Filed under: Commerce
Continue reading Celebrate Earth Day by saving up to 31% on Greenworks electric lawn tools
Celebrate Earth Day by saving up to 31% on Greenworks electric lawn tools originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Apr 2024 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Automotive History,Commercial Vehicles,Lightweight Vehicles,Classics
Continue reading Junkyard Gem: 1969 Walker Power Truck
Junkyard Gem: 1969 Walker Power Truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 30 Mar 2024 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: smart,Automotive History,Hatchback,Economy Cars,Lightweight Vehicles,Classics
Continue reading Scrapyard Gem: 2005 Smart ForFour Pulse
Scrapyard Gem: 2005 Smart ForFour Pulse originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Jan 2024 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Commerce,Parts and Accessories
Best portable jump starters for 2024 | Never get stuck with a dead car battery again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Jan 2024 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsThe post How to Get Your Car Ready for a Road Trip appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post What to Do When Your Car Breaks Down appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post Car Maintenance Tips to Help Keep Your Vehicle in Good Shape appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post What’s the Difference Between Premium and Unleaded Gasoline? appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post Tips For Driving Safely Around Emergency Vehicles appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post Driving During An Earthquake appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post What Is the Difference Between a Sunroof and Moonroof? appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post When’s the Best Time of Year to Buy a Car? appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
Whether your car sprung a leak or you spilled gasoline while filling up the lawn mower or snow blower, it can be easy for your driveway to end up with a few stains. Oil, transmission fluid and gasoline can leave behind spots that make your driveway or garage floor look greasy or discolored.
Regardless of whether a spot is new or old, follow these steps to help remove automotive stains from your paved driveway or uncoated concrete garage floor.
Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.
Oil can leave a dark stain on pavement, but you may be able to clean even stubborn spots out of your driveway. Good Housekeeping suggests following these steps to get oil stains out of your driveway or garage floor:
Some other possible solutions include:
Transmission fluid spills or leaks may leave a bright red stain on light-colored concrete. Here are some suggested steps for removing the stain from Reader’s Digest:
Sign up for our email newsletter.
Spilled gasoline not only leaves stains on your paved driveway, but it will likely leave an odor you’ll want to neutralize. BobVila.com recommends the following tips for cleaning a gasoline spill and removing the resulting stain:
Spills happen, but they don’t have to leave a permanent reminder on your driveway or garage floor. These simple tips may help you get most automotive stains out of your pavement or cement flooring.
Originally published on September 15, 2017.
The post How to Remove Automotive Stains From Your Driveway or Garage appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
Keeping your car in tip-top shape can help prevent unnecessary repair bills and unexpected trips to the mechanic. One essential car maintenance task is a routine oil change. Oil changes are a must for proper vehicle care, but they can be easy and relatively inexpensive.
Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.
Your car’s engine is complex and contains numerous moving parts. Oil lubricates these moving parts and keeps everything running smoothly, says Angie’s List. Over time some of the motor oil burns off — leaving a thick sludge behind. This sludge reduces the oil’s ability to lubricate the parts properly, which can lead to engine wear. Checking your oil can help determine if the oil needs to be changed and if there is enough in the car.
According to Cars.com, here are some of the reasons why you should change your car’s oil:
Consumer Reports suggests that drivers check their oil at every other gas fill-up. Start by consulting your owner’s manual. It should contain information on how to check the oil in your vehicle. Once your car is parked on level ground and the engine is off, Consumer Reports recommends these steps for checking your oil:
Which kind of oil you use in your vehicle depends on your engine’s needs and the manufacturer’s recommendations in the owner’s manual. You can choose synthetic oil, conventional oil or high-mileage oil, depending on your engine’s needs and the expected oil life. Also, you’ll need to choose the right viscosity for your engine — that information is typically found on your engine’s oil cap or in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
Sign up for our email newsletter.
