What Is a VIN, and Where Can You Find It on Your Car?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Anyone who owns a car has probably heard of the term “VIN.” But not everyone understands how important the vehicle identification number is, especially when it comes to used car buying. Every vehicle bears a series of characters unique to it, like a fingerprint. And the VIN can help reveal a vehicle’s history and unlock other important information.

What exactly is a VIN?

According to Driving-Tests.org, a vehicle identification number is a unique code that automakers assign to every motor vehicle during manufacturing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration records the data that American manufacturers submit to the federal agency.

Typically, a VIN is a string of 17 characters (a combination of letters and numbers) specific to each model that rolls off any production line. VINs omit confusing characters such as Q, I, and O. And no two vehicles have the same number. So, basically, your vehicle is unique like you.

However, you might not realize that a VIN unlocks a ton of information about the car.

Where to find your car’s VIN

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You can check your insurance card, vehicle title, or car registration to find your VIN. But every vehicle also has the number imprinted on it. Most passenger cars include it on the driver’s side of the dashboard. Leaning over the top of the hood, you can usually peer down toward the dash to see the VIN.

You can also find it on the driver’s side door, listed on a sticker, usually affixed to the pillar. Motorcycles typically display their vehicle identification numbers below the handlebars, along the steering neck.

Decoding the numbers and letters

Each character that makes up your car’s VIN represents information about the vehicle. For example, the series of digits often reveals the year the automaker produced the vehicle. It also indicates the country and factory location. And, of course, the VIN shows a car’s make, model, and serial number. 

How a VIN can help you

Buying a vehicle can be risky if you don’t know the history. Clark.com offers free ways to check for VIN history to ensure you’re not buying a lemon. And BestTechnie.com points out that learning about a vehicle’s salvage title or past flood damage can help you avoid a bad buy and potentially save you thousands. Find previous vehicle owners and documentation of past accidents or repairs. A VIN can also help you identify open recalls. And law enforcement relies heavily on vehicle identification numbers to help find and recover stolen cars.

Some dealers also offer VIN etching. They often inscribe VINs across a vehicle’s windows. Many consumers are exploring vehicle etching throughout their vehicles, including engine compartments and trunks, too. Some sources suggest it costs only about $400, and for some vehicle owners, it’s worth it for peace of mind if their car is stolen. And in some cases, VIN etching on parts can help deter thieves. 

Before you buy a used car, even if it’s from a dealership, look for the vehicle identification number. Take the time to research the vehicle’s history. The VIN will help reveal any surprises and help you make your final purchasing decision. And at the very least, it will tell you where the car has been in the past. If everything checks out, you might decide to get VIN etching yourself to protect your investment further.

The post What Is a VIN, and Where Can You Find It on Your Car? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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The 2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV Saves Your Rear When Gas Isn’t Near

by Gabrielle DeSantis

I’ve had a wonderful week with the new Lincoln Aviator Hybrid, and I’m not over it. Forget everything you used to know about this SUV. As you’ll see from part one of this 2021 Lincoln Aviator Review, it’s an entirely new three-row luxury SUV to consider. 

2021 Lincoln Aviator Hybrid has unbelievable upgrades 

2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV | Lincoln

The most common question I got about the Lincoln Aviator was, “That’s a Lincoln?” People seemed to be surprised by how good it looks. The Aviator was reintroduced in 2019 with a sleek, seductive, and down-right cool design. 

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator Hybrid has a reminiscent look that reminds me of classic cars that you would see back in the day, with tall, elongated hoods. I also get a 1920’s classy feel without being over the top or gaudy. 

But I named this Lincoln Abraham. Not because it has elegant looks, but because it felt composed, reliable, and a little controversial. Some people aren’t fans of plug-in hybrids yet, but with the Colonial Pipeline cyberattack, I’m happy to have an alternative power method for this classy beast. 

How does the Lincoln Aviator Hybrid Perform? 

RELATED: Here’s What Driving the Ford F-150 Hybrid is Like

Do you know that ahhhh noise you hear when you see something heavenly? That’s the sound that plays in my mind when I hit the acceleration pedal in the 2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring Plug-in Hybrid. 

The 13.6-kWh battery pack, 75-kW motor, and twin-turbo V6 combine to create 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. Robert Duffer from The Car Connection agrees with me about this joy. You can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than six seconds. 

