8 Secrets Hidden in Cars That You Didn't Know About
The Little Arrow on the Fuel Gauge
We’ve all been there: arriving at a gas station in a borrowed or a rental car and you aren't sure what side the gas tank is on.
Help is at hand thanks to that little arrow that tells you precisely where to find the filler cap. Proof that even in this age of adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and driverless cars, a humble arrow can make all the difference.
Take Out Hook
Nissan claims to have invented the in-car ‘curry hook’ when it debuted on the Almera in 1996 in Europe. It was designed for carrying handbags or shopping bags, but it soon became a must-have accessory for takeout lovers.
Today, you’ll find a ‘takeout hook’ in the Qashqai and X-Trail, but look out for similar hooks in other vehicles. More often than not, you’ll find at least one pop-out hook in the boot.
Colour-Coding Under the Hood
Too many drivers are blissfully unaware of what lies below the hood of your vehicle, only venturing beneath to fill the washer fluid bottle.
Helpfully, many modern engine compartments feature colour-coded guides to highlight the fluids and levels that could and should be checked between services. They tend to be yellow or blue, and they make it easier to locate the engine dipstick, oil cap, coolant, brake fluid and washer fluid.
Jeep Renegade Spiders
There's no shortage of Jeep Easter eggs out there, and this one is just as cool. Peeking out from the fuel fill is a tiny spider bidding lucky discoverers a happy "Ciao Baby!". The friendly little critter is nothing but a conversation piece, but that doesn't make it any less fun.
Volkswagen Golf And Passat Back Camera
Spy movies always have these nifty little tricks concealed up the cars' (metaphorical) sleeves, and the Volkswagen Golf and Passat both don't disappoint. Hidden behind the trunk's logo is a sneaky rear camera that reveals itself when users shift into reverse. The rotating logo definitely looks like something straight out of a heist film, and there's no question which car belongs to the crafty villain.
Tesla Model S Mini Car Key Fob
Ever had to wait for someone in the car until you get bored to death? The Tesla Model S key fob just might save the day. It comes as a sleek miniature version of an actual toy car, so everyone can zoom around their imaginations to pass the time and keep the boredom at bay. It definitely appeals to the inner child in all of us!
Ford Mustang Hologram
Just like in the Hyundai Genesis, projected holograms from the lighted side mirrors are always a crowd favourite. The Ford Mustang projects a powerful pony onto the ground like its own version of Batman's Batsignal—just don't expect horse-themed superheroes to show up and fight crime in the neighbourhood any time soon, though.
Tesla Model S Secret 007
James Bond fans are definitely in for a treat with this one, because the designers of the Tesla Model S have another scintillating secret in their back pockets. On the odd occasion that a car owner accesses the technician log in screen, they can simply type in "007" for one heck of an Easter egg--the Model S will morph into the 1977 The Spy Who Loved Me submarine on screen. Of course, this is no excuse for anyone to drive their vehicle into the nearest body of water in hopes of actually getting it to float, but there's no harm in dreaming about it, is there?
We hope you enjoyed these secrets, features and Easter Eggs in the vehicles we love.
Drive safe everybody!
The Dale Adams Team
Moraine Lake Alberta
Tips for an Awesome Alberta Road Trip
So it looks like we could be mostly restricted to staying within Alberta this summer due to COVID 19. No matter where you’re headed or if you’re a pro or a novice, these travel tips will make your road trip an easy ride
There’s no question about it; road trips are awesome. A successful road trip will stay with you for life. The ability to just get up and go and the absolute thrill of uncertainty; where will you sleep? Where will you eat? When will you get to your next stop?
It’s up to you to choose where to go, when to go and what kind of budget you’ll have. Our travel tips cover some tips that will make your next Alberta (or anywhere for that matter) road trip a success and a story you will retell fondly.
Special thanks to momondo.ca and their article that we used as a guide while adding our own Alberta flair.
We hope these following tips help you explore our great province.
