Most people love to drive, but driving in snowy weather can be risky, but taking certain precautions can ensure that you have a safe ride during bad weather. This article presents six tips on how to drive safely on snow and ice for a safe drive during the winter months: Be prepared One of the essential tips on how to drive safely on snow and ice is to be prepared for bad weather. You need to ensure that you have the right tires, so get winter tires fitted in advance. Also, ensure that the windshield is working fine, and keep an emergency kit with items like a torch, extra warm clothing, a tow strap, and a few granola bars in case you get stuck due to poor weather. Additionally, clean the windshield and ensure that it is free of snow. Being prepared is half the battle won. Know the weather Driving in inclement weather is not easy, and it is better if you know the weather conditions in advance so that you can avoid stepping out during bad weather. Check the weather conditions on the route that you plan to take and prepare accordingly or change your plan to ensure your safety as well as that of your loved ones.

Today’s budget-conscious consumer can flaunt their thrift with no risk of loss of face when they choose a compact vehicle. Compact cars are designed for city driving and office commutes, so generous interiors, lots of leg-room, and fuel economy are essentials. Sub-compact and compact cars are making a huge splash in the automobile market, though auto manufacturers still prefer to promote their crossovers. With advancements in technology, small has suddenly become even more beautiful. When looking for the best compact cars for the budget-conscious, safety, fuel efficiency, and comfort need to be considered: Ford Fiesta : This is a hot favorite among college students on a shoestring budget. At under $15,000, it offers the reliability of Ford, along with comfort, a high-powered engine, efficient safety features, heated all-leather seating, and a great infotainment system. In addition, new graduates and college students could snag a $500 discount based on certain eligibility criteria. VW Tiguan : If you need an affordable family car, this is the ideal option. With a seating capacity of five to seven people, it’s suitable for long trips with your pets and gear. The interiors are smooth and classy with a state-of-the-art infotainment system, and the vehicle was designated as a finalist in the best family car category.

Many people tend to give tire checks a go-by and only think about doing it when going for a road trip or when we have a flat tire. A tire blow-out when you’re traveling at high speeds can be disastrous, so checking your tires for safety is an essential part of the regular car maintenance routine. Tire health and safety are important not just necessary for the driver but also for the passengers and other road users. Additionally, keeping the tires in top condition ensures comfort and convenience, keeps a vehicle road-worthy, and improves fuel efficiency. You don’t need to be an auto expert or a trained mechanic to know how to check for tire safety. Checking the following can ensure well-maintained and long-lasting tires: Pressure: Tire pressure checking is a basic test for safety. Manufacturers prescribe the proper level of inflation in the auto manual, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with these standards. They can vary from vehicle to vehicle and between different tire brands and models, but correctly inflated tires reduce uneven wear and tear. Remember to check the manual and not the numbers on the tire-wall, as they indicate the rating for full load-carrying capacity. Tread:

Self-driving vehicles are also known as autonomous cars and are among the most popular trends in the world of automobiles. Safety has been a concern with these cars, but technological advancements are ensuring improvements with time. Read on to know about the safest self-driving vehicles that you can choose from on the basis of the safety features: Tesla Model S Autopilot One of the safest self-driving vehicles, the Model S range of cars from Tesla are fully self-driving cars equipped with top-class safety features to ensure your safety on the road. The car can be driven as a normal vehicle, or the autopilot mode can be activated so that the driver can sit back and enjoy the ride. The car can adjust its speed based on traffic conditions and uses sensors, video, radar, and camera to understand traffic and maneuvers the car accordingly. Volvo Intellisafe Autopilot The Intellisafe Autopilot from Volvo, well-known in the market for its focus on vehicle safety, is the next one on our list of the safest self-driving vehicles. The cars from Volvo are semi-autonomous hybrid cars with an intellisafe autopilot mode that allows drivers to sit back and let automation take over. The car has incorporated safety features by reading data from the road and using cameras and sensors.

If you can afford to buy, run, and maintain a car, you’re lucky. But if you aren’t, you still have several options, including loans/financing, car rentals, and leasing. While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of whether financing is better or leasing, it’s important to keep yourself informed about your options so that you know how to choose between financing and leasing a vehicle. Buying vs. leasing – Which one’s better? There’s no definitive answer to the buying vs. leasing question, because it all boils down to your unique circumstances, needs, priorities, preferences, and budget. Leasing is certainly lighter on the pocket as it rarely requires a down-payment requirement. This means you don’t lock up a large sum of money that you could use elsewhere. If you finance a car, on the other hand, remember that loan rates can be higher than leasing rates, and you’re building zero equity with a loan. Taxes, maintenance, and other fees are taken care of by the company, and you get to drive a brand-new model with a renewal. Lease or purchase – How to make a choice? There are five major factors that you need to take into account when wondering how to choose between financing and leasing a vehicle:

If you’ve just got your driver’s license and are planning to buy a new car, a big thumbs up to you! But new drivers could face the prospect of high insurance rates. And that can be a scary prospect, especially if you’re still on a parental allowance or supplementing your income with after-school-hours/part-time work. Vehicle maintenance and running costs could add up to a tidy sum that leaves little for premium payouts. So, why are new drivers saddled with high insurance rates? That’s because inexperienced drivers could cause more accidents. According to statistics released by the CDC, though teenage drivers constitute just 14% of drivers, they are four times more likely to be involved in auto accidents. Nearly a third of all motor-vehicle accident injury costs are incurred by teens. According to regulations, apart from young students, the definition of “new” drivers could also include immigrants, older non-US residents, Americans who haven’t been behind a wheel for a length of time or have not purchased auto insurance in recent years. Keep these tips for getting car insurance for new drivers handy when you’re shopping for rates. Stay on Your Parents’ Plan This could ramp up your parents’ plan by as much as $1000.