Every car manufacturer has a slightly different recommended oil change schedule. Consult your owner’s manual to find your car manufacturer’s suggested oil change interval. When a dealership or service center changes your vehicle’s oil, they will typically put a sticker on your window to tell you when your car is due for another oil change.
When you have the oil changed, it’s a good idea to check the oil filter, as well. You may also want to perform other routine maintenance, such as checking the brakes, rotating the tires and topping off fluids, says Angie’s List. Be sure to ask your mechanic what inspections they perform during an oil change. Routine oil changes are a key part of car maintenance to help keep your vehicle running smoothly. If you need help checking or changing your oil, consult a car care professional.
Originally published on October 1, 2016.
The post Simple Tips for Checking and Changing Your Oil appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
Proper brake pad maintenance is not only critical for helping your car last, but also for your safety as a driver or passenger. Simply put, your vehicle’s brakes are what enable you to slow down and stop. To help ensure your vehicle can stop safely, consider these tips on when and how to check your car’s brake pads.
Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.
There’s no specific schedule for when it’s time to replace your brake pads, according to Cars.com. That means it’s a good idea to check your brake pads regularly to help determine the amount of wear and tear. Typical brake pad wear depends on how and where you drive, says Cars.com. For example, if you drive in urban areas, your brake pads may wear out faster than they would if you drove on rural roads due to the stopping and starting of city traffic.
Whether you go to a professional mechanic or handle maintenance yourself, it’s a good idea to check the brake pads each time your tires are rotated — about every six months, says Cars.com. It’s also a good idea to check your car owner’s manual or talk to a professional technician so you understand what service schedule and parts may be right for your particular vehicle.
Fortunately, brake pads are designed to provide clear signals that they need to be checked and possibly replaced. Here are some ways to check your brakes:
Here are a few ways you can be in-tune with your brakes and whether it’s time to have them checked.
If you have concerns about whether or not your brake system is functioning properly, you should have it inspected by a professionally immediately.
It can also be helpful to take a look at your brakes to see if there are any obvious signs of wear and tear. When the car is parked safely and the ignition is off, follow these tips for visually inspecting your brake pads:
Cars.com says some common signs that may indicate it’s time to replace your brake pads include:
If you do not feel comfortable checking your brake pads, take your vehicle to a local dealership or repair shop where a professional can do it for you. Not only will replacing worn brake pads help make your car safer, it may help save money in the long run by helping prevent avoidable accidents.
Originally published on May 29, 2017.
Sign up for our email newsletter.
The post When and How to Check Your Car’s Brake Pads appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
Seeing children grow and reach developmental milestones can be a rewarding experience for parents. But, some of those milestones, like helping your teen get a driver’s license or buying a car for your young driver, may come with some concerns and uncertainty. It helps to do some research to find the right car for your teen’s situation. These tips can help you get started with buying a car for your teen driver.
When choosing a car for your teen, vehicle size matters for a few reasons. For example, large, heavier cars may seem more difficult for a new driver to handle at first. But, bigger vehicles typically perform better in crash tests than their smaller counterparts, according to Consumer Reports. On the flip side, it’s important to consider that a larger vehicle usually allows for more passengers (which can be a potential driving distraction). While doing your research, it may be a good idea to check your state’s graduated driver licensing laws to understand how many passengers your teen may be allowed to have in their vehicle.
Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.
Sports cars are one type of car that should be avoided for teens, says Consumer Reports, because they have a higher rate of accidents when compared to other types of vehicles. These types of vehicles can also have high horsepower, which may tempt your teen to test its limits, says the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Consider your teen’s abilities and maturity level, and your budget, when choosing which size vehicle may be right for them.
Safety is likely a top priority when it comes to a car for your teen. Newer cars generally offer more safety features and have better crash protection, says Consumer Reports, so you may want to take the age of a car into consideration when choosing a vehicle.