1. Google Maps
A great place to start. Enter your start and final destination, and get an idea of timing. Adjust the route and see where you can go and how long it’ll take you (you can also see if you’re just a few hours shy of somewhere you might not have originally thought of, but would love to visit). Make sure you’ve got your basic route worked out, your A to B, but don’t have every single kilometre written in stone. You’ve got to have room for the unexpected turns, the snap decisions and the ‘I wonder what’s down here?’ moments.
2. What car?
What kind of car you need depends on your destination, trip type and how many people you will be. Think about how likely you are to need 4-wheel drive, high clearance or a convertible, and book accordingly. Make sure that you book in advance, choose unlimited kilometres (unless you’re absolutely positive about the length of your trip), and insure yourself!
If your trip is going to be a long one, a couple of months or more, you might want to think about buying a used car and selling it on when you’re done. Make sure you get it checked over before signing anything though – the last thing you need is a break down in the middle of nowhere!
3. Music
Few things go together as well as music and the open road. There’s going to be plenty of time for tunes, so make sure you’ve downloaded some playlists to your smartphone (and don’t forget the USB cable). That said, it’s wise to check out local radio as well to hear the kind of music you probably wouldn’t listen to back home, probably won’t think you’ll like, but probably come to love.
4. Roads less travelled
Highways might be fast, but you’ll miss a lot. If possible (given time and terrain), take the road less travelled. You’ll see so much more, meet the locals and venture down paths you’d never even have seen. On a similar note: take that detour! See a sign for an odd sounding ghost town or weird tourist attraction? Follow it! Now’s your chance. Spontaneity rules on road trips.
5. Eat local and stay local
Chuckwagon Cafe, Turner Valley, Alberta
Give the local grub a go – even if you have no idea what it is. After all, it might be the only chance you get. The same goes for accommodation: it might be tempting to stay at the shiny new resort, but why not stay at the unique B&B/kitsch motel/mom and pop place down the road?
If you can’t decide, check the Near Me Tonight feature on our app (for iPhone and Android), and see the available rooms near you for that night.
6. Cool bag
Who knows when you’ll next be able to grab a bite to eat? Pack a cool bag – or splash out on an electric car cool box – and store drinks and snacks in case you get peckish (or in case you get a little lost …).
7. Camp (even in your car)
Writing On Stone Provincial Park and Campground
Depending on your budget – and on your wheels – you might consider camping instead of hotels or motels. It’s cheap, easy and a great way to meet people. If you’ve got a large car or van, you can even sleep in your vehicle at some campsites, RV campsites, and in some petrol stations and Walmart stores.
8. Go offline
Yes, Google Maps is great, but there’s something about a paper map– you know, the things you occasionally see gathering dust in the back of taxis or your parents’ car. You’d be surprised at how useful it can be – both for finding out where you are, and for note taking on impromptu stops (and think of the nostalgia value when you’re home).
9. Book ahead
Especially this year with so many closures due to COVID, it will be wise not to try to "wing it" too much as many campgrounds and accommodations may not be booking to full capacity. Best to be cautious this year and have at least you accommodations booked to avoid a frustrating experience of driving around late trying to find a place to stay while the kids are freaking out.10. Stay safe!
Go down those small roads, get out of your comfort zone and explore – but be sensible. Listen to advice, always let someone know where you are and where you’re going – and don’t be a hero.
On a more practical note, keeping a few litres of water in your car at all times can literally be a lifesaver. If you have the room, a litre of gas is a good idea too.
From shopping around for the best rates, to bundling your insurance services, there are a multitude of ways you can try to get cheaper car insurance in Canada - it just takes a little hunting.
A blog from Canadadrives.ca. Originally published in March 2019
Whether you live in Quebec (where they enjoy Canada's lowest insurance premiums) or BC (where the cost of living is no joke), getting the best car insurance rates from top insurers is on the mind of any driver, especially when it comes to renewal time. There are a lot of tips that even seasoned drivers don’t know about.
IBC Source: GISA & MSA data for private insurers (as of December 31, 2018), SGI Annual Report (2018), MPI Annual Report (2018), Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), and ICBC Service Plan (2019)
*Ontario figure updated February 2020 by Canada Drives to reflect 1.56% average increase.
If you’re getting car insurance for the first time, fear not. These helpful tips below can apply to you as well! Here are our 13 ways you can save on car insurance.
