Vehicles require regular maintenance, periodic upgrades, and repairs to keep the engine and chassis in top functioning order. If this is not ensured, the mechanical issues start to mount. Experts advise paying attention to simple but important maintenance tasks to prevent a car breakdown in the middle of the road. The engine oil change is one such crucial task. This article discusses essential mistakes that should be avoided when changing the oil. Read on to learn more. Not heating the engine At any car service center, the provider first heats the engine before draining the oil. However, when you replace the engine oil, you might omit this step. It can be a costly mistake because oil does not flow smoothly when cold. Hence, it will take a long time to drain. Moreover, besides the long wait time for the oil to drain, some oil might be left inside, which would have drained out if it were warm. So, before replacing the engine oil, start the vehicle and let it run for five to ten minutes till it reaches the operating temperature. Not assessing the oil between two oil changes You can take the car to the service center regularly to get the oil checked, or you can do it on your own if you know about it.

Are you looking for a safe, reliable SUV for your family? Look no further. Some of the best SUVs for 2023 come with advanced technology, superior driver assistance features, and safety equipment. They can protect the driver and occupants in a collision and lower the impact of the crash. From luxury to budget-friendly options, there is something for everyone. So here are the safest SUVs you can find this year: Dodge Hornet The 2023 Dodge Hornet is a compact crossover SUV that prioritizes safety and reliability. The Hornet has advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The interior of the Hornet has premium materials and plenty of space for passengers and cargo. You also get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Hornet is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 268-hp engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The SUV strikes a balance between power and efficiency and delivers good performance. You can look up “Local Dodge dealers near me” and find dealerships that sell the Hornet. You will be able to find great deals on new and used models at a local dealership.

Sports utility vehicles, or SUVs, have come a long way from being mere large-family vehicles to one of the most versatile and in-demand passenger cars. They are safe, well-designed, spacious, and fun to drive. The large-SUV market segment’s revenue is estimated to reach $148.60 billion in 2022. With increasing interest and demand, many new or redesigned models have entered the market. Here are a few leading SUVs to look for: Hyundai Tucson Hyundai has redesigned the Tucson completely. The 2022 version has multiple trim levels, including a sporty N Line model and a rugged XRT model. It also has three different powertrain options: hybrid, gasoline, and plug-in hybrid. Further, the 2022 Tucson has upgraded infotainment systems, multiple rear USB ports, Wi-Fi hotspot, top-class safety features, and driver-assistance technologies like cruise control, blind-spot collision avoidance systems, and driver attention warning. The price of the 2022 Tucson starts at around $25,350. Jeep Grand Cherokee Jeep Grand Cherokee is a mid-sized SUV. The 2022 variant, redesigned to offer a smoother ride, can accommodate five passengers in its top-class interiors with comfortable and supportive seats. The car has three powertrains: the existing V-6 and V-9 and a 4xe plug-in for the hybrid variant. Rear-wheel drive is standard in all models with V-6.

The sale of plug-in electric vehicles is expected to rise to 20.6 million in 2025, making up 23% of new passenger car sales. Battery, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid are the three main types of electric vehicles currently being rolled out. You can choose one from either of these car types on the basis of your driving requirement and budget. Here are some of the top suggestions for electric cars to consider this year: Kia EV6 The EV6 has a stylish exterior and classy interior with hi-tech features like smart parking and vehicle loading capabilities. This five-seater offers 17.6 cubic feet of cargo space even when the seats are not folded. The car’s engine has a 77.4 kWh all-wheel-drive powertrain, 321 bhp, 605Nm of torque from twin motors through a single-speed automatic transmission, and a range of 310 miles. It is quick to power up as a 350kW charger can charge the car from 10%-80% within 18 minutes. The driver assistance feature includes an augmented reality head-up display and remote smart park assist, which helps you park into a narrow space and pull out again when you are back by pressing a few buttons. Nissan Leaf Nissan’s Leaf is one of the cheapest electric cars in the market, costing under $20,000 after taking the tax credit of $7,500.

Crossover SUVs have become increasingly popular options as they offer better features than other passenger cars. A sports utility vehicle or SUV is built on a truck chassis, while a crossover is built on a car platform and is considerably lighter. The body and frame of a crossover are built in a single piece. While all SUVs are known for their exceptional safety and driver-assistive features that prevent crashes, here are the best options: Chevrolet Trailblazer 2022 This small crossover has a 1.2-liter 3-cylinder engine, 137 hp, front-wheel drivetrain, seating capacity of 5, and MPG (fuel economy) of 28 in city and 31 on highways. It has a maximum cargo capacity of 54.4 cubic feet and a ground clearance of 7.5 inches. The stand-out features of the Chevrolet Trailblazer are its safety features. It is available in 4 trims with a starting price of $22,795. All the trims have satellite radio. What’s more? The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given a 5-star rating to Trailblazer. Its key safety features are: Automatic emergency braking: This detects an imminent collision and applies the brakes if you do not respond on time. Following distance indicator: This displays the distance from the vehicle in front and warns if you get too close.

