If you’ve ever bought a used car, or you’re thinking about doing that and have started looking and gathering info, you may have heard that some cars come with a rebuilt title. The term might be self-explanatory, but it never hurts to know more, so keep reading to find all about what a rebuilt title is. A rebuilt title refers to a vehicle that had a salvage title and has then been restored to roadworthy condition. Salvage titles are issued for cars that have been damaged in a crash, accident or weather event (like a flood) and are deemed by an insurance company to be totaled and too … [Read more...]
Energy Efficiency: Electric Vehicles vs. Fossil-Fuel Vehicles
For a while back, we’ve been seeing the ever so slight shift within the automotive industry - from fossil-fuel vehicles to the electric ones. The first and most obvious reason for this is humanity’s attempt to reduce its carbon footprint and preserve the environment. The second and third are that electric vehicles are easier to maintain and electric charging is cheaper. However, there is one more thing to consider here. Apparently, electric cars have significantly higher energy efficiency than cars with ICE engines. Let’s examine. According to a study by the US Department of Energy … [Read more...]
All About the Carbon Tax in Canada
As of April 1st, 2019, it’s no longer free to pollute in Canada. This comes after 2 years of the prime minister, Justin Trudeau - who cited international commitments to fight global warming - making it clear he would slap the tax on any of the 10 provinces that did not come up with their own plans by April 1st. In Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan, where any sort of carbon pricing scheme was steadfastly opposed, Ottawa will apply its carbon tax on fossil fuels - which starts at $20 per tonne of GHG emissions. In the provinces that already have other carbon pricing measures, … [Read more...]
What Are Your Rights When Buying a Used Car?
When buying a car, there are a lot of things to consider (the dealer’s reputation, the choice and state of the vehicle, etc.) - and there is a simple reason for that. Unless you have unlimited financial means, you won’t be able to just walk into a car dealership and pick a car without considering its price and how you are going to pay for it. That’s why it’s crucial that you be aware of your consumer rights in case something goes wrong with your car purchase. Stick with us to find out what they are. In the Ontario province, you can buy a car in these 3 ways: 1) Buying outright: Using … [Read more...]
Are Cars with Biometric Sensors the Future?
The automotive technology is rapidly advancing - so much so that there already are smart cars on our streets connected to smart city infrastructure and making the driving experience an easier one. Yes, easier, because connected car features can range from general Internet services, entertainment and social platforms, to smart mobility services that leverage data. Moreover, some aspects of the connected car are a reality - with 4G networks powering navigation devices, traffic alerts and streaming to entertainment systems. Many of the driving processes are being automated to the point … [Read more...]
How to Store Tires Properly
With the winter finally being over - at least officially - our automotive pets surely can’t wait to be properly cleaned, to have their fluids checked and replenished and other major systems being examined by your trusted mechanic. However, the first thing that comes to mind to most drivers when the seasons change replacing seasonal tires. Given the size of the investment high-quality tires can be, it’s important to store tires the right way after taking them off to make sure they don’t lose their characteristics and thus prolong their lifespan. 1) During normal use, tires accumulate … [Read more...]
When Should You Take Off Winter Tires?
Spring is slowly showing its face and aside from the drivers who couldn’t wait for the snow and mud to go away, their cars must be ecstatic as well. They’d tell you so themselves - IF they could talk. A little more time and gone will be the dangers of cold weather - corrosion, tire pressure fluctuation, dead battery, thickening fluids, wiper malfunction, leakage and increased fuel consumption. Gone will be slippery and ice-covered roads and heavy tires to go tackle them will be ready to be taken off. But when is a good moment to switch your winter tires and go with the all-season or summer … [Read more...]
Car Depreciation: What Are the Risks?
When buying a car, you have to be prepared to lose money… Over time. No one wants to throw money away, and whether or not you will do that with car purchase is up to you and your negotiation skills and the amount of preparation you’ve invested prior to buying a car. But, one thing is for sure - cars tend to lose in value as time goes by and start as soon as you drive them off the dealer’s parking lot. New cars usually lose around 11% in value as soon as you take them off the dealer’s lot and by the end of the first year of driving, its value has decreased by 25%. However, the good news … [Read more...]
Denise McCluggage: Racecar Journalist on 4 Wheels
If you google the name Denise McCluggage, there are 2 things you will see in every picture of her - her polka dot helmet and her wide smile. With them come incredible memories you can practically feel becoming a part of the longer you look at the pictures of this incredible woman. It’s obvious that the loved what she did and the people she did it with - the titans of the Golden Age of 1960s motorsport. She competed against men as their equal and instilled in them a trust of her so that she would be sure to have the best story at the end of the weekend. In an era when women were often pushed … [Read more...]
What to Do When Skidding on Ice
Driving in the winter can be highly dangerous, especially if you are not a seasoned or even a skilled driver. To avoid collisions with other vehicles or just with random trees, you need to take the necessary precaution measures. First, you need to be aware of the ways cold weather affects your car and prepare it for the harsh winter driving conditions. And second, you need to know how to drive safely in the winter in order to avoid skidding on ice. The danger of skidding is greatest when you are taken by surprise. Since not all vehicles respond in the same way to icy, slippery roads, … [Read more...]