An important note: The governments of British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have government-run auto insurance, and in Quebec, the public insurer manages the insurance regime for bodily injuries only. If you’re from these provinces, your options for shopping around are a little more limited, but you can still pick and choose what insurance coverage options you truly need.
1. The benefits of usage-based insurance
Usage-Based Insurance (UBI) or “telematics” is an insurance plan that is based on the kind of driving you do, versus what the insurance company thinks you do (mileage, work or pleasure, etc).
Thanks to modern tech, drivers with UBI policies can see up to 25% saved off their yearly premiums. UBI is a great starting point for “higher risk” drivers, like those in big cities, young drivers, etc, because they can see even greater savings.
2. Safe driving pays off
Most Canadians don’t know that even adding features that improve your road safety, like snow tires or an upgraded alarm system, can reduce your premium! The rules vary province-to-province.
If you regularly change your tires every winter, keep your receipt and tire information when you call your provider. If you don’t use winter tires, but all-weather tires (different from all-season), still ask. They may offer a slightly smaller discount for using them.
3. Bundling different policies can save money
Do you have renters, homeowner, boat, RV, motorcycle insurance? Do you have multiple people in your home that also need car insurance? Some providers offer steep discounts for bundling your insurance services, ranging from 5%-25% per policy.
4. The better the car’s safety rating, the more you can save
Vehicles that have excellent crash test ratings, have low-theft scores, aren’t sporty or attract loads of attention generally get cheaper rates. Sure, it may be fun to drive a hot red sports car, but is it worth the premium? You decide.
5. A higher deductible can save money outright
If you’re comfortable with a greater out-of-pocket cost to you in the event of an accident, then you can consider a higher deductible, say $500, or $1000 as examples. Some companies could let you go higher than that.
6. Don’t settle & shop around for the best rate
Insurance is not a one-and-done purchase. If you live in Ontario, you probably pay some of the highest premiums in the country, seeing an average increase of 3.35% every year (but for many, it’s much more).
Simply put - you want to shop around if you’re in a high-competition province. As you get older, your premiums could go down. If you stay accident-free, your premiums could do down. As your car ages, your premium goes down. If you’ve stayed ticket-free...you get the point.
7. Make payments on time, every time
This may not be something you can do at the onset of finding a new policy, but it’s rather a maintenance approach. If you think you may miss or be late with a payment, be proactive and call before your payment is due.
8. Loyalty can pay off
This may sound antithetical to the previous tip, but depending on the company, it may benefit you more to stay with your existing provider.
Some companies do offer nice loyalty discounts when their customers reach milestones. Check in every few years, or call them upon renewal time and ask if they have a loyalty discount.
9. Uninterrupted insurance history is a good thing
Gaps in insurance history is a significant signal to insurance companies that could keep your premium higher.
Even if you don’t have a car for a while, see if you can get yourself added as a secondary driver to a family or trusted friend member’s policy to keep gaps off your driving history. The more you drive, the lower your insurance.
Lastly, and this should go without saying but, tickets and accidents will hurt your premiums for a while (it takes at least 3 years from payment of a ticket for it to “fall off” your record).
The longer your driving record is with no infractions, you’ll hopefully benefit from the lowest rates available.
10. Review what coverage you really need
Depending on the age of your car, where you live and what your driving habits are like, you may not need a fully-loaded policy. Reviewing your policy annually, how much your car would go for if it had to be written off (collision coverage), etc. and cutting the excess could lower your annual premium.
Of course, find the right balance with what you’re comfortable doing. If you feel better having the coverage “just in case”, then your piece-of-mind may not be worth saving a few extra bucks every month. Just like with a higher deductible, this is all based on your comfort level.
11. Paying your premium all at once can save money
Some insurance companies offer a decent discount on your premium if you pay all at once at your policy renewal time. They may offer a slightly smaller discount if you pay bi-annually, too.
The bonus to this, too (especially if you’re trying to consolidate your spending habits) , is that you’ll naturally avoid the risk of missing a monthly payment.
