Driving for the first time can be scary, you aren’t sure what to expect, but you are full of excitement. Before you put the pedal to the metal and take off, you should read these top 10 things that all new drivers need to know. 1. There are no take-backs in driving. You need to pay attention to all of your surroundings because if you hit something you can’t take back that action with an apology. There are consequences that you have to own up to and face, not to mention it can be very pricey. 2. Speeding is overrated. You might think it’s cool, and you want to impress someone with your led foot, but it’s very dangerous. It’s not only hazardous to yourself but the other drivers on the road. Take your time, don’t speed, and enjoy the view you have while driving. 3. What to do when you get pulled over. You might be freaking out the first time you get pulled over or worry that the police are going to call your parents. They don’t call your par ... read more

It’s a cliche to say that we Americans love our cars. But just because something is a cliche doesn’t mean it isn’t 100 percent true. We do love our cars! Why, though? Well, cars mean freedom for a lot of us. What’s better than grabbing your keys and jumping behind the wheel to take off on the spur of the moment--on a road trip to a famous location, to visit an old friend, or just to pick up some late-night munchies? To a lot of Americans, our cars reflect our personalities. And why not? Most of us spend an awful lot of time behind the wheel. Why not take the time to figure out exactly what kind of vehicle both meets our needs and tells the world, “Hey, world, here I am!” What do different types of cars say about their owners? Pickup truck drivers tend to be hardworking and no-nonsense. People drive hybrids both to save money on gas and because they care about the environment. Drivers of sports cars like to feel powerful and attractive. Do you kno ... read more

Do you stress out when December rolls around, and you struggle to find the perfect gifts for the car lovers on your list? We feel your pain. You can only give someone so many dashboard bobbleheads and “funny” bumper stickers (My Other Car Is an [Insert Reference to Hobby of Choice] before your car enthusiast giftees will start giving you the stink eye (or, worse, asking for gift cards). But don’t despair! We’ve compiled a list of some unusual and cool gifts for your gearhead friends and family members. Car Seat Gap Filler Did you even know that this is a thing? It’s a thing! Car seat gap fillers fit in between the car seats and the center console to keep small items from falling into the gap and disappearing forever. If you’ve ever dropped your cell phone in between your seat and the center console of your car, you can probably appreciate the car seat gap filler. Maybe your car enthusiast will, too! No Blind Spot Rearview Mirror This mirror shows a ... read more

It’s hard to believe it’s November already. Are you and your car both ready for the cold weather? It’s not just a matter of staying warm inside your car as you drive through the snow or navigate icy roads. You need to make sure that your car can handle the chilly and sometimes slippery or visibility-limited conditions. There are a few things you can do every Autumn to keep you and your family safe on the roads in Winter. Keep an emergency winter supply box in your car. Last month’s post enumerated everything that should be included in a well-stocked emergency car kit, so please refer to that post for the full list. Important winter-specific items should include an ice scraper and a small shovel; a carpet remnant, kitty litter, or sand for traction; blankets, gloves, and changes of warm clothes for you and your passengers; and some high-energy snacks like nuts, chocolate, and beef jerky. Other items that are important to have with you year-round include a flash ... read more

OK. Is there such a thing as most popular with women? In what some people (not us!) might term “the good old days,” cars were something that only men were supposed to know or care about. Automobile manufacturers advertised to men in commercials written by men. The assumption was that men bought the cars, men drove the cars, men by their very nature understood cars. (Women? Not so much.)   The process of shopping for and buying a car was so manly it practically screamed (well, bellowed in a very deep voice) “ladies, stay away! And while you’re at it, bake me a pie!”   If a woman even dared to venture alone into the testosterone-fueled atmosphere of a dealership showroom, she most certainly would be patronized by the plaid-suit-wearing, cigar-chewing salesman (always a man) and told “Here’s the perfect car for you, little lady--look, it even has a light-up vanity mirror so you can check your lipstick while your husband is driving you ar ... read more

Chicago, IL Of course, there’s always something to see and do in Chicago. That goes without saying. But if you want to play tourist, drive the short distance to Chicago and treat yourself to a weekend getaway. Here are a few places to consider visiting in Chicago: The Chicago Mural in Logan Square The National Hellenic Museum in Greektown Some of the ethnic restaurants Paseo Boricua in the Humboldt Park neighborhood or Little Vietnam near Broadway in Uptown Watch comedy improvisation from The Second City at Chicago Mainstage   Geneva, IL With its boutique shops, fabulous cuisine, lovely weather, and plenty of activities, Geneva is a terrific place to drive. You can meet with friends, visit the Fabyan Windmill, or take a long bike ride along the Fox River Trail.   Milwaukee, WI If you like beer, you need to go here. The people are friendly and there are plenty of family-friendly activities. Top picks are the Harley-Davidson Museum, Discovery World, and the Milw ... read more

Myths have been a part of automotive service forever. Time to bust another one; All the talk about "corroding buss bars" in Hybrid Battery Packs misses the more major point; the internal corrosion. As the battery creates electricity, electron flow is created. Plate particles float in the electron flow from the negative pole to the positive pole. Because of the magnetic property of electricity, these particles "stick" to the positive, creating resistance, in the same way as "corrosion" does on the buss bars. Eventually this internal corrosion will cause the Hybrid light to come on. Most shops and all dealers just replace the battery. There is a better choice. Do you know what it is? $50 CARS of America gift card to the first person that sends the correct answer to [email protected]. Winner will be determined by time stamp. P.S. It's ok if you don ... read more

Urban Myth Busting - Hybrid-Electric Cars Need No Maintenance False. However, it is not more or less false than the misleading information consumers have been getting from the new car manufacturers for the past 110 years or so.   There seems to be two schools of thought on performing Preventive Maintenance (PM) on anything mechanical, especially Hybrid Vehicles; people that do it, and those that do not. For a third-party opinion with no ulterior motives for their research, please refer to the 2004 University of Michigan study on Automotive Life Cycles where it was demonstrated that the cost of keeping a conventional car longer by maintaining it, saves up to 60% ( $5,300/year versus $1,800 per year) in the annual cost of ownership compared to trading it in  every four and a half years. The savings are even more on a Hybrid Veh ... read more

Have you ever wondered how hybrid cars came about? We seem to be seeing them and hearing a lot about them in recent years, but are they really brand new?   You would be surprised to know that hybrid vehicles, a car that is powered by both gasoline and an electric engine dates all the way back to 1898. Yes, you read that correctly, the first hybrid automobile was created in the 1800s!   Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was the first to construct a car made up of  gasoline engine and electric powered motor. This car was successful and was able to drive up to 40 miles, which back then was a lot.       The Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid - the first hybrid vehicle to ever exist     Not long after Porsche launched this vehicle, European automakers began creating their hybrid version of cars too. By 1905, Henry Ford was creating and mass-producing gasoline powered vehicles that were more affordable and thus but an end to the hybrid car revolution ... read more

It is no secret that electric vehicles will be the choice car of the future, but just how soon will that future become our reality? For the year 2017, The Consumer Federation of America has projected that the sales of electric vehicles will increase by more than 100 percent against the 2016 numbers. As you probably know, Nissan just launched the 2018 Leaf. The Nissan Leaf is known as the world’s all-time best-selling highway-capable electric car in history with over 250,000 being sold through 2016. It is the only 100% battery powered car in Nissan’s lineup to date, sparking other car manufacturers to follow suit and launch their own versions of electric vehicles. Launching in 2010 with high projections in place, t ... read more