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Category: Cars

We cover everything about cars from learning to drive a car to car buying to car maintenance.

Top 10 Strangest New Car Features

One of the most exciting things about new car launching is when the anchorperson announces all the new features a new car has. Often, we will hear some interesting yet practical new car features, which attract you to buy the car. However, we will also hear some weird car features that are way ahead of our time. In other words, these car features are not really practical to be used. Read through the top 10 strangest new car features here and you may notice that your car is actually having one of these weird features.

Top 10 Weirdest New Car Features

These are some of the strangest features offered by car makers to tempt their customers. You can say these features are cool, weird, strange, or bizarre.

1. Openometer in a Mini Cooper Convertible

The newest Mini Cooper convertible has something that other convertibles don’t have, the “Openometer”. Openometer is a gauge that records the time spent driving with the top down. This features has been around since the 2010 models. Openometer, we leave the rest for you to comment.

2. Bear-Proof Sunroof in a Nissan Qashqai

The newest Nissan Qashqai features a bear-proof sunroof. The brochure reads: Sun roof can withstand the weight of a bear without breaking. What if the area you are living has no bear?

3. Refrigerator in a Hyundai Equus Ultimate

When you buy a 2013 Hyundai Equus Ultimate, you get a standard refrigerator fitted to the center console of the rear seat. You can put beer or can drinks into the fridge before you begin your journey. A mini-fridge? Yes.

4. Dog Friendly Package in a Honda Element

In 2010, Honda offers every Honda Element buyer the Dog Friendly package. Obviously, this feature is to target Honda fans who love dogs. Dog friendly package costs $995 and the package comes with a custom-fitted, soft-sided crate with a built-in, spill-resistant water bowl. It also has an electric cooling fan mounted in the cargo bay and a portable lamp to give your pets access to the crate.

5. Active Perfuming System in a Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers their consumers a “Active Perfuming System”. This feature costs $350 as an option. You can turn it on or off or control the intensity (low, medium, or high). There are four types of fragrances to give your car a brand new smell: Freeside Mood (light citrus), Nightlife Mood, Downtown Mood, and Sports Mood. The question is, would you want to spend $350 to buy cologne for your car?

6. Picnic Table in a Honda CR-V

For those who used to purchased a brand new Honda CR-V in 2001, you should be able to remember that a picnic table is part of the car. This is a Honda picnic table, it is designed to be attached to the floor in the cargo of the car. See also: Honda CRV problems.

7. Gentlemen Functions in a BMW 750i

Gentlement functions is a feature that allow BMW 750i driver to increase the leg room for rear passengers. When you select the function from the screen, the front seat will move forward to allow more leg room for the passenger behind. The feature is not weird, but hey, Gentlement Functions?

8. 400 mph Top Speed Key in a Bugatti Veyron

You will never know there is a “Top Speed Key” if you don’t own a Bugatti Veyron. It is the fastest super exotic sports cars that is capable to reach a top speed of 400mph. However, you need the “Top Speed Key” to unlock the car to its fullest power otherwise the top speed will be remained at 250 mph. This key will lowers the suspension of the car as well as open the rear spoiler for better aerodynamic.

9. Glowing Speakers Lights in a Kia Soul

Start your Kia Soul and play some songs. You will see the lights surrounding the speakers pulse and glow according to the beat of the music. Without doubt, it is fun for certain people but it is weird for some too. Do you really need that flashy lights? OMG!

10. Adjustable Dashboard Lighting in a Ford Mustang

Ford Mustang is one of the coolest muscle cars of all time. However, it becomes not cool if the gauge cluster can be tuned to different colors. Do you really need a red light gauge to make your car go faster? Last but not least, don’t forget to check out the weirdest old car features.

September 4, 2015
Super Exotic Sports Cars

Let’s talk about super exotic sports cars. What kind of cars are qualified to be called super exotic sports cars? A 1986 Toyota AE86? Definitely not. Exotic cars are the top performance car model manufactured by car maker to show the world their capabilities. These cars are usually come with exotic appearance and high performance engine under the hood. Exotic appearance means they will catch people’s eye no matter where you park the car. Still need a dictionary? Check out the top 10 exotic sports cars of all time then.

Top 10 Super Exotic Sports Cars

The list here consists of a few 2016 and 2015 exotic cars as well as earlier models.

Ferrari LaFerrari

The production for the Ferrarri LaFerrari is only limited to 499 units. This car features the most powerful naturally aspirated (N/A) engine from Ferrari, a 6.2-liter V12 paired with an electric motor that produces a total of 949 horsepower. So far, LaFerrari is the ultimate Ferrari.

Bugatti Veyron Super Sport

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is carrying “World’s Fastest Production Cars” title with a top speed of 257 miles per hour (413 kilometers per hour). With a 8.0-liter W16 engine under the hood, it is capable to pump 1,001 hp and 922 pound-feet of torque, making it the “World’s Most Powerful Production Car” too.

