Tips and Advice

When you need car-related information quickly, a picture can be worth way more than a thousand words. That’s why we’ve put together six easily digestible infographics you can refer back to time and again, wherever you’re at in your automotive journey. PRO TIP: Save yourself time and stress down the road by downloading these infographics to your computer or phone.

There’s nothing like feeling the wind on your face, whether you’re cruising down the highway on your motorcycle or riding the waves on your boat or jet ski. The last thing anyone wants is to have a perfect day on the road or water ruined by an accident, but the situation will be made even worse if you find yourself without the proper insurance coverage to help you in the aftermath. Due to their unique natures, boats and motorcycles require special insurance coverage in addition to your existing homeowner and auto policies. Read on to learn what to look for in a policy, tips for shopping around, and more.

Buying a home is a lengthy, complex process that tests the patience of even the most organized individuals. When it comes to protecting the place you call home, it is imperative that finding appropriate insurance coverage is part of the home buying process. If you are financing your home most banks and mortgage lenders require home insurance to approve your loan, but regardless of how you go about purchasing, home insurance is a practical step you can take that can help you mitigate financial hardship down the road. Like car insurance, not all policies are created equally, making it important to shop around to find the right combination of coverage and price. To help, we have put together a practical overview of all the information you will need to decide on a policy that fits your lifestyle and budget—read on and shop with confidence!

Driving has become such a normal part of our everyday lives that it’s easy to forget the risks we take when getting into a vehicle.  While some take safety to heart at an early age, it can be an eye opener for others when they become parents and begin a journey with their precious cargo. Luckily, the rules for keeping your children safe while driving are the same for safe driving in general, but car safety also extends beyond on-the-road practices. Knowing how to keep your family safe in, out, and around your vehicle will help instill good safety habits in children, ease stress and worry in parents, and reduce the number of accidents your family is involved in overall.

In the internet age, it’s quicker and easier than ever to gather loads of information on any pre-owned vehicle. The license plate lookup tool at Bumper.com is one information source worth looking into.

So you’re in the market for a used car. Congratulations. Whether trading up or acquiring your first car, car-shopping is one of life’s biggest milestones. After all, a car is likely the second-most-expensive thing you’ll buy in your life next to real estate. Whether you’re a veteran or shopping the market for the first time, here are some tips on what to look for when buying a used car, presented as a handy used car checklist.

We all love the idea of travelling with our best friends—whether they have two legs or four! But before you hit the road you need to make sure you understand how to keep your pets safe in the car, as well as how they fit into your insurance coverage.

Maybe your current car is worn out beyond justifiable repair. Maybe it just doesn’t suit your needs anymore. Maybe you’re looking to buy a car for the first time in your life. Maybe your kids have graduated college and you’re looking for a special ride to celebrate. Whatever the occasion, buying a car can often be both stress-filled and exciting. Here are some tips on how to buy a used car from a dealer or a private seller without getting taken for a ride.

Just 25 years ago car buying was relatively simple, if still a headache. Unless you were after a high end luxury, sports, or collector car, all your new car choices were on the lot at your local dealership; and there were 100 pages of used car classifieds at every checkout. Or you could always bring your wallet down to Yetarian’s Premium Deluxe Motorsport and take your chances with their low, low, prices. Only a few diehards would think about having a car shipped in from somewhere or taking European delivery of their Volvo or BMW.

Every vehicle has a story, and before you pull the trigger on any pre-owned car, truck, or SUV, a VIN lookup can help you learn what that story is.

Shopping for insurance has changed dramatically in recent years. Smaller companies have entered the marketplace (there are now over 6,000 insurance companies and 36,000 independent agencies serving consumers across the US!), new technologies have made pricing more accurate, and comparison shopping has become a regular part of the insurance buying process. Some consumers prefer to work with an insurance agent and others are content to complete the entire process on their own online.

You’ve heard the promise in every insurance commercial: bundle your policies and save!