A sports utility vehicle (SUV) is built on a truck chassis, while a crossover SUV is built on a car platform and is considerably lighter. Also, the body and frame of crossover SUVs are built in a single piece. Both are known for their exceptional safety, with features that prevent crashes. If you are looking to bring home a new crossover SUV, here are the top five options to consider: Nissan Rogue Nissan Rogue now has a new and more powerful 201 horsepower engine and an FWD drive train. The car’s 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder engine provides an MPG of 30 in the city and 37 on the highway. It is a five-seater compact crossover SUV, available in nine trims with a base price starting from $27,150. Like most cars in the segment, it has a blind spot warning system that identifies a vehicle in a blind spot and flashes a light to alert you. A rear cross-traffic alert system warns you if a car will cross while reversing. In addition, the automatic rear braking system senses when a collision is imminent due to rear-cross traffic, alerts you, and applies the brake. The Nissan Rogue has a four-star rating from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a “good” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for three of the five parameters.

Not everyone can manage to buy a new car. And most often, people start their car ownership with a used car and buy a brand new one only after saving enough. Owning a car is not an easy task; there is a need for maintenance, repair, and constant upkeep. But paying attention while buying the car can help. Here are six key factors to keep in mind before purchasing a used car. Budget Budget is one of the first things to consider while buying a used car. Most people tend to make emotional or impulsive choices when making a decision and often end up overspending. It might be difficult to stay objective when there is a car you like or when you are in a tricky situation of bargaining the price of a used car. One of the most important reasons people look for used cars is because they are on a tight budget. So, to make a rational decision, it is essential to be practical and identify how much money you can spend on a used car. If you are going to take a loan, talk to an expert and evaluate your credit score to know how much loan you are eligible for if going for financing.

Finding the ideal auto insurance plan is crucial because purchasing a car is a substantial investment. Since insurers consider several criteria when determining your cost, searching for auto insurance can be challenging. To reduce their insurance rates, customers frequently look for novel solutions. Sometimes, the choices people make to save end up costing them more in the end. Here are some vehicle insurance blunders to watch out for and avoid. Not knowing what type of insurance you require Every state has different minimum coverage requirements, but you shouldn’t base your decision solely on that. Each person has different protection needs based on various factors, including the model and type of vehicle, the vehicle’s cost, and your driving experience. Of course, everyone desires complete coverage. Nonetheless, it is usually quite costly. So, your best bet is to find the right balance of price and coverage. Setting an excessive deductible Your premium should decrease when you increase the deductible on your auto insurance coverage. Many car owners who want to cut costs may find this quite enticing. When you are in an accident or damage your car and need to get it fixed, then there would be a problem. You could run into serious problems getting your automobile fixed and back on the road if the repairs are going to cost more than you have available.

The rise in fuel prices and growing social awareness have highlighted the need for alternative, greener modes of transportation. Of these, electric bikes have gained immense popularity, as they offer convenience and health and wellness benefits. However, with e-bike prices ranging anywhere between $1,000 and $10,000, buying one is an expensive affair. To make the most of your newest ride, avoid these seven common mistakes when buying an e-bike: Choosing the cheapest variant When buying an e-bike, the topmost priority is quality. In cheaper bikes, the parts may wear out within the first 500 miles. With replacements being difficult to source, choosing a cheap bike can be an expensive mistake. Cheaper variants generally offer a lower range or power, which can also be a problem in the future. Instead, you should look for better quality e-bikes that are more durable, so you can get the most out of the purchase. Not considering your requirements When buying a bike, it is important to consider what kind of ground or terrain you will ride it on. A commuter bike may be a better fit for those looking to commute within the city. These bikes run on a mid-drive system that is lighter, more efficient, and easier to maintain.

Truck drivers are tasked with transporting goods across the country. Becoming a truck driver can be an exciting and rewarding career path, but candidates need to be aware of the risks that the job entails. Different types of trucks, like flatbed, tanker, pickup, refrigerated, and dump trucks, require different skills and knowledge to operate them safely. Here are ten common mistakes that rookie truck drivers can avoid. Not inspecting the truck properly One of truck drivers’ most common mistakes is not correctly inspecting their vehicle before hitting the road. Therefore, a thorough pre-trip inspection is critical for ensuring the truck is in good working order and safe to drive. This inspection should include checking the brakes, tires, lights, and other essential components, which helps to prevent accidents and breakdowns that can result in costly delays—drivers who neglect to do this risk putting themselves and other drivers on the road in danger. Not getting enough rest Driving a truck for long hours can be exhausting, and drivers must get enough rest to avoid fatigue. Fatigue can impair judgment, reaction time, and attention to detail, all critical for safe driving. Unfortunately, some truck drivers push themselves too hard to meet deadlines or maximize their earning potential.