You hear the whirl of electric motors, then the roar of the gas engine, and you’re already flying. You can use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel to make your daily commute tons of fun. Driving this car manually in I-26 traffic around 40 mph was very exciting. 

Some hybrid vehicles with auto stop and go tech have a delay at red lights that you have to get used to. The engine turns off when you stop. Then once you hit the accelerator, the engine restarts before you can go. The Aviator doesn’t have this delay. 

But you don’t have to use the rear-wheel platform to drive this SUV in a sporty manner constantly. It’s great for cruising along. The ride is incredibly smooth, and the interior provides peaceful silence. As a driver and passenger, I got to relax with an easy ride.

Despite having three rows and being pretty long, the Aviator feels light and convenient. It’s one of the easiest vehicles I’ve ever parked, and there’s almost no body roll. Usually, my dog curls up on a seat or the cargo floor, afraid to move, but in the Lincoln, he was brave enough to sit up. 

Note: Bruce, the blue heeler beagle mix, wears a seatbelt and sits on top of thick, durable seat covers. 

How fuel-efficient is the Lincoln Aviator Hybrid? 

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator driving on a curvy road through the forest
2021 Lincoln Aviator | Ford

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator Hybrid with all-wheel drive gets an EPA-estimated 56 MPGe and 23 mpg. You can extend the amount of range you have with regenerative braking. Sometimes when you stop really smoothly, a little message pops up to say good job, you gain battery power. It’s a fun reward. It can feel like doing something well in a video game. 

I just drove around Asheville, North Carolina, looking for gas, but couldn’t find any. I drove for 30 minutes and was averaging about 23.7 miles per gallon. I had no electric charge, but the regenerative braking provided seven miles. I’ll have to go back to an EV charging station. 

Public charging stations provide a full charge in about three hours with the 240-volt charge. With a Level one charger at home, it takes about six to eight hours to recharge fully. There are 21 miles of pure electric range and a total range of about 460 miles. 

The Pure EV driving mode uses your electric power, and the Preserve mode saves battery power for later. In Preserve mode, the engine charges the battery to gain up to 75% of a charge. 

How do you charge the Lincoln Aviator PHEV? 

The 2020 Lincoln Aviator PHEV before charged with a plug towards the driver's door
The 2020 Lincoln Aviator PHEV Charging | Ford

I went on a mission to charge the 2021 Lincoln Aviator PHEV and easily parked it in an EV spot. I got out and plugged the large plug into the port near the driver’s side, and that was it. A blue light came on, indicating that the vehicle was charging. 

I spent about 20 minutes in a grocery store while Abraham charged and gained about three miles of range. The digital cluster display and infotainment center display how much charge you have and the amount of time needed to recharge fully. 

Also, the Lincoln Way app can display your charge, show you the nearest charging stations, how long it will take to charge, etc. With an at-home charger, you can set your charging times. By switching between gas and hybrid power, you can drive the way you want, and it’s nice to have a backup solution on hand in case fuel becomes scarce.

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Is Jeep’s New Segment A Trail-Rated Van? Brand Manager Won’t Deny It

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Minivans are dead. Unless you are into the whole Van Life thing-then, they’re red hot right now. So which is it? Van Life is just off-roading with a van, and off-roading is the whole Jeep raison d’etre. 

What would be more natural than a Jeep trail-rated van?

Jeep Wrangler van rendering | Samir S

So what would be more natural than for Jeep to make a trail-rated van? And honestly, what would be cooler than that? Instead of using your Jeep to get to a camping site to pitch a tent, your Jeep becomes your sleeping abode. Naturally. 

Jeep’s FC Forward Control platform in the 1960s made for a versatile amount of vehicles. One of them was a van. Its cab-over design made it perfect for making a van. So Jeep has a history of van-making though it was never a big part of its focus or production.

Van life is a thing and people need solid vans for their quest

Jeep Wrangler van rendering rear 3/4 view
Jeep Wrangler van rendering | Samir S

But the 21st century is different. Van life is a thing, and people need solid vans as a foundation for their quest. And most of it depends on the aftermarket, something that Jeep really ties in with. So there is another reason why morphing Jeep and vans is a perfect marriage of convenience. 

