#203, PitStopConnect.com helps predict, prevent auto tragedy

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:39 — 28.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreBen Auslander, vice president of sales and marketing for PitStopConnect.com, is enthusiastic about all things related to predictive analytics in automobiles. And he has been for a long time. Auslander, our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast, worked on the GM Onstar program for more than 12 years. He helped launch VW’s connected car program in North America. He also worked for Charge Point as its Automotive Director. Pitstopconnect.com sees the driving future “It’s allowed me to see and understand a broader

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Top 10 tips for winter driving

As the weather continues to get colder, the impending snowfall can exciting. But winter driving in inclement weather can create significant road hazards. If you drive in the snow, important safety tips should be followed? Here are some top safety tips and considering for winter driving: Do Not Drive in the Winter Weather Unless You Must Although hailstorms are more common during spring and summer, blocks of ice and snow during winter can still cause damage to your car’s exterior. Whichever season you may be driving in, though, it pays to be more careful. Once the hailstorm starts damaging your

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2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid: country’s best new car value?

Car buyers often maintain their brand and style preferences for decades. It’s among the reasons hybrid and all-electric vehicle sales have increased slowly. As an example, the Toyota Prius is now 21 years old. As the first mass-produced hybrid in the United States, it once dominated the country’s alternative fuel vehicle annual sales. But that still represented less than four percent of all auto sales. 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Offer Great Value The Prius’ popularity has waned, but Toyota still maintains its dominance in the hybrid segment. The Toyota RAV4 now reigns with 28 percent of the market share. Still,

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Mazda 6 bids farewell at its best

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Say goodbye to the Mazda 6. The highly rated family sedan has been discontinued after the current 2021 model, and it’s a shame when many undesirables remain. The issue for the Mazda is two-fold. Its current generation debuted in 2016 and the competition is increasingly wicked. Matched against the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, the Mazda 6 could barely infiltrate the brigade of perennial top-sellers. How could it? Honda and Toyota have armor-solid reputations and the industry’s best resale pedigrees. For its last appearance as a new vehicle, the 2021 Mazda 6 has a few upgrades.

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2023 Kia Sportage gets rugged

The 2023 Kia Sportage, beginning its fifth generation, has debuted and features a larger and more varied lineup of subcompact sport utility vehicles including new off-road trims. Under the manufacturer’s umbrella slogan “Movement That Matters, the new Kia Sportage lineup will include LX, EX, SX, SX-Prestige and X-Line and the new Sportage X-Pro and X-Pro Prestige trims geared toward off-road travel with all-terrain tires and other features. 2023 Kia Sportage: New Exterior, Interior Designs New features for the 2023 Sportage Sportage firsts include an available dual panoramic curved digital display Most Sportage trims will now be assembled in the U.S.,

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Versatile 2021 Ford F-150 has PowerBoost hybrid engine option

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The 3.5-liter PowerBoost hybrid engine is offered as an option in the 2021 Ford F-150 and changes the game for V-6 engines in pickup trucks. The combination of a V-6 and a pickup truck was once relegated to use as service vehicles and for supervisors to drive. Ford’s creation of the hybrid PowerBoost has raised the V-6 to a new level of functionality and usefulness. The PowerBoost performs at the level of a V-8, uses less gasoline, and takes advantage of proven technology to handle wear and tear once reserved for V-8 engines. An Overview of the Ford 3.5-liter PowerBoost

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How to properly read tires of all shapes, sizes

Learning how to read tires is a valuable skill to have many reasons. Whether you are in the market for new tires, checking their recommended tire pressure, or making sure they aren’t expired, there are many numbers and codes to know. Reading the Date Code on Tires Even if your tires don’t have high mileage on them or still have tread it is still a good idea to monitor their age. After seven years, many companies will no longer rotate and balance tires because of the degradation of rubber becoming a safety issue. Most tire manufacturer warranties cover the brand’s

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#201, Al Unser Jr. talks drugs, driving in new book

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:47 — 50.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAs co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast, Bruce Aldrich and I sometimes have a guest cancel at the last minute. Two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. was our scheduled guest. With his non-appearance, we decided to talk about him. Specifically, we discuss Unser’s new book, “A Checkered Past.” The 302-hardcover offering includes a foreword by Roger Penske, the team owner who once employed “Little Al” and who is now the owner of the Indianapolis Speedway. The book is written “As Told To Jade