Lamborghini LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster

The Lamborghini LP 750-4 Superveloce Roadster was launched in 2015 with a starting price of $530,000. LP stands for Longitudinal Posteriore. Under the hood, it features an enormous 6.5-liter V12 engine produces 750 CV and 690 Nm of torque. The top speed of this super exotic sports car is 217 mph (350 km/h) and it takes only 2.9 seconds from 0-62 mph. See also exotic car wallpaper.

Koenigsegg Agera R

With the price tag of $1,500,000, you can buy the Koenigsegg Agera R. Under the hood, it features a 5.0-liter twin-turbocharged engine that pumps 1140 hp and 885 ft-lbs of torque. From 0 to 62 mph, it takes only 2.8 seconds. For the top speed, it is capable to accelerate all the way up to 273 mph.

McLaren 650S Coupe

The McLaren 650S Coupe is not a supercar that you can often see on the road due to the number of production and the base price tag of $265,000. However, this car can be seen as a bedroom poster because of its distinct shape. It has a 207-mph top speed and it accelerates from 0-60mph in just 2.8 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT Final Edition

The production of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG last from 2010 to 2015. In 2014, Mercedes-Benz released the SLS AMG GT Final Edition. They are limited to only 350 units with exposed carbon fiber hood. One of the most unique things you can find on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is the iconic Gullwing doors.

BMW i8

The design of 2015 BMW i8 is definitely way ahead of its time. However, the futuristic look doesn’t disappointing BMW fans with its miserly fuel economy. Although it is a plug-in hybrid, the BMW i8 has 357 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque under the car hood.

Audi R8 V10

The 2015 Audi R8 V10 is one of the best looking super exotic sports cars. It is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 mounted behind the passenger compartment that sends 525 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. Unlike many other cars, the Audi R8 always look good even many years past the original debut in 2008.

Lamborghini Veneno

The Lamborghini Veneno is a 6.5-liter V12-powered, 750-horsepower super exotic sports car. The look is extraordinary and you will earn a big “WOW” whenever you drive this car out. The price to pay for this supercar is $4,000,000 dollars.

Pagani Huayra

It costs $1,314,000 to own a 720-horsepower, 1,000 Nm of torque, 6.0-liter V12-powered Pagani Huayra. The shape of this car is special, the look of the car is unique, and the performance of this car is without doubt super fast. The Pagani Huayra takes only 3.2 seconds to accelerate from 0-60 mph. It also has a top speed of 230 mph (370 km/h).

Each year, people are excited about every upcoming exotic car launch. This is because the launching of super exotic sports cars are like no others. Exotic car fans would like to know how much horsepower the latest Lamborghini will be carrying under the car hood. They also want to know how the newest Ferrari looks like. Will it be futuristic? Will it look better than the previous model? It is really exciting before any exotic car was debut. Flash lights, cameras, reporters, and of course, car show girls. Please leave a comment if you don’t see your favorite exotic cars are not in the list.

September 3, 2015
How to Winterize Your Car

While winter is around the corner, it is vital for everyone car owner to know how to winterize your car. Sometimes, it is tough to drive in winter time because of the road conditions, weather, and unexpected things that will happen during cold months. It is essential to know the basic things you need to check and prepare the best for your car before entering winter. Car parts such as tires, gasoline, brake pads, and all the fluid in your engine system play an important role during the winter. If you have no idea of what to do to your car for cold day, check out the 10 most vital things to do to winterize your car in a proper way.

10 Tips to Winterize Your Car Correctly

These are the 10 most important things you need to do in order to winterize your car correctly without spending extra money.

1. Engine coolant

It is necessary to have the right mixture of 60% coolant and 40% water in your radiator before the weather gets too cold especially if you live where temperatures get below freezing, for e.g., Alaska. The water in your radiator may turn into ice if the ratio is not right. 80% water and 20% coolant is definitely a bad idea. Your car engine will not function properly with ice in the radiator. Double check your owner’s manual or check with your mechanics for the perfect coolant mixture.

2. Engine oil for the winter

According to DMV, it is recommended to use thinner and less viscous engine oil during the winter. For example, if you use 10W-30 for your car in the summer, you can consider switching over to 5W-30 before entering cold months. It is highly recommended to refer to your car owner’s manual or seek for further advice from your mechanic. See also: Car engine won’t start.

3. Measure tire tread and consider snow tires

If your car tires are bald, replace a set of new one. To measure the tire tread, use a penny to go through the tire tread. It is time to replace a new one if you can see the Lincoln’s head. On the other hand, you can consider buying snow tires with studs if you live off the beaten path. Snow tires are built to deal with snow, ice and sleet. It can improve your car’s traction.