Looking at bringing home a new truck? It might be time to review your insurance policy to make sure you have the right coverage. Truck insurance for your pickup is largely the same as car insurance for your car. So, switching to a pickup doesn’t necessarily mean you have to switch to a different policy, but there are differences. Here are some tips to help you shop for truck insurance that fits your needs.

You know the scene… You’re driving along, taking in the sights, when suddenly – WHAP. A pebble, or stone, or other piece of road debris flies into your windshield, putting a chip or crack in the glass. Go to  Safelite.com and schedule an appointment. It could start spreading immediately, or maybe you say to yourself  “I’ve got time – I’ll take it to Safelite® next week”. And before you know it, the damage has spread. Now it’s obstructing your view and distracting you while you drive.

The biggest leaps in automotive technology over the past few years haven’t been in propulsion; they’ve been in driver safety. The average new vehicle is safer than it’s ever been, with highly advanced, sophisticated systems that can literally “see” the road and warn of – or react to – potential threats.

If you are an experienced off-roader, you have likely used a winch more than a few times. If you have vast experience pulling yourself or others out of sticky situations, you have likely had a traditional winch hook slip and cause an even bigger problem. The little safety latch that holds a rope or cable in place will help in some situations, but that piece is not load bearing, so if the line shifts, that little latch quickly breaks. When that happens, you can suddenly lose your load, but this can be prevented with a closed system winching set up from Factor 55.

If you spend much of your free time off-roading with your truck or SUV, the odds are good that you are familiar with closed system winching products like the lineup offered by Factor 55. If you are not, you should be, as closed system winching is safer, preventing the cable or D-ring from shifting against the passive latch in a traditional winch hook. The closed system winching components also look a whole lot nicer than the hook that came with your winch, tucking neatly against your fairlead.

Great road trips are the perfect time to leave behind the worries of urban life for something a little simpler – just you, your car, and the open road. But that doesn’t mean you  can’t leave all your tech accessories behind. That’s precisely where the Jackery Solar Generator 500 comes in – the ideal road-trip companion, keeping your gadgets fully loaded, so you can make the most out of all your exciting car adventures, travels and journeys.

If you’ve entered the rideshare side hustle game, or are considering it, you’re not alone.  More than one million Americans are already driving for at least one of the two big rideshare companies, Uber, and Lyft. You’ll need to think about your ride as well as gas prices and more vehicle maintenance, but are you properly insured for rideshare driving? You should be, and products like  Toyota Auto Insurance can help you make sure you are.

Not everyone can say that they discovered their lifelong passion at the age of nine, but this racecar driver has always been a gearhead with a need for speed. As a pro drag racer in the Top Fuel category of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Alex Laughlin was bitten by the adrenaline bug at a young age, starting things off with go-karts and continuing to ramp up the speed from there.

Your car’s battery is what makes everything in your car go. From your ignition to your radio, if you have a bad battery, none of them will work properly. A car battery, even the best one, won’t last forever. Five to seven years is the typical lifespan of a high-quality battery, less in areas of extreme heat and cold. When it’s time for a new one, you can change your car battery yourself. Here’s how to do it.

Psst! Hey, you. Yeah, the gearhead with the modified car. Bet you’re tired of pawing though various and sundry online classified sites trying to find decently priced speed parts, right? After sifting out the help wanted ads, fake dating profiles, and that guy who’s still trying to sell those beat up frying pans, there’s a chance that maybe – just maybe – you’ll find the Holley carb you heard the guy across town has for sale.

Changing your own oil is the cheapest way to perform the most important piece of maintenance on your car, truck, or SUV. It’s also a great way to keep a close eye on the state of the rest of your vehicle, giving you the chance to check your brakes and other fluids as well as look for rust and other damage, every time you get under for an oil change. What if you’re not handy with a wrench and aren’t sure what to do? No problem, here’s how to change your own oil.

With a twist of the key or poke of its start button your vehicle’s engine should fire up with the urgency of a physician responding to a code blue.

Everyone has little tricks they have learned that make their lives easier.

