Up For Anything

Living life to the Full

4 Categories to Consider When Buying a New Truck

By Leave a Comment

The pickup market is booming in 2018. Although we’re about a decade removed from an oil and gas crisis then sent consumers scrambling to buy a Toyota Prius or another hybrid vehicle, Americans are now running the other direction to sweep trucks, SUVs and crossovers right off the lot.

Even Ford, which manufactures North America’s most popular truck in the F-150, sees and is acknowledging this trend, as the company has announced it will stop manufacturing all passenger cars, except for the Mustang.

That doesn’t mean the boomerang back to trucks is irresponsible. Pickups have come a long way in 10 years, particularly with regard to better gas mileage, lasting quality and cabin technology that makes them all the more accessible. If you’re in the market for a new truck, here’s what to look for in one of the hottest markets on the highway.

1. Don’t Settle for Poor Mileage

The full-size gas guzzler is a machine of the past, as the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra can all reach 20 miles to the gallon and beyond with powerful, high-tech six-cylinder engines. There’s still the V8 option for drivers who need more towing and hauling capacity, but experts say the average consumer should strongly consider these more economic engines.

Mid-size trucks, such as the Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado, are also more economic choices, as they weigh significantly less and require less fuel to drive on the open road. These are great options for single drivers, who aren’t moving their family across town and don’t need the extra cabin size.

2. Get the Bells and Whistles

What would have been intriguing options 10 years ago are now standard on many truck models. Remember when stock tires barely classified as rubber? Consumers caught on to cost-cutting stock tires, and now trucks come equipped with wheels featuring reputable brands.

The Ford Raptor, for example, is sold standard featuring BF Goodrich KO2 off-road tires. With that in mind, don’t settle for cheap tires on a new truck, and make sure they feature a dependable all-terrain tire from a brand you know and trust.

3. Utilize Apple CarPlay & Android Auto

Some manufacturers (we’re looking at you, Toyota) just haven’t gotten the memo: everyone wants Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in their new vehicle. For those unfamiliar, it’s an interface that essentially puts your smartphone’s home screen and favorite apps right onto the screen of the infotainment center.

Since most proprietary systems are buggy, laggy and feel ancient, systems like CarPlay and Auto are a godsend for drivers who just want to play music off their smartphones or check Google Maps. Additionally, in an age where texting and driving is prevalent, CarPlay and Auto are a huge advantage in keeping drivers’ eyes off their phones and on the road.

4. Know Whether to Off-Road or Not to Off-Road

That is the question. There’s good news for everyone, however, as winners appear on both sides. If you want a truck that can tear up the trail, off-roading features like four-wheel drive, high clearance and grippy tires are available on most new trucks without breaking the bank.

On the other hand, if off-roading isn’t of interest to you, a mid-size pickup that does not include those features is rather inexpensive. For example, the Chevy Colorado starts at $20,500, without all those added options.

It’s a Great Time to Buy a New Truck

It may be a seller’s market for trucks in 2018, but it’s still a great time for consumers to buy a pickup. Now that the market is moving away from sedans and toward larger vehicles, it means trucks are manufactured and perform at their best and will only realize further enhancements in the years to come.

Five Best Places to Drive a Mercedes Benz in Britain

By 1 Comment

You have just gotten a new Mercedes Benz, and may be looking forward to taking it on its first drive. Luckily, Britain has many scenic drives that are great for taking a luxury car for a spin. There’s everything from mountain passes to historic routes and everything in between. It’s simply the best way to experience Britain’s natural beauty. So, let’s take a look at some good, scenic roads to drive. Here are the five best places to drive a Mercedes Benz in Britain.

Buttertubs Pass

This road can be frequently seen test driving cars on BBC’s Top Gear. It was also featured in the 2014 Tour de France. You can drive it for yourself in Yorkshire Dales, England. On this drive, you will pass a number of limestone potholes known as the Buttertubs. It’s believed they got this name because farmers would put butter in them to keep it cool during warm weather. It’s a truly beautiful road and is perfect for driving a luxury car.

The Llanberis Pass

You’ll find the Llanberis Pass in Snowdonia in Wales. This is an incredible drive for the nature lovers out there. On this drive, you will see trees, lakes, and mountains. It will also take you past one of Britain’s most famous mountains, Snowdon. The road is also popular among rock climbers. If you’ve ever wanted to try rock climbing for yourself, this is the best time to do it.

Chichester to Salisbury

If you’re looking for a place to drive your Mercedes Benz Salisbury is one destination you should certainly consider. On this drive, you’re guaranteed to see some beautiful English countryside on extremely drivable roads. This trip is also perfect for history lovers. It includes several old cathedrals, churches, and the Weald and Downland Living Museum. This open-air museum consists of over fifty historic buildings. It’s truly like taking a step back in time. And don’t forget, Stonehenge is just outside of Salisbury.

Bealach na Bà

This is the place to go if you want to take your Mercedes Benz on a mountain journey. It was specifically engineered to emulate the mountain passes of the Alps. On this road, you will pass through the mountains of Applecross Peninsula. It features many hairpin bends and the steepest ascent of any road in Britain. It’s the drive for you if you’re looking for something a little more challenging.