4. Run a serious checking on belts and hoses

Send your car to a trusted workshop and have your mechanic to check all the belts and hoses under your car’s hood. Replace those hoses if you see a crack on them or if you see any leaking. Hoses are cheap but if they break while you are driving, tow car will be the only way to get home.

5. Check your battery, terminals and cables

Weak battery is often the number one reason a car won’t start. The capacity of a battery is reduced by the cold weather. Run a complete checking on your battery, terminals, cables, fluid for any cracks and breaks. Test your car battery with a car battery tester. Replace a new car battery if it is not in healthy condition. See also: how to test a car battery.

6. Brake pads

It is cool to see a car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in a few seconds but it is also important to be able to stop a car from 60 to 0 mph. Check your brake pads and see if they need to be replaced. See also: how long do brake pads last.

7. Replace your windshield wipers and washer fluid

It is tough to drive in the rain during winter time especially if you are on the road late at night. Visibility levels are definitely low and it is recommended to replace your wipers with silicon wipers if they are in bad conditions. Silicon wipers are stronger and they often last longer. Also, you are suggested to use washer fluid with an antifreeze solution.

8. Keep a set of emergency kit in your car

Anything can happen during winter because the weather is cold and the sky is always dark. The best way to combat with winter is to keep a set of emergency kit inside your car such as flashlights, hydraulic jack, wrench, spare tire, emergency warning triangle, extra bottles of engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, blankets, boots, bread or food as well as tools to change out a flat.

9. Always pump your fuel tank full

In our car maintenance guide, we often mentioned that low fuel level will lead to many problems. Fuel pump failure is just one to be mentioned. Cold weather can cause condensation to form on the walls of a near-empty gas tank, and soon water will drip down into the gas. As water is heavier than gasoline, it might travel into fuel lines and then all the way to your car engine. This will not burn the engine but it will burn your wallet.

10. Use antifreeze

Consider to put a right amount of antifreeze in your radiator. A 50:50 ratio is the ideal amount. Antifreeze can keep fluids from freezing at temperatures as low as -34 degrees Fahrenheit (-36.67 degrees Celsius). Pre-mixed Antifreeze is cheap and they are available almost everywhere including gas stations and some grocery stores.

That’s the top 10 things on how to winterize your car. Please leave a message with the comment features if you think something important is missed out.

August 9, 2015
Top 10 Best iPad Car Mount for iPad, iPad Air and iPad Mini

To be sure of buying an iPad car mount that is good enough to hold an iPad, iPad Air or iPad mini in your car while traveling, you need to read these reviews carefully. There are headrest iPad car mount, backseat iPad car mount, windscreen iPad car mount, dashboard iPad car mount and many other types of car mounts for iPad available in the market. The price is ranging from a low of $10 to a high of few hundred dollars. It is going to be funny if you buy an iPad headrest car mount but you actually want to mount your iPad on your dashboard. Let’s check out what are the best iPad car mount for your needs.

1. RAM Suction iPad Car Mount

RAM Suction iPad car mount comes with the simplest design. It takes you less than a minute to install it to any car. Even a 3-year-old kid knows how to use this car mount because all you need is to push the suction cup towards your windscreen and then adjust the rubber ball for best viewing angle.

2. Arkon TAB-RSHM Headrest iPad Car Mount

It costs only $24.95 to buy Arkon TAB-RSHM headrest iPad car mount from Arkon’s official website. It is cheap and it is reliable as it fits all types of tablets from 9” to 12” in screen size even with cases. Thus, you can use this car mount on your headrest to hold an iPad, iPad Air, iPad 4, 3, 2 or even the Samsung Galaxy Note without any problem. This holder features a 360-degree swivel and everyone at the back seat can view the iPad for sure.

3. SIIG Windshield iPad Car Mount CE-MT0DT12-S1

The SIIG windshield iPad car mount features a dual heavy-duty suction cups. It will hold your iPad firmly even you are driving a 4WD car in Jurassic World. It costs just $29.99 to turn your iPad into an in-car entertainment/navigation system.

4. Valet Headrest Mount

Valet headrest mount has the maximum flexibility for any iPad models include iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini. You can adjust the viewing angle regardless of where you are sitting in your car. What is really special about this particular product is the way it attaches to a single headrest post.

5. CoulVue iPad Car Holder

Among all tablet car mount available in the market, the CoulVue (pronounced Cool View) is one of the safest car holder ever. It has a flexible arm where you can adjust according to your viewing preference. CoulVue is widely available at Target, Amazon, Best Buy or Wallmart at very reasonable price.

6. Otterbox Utility Car Mount

The Otterbox Utility car holder is definitely only one of its kind. This product has a utilitarian case that can attach to the headrest. The Otterbox case makes your iPad looks futuristic but it is lacking when it comes to the viewing angles. However, the case can protect your iPad from almost anything.