“I can’t talk about future products, but at the end of the day, we’re not going to make a minivan. Whatever we did in terms of future product, it’s still going to be a Jeep,” Brandon Girmus, senior brand manager of the Jeep Gladiator told Muscle Cars and Trucks. “It’s still going to be off-road capable. It’s still going to be Trail Rated. It’s still going to check all those boxes. We’re always looking for new ideas, and new places, and new directions we could take the Jeep brand. We’ll have to see what we come up with next.”

That is actually more than you expect from the product and design people at the various manufacturers. They’re mostly tight-lipped. But we get it, there is just enough said to tease without giving away the farm. 

Jeep needs to make a Jeep van

Jeep Wrangler van rendering | Samir S
Jeep Wrangler van rendering | Samir S

RELATED: Why Don’t SUVs Have Sliding Doors?

These images from designer Samir Sadikhov blew up on the interweb earlier this year. They depict an imaginary Jeep as a van. In reality, we doubt Jeep would make a van so literal to the Wrangler, but that doesn’t matter. What does is the idea that Jeep needs to make a Jeep van. 

There is just too much synchronicity between Van Life and off-road excursions. And those excursions are exactly what Jeep is known for. We think that a van made by Jeep could garner more buzz than the recent Hyundai Santa Cruz has.

The post Is Jeep’s New Segment A Trail-Rated Van? Brand Manager Won’t Deny It appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

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The 2021 Ford F-150 Is a Stronger Alternative to the Toyota Tundra

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s no denying that the Toyota Tundra has a lot going for it. But when it comes to how much the Toyota Tundra can tow? It’s outmuscled by several of its rivals. Take, for example, the 2021 Ford F-150. So if you aren’t impressed with the Toyota Tundra’s max tow rating? You’re going to want to consider the Ford F-150 as a stronger alternative to the Toyota Tundra.

How much can the 2021 Toyota Tundra tow?

Toyota Tundra | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The 2021 Toyota Tundra can tow a maximum of 10,200-pounds when properly equipped. It also boasts a 1,730-pound max payload capacity. According to the automaker, the Tundra’s towing and hauling capabilities can be attributed to its heavy-duty TripleTech frame, which features an integrated two hitch receiver.

The Toyota Tundra offers additional towing features too, though those features won’t necessarily have you towing more. Instead, available features like the Tundra’s Tow/Haul mode and integrated trailer brake controller with trailer-sway control aim to make towing an even more manageable task.

The 2021 Ford F-150 is a stronger alternative to the Toyota Tundra

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Now, there’s no denying that the Toyota Tundra can tow a considerable amount of weight. Really, the ability to tow up to 10,200-pounds is nothing to scoff at. But if you need a stronger alternative to the Toyota Tundra? The 2021 Ford F-150 fits the bill.

In fact, when equipped with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine and the max trailer tow package, the 2021 Ford F-150 can tow a maximum of 14,000-pounds. And if it’s a higher max payload rating that you’re after? Consider an F-150 with a 5.0-liter V8 under the hood, and this year’s F-150 boasts a best-in-class max payload capacity of 3,325-pounds.

RELATED: Driving the 2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Changes the Game

As it turns out, the Ford F-150 Hybrid makes for a stronger alternative to the Toyota Tundra too. In fact, when equipped with a 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid engine, the Ford F-150 can tow a maximum of 12,700-pounds.

Much like the 2021 Toyota Tundra, the Ford F-150 is available with a slew of features as well, many of which are designed to make towing an even easier task. Features like an available blind spot information system with trailer coverage make towing with confidence an easy feat. Meanwhile, Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes backing up your trailer as easy as turning a knob on the truck’s dash.

The Ford F-150 isn’t the only strong alternative to the Toyota Tundra

RELATED: New 2022 Chevy Silverado Clues Reveal Incredible Upgrades

Here’s the thing, the 2021 Ford F-150 isn’t the only pickup that can tow more than the Toyota Tundra. For another stronger alternative to the Toyota Tundra, check out the 2021 Chevy Silverado. With a 6.2-liter V8 under the hood, this year’s Silverado will have you towing significantly more than the Toyota Tundra.

The Ram 1500 will have you towing more than the Toyota Tundra too. Opt for a model equipped with Ram’s available 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine, and the 2021 Ram 1500 can tow a maximum of 12,750-pounds. There’s really no denying that’s an impressive amount when compared to the 2021 Toyota Tundra.

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