The Four Most Important Filters in Your Car are Actually Rather Simple

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There are many components around your vehicle that require filtration — whether it be for air or fluid. There are many filters throughout your vehicle, and although they all have similar jobs and seem rather simple, they are crucial to ensuring your vehicle’s health and longevity. Replacing these filters can vary between necessity and regular maintenance, and knowing what the important filters are in your vehicle and what exactly they do is an important part of vehicle ownership and maintenance.

Fuel filters

A fuel filter unit into a fuel filter module | Marijan Murat, picture-alliance, Getty Images

Your vehicle’s fuel filter isn’t as much of a maintenance item as it is a filter that is changed when necessary for most people. While the fuel you pump from the gas station is refined, it isn’t always free of particles and debris that can damage the inside of your engine during the combustion process. Whether it’s debris from the gas station’s tank, residual particles from the refinement process, or a bit of gunk in your gas tank, the fuel filter protects your engine from potential harm while still providing it with the fuel it needs to run.

Cabin air filters

Your cabin air filter is quick and easy to replace, but it’s also just as easy to forget. Maintaining your cabin air filter is a crucial part of keeping your vehicle’s interior air the highest quality possible, as it filters out debris and allergens from the outside air. According to Valvoline, the concept is very similar to how your home’s air filter works: the air is pushed through