If you are an avid automobile enthusiast, you would definitely want to know which are the best brands for luxury cars. Many automobile brands that manufacture regular sedans and SUVs have their luxury counterparts. According to many reports, the top 10 best brands for luxury cars contribute to a really fast-emerging global luxury automobile market and this is projected to expand at 5.38% CGAR by the next 4 years. Of these luxury car brands, the Mercedes Benz, Audi, and BMW are the biggest in terms of revenue earning. Here are the best brands for luxury cars rhat you should know about: Tesla This is a new entrant in the list of the top 10 luxury automobile brands is based in PaloAlto, California. It was established in 2003 as an automaker and technology firm, and today, it ranks as the top plug-in battery-electric passenger automobile manufacturer. Tesla is a pioneer in the market for electric vehicles and has an impressive line-up of cars like the Models X, S, Y, and 3 for everyday use and the upcoming Cybertruck. With the advent of this brand, consumers are shifting from the earlier-popular European luxury car manufacturers to Tesla. Ferrari This luxury car brand has always been famous for its brand power and ranks a close second to Tesla in the top 10 luxury car brand manufacturers in the world today.

The “greener planet” movement has certainly caught the imagination of the world, and auto manufacturers seem to be slowly but surely moving toward reducing the carbon footprint they make. Hybrid and electric cars have been making quite a difference in this context, but some people are skeptical about whether they are the safest to drive in. Let’s understand what the concerns are and which cars meet the standards. Safety Concerns It’s essential to understand the risks involved with using hybrid and electric vehicles. When buying hybrid and electric cars, one must ensure that you buy the safest models have these features: Energy Sources While they certainly reduce vehicular pollution and toxic fumes, the energy sources required to produce batteries and charge them are still largely from burning coal and fossil fuels. Accident Injuries Hybrids and electric vehicles are sturdier and heavier than their gas/diesel counterparts. This makes the car safer for drivers but not that safe for passengers and pedestrians. Electric vehicles are quiet on the road, providing little warning for pedestrians, especially seniors. In an accident, there’s a danger of sustaining shocks for first responders. Risky Repair The danger of electric shocks while repairing the vehicle could result in fatalities or serious injuries for technicians.

If you’re planning a summer road trip this year, it would probably involve factoring in extra precautions to take during the pandemic. The present health crisis makes it essential that your vehicle is in mint condition before you hit the road, while ensuring a blend of traditional vehicle prepping and on-boarding the new restrictions. Here are some primary factors to consider when buying a long-distance vehicle: Size If you’re traveling with family and as well as pets, it’s best to choose a large, roomy vehicle. This allows you to carry more luggage and equipment besides ensuring peace and comfort. Safety Country roads can be treacherous and safety is a big factor to consider. Modern SUVs and crossovers are designed with the latest safety features, such as emergency auto braking, electronic warning systems, collision warning, autopilot, driver alerts, and cruise control. Fuel Efficiency Long trips can guzzle a lot of gas, so look for a vehicle that offers top-notch fuel efficiency. Brands like Toyota, Honda and Nissan are your best bet when it comes to the most rugged SUVs and crossovers for cross country road trips. Comfort Built-in luggage racks, heating, multi-zone air-con, high-position seating, noise-controlled interiors, and well-padded seats can improve the ride quality and make the long hours spent inside comfortable and enjoyable.

Pickup trucks, as their very name suggests, are meant for picking up and moving things. The items are placed typically at the back of these trucks which are open. To know about the best types of pickup trucks, you should first assess your needs. When you are not planning on carrying big loads or pulling heavy trailers, you can choose to buy either a midsize or lighter-duty pickup truck. Knowing features of the best types of pickup trucks that are available is important. This is because you will find these come in a variety of combinations, like compact or full-size, four-wheel drive or two-wheel drive, short bed or long bed, auto transmission or standard transmission, and 4-door or 2-door. Here are the various types of pickup trucks and their best models. Full-size Pickup Trucks These pickup trucks are for people who are looking for a lot of space at the back of the vehicle. These are strong workhorses and they have a lot of ground clearance compared to compact-sized ones. Many full-sized pickups offer four-wheel or all-wheel drive; so, you can basically go anywhere using these pickups. No surprises then why these models are more high-priced than others. Besides, depending on the payload they can accommodate, full-sized pickup trucks can be subdivided into many categories.