7. RAM Universal Locking Mount

The RAM Universal iPad car mount attaches close to the front passenger seat. That makes a driver able to access to anything they need with ease. The holder is made from marine grade aluminum together with a rubber ball socket system. The quality is guaranteed.

8. iOttie HLCRIO106 iPad car holder

The iOttie HLCRIO106 iPad car holder features a sticky gel pad to attach your iPad securely to the dashboard of your car. This type of car mount can be adjusted at any angle according to your viewing preference. One light press of the iPad into the mount and it will grip your iPad securely.

9. MRX 2 Car Air Vent iPad Mount

The MRX 2 is one of the few car mount that uses your car air vent as a base. With or without an iPad case, this car mount will hold your iPad strongly while giving you the best viewing adjustment.

10. Kropsson 850 Universal Car Mount Holder

This is a universal car mount where it holds not just iPad but other tablets tightly in your car. You can install it easily to the center of your dashboard or any places you prefer. It allows a 360-degree rotation and fits to iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, iPad Air 1, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 1, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini 3.

Besides iPad car holder, iPad car charger and iPad car stereo or car audio are two other in-car accessories you can consider to buy for a better experience on iPad while traveling.

August 6, 2015
How to Get Cigarette Smell out of a Car

Do you know how to get cigarette smell out of a car without spending any money? It is important to know this if you are a used car dealer. Nobody wants to buy a car with cigarette smell or tobacco odors. It is vital to get rid of it before a potential buyer view the car. It is also important to know this tip if you hate the cigarette smell in your car or you have just quit smoking. Whether you are a smoker or non-smoker, it has nothing to lose learn these ways to get the smell of smoke out of your car. Most of these are cheap ways to get rid of cigarette smell in your car. You can Do-It-Yourself (DIY) easily. So, get rid of that smell today!

10 Ways to Completely Get Cigarette Smell out of Your Car

1. Throw away the source of cigarette smell

If there are tobacco odors, cigarette butts or cigarette ashes left on your car seat or carpet, cigarette smell will stay in your car regardless of how many times you clean your car. Throw all the unwanted rubbish and never leave an ashtray in your car. Vacuum your carpet and entire interior include underneath of both front car seat. Make sure there is no cigarette ashes left.

2. Wipe your dashboard

Smoke is easy to settle on your dashboard. Use shampoo with wet towel to wipe your dashboard. Apply dashboard dresser once the dashboard is completely clean. Do not forget about washing the door panels, air-conditioning vents and all buttons on your car. Alternatively, you can wipe your dashboard with vinegar and water if you like the natural way.

3. Brush your seats and carpets

Remove the carpets out of your car and brush them with shampoo. Put it back to your car when you make sure there is no cigarette odor left on it. As for the seats, it will be perfect if you can remove it and wash them completely. See also: Types of car windows tinting.

4. Clean the seat with baking soda

Baking soda is a very useful thing when it comes to cleaning the fabric interiors. It is cheap to buy and available almost everywhere. You can use it with rag or toothbrush to clean your seat, door panels, or carpets.

5. Leave your car under sun for a day

Once you have cleaned up everything inside your car. Leave all the car doors open and park the car under hot sun for a day. Alternatively, leave the window open and let the air circulate inside your car.

6. Buy a new air freshener

Air fresheners definitely help to get rid of cigarette smell from your car. Once everything is cleaned, place an air freshener near to your A/C vents. See also: Where can I virtually customize my car.

7. Use Charcoal

If you don’t like the word “Buy”, get a few pieces of charcoal and place them under your seats. Charcoal absorbs unpleasant odors and moisture naturally. It is very good to place one or two at places that don’t get much air circulation and car is one to be mentioned. They are cheap and can be found almost everywhere.

8. Use natural flowers, leaves or coffee bean

Place an adequate amount of coffee grounds inside your car for a few days and the cigarette smell will definitely gone. Try natural flowers or leaves if you don’t like the smell of ground coffee. Pandan leaves, Lavender, lemongrass, Buddleia and Daphne are few great example of natural way to get cigarette smell out of a car.

9. Replace cabin air filter

It is recommended to replace the cabin air filter every 12,000-15,000 miles (19,000-24,000km). Replace a new one and you will smell the difference. There are many aftermarket manufacturer offers charcoal cabin air filter, you can consider changing it.

10. Replace your carpet or floor mat

It will be good to replace your car mats if they are too old. A set or brand new car mats will not have any tobacco smells. Last but not least, not to forget to see what your car says about you.

Although there are many ready-made products to eliminate cigarette smell out of a car, we still support the natural ways. Natural ways are cheap (or even free) and available almost everywhere. That’s how to get cigarette smell out of a car for free.

July 15, 2015