by Gabrielle DeSantis

Considering many newer cars come with a ton of tech-savvy features, even in their base form, you would think that they would all come with alarm systems. However, that might not be the case. So it’s important to check out all of the features on that new or used car that you have your eye on before signing all of the papers for it. Here is how you can check if it has an alarm system from the factory.

What is a factory alarm system?

RELATED: What Is a Stolen Vehicle Recovery System and Does It Actually Work?

A factory alarm system is a factory-installed, anti-theft feature in which the car’s horn is triggered when the doors, trunk, or any of the windows are tampered with when the car is locked. While nearly every new car on the market comes with a key fob that locks and unlocks the doors and pops open the trunk, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the car is equipped with an alarm system.

How to check if your car has a factory alarm system

According to Compustar, one of the easiest ways to check if the car has a factory alarm is to refer to the car’s owner’s manual. The vehicle’s owner’s manual should be able to tell you if the car is equipped with an alarm, but if you can’t find it there, then you can always look up your specific vehicle application on the Internet to find out.

If you purchased, or plan on purchasing, a used car and it has an aftermarket key fob, then it’s safe to say that it’s probably equipped with an aftermarket alarm.

You can simulate a break-in

No, we don’t mean that you should actually break your car’s windows or mess with the door locks. Instead, Compustar recommends the following steps in order to simulate a break-in and check if your car has an alarm system:

• Roll down one of your car’s windows
• Remove the key from the ignition and get out of the car
• Using the key, lock the car with the window rolled down
• Wait about 30 seconds to a minute
• Reach through the window, unlock the car via the interior lock, and then open the door

If the car has a security system installed then the horn will go off and the lights should flash. If an alarm doesn’t go off, then you can try it again. However, if you do this process multiple times but to no avail, then your car most likely does not have an alarm system.

You can also check under the hood

RELATED: Thieves Suck: 7 DIY Ways to Protect You Car From Theft

Most, if not all, car alarm systems come with a horn that sounds off the siren when it’s triggered. If you’re still unsure whether or not your car has an alarm system, you can always just under the hood for the horn, or any other possible alarm system components. If you’re still unsure, then you can also have a qualified mechanic or audio installer check for you.

What if my car doesn’t have an alarm system?

If you find out that your car doesn’t have an alarm system, then you can ask your local dealer about having a factory system installed. Just note that an OEM alarm system (and the labor to install it) can cost a pretty penny depending on the vehicle that you have.

If you would rather save some money, or want extra features – like a two-way paging alarm and a proximity sensor – then a qualified car stereo and alarm installed should be able to assist you.

The post Do All Newer Cars Come With an Alarm System? appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Depending on the size of your yard, you may find yourself in need of a riding lawn mower or tractor. Fortunately, there are several options worth your consideration. But when it comes to choosing the best riding lawn mower or tractor for satisfying your lawn care needs? Consumer Reports’ data shows that you really can’t go wrong with a John Deere riding lawn mower or tractor. Let’s find out why.

How to choose the best riding mower or tractor 

Now, John Deere isn’t the only one manufacturing riding lawn mowers and tractors these days. While that’s undoubtedly good news, it could make shopping for the best riding mower or tractor for your needs feel like an overwhelming task. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be.

Consumer Reports suggests determining what type of lawn mower you actually need to choose the best riding mower or tractor for your lawn care needs. While lawn tractors are best suited for large lawns, a zero-turn mower will be easier for you to maneuver. You might also consider a rear-engine rider. Though these types of mowers are typically cheaper, Consumer Reports claims they don’t cut grass quite as well.

The John Deere S240-48 is the best riding mower and tractor

RELATED: The 10 Best Lawn Mowers for Small Yards According to Consumer Reports

When it came to identifying the best riding mower and tractor, Consumer Reports couldn’t help but tap the John Deere S240-48. Ringing in at $2,900, this John Deere riding lawn mower will cost you a pretty penny. But, according to Consumer Reports, it’s an ace performer.

It earned Excellent side-discharging, mulching, and bagging performance ratings. Consumer Reports also gave it a five out of five predicted reliability rating. Consumer Reports added that this John Deere riding mower and tractor benefits from a “comfortable high-back seat that gives you a clear view of the fuel level and a washout port that lets you easily clear clippings beneath the mower deck.”

The John Deere Z375R-54 ranked as the second-best riding mower and tractor

RELATED: A John Deere Isn’t the Most Expensive Lawn Mower on This Consumer Reports List

Now, the John Deere S240-48 isn’t the only lawn mower Consumer Reports included in its list of the best riding mowers and tractors. The organization also included the John Deere Z375R-54 in its selection of the best riding lawn mowers and tractors, adding that while it may be second-ranked among all riding mowers and tractors, it is the best zero-turn-radius lawn tractor.

Much like the John Deere S240-48, the John Deere Z375R-54 earned itself some pretty impressive ratings too. In fact, Consumer Reports gave it Excellent in evenness, side-discharging, mulching, and handling. It’s a smooth operator too and has comfortable handles. Consumer Reports says its 54-inch deck makes mowing large yards easy too.

As for how much this zero-turn-radius lawn tractor will cost you? According to the manufacturer’s website, you can expect to spend approximately $3,499 on this John Deere lawn tractor.

The post John Deere Topped Consumer Reports’ List of The Best Riding Lawn Mowers and Tractors appeared first on MotorBiscuit.