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#199, Terry Gale, curator of Rambler Ranch in rural Colorado

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 35:41 — 49.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreA minute’s drive from County Rd. 21 in the Elizabeth, Colo., Rambler Ranch is perched in a clearing of trees on the outskirts of the small town about 45 miles southeast of Denver. It’s a secluded museum of Americana, a life’s work for Terry Gale as a remembrance of family and the iconic automobiles of yesteryear. Gale, 60, didn’t plan to own the world’s largest collection of Nash, Rambler and AMC vehicles. But in 30-plus years he’s cultivated an unequaled collection of the small

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Automotive websites done right provide great resources

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Automobiles are among humanity’s most exciting inventions. A wealth of different types of cars, trucks and other vehicles can provide vast freedoms for drivers. As such, a car website —  a sales platform, blog, or review site — can be a great online venture for those who love all things automotive. Automotive Websites: Quality Begets Success To assist someone starting an automotive here’s an inventory of the best features for a website to stand out with starting a website like this, this article will be exploring some of the best features Image Content Delivery Images are vastly important

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#197, CarInsurance.com picks cheapest, best companies

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:13 — 37.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAshlee Tilford is the managing editor of QuinStreet.com, the marketing and search engine service company. It recently released a consumer-based post detailing a new study by CarInsurance.com — the cheapest and best car insurance companies. Tilford is our guest this week on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Tilford the CarInsurance.com, one of QuinStreet.com’s companies, compiled the resource guide. While considering what’s available in major and small auto insurance companies, the report includes information vetted by experts in

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2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross: Better but not good enough

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After seven straight years of increased annual sales, Mitsubishi followed the industry trend in 2020 and stumbled nearly 28 percent, 12 percent more than the industry average. It was a mighty fall for the underdog manufacturer. It annually has the county’s lowest sales among major carmakers. But just when Mitsubishi’s misfortunes in 2020 (about 88,000 yearly sales nationwide) seemed likely to further dim the brand’s reputation, good fortune arrived. The vehicle didn’t have a 2021 edition, but the 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross has provided hope. A modernized exterior design, including a streamlined one-window liftgate and bold new lettering (Range Rover-like)

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2021 Ford F-150 4×4 SuperCrew Lariat Hybrid Electrifying

The Ford F-Series of pickup trucks has been at the top of the automotive world so long, the manufacturer could slide along for a few years without worry. But that hasn’t happened. Trucks dominate yearly sales figures and Ford likes its perch. As such, the carmaker adds and tweaks its trucks, offers variations of variations. It keeps ahead of rivals and their continued attempts to outdo the industry stalwart. Ford hasn’t flinched. New for 2021 is the Ford F-150 4×4 SuperCrew Lariat Hybrid. It pushes the truck leader to the saturation point. It’s offered in three cab style choices, three-bed

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NEW CAR PREVIEW: 2022 Acura RDX (Special Edition)

The 2022 Acura RDX, marketed with “refined exterior and interior styling, a dramatically quieter cabin and a retuned suspension,” will debut Sept. 26 at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (California). A hand-crafted, limited-production 2022 RDX PMC Edition will be available at launch. Each 2022 RDX PMC Edition will be adorned in Long Beach Blue Pearl paint with Orchid Milano leather interior, both colors shared with the electrified 600-horsepower NSX Type S supercar. With production limited to just 200 units, it will be Acura’s most exclusive PMC Edition yet. Each of the vehicles will be individually numbered with a

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#198, Colton Herta, IndyCar racing champion

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:31 — 43.3MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreColton Herta is 21 years old and he’s been behind one steering or another since he was age six. Go-karts to Indy cars and several racing classes between, Herta is now competing at his best as the NTT IndyCar Series concludes this week in Long Beach, California. Herta (Andretti-Autosport), the youngest driver to win an IndyCar race, successfully defended the Grand Prix of Monterey title he won two years ago on Sept. 19. He completed the 212.61-mile race at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway in

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Road rules and rage: should you drive more defensively?

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Driving defensively is one of the best ways to stay safe on the road. It ensures you’re doing everything you can to follow the law, and it lays any fault in an accident on the other driver However, drivers who have gotten used to driving can find it mundane and develop bad habits. Drivers can forget from when they learned to drive and thus make unfortunate mistakes. It’s a good reminder to drive defensively. Here’s a refresher tips list:   Have You Had Close Calls While Driving? Having a close call can be unnerving. If it’s occurred recently,

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