12. If you’re part of a club, you can save more
Being a member of an organization or alumni group can give you a discount on your insurance premiums. When you shop around, write down what you’re a member of and ask the provider if they have group discounts.
13. An older car could be a better option
If your vehicle has lower market value, you may be better off saving the money on collision and comprehensive coverage. This is because your insurance policy only pays out the value of the car if it’s written-off in an accident (totalled) or stolen.
What qualifies as “comprehensive” and “collision” can vary province-to-province, so make sure you check what your policy covers specifically before removing these protections.
If you’re in the market for a new-to-you vehicle, come pick a car at Canada Drives and see what payment plans we can build for you. Apply now
5 Things That Will Save You From a Vehicle Emergency
Driving is a necessity for a lot of people in the world today. Whether it be going to work, school or anywhere in between, you can see plenty of vehicles on the roads getting to where they need to be.
As more people drive to their destination, the more dangerous it can be on the roadways. Here are 5 quick tips that can keep you and your family safe on the roads, no matter where you go!
Checking Your Blind Spots
Checking your blind spot may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many accidents a year are related to drivers not checking their blind spot! The first thing every driver must do is adjust their mirrors. When positioned correctly, side mirrors help eliminate the blind spot in your vehicle. Though most modern vehicles have blind spot monitors, it is always safer to check your blind spot yourself.
Don’t Brake During a Blow Out
If you experience one of your tires blowing out while you are traveling, DO NOT slam on the brakes! Although your first instinct might be to stop your vehicle, doing this may cause your car to fishtail or even flip over. What you should do instead is apply pressure to the gas pedal until the vehicle stabilizes and then guide your car to a safe zone with your foot off the gas and brake pedals. The drag from your tire blowing out will stop the vehicle eventually. Afterward you can change the tire or call for help.
Always Carry a Safety Kit
It is important to always keep a safety kit in your car. Your car safety kit should have some of the following:
- Collapsable shovel
- Traction aid (Sand, salt, kitty litter)
- Jumper cables
- Flashlight & extra batteries
- Fire extinguisher
- Road flares
- Blankets
- First Aid kit
- Water & non-perishable food
- Battery powered cell phone charger (Charged, of course!)
- Portable battery charger
Having a safety kit in your vehicle can help during times of car trouble. Including an old cell phone in your kit can help in emergencies, as phones can still connect to emergency services without being connected to an active phone contract. There are many things you can put in your safety kit, and it is completely customizable for you.
Drift out, Drift in, unless There’s Danger
We all drift out of our lanes from time to time. We drift because we lose focus, or other things need attention (or get attention, like changing songs on an iPod).
If you drift, you don’t need to take a violent sudden action to correct it, unless danger is looming. Assuming no one is near enough to be affected, you can simply drift back into your lane and continue on your way.
There’s no need for drama most of the time.
Regular Maintenance!
We know this last one is obvious, but seriously, when is the last time you actually checked if the following are in good working order and have been kept up on maintenance? How many are you ignoring?
1. The Oil
2. The Tire Pressure
3. The Brakes
4. The Power Steering Fluid
5. Wheel Alignment
6. The Antifreeze or Coolant
7. The Tire Treads
8. The Air Filter
9. The Transmission Fluid
10. The Lights – All of Them
Any of these 10 crucial elements of your vehicle can cause a serious problem in a bad situation. We are all guilty of ignoring maintenance but as your safety is involved, as well as a major investment in your vehicle, we can't emphasize enough how important it is to keep up on these things. You can do much of this yourself, or bring your vehicle in to us at Dale Adams Automotive and we will always give you exceptional quality of service at a fair price.
Here is a link to better explanations of these important items.
BONUS TIP: EXTREME SITUATION
How to Escape from a Sinking Car
This will probably never happen to you. Or to anyone you know.
But knowing the steps to get out of a sinking car may save your own life, as well as those of your passengers. Think it through, while sitting in your car, and remember your plan, and you’ll be in good shape. Here are the steps to take when your car ends up in the water.
- Keep your cool. Panic will put you in more danger.
- Hold on to the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 positions (or even 8 and 4) to avoid injury if the airbags inflate.
