers avoid hitting objects or people when backing up or parking.

Some must-have features for 2024 carry over from previous years. For instance, drivers still rely on built-in navigation systems for the safety and convenience they offer. Keyless entry and zoned climate systems are also holding steady as highly desirable features.

How to Get the Best Deal When Purchasing a New Vehicle

The best way to avoid overpaying for a new vehicle is to show up at the dealership knowing exactly what you want. After carefully researching the vehicle you want, narrow down the trim level and features that are right for you. You can use this information to set the price that you’re ready to pay for your new car. While a buyer’s ability to negotiate purchase price varies by dealer, all dealers base asking price on a vehicle’s Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Knowing the MSRP of the model you want to test drive allows you to avoid the time and hassle of a dealer “upselling” a pricier model.

The area where the buyer has the most control over a vehicle’s price is interest rate. If you’ll be financing a car, make sure you know your credit score ahead of time to gauge the types of rates that could be available to you. Like homebuyers, vehicle buyers are free to shop around for rates from different lenders when purchasing cars.

Finally, trading in a current vehicle can be a way to slash the price of a new vehicle. It’s important to go in with an understanding of the current value of your vehicle. Be sure to base your assessment on actual market data instead of making assumptions stemming from your personal attachment to a vehicle. Many shoppers go in with inflated hopes about how much they will get for a trade-in vehicle because they aren’t taking an objective, market-based view.

Electric or Gas Powered: Which Type of Vehicle Is Best for You?

The question of electric versus gas is becoming increasingly relevant for new car buyers. A driver’s lifestyle is often the biggest factor when determining which choice is best. When making the decision, it’s important to weigh your long-term financial and sustainability goals against what is feasible in terms of both budget and mileage capacity.

Electric and hybrid vehicles offer eco-friendly driving that can help drivers to ditch high gas prices. However, shoppers can’t ignore the fact that shorter ranges, long charging times, and higher initial expenses can put these high-tech vehicles out of reach for someone who simply needs a daily commuting vehicle that won’t break the bank. A traditional gas-powered car allows drivers to fill up easily without any anxiety about long ranges. Of course, this familiar choice comes with the burden of high fuel costs. Some drivers are also eager to get away from dependence on oil for environmental reasons.

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Five Ways to Renovate a Used Car, Make it Sparkle Anew

Reconditioning an old car is a great way to save some cash. Slightly changing just a few things can make a used car look just like new. Not only can you make your car look better, but you can also improve its functionality. Here are five approaches to reviving used cars and making them look like new.

1. Freshen Up the Paint Job

The most apparent way of refurbishing a used car is through repainting. The paint on a car can chip and fade with time, making the vehicle look old, but a fresh coat of paint completely changes that. You can allow a professional to do it for you or decide to take the challenge on yourself. If you choose to do it yourself, make sure you clean and sand the car before painting so that there are no bumps. You can experiment with custom paint kits to add a personalized feel. There is a wide range of colors and patterns that you can select to make your car unique to you.

2. Upgrade the Interior

The interior quality of a car is essential to those who ride in it often. If the seats are worn or there is a crack on the dashboard, it can make the car look old. This can be easily fixed with interior upgrading. First, vacuum and polish the inside of your car–especially on the carpeting. If the seats are beyond repair, consider getting them reupholstered or adding seat covers for a different modern look. You can replace any cracked or faded plastic panels on the dashboard as well as add accessories, such as new floor mats or a steering wheel cover, to provide an updated look.

3. Install New Headlights and Taillights

The headlights and taillights are important from both a visual and safety standpoint. Over time, these lights could fade, becoming foggy and making them inefficient. When changing them, you can decide between the same stock lights or switching to the energy-saving LED ones. Consult the car manual to ensure that the lights you buy will connect properly to your car. This change will not only make your car look better, but it will also give you a clear night view.

4. Add New Wheels and Tires

The wearing out of the wheels, tires, or both has a massive effect on how a car appears. The switch to contemporary wheels and tires makes your second-hand vehicle look more stylish as well as elegant with a single sweep. You can opt for various designs and sizes depending on your car’s style and size. In addition, upgrading to good quality tires can also boost the performance and safety of a car on the road.

5. Repair Mechanical Defects

Restoration of a secondhand car does not only mean cosmetic changes. Mechanical repairs are just as important, if not more so. Have your car fully checked by a mechanic if it hasn’t been run in some time. This will allow you to detect any potential issues and thus fix them before they get worse. Minor repairs like fluid replacement, worn-out belts, and switching out old filers can improve your used car’s efficiency and safety.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Liquid Concepts

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