Cheltenham to Stratford

Not only is this road a beautiful scenic route, but it’s also historically significant. Stratford happened to be William Shakespeare’s hometown. When you drive this road, you’ll get to see the forests and rolling hills that inspired the Bard himself. It’s also a very easy, relaxing drive with very little traffic. You can even visit the historic town of Chipping Campden on the way.

Of course, these are only a few of the many great drives that await you when you own a Mercedes Benz. If you don’t own one yet, what are you waiting for?

e finest brand on the market.

The Benefits ASI Offers to Their Clients

By Leave a Comment

When people buy a car, whether it is a new one or a used one, they are making an investment. Cars being mechanical, however, they do sometimes break down. And the vast majority of people find that this happens just after their warranty runs out. This is why so many people decide to take out an extended warranty, also known as a vehicle service contract. One company that is respected for offering some of the best extended warranties around is Accelerated Service International, or ASI. This company, as their name suggests, believes in provide exceptional service, and doing so without any delays. They offer this to all involved with them, being the customers, the agents, and the dealers. The company has a fantastic reputation, not in the least because of their huge array of specialized services.

Best Coverage in the Industry

One of the key things that sets ASI apart is that they don’t just offer one type of service contract. Rather, they offer them for any type of vehicle, new or used, and for all different types of budgets. A full list of coverage options is available on their website, and ASI agents will also be more than happy to discuss these with prospective customers or with dealers. Indeed, they offer extended coverage, wrap coverage, certified coverage, bumper to bumper coverage, and more.

Furthermore, the company believes in making payments without delay. As their name says, they are “accelerated” in everything that they do. They are, in fact, one of the only companies in the country that usually pays out on claims within two hours. Furthermore, they make their payments through credit card, which means money is transferred instantly.

A vehicle service contract is, in essence, a type of insurance. Hence, a number of insurance industry regulations are also applied to these contract providers. ASI prides itself on meeting all those regulations. They make sure, unlike many other providers, that they always have sufficient funds in reserve to make sure claims are paid on. Not just that, they are backed by insurance companies that are all A-rated, which gives customers further peace of mind.

Another thing that sets ASI apart from the rest is their Profit Track system. This is a singular system used by ASI employees, agents, and dealers alike. It is maintained in real time, and this means any questions are always answered accurately and with the correct information. Mainly, it also means that there is consistency across the board. Furthermore, to ensure dealers have rapid and accurate rates on any ASI product, they can access the eContracting and eRating service for information. Agents, meanwhile, can instantly check the status of any claim that has been made with ASI.

Accelerated Service International has been in business since 1990, making it one of the oldest companies of its kind in the country. They have set the standard for what is expected in this industry in terms of customer service, speed of payout, comprehensive coverage, and more. Their contracts are accepted all over the country and clients can choose their own repair shop. So long as they are ASE certified, ASI accepts them.

Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Summer Driving

By Leave a Comment

Source

From coast to coast, drivers are hitting the road this summer.  With the winter months behind us, many love to hit the open road and enjoy the warm weather.  Some drivers are going on extended road trips, while others are opting to stay closer to home.  But no matter how far you are traveling this year, you will need to get your vehicle ready.  Below you will find some tips that will help you do just that.

Get Your Oil Changed

This very easy and simple tip is often one of the most unnoticed.  For some reason, drivers fail to understand just how important it is to get their oil changed on a regular basis.  This is especially true during the summer months.  As you drive your vehicle down the road, the engine will begin to heat up.  Your oil which is designed to keep your internal engine parts lubricated will start to slowly break down.  Changing your oil regularly will help keep your parts working the way they should.  Failure to change your oil could cause your engine to lock up leaving you stranded on the road. A simple oil change can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs.

Check Your Tire Pressure

In the summer months, the road itself starts to heat up and so do your tires.  When this happens, changes in your tire pressure can occur.  Having low pressure can negatively impact your gas mileage and cost you more to drive.  So, before you hit the road, make sure that you check your tire pressure and make sure it is in line with the tire manufacturer’s suggestion.  If you are unsure how to check your tire pressure, this website will get you started in the right direction.

Gas Up Your AC

In most parts of the country, the summer months can be very hot.  Riding around with an AC that simply won’t cool is not the way you want to be traveling.  A great way to ensure that your car’s AC is ready for summer is to get it checked out by a professional mechanic.  He or she will be able to check your Freon levels and add some gas if needed.  This simple fix is all most cars need.  While your problem may be larger than low Freon levels, it’s a good place to start.  To learn more about how to tell if your car is low on Freon, please check out this link.  Here you will find some warning signs to look for.

These tips will help get your car ready for the summer months.  Remember, no matter how far you travel this summer, you will need to make sure that your car is in working order.  If you fail to do so, you might be sorry.  Getting stuck on the side of the highway is no one’s idea of a good time.  So why not be proactive and do something today?  It will save you money and time if you do.