It’s also a good idea to check a vehicle’s safety ratings. In addition to the ratings supplied by car manufacturers, consider looking at results from a safety-research group. One example is the 5-star rating program that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) administers each year to determine how new vehicles perform in front, side and rollover crash testing. A 5-star rating indicates the safest cars. In 2010, NHTSA also began assigning an overall vehicle score to tested cars along with a list of their included safety technologies, which may be helpful when comparing newer vehicles.
Some newer cars also include advanced safety features. Forward-collision warning, for example, provides drivers with visual or audio warnings when another car or object is in its path, says Consumer Reports. New vehicles may also include automatic emergency braking or a blind spot warning system, which can help drivers avoid an accident by alerting them of vehicles in their blind spot.
Sign up for our email newsletter.
Costs related to routine maintenance can vary from vehicle to vehicle. Consider expenses such as the price of oil changes, parts and tires. If you buy a luxury car for your teen, for example, it may cost more to fix when something goes wrong, says AutoTrader. This is because many luxury cars have higher-end gadgets and use specialized parts, making maintenance more expensive than an average car. Or, you may want to consider that larger cars can cost more to fuel up since they typically have a lower fuel economy when compared to smaller cars, says Consumer Reports.
After finding a potential car for your teen, you may also want to speak with an insurance agent to estimate the insurance costs so you know what to expect.
No matter which vehicle you choose for your teen, combining a reliable car with a responsible driver can help maximize the safety of your teen and their passengers. Remember these tips when researching vehicles so you can choose a car that meets your priorities and is appropriate for your teen.
The post Choosing the Right Vehicle for Your Young Driver appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post Most Commonly Stolen Cars In The U.S. And How To Avoid Buying A Stolen Vehicle appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post Slow Drivers: The Dangers of Driving Too Slowly appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
The post Driving Without A License: What Are The Risks? appeared first on The Allstate Blog.
Planning on driving to Mexico? The following guidelines can help you plan for your drive in Mexico. Keep reading to learn about some laws and unspoken customs before your trip.
Here are seven tips to keep in mind for your drive:
As a U.S. driver, you’re likely accustomed to road signs, strict right-of-way laws and traffic signals. Make sure you know the speed limits and understand the rules of the road in Mexico before you travel.
Oops. Something went wrong with the CTA block.
The Department of State advises driving on toll roads for increased safety and better road conditions. This is also recommended because outside of major cities in Mexico, emergency or police services may be limited.
Here are some common road conditions to look out for, according to USA today:
Driving in the daylight may be easier and safer in Mexico, says the Department of State. Remember, police or emergency services may be limited in some areas of Mexico (especially at night). The Department of State also advises visitors to avoid driving alone, if possible.
Turn signals in Mexico can be used to mean more than one thing, according to USA Today. For example, if you’re on the highway and the driver in front of you uses his left turn signal, this could indicate that it’s safe for you to pass him.
Oncoming drivers in Mexico will often enter your lane of the road to pass other vehicles, says Trip Savvy – and it’s typically expected that other vehicles will move over to accommodate them. If a vehicle is approaching in your lane from the opposite direction, you should move over and drive on the shoulder to allow them to pass.
You will cross a customs checkpoint when re-entering the United States. You’ll be asked to declare anything you purchase while in Mexico, says the Department of Homeland Security. You can find a complete list of items you can’t carry across the border on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website here.
Your U.S. auto insurance won’t cover you after crossing the border of Mexico. You’ll need a special Mexican auto insurance policy to legally drive in Mexico, which can be acquired through an insurance agent. If you’re planning to drive a rental car in Mexico, you may be able to purchase the insurance coverage directly through the rental agency, according to the Department of State.
Preparing for your drive ahead of time can help ensure you have a thorough understanding of what to expect while driving in Mexico. An agent can also help you find long-term or short-term insurance coverage options that are a good fit for your trip and needs. Visit Allstate’s Mexico tourist auto insurance page for more information.
The post 7 Things to Know Before Driving in Mexico appeared first on The Allstate Blog.