A mechanic toils away on an old drivetrain.

What does the drivetrain do?

Frequently-Asked Drivetrain Questions

If you’ve been exposed to car talk lately, you’ve likely heard the phrase “drivetrain” batted about. “But I’m driving a car,” you may have been thinking, “and not a train!” After you mistakenly uttered this sentence aloud and were subsequently berated by your car-savvy companions, you may have been left wondering: what is the drivetrain, and what does it do?

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A being savors the activation of remote start in a wintry clime while a concerned bird flies overhead.

Is remote start bad?

Ramifications of Remote Start on the Engine and Environment

Remote start is a trendy amenity among modern drivers. Many individuals get great pleasure from the convenience of the feature, finding it can make a big difference in time and comfort, especially on cold, icy days. Getting into a chilly vehicle is, after all, a grating pain of the sort not often found elsewhere in the modern developed world.

However, some voices of dissent have come to ruin the remote start party by arguing that the feature hurts the vehicle engine and/or the environment. Is there truth to these arguments? Is remote start bad?

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Money falls from the sky in a rain of $100 bills

Is Zipcar a good deal?

Zipcar Value and Practicality

With the modern technological age, numerous unconventional methods of transportation are arising. Along with Uber, Lyft, and more, one of these newfangled options is called Zipcar. Zipcar advertises that, in addition to a monthly membership fee, users can pay only to use cars when they need them. Zipcar is only available in certain locations, and Austin is one of them. So is Zipcar a good, practical deal? Read on below to see whether this service can outweigh traditional car ownership.

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A cartoon Texas landscape with the text, "Can I flat-tow in Texas?"

Is flat-towing illegal in Texas?

Texas Flat-Towing Laws and Requirements

Flat-towing, also known as dinghy towing, is a popular way to take an extra vehicle along on a journey. The method is often performed with an RV by individuals who want to bring their own ride-along on their camping journey. However, each state has different regulations regarding flat-towing, and they should all be followed when one drives through that state. What are the Texas flat-towing laws? Is the practice even legal?

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Saint Patrick uses the power of the clover to summon money and expel the snake lord.

What’s there to do for St. Patrick’s Day 2020 in Austin?

Unique Saint Patrick’s Day 2020 Activities in Austin, TX

The famed Irish holiday of leprechauns, clovers, and all things green is fast approaching for 2020. As always, Austin has a lot going on. In particular, a heaping helping of bar crawls will be competing for your crawling pleasure.

Since the bar-crawl zone is so feisty, we decided to stay away from it entirely and give you some unique event suggestions; Austin is a city of weirdness, after all. So check out our special St. Patrick’s Day 2020 event selections below!

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A woman gazes on a good credit report of 765.

What is a competitive lessee?

Definition of a Well-Qualified Buyer

If you’re looking to buy a vehicle, perusing pages and pages of loan and lease offers, you’ve likely come across the terms “competitive lessee” and “well-qualified buyer.” Many offers from OEM dealers are only applicable to such individuals.

Unfortunately, the designation is often left frustratingly vague. So what exactly does it mean to be a well-qualified lessee?

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A vehicle drives through deep mud offroad.

What does all-wheel drive help with?

Benefits and Capabilities of All-Wheel Drive

Over the past few decades, all-wheel drive has become an increasingly desired feature among consumers. So, what does All-Wheel Drive actually help with? It’s generally assumed that with all four wheels getting power on a vehicle, the ability to traverse terrain of all variations and conditions will be greatly boosted. But is this really the case?

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A man's hands check oil under the hood.

Should I check my oil when the engine is hot or cold?

Ideal Engine Temperature for Oil Check

Oil is a very important part of an automobile, as it lubricates the machinery inside so that everything can stay in good working order. To ensure your vehicle has enough of this precious slippery juice in its system, it’s a good idea to check your oil from time to time. In fact, Consumer Reports recommends doing so at every other fuel stop. But different opinions abound on the exact conditions under which oil should be checked. One area that seems “hotly” debated is the ideal engine temperature. Should you check your oil with a hot or cold engine?

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