- As soon as the car is in the water, undo your seatbelt–and help small children do the same.
- Do not worry about making the cell phone call.
- Open the window–or a window–as quickly as possible. Electrical systems should work for a short period after the car lands in the water. Don’t worry yet about the doors–that could cause a quick sink rather than a slow one.
- If you can’t open the window, use a hammer or window breaking tool you have stowed conveniently to smash the windows.
- Get air in your lungs and get out of the window.
- If the car is filling with water, know that you will not be able to open the door until the water pressure is equal inside and out. You will still have an air pocket up near the roof of the car.
- Help children out first then follow them to the surface.
As with any safety plan, it’s important to have a plan–know what you will do. You will only need to think about it once or twice in your driving career, but you may end up being thankful you did.
Stay Safe
Being a safe driver is paramount to keeping you and everyone around you safe. Always be aware of your surroundings and never make any rash decisions. Plan ahead for the moderate cost of maintaining a vehicle and make time to check your vehicle at least every 3 months. If you have questions or concerns we are only a call or email away.
Dale and the team.
A huge thanks to Champion Auto Parts for creating this great reference.
Spring – a.k.a. allergy season
You love everything about spring…well, almost everything. You love the warmer temperatures, spending time outside and hearing the birds chirp, but can do without the allergy-inducing pollen that invades the air.
If you suffer from allergies, you go through this love-hate relationship with spring every year. While you can’t magically get rid of all the pollen in the air, you can ensure the air inside your car is clean and fresh with a new cabin air filter.
What’s a cabin air filter?
You are probably aware that your vehicle’s engine has an air filter, but did you know that your car’s HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) system may also have one? Commonly called a cabin air filter, it performs the same duties for your HVAC system as the engine air filter does for your car’s engine.
The cabin air filter is a small pleated filter made of multi-fiber paper cotton or other engineered material. Before entering the passenger compartment, outside air is directed through this filter to trap the contaminants inside the filter and prevent them from entering the inside of your vehicle.
How does a cabin air filter work?
Clean air is essential to your vehicle running properly; your car’s engine air filter ensures that clean air reaches the engine. In the same way, your car’s ventilation system counts on the cabin air filter to keep a steady stream of clean air flowing.
The cabin air filter keeps dust, dirt, pollen, bacteria and exhaust gases from entering the HVAC system of your car. It also prevents bugs, leaves and other debris from clogging up the system. Vital to clean air inside the car, the cabin air filter keeps the air inside the car fresh so you and your passengers can breathe easy – something you’ll appreciate all year long but especially during allergy season.
How do I know if my cabin air filter needs changing?
While there is no warning light that comes on when your cabin air filter needs changing, there are some signs that you may notice:
Reduced air circulation inside your passenger compartment
Diminished heating and air conditioning performance
Musty odor in the cabin of the vehicle
Cabin air intake ducting may begin to make an unusual whistling sound
If you observe one or more of these signs, it is likely that the time has come to change it. You can either do the job yourself or have your trusted mechanic switch it out for you.
How often should I change my cabin air filter?
It is recommended that you change your cabin air filter annually or every 12,000 miles. If you find yourself driving in heavily polluted areas or travelling on dirt roads, you should change the cabin air filter every 5,000 miles. Allergy sufferers may want to consider changing it more often to ensure air quality and to reduce their allergy symptoms.
What can happen if I don’t change my cabin air filter?
If you don’t change your cabin air filter, the filter will become more clogged with dirt and debris and the efficiency of the filter and your car’s HVAC system will be compromised. The air volume into your passenger compartment will be continually reduced which will lead to the issue of foul odors inside your car. The simple act of changing your cabin air filter will dramatically improve the air quality in your vehicle.
What else can I do to allergy-proof my car?
There are some other steps you can take to ensure that you keep pollen and other allergens out of your vehicle. Here are some easy things you can do:
Vacuum seats and carpeted floor mats to remove dust mites
Clean spills quickly to prevent mold from developing
Wipe down steering wheel, dashboard, console and door panels
Ensure that windows and doors seal properly – check weather stripping
Learn more about quality cabin air filters, find your car part, or find where to buy your auto part today.