I’d like to introduce you to a long-time friend and enemy of mine. It’s called the Snow Belt.

A dead car battery can ruin your day in a hurry…but it doesn’t have to.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is one formidable SUV, offering its owners plenty of utility straight from the factory. But no vehicle is perfect when you pick it up from the dealership, which is why a few accessories can make a world of difference for your daily driver. Below, we’ve selected some of the most helpful accessories you can get for your Grand Cherokee, adding more versatility and functionality to your SUV, whether you’re a fan of going off-road or simply packing up your kids and going on a road trip.

Unless you own an electric vehicle, routine oil changes are part of keeping your car’s engine in good running condition. You don’t necessarily have to head to your dealership or local mechanic to get an oil change however, as most vehicles can have their oil changed within the comforts of your garage or driveway. Some of the tools you’ll need when doing your own oil change include a jack, jack stands, oil filter wrench, and an oil drain pan to catch all your old oil. This is, of course, in addition to a replacement oil filter and new oil for your engine.

If you have a strong passion for working on cars, you may want to consider learning how to weld. Metal fabrication comes in handy, whether it’s to do some body repair or fixing an exhaust. Regardless of whether you’re an amateur or an expert when it comes to welding, you’ll want to invest into a quality welding helmet. Designed to protect your eyes, face, and neck from flash burn, ultraviolet lights, sparks, and other similar elements, a welding helmet is extremely important for safety reasons. And that’s why it’s particularly important to make sure you’re getting a quality welding helmet, as it’s the thing that stands in between you and potential disaster.

Dropping your car off at a professional mechanic can be costly, in terms of both time and money.

Looking for a project to tackle with your newfound free time? Tired of forking over heaps of hard-earned cash for automotive repair jobs you could have just as easily done yourself? Then DIY auto repair might be for you.

Shopping for engine oil can be daunting, with numerous brands and options available in today’s marketplace. How do you choose from all the different companies offering motor oil when they all sound the same? Well, truth be told, most reputable brands will offer similar products, and in the case of this list, you really can’t go wrong with any of the options. Some oils are better quality than others, offering more performance and working harder to keep your engine clean. But many would argue that the general consumer won’t even notice the difference between Quaker State or Pennzoil. In fact, there have been studies conducted that show most oil brands have similar products.

If you’re looking to seriously upgrade your car’s stereo system, you’ll want to invest in a set of component speakers. Unlike coaxial speakers, which combine the tweeter and woofer into one speaker, a component system separates the woofer and tweeter. Even though it’s a bit more difficult to install the woofer and tweeter separately, the addition of an in-line crossover with a component system allows each speaker to perform better on its own. The result is cleaner and better sound, since the woofer and tweeter can each focus on delivering their frequencies.

Whether you’re a seasoned shade tree mechanic, or a newbie just looking to get your feet wet, brake pad replacement is one of the best maintenance procedures you can do yourself. All it takes is a jack, some jack stands, a few basic hand tools, and of course, your replacement pads and pad hardware. In just the span of an afternoon, you can take your car from squealing, ineffective braking to like-new stopping performance, and you can save a substantial chunk of money doing it.

Your car’s brakes have a tough job, especially the brake pads. If you can’t remember the last time you changed them, chances are, you’re due. But how much cash do you need to set aside for some shiny new pads, and how much should that brake pad replacement cost?

Don’t be fooled into thinking shop vacuums should only be used at a car mechanic shop. These versatile vacuums are great to keep around the garage, making the task of cleaning your car a lot easier when compared to a traditional hand vacuum. Shop vacuums are designed to be more heavy duty than your run-of-the-mill vacuum, but more importantly, they can be used for both wet and dry pickup.

If you have a new addition to your family on the way, it’s probably time to research car seats. Convertible car seats are a great investment, as they’re designed to last for years since they can change from a rear-facing seat for infants to a forward-facing seat as your child grows. Not all parents will start with a convertible car seat however, although many can accommodate toddlers as little as 4 lbs, so they are capable. Other parents may want to start with an infant car seat before switching over to a convertible car seat, once their child reaches the seat’s minimum weight and height recommendations. Unlike infant car seats, convertible car seats are designed to be installed into your vehicle and aren’t ideal for portability and transport outside the car.

