Owning a vehicle brings a lot of responsibilities, the primary one being maintaining the automobile. Regular car maintenance can prevent breakdowns and extend the life of your vehicle. However, most people tend to make many common car maintenance mistakes, which can cost them a lot of money in the long run. Read on to learn some common car maintenance mistakes that can be easily avoided, saving you a lot of hassle later on. Skipping regular maintenance One of the biggest mistakes individuals make is skipping regular maintenance since the process can help you catch small issues before they become big and expensive problems. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle. Not checking tire pressure Many people overlook tire pressure, but keeping your tires inflated is important. Underinflated tires can lead to poor gas mileage, uneven tire wear, and even a blowout while driving. Check your tire pressure regularly and keep them inflated properly. Neglecting fluid changes Fluids like oil, coolant, and transmission fluid are essential to keep your car running smoothly. Neglecting to change them can damage your engine, transmission, and other parts. Check the fluid levels regularly and change them as your car’s manufacturer recommends.

Today, many travelers understand the importance of enjoying not just the destination but also the journey. Consequently, recreational vehicles (RV) and travel trailers, equipped with accommodation facilities like living rooms and cooking spaces, are becoming increasingly popular, allowing travelers to experience blissful journeys en route to their destinations. However, buying an RV or travel trailer is a significant decision. So here are some common mistakes to avoid while purchasing these vehicles. Lack of research Buying an RV without researching properly on the vehicle can lead to significant losses in the long run. Therefore, it is important to explore the various brands and companies offering these vehicles and opt for test drives to check for any damages before purchase. Underestimating or overestimating the space required Sometimes, customers may purchase smaller RVs or travel trailers, typically if they are occasional travelers. However, even in such cases, one may require more space to store luggage or accommodate on-the-go activities. Conversely, a huge RV can be challenging to maneuver. The best bet is to reflect on one’s requirements and discuss them with family members, friends, and other travelers before deciding on the ideal size of RV to purchase. Not considering tow weight Tow weight is the aggregate weight that a towable RV or travel trailer can haul.

Recreational vehicles (RVs) have a lot of amenities, but they are expensive to buy and maintain. So, you must check it thoroughly before driving it home from the dealership, especially if considering a used or pre-owned model. Several issues, both mechanical and safety-related, make an RV unfit for purchase. If you spot any of these problems in an RV, avoid buying it and look for an alternative to ensure you get your money’s worth. Clogged AC filters While inspecting an RV before purchase, turn on its air conditioner and climate control system to evaluate the HVAC performance. If the cooling is below par, there is a chance that the vehicle’s AC filter has issues or damage. If the filter is clogged, the previous owner has likely not put in enough money or effort to maintain the vehicle. Although you can continue inspecting, such a vehicle is not worth buying as you may need to spend extra on AC maintenance. Damaged windshield Several states across the country prohibit driving RVs with a cracked or even mildly damaged windshield as it puts passengers at risk of injury. RV windshields are huge and, therefore, expensive to replace. So, carefully check the windshield before investing your hard-earned money into the vehicle.

Buying a used car is incredibly beneficial as you save money on hefty price hikes and taxes applicable for brand-new vehicles. You also enjoy free reign for negotiation and more affordable APR rates on older car models. However, you must carefully scan online auto trading platforms to spot the top used car options and deals. Here are a few easy ways to ensure you get more bang for your buck! Start with online listings Websites and automotive platforms like CarMax, Carvana, Autolist, Autotrader, Edmunds, and Vroom sell the top models of used cars. They offer the best APR rates and list updated prices of their vehicles. But visit these sites during the off-season as specific makes are not in demand and are, hence, cheaper. For example, nobody wants a convertible during the winter or a hard-top sedan during the summer. So, buying before the season changes will save you more money. Compare deals based on APR Compare the APR offered on different vehicle trims to find the best one. For example, the Honda Civic (2018 to 2023) sedans currently have a 2.99% APR financing option on some trading platforms. The exact APR rate is available on the Honda CR-V (2018 to 2023) SUV trims.

Buying your first or upgrading to a new or pre-owned vehicle is a fun yet complicated experience. However, do not overlook the possibility of buying a seized vehicle. These automobiles refer to trucks, cars, and other motor vehicles that have been taken possession of by financial institutions due to non-payment of loans. They may also be sold at auctions to recover the outstanding loan amount. Here are six benefits of buying a seized vehicle. Multiple buying options Financial institutions may seize a ton of vehicles each day. Therefore, you might be able to pick from a variety of vehicles across multiple segments. A few choices may include trucks, SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks. Unique choices Since vehicle auctions may include a range of vehicles, you might stumble upon a rare or unique automobile that isn’t available through traditional channels. They may also range from basic to luxury models with the latest technology. So ensure you do your research before making the purchase. Good condition Most vehicles sold at an auction are usually at most 5 years old. Some vehicles are also in nearly new condition. You may find the best vehicle deals on fleet and government vehicles. These are well-maintained and serviced regularly.