The content contained in this article is for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be used in lieu of seeking professional advice from a certified technician or mechanic. We encourage you to consult with our certified technicians or mechanics here at Dale Adams if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein.
10 Car Enthusiast Podcasts for 2020 from Feedspot.com
If you are like many people these days, you love listening to podcasts. It is a great way to get to learn about anything you are interested in. We found this great article on feedspot.com that listed 20 great podcasts for car enthusiasts but we felt we would narrow it down to our top 10. Many others were about buying cars and other topics we felt our customers wouldn't be as interested in.
Let us know in the comments what your favourite vehicle-based podcasts are. We hope you enjoy these.
Dale Adams and Staff
10 Car Enthusiast Podcasts for 2020
(In no particular order)
All Torque Car Podcast
About Podcast Join long time mates Peter Ronis, Halil Mustafa and Ross Galettis obssessed about talking about cars. This is an automotive podcast recorded from various locations.
Frequency 1 episode / week
Since Oct 2018
Podcast shoutengine.com/AllTorqueCar..+ Follow
The Auto Detailing Podcast | Best Auto Detailing Secrets & Tips
Seal Beach, CA
About Podcast This podcast is dedicated to car enthusiast and professional car detailers. Jimbo, along with his guest will teach you how to detail a car, give you the very best auto detailing tips to make sure your ride is dialed in and will be interviewing professional auto detailers weekly, so you can grow and succeed in all things car detailing and car culture.
Frequency 1 episode / week
Since Jul 2014
Podcast autodetailingpodcast.libsyn.com+ Follow
The Curbside Car Show podcast
Featherbed Railroad
About Podcast A podcast about automobiles, classic and vintage cars, Cherry Classics as well as unique automotive-related destinations and museums along with the people behind them.
Frequency 26 episodes / year
Since Oct 2018
Podcast curbside.tv/podcast+ Follow
CarCast
California
About Podcast Hosted by Adam Carolla and Matt D'Andria, CarCast covers everything from hot rods to supercars, delivering serious expertise with a good sense of humor. Automotive designers, racers and celebrity car enthusiasts come to CarCast for a real, unscripted, lively discussion of all things on four wheels.
Frequency 2 episodes / week
Since Oct 2016 Podcast carcastshow.com/category/car..+ Follow
Car Talk
Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
About Podcast America's funniest auto mechanics take calls from weary car owners all over the country and crack wise while they diagnose Dodges and dismiss Diahatsus. You don't have to know anything about cars to love this one hour weekly laugh fest.
Frequency 1 episode / week
Podcast npr.org/podcasts/510208/car-..+ Follow
Driven Car Reviews
About Podcast New York Times contributor and Emmy Award-winning automotive journalist Tom Voelk looks at all things cars.
Frequency 1 episode / week
Since Feb 2014
Podcast drivencarreviews.libsyn.com+ Follow
The Car Help Podcast | Cars, Auto Show, Carcast, Vehicle, Automobies & Car News
Canada
About Podcast The Car Help Podcast brings listeners valuable automotive advice and the latest in automotive news. They publish every week and cover everything automotive from car buying tips, mechanical and repair advice, insurance, car reviews and industry news.
Frequency 4 episodes / month
Since Jan 2017
Podcast shoutengine.com/TheCarHelpPo..+ Follow
Cody's Car Conundrum
About Podcast This podcast is all about cars from news, movies, expert interviews, culture and even car games. Join me on today's journey into car world.
Frequency 1 episode / day
Since Dec 2016
Podcast codyscarconundrum.podbean.com+ Follow
Gears and Beers Podcast
About Podcast GEARS AND BEERS PODCAST IS A WEEKLY AUTOMOTIVE PODCAST. WE LOVE CARS AND BEER!
Frequency 1 episode / week
Podcast gearsandbeersmedia.com+ Follow
More than a car
About Podcast Volkswagen brings you a whole new perspective on all things cars and culture. Take a journey with Heather Maltman and Kurt McGuiness.
Frequency 1 episode / year
Since Oct 2018
Podcast mytoasterhaswheels.podomatic..+ Follow