We believe every car owner should have access to a set of sockets, even if you don’t often work on your own car. Our vehicles are full of nuts and bolts and even if you’re trying to do something trivial, chances are you’ll need a ratchet and socket. Like all tools, there are plenty of options for socket sets and you should pick one based on your needs. The main factor to consider is whether you need standard or metric sockets, although most of our recommendations cover both bases. We also include tool sets that come with ratchets and other wrenches to make your life easier when it comes to loosening those nuts and bolts.

These days, nearly every car leaves the assembly line with cup holders. Some car owners however, may need more cup holders inside their car or wish the cup holders accommodated larger bottles. Thankfully, there are numerous car cup holders available that expands on your current storage, whether by adding more cup holders to your interior, or adapting your current cup holder so that it can hold a larger bottle. If you’re one of those car owners that needs better options for cup holders inside your car, you’ve come to the right place.

“Where are my keys?!” It happens more often than we’d like to admit, but most of us have been guilty of misplacing our car keys. It seems to always happen at the worst time, causing frustration and stress as you’re trying to rush out the door. Thankfully, now there is an entire category of products designed to make finding your misplaced keys within seconds. Key finders are pretty basic and easy to use. You simply add one to your keyring or keychain and when you can’t find your keys, you either use an app or push a button on a transmitter to locate them.

If you’re getting ready to welcome a newborn baby to the world, you’re likely staring at an overwhelming list of items you need to buy. An infant car seat should be towards the top of the list, especially since most hospitals won’t even discharge you and your baby without a proper infant car seat. It’s completely understandable if you’re overwhelmed by all the options out there on the market, it is a product designed to protect your baby after all. So needless to say, you’ll want to purchase the best one possible to keep your infant safe.

Many of us endure long hours sitting at a desk before getting into our cars and dealing with traffic on the way home. All that sitting can take a heavy toll on your back, which is why it’s a great idea to invest into a seat cushion for your car. Car seat cushions aren’t complex products, and many of them will boast similar construction and features. There is a small variety of styles out there, depending on what’s most comfortable for you.

Do you find your factory car stereo a bit lacking when it comes to audio quality? If your vehicle is equipped with 4×6″ speakers, you’ve come to the right place. The aftermarket offers plenty of speaker options, many of which can replace your factory speakers with no additional power for a better listening experience. But shopping for the right speakers can be cumbersome, with a myriad of options and features. Here, we’ll explore great 4×6″ speaker options that are ideal factory replacements.

Many automotive enthusiasts treat their garage as a home for their car. While most garages have some empty space for storage, not very many of them come equipped with versatile shelving options. Expand and organize your garage with a quality garage shelving unit, whether you’re looking for a better way to store all your car detailing supplies and tools, or the junk you have lying around the house.

The engine is the most important component in your car. If it fails, not only does your car not function, but it’ll be costly to repair. While routine maintenance and oil changes will keep your engine running in good shape, you’ll also want to consider using an engine flush from time to time. This way, your engine stays as clean as can be, helping to run for hundreds of thousands of miles.

The wheels on a car can be extremely frustrating to clean, since they come in a variety of finishes and many have intricate designs filled with tiny crevices and hard to reach areas. Multi-spoke or mesh design wheels are notoriously difficult, especially if you’re just using a standard hand mitt for cleaning. Do yourself a favor and get a quality wheel cleaning brush, this way every inch of your wheels are spotless after a wash, without requiring a significant amount of effort.

We here at AutoGuide.com believe every garage should have a cordless drill lying around. Not only do they come in handy when you’re working on your car, they’re great for use around the house. But shopping for a cordless drill is no easy task, especially when there are dozens of options to choose from and a list of features that might read like a foreign language to you. So how do you choose the right cordless drill?