An oil change is a necessary maintenance task that should be done within a specified time limit to ensure the engine does not cease to work. Skipping this step only further increases the risk of engine problems that might cost thousands of dollars in repairs simply because of a lack of proper lubrication. If you prefer to change engine oil on your own, here are five critical mistakes to avoid next time. Not using the right type of oil Motor oils are classified into different blends depending on the type of vehicle and the driving conditions in which they are used. Synthetic oil is more suitable for extreme weather changes. It has better viscosity and resistance to oxidation. High-mileage oils help improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions, whereas conventional oil is the cheapest of all variants used in most motor vehicles. Not maintaining proper oil levels Underfilling or completely topping up the engine oil will only hamper engine performance. Learn to use an oil dipstick before running the engine. Overfilling can force the engine oil to fill up the gasket, leading to leaks. Not filling enough increases friction and can stall the pistons completely. Not replacing oil when its recommended If you drive an older model vehicle, it is recommended that you change the engine oil once every 3,000 miles.

Planning to sell your truck but are confused about the asking price? Well, that is just one of the many factors that you need to consider before listing the vehicle for sale. With the auto market being saturated with preowned and unsold vehicles, paying attention to details can make all the difference if getting a good price for your truck. Here are a few ways to get the highest price for selling your truck: Negotiate with the buyer Don’t say yes to the first deal or offer by the buyer. Always wait and compare the market rates to find the best price for your truck. Being impatient will only make it more difficult to get a decent profit on the deal. Consider a private sale Dealerships can haggle aggressively, so you won’t get the best trade-in value for your truck. So, it is better to compare private-party deals as you will find a significant difference in the trade-in value and the private offer. Why should you miss out on that extra cash simply because you want to avoid the hassle of paperwork and documentation? So, consider organizing a private sale. Determine the true value Before you decide on a price point and sell your truck, you should get a professional appraisal to determine the value of the truck in its present working condition.

Cars, being made up of mechanical parts, have a limited lifespan. They undergo wear and tear over the years and display specific signs when nearing their end. These signs may develop gradually over several weeks and months and become more evident as time passes. From excess emissions to inadequate safety systems, here are some of the key signs that indicate your car has run its course and you need to get a new one. The car emits plenty of fumes High emissions can result from several factors, such as a malfunctioning filtration system, oil-burning problems, cracks in the engine block, or leaks in the engine gasket. The fumes could appear gray, black, or white when such issues exist. Black fumes indicate problems with the filtration system, while gray emissions indicate the car burns excessive amounts of oil and fuel every time it hits the road. If your car emits too much gasses, you may have to find and address the problem. But if the issue reoccurs, it is time to get a new car. The car’s interiors start crumbling Aging car interiors tend to come apart pretty easily. If the carpets creak every time you place your feet on them, the seats become borderline unusable, or the door handles loosen, it is most likely the end of the road for the vehicle. Holes in the floor, worn-out switchgear, and air conditioning that does not cool the interior quickly are other signs to replace your car.

Buying an SUV is about driving around a vehicle that offers comfortable and modern interiors, a rugged exterior, and performance tailored to navigate the city, highway, and other terrains. These vehicles are also a significant investment one usually makes for themselves and their family. Therefore, one of the key elements that everyone desires in this vehicle is safety. So if you’re searching for the safest SUVs this year, here are six options. Acura MDX The Acura MDX is one of the safest SUVs, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS. It has a standard set of active safety technology, such as forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The three-row crossover can be built starting at $49,000 on Acura’s website. Honda CR-V You could build the crossover SUV on Honda’s website for about $28,000. The CR-V packs a standard set of safety features, such as a road departure mitigation system (RDM) – which helps drivers stay on the road and follow lane lines. It also boasts a collision mitigation braking system™ (CBMS™) to alert the driver of a potential collision. Kia Telluride Kia makes some of the safest vehicles in the market, and the Telluride is one of them.

When you want the convenience of a sedan with the utility and ruggedness of a pickup truck, SUVs are the ideal vehicles that offer the best of both worlds. With extra legroom, passenger seating, and enhanced cargo space, these vehicles are built for city and cross-country driving. SUVs also offer many safety features, making them highly reliable for solo and family driving. Here are the top five picks for the safest SUVs of 2023 compared. Ford Explorer The all-new 2023 Ford Explorer midsize SUV checks across the board with innovative safety features. You get an integrated blind spot monitoring system with dedicated cross-traffic alerts to switch lanes safely. A special rearview camera and auto high beam sensors monitor the back and also illuminate the way ahead in dim lighting conditions. And let’s not forget the lane-keeping assists and adaptive cruise control functions that come in real handy when driving at high speeds. Tesla Model Y Tesla is the industry standard for electric vehicles featuring innovative safety technologies, albeit at a hefty price tag. The Model Y is this year’s proud recipient of IIHS’s Top Safety Pick + award. Key features like a low center of gravity, rigid structure, and impact protection are why this premium vehicle also receives a 5-star rating from NHA.