Driving during the daytime without proper sunglasses could be dangerous, especially if your commute keeps the sun in front of you. Enhance your safety and the safety of others with a quality set of sunglasses for driving, which will also protect your eyes from harmful UV rays.

We understand that most car owners will never touch a welder in their life, but there are some situations when welding is necessary while working on a vehicle. A proper pair of welding gloves can make a huge difference when it comes to welding, contributing to how quickly you can weld, agility, and most importantly, safety. When shopping for welding gloves, you’ll want a pair of gloves that offer flexibility, protection, and comfort.

On the surface, wiper blades appear to be a fairly basic component of your car. Every vehicle leaves the assembly line with them, and they’ll all work just fine straight off the dealership lot. But after a few months of use, you may start noticing that your wiper blades aren’t performing as well as you remembered. That’s because all wiper blades will degrade over time, which means you’ll eventually be shopping for replacements.

If your car’s factory audio system isn’t satisfying, you’re probably considering speaker upgrades. One of the more popular sizes of car speakers out there is 6×9, large enough to deliver quality audio, but small enough to fit in nearly any vehicle. But shopping for speakers is never an easy task, especially since there are several variables to consider. Are you planning to upgrade your factory head unit? Do you want to install an amplifier for more power?

Now that we live in a connected world, tracking your car’s location has never been easier. Using GPS technology, affordable trackers are available in today’s market, allowing you to know where your car is at all times. In addition, many of these GPS trackers have additional features that can monitor driving habits, which is great for keeping an eye on a teenage driver.

The Nintendo Switch may not be as powerful as the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, but it still delivers tons of fun. Instead of focusing on 4K capabilities like other current-generation consoles, the Switch lives up to its name by allowing you to take it on the go as a handheld system, or dock it at home to play on your TV. It’s quickly become one of the top-selling consoles of all time, thanks to its focus on family-friendly fun. You may not find extremely realistic driving simulators on the Switch that rival the likes of Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its fair share of racing games. In fact, the Switch is the only console you get to play Mario Kart, and for many people, that’s all that matters.

There are several good reasons why you often see car mechanics wearing gloves while working on a car. For starters, cars are extremely dirty being on the road all day long. Mechanic’s gloves are designed to keep your hands clean, but also to protect them from cuts and bruises, especially since most cars are packed with sharp edges. In addition, gloves provide a better grip of your tools and can keep your hands warm if you’re working in the cold.

It’s often overlooked, but using a quality brake cleaner from time to time is a cost efficient way to ensure your brakes stay in good condition. Brake cleaners can help extend the life of your brakes by removing harmful debris, grease, oil, and other contaminants that can shorten the lifespan of your brake drums, rotors, or pads. In addition, these cleaners can often fix brake squeals by getting rid of that debris lodged in your brakes.

For those unfortunate enough to have driven a vehicle without power steering, you’ll know how much of a struggle it is compared to a modern vehicle with a power steering system. Of course, there are those automotive enthusiasts that will argue power steering takes away from a “true” driving experience—but let’s be honest, very few would want to actually drive a vehicle daily without power steering. That’s why it’s extremely important to keep your power steering system in good condition, and that means using quality power steering fluid.

Want to start saving some money by changing your own oil? Most vehicles can have their oil changed from the comforts of your garage or driveway with a little bit time and labor. Some of the tools you’ll need to change your own oil include a floor jack, jack stands, oil drain pan, and an oil filter wrench. While it’s possible to take off most oil filters with your bare hands, spending a few bucks on an oil filter wrench will make your life a lot easier. Some oil filters feature a slick finish, and depending on where it’s located on your car, could be a pain to grip.

Giving your engine fresh spark plugs should be part of your car’s regularly scheduled maintenance. But you don’t necessarily have to go to the dealership or pay a mechanic to swap in a new set of plugs. Instead, get yourself an affordable spark plug socket and do it yourself in your garage or driveway.

Stroll down the oil aisle of a typical auto-parts store and you’ll be confronted with a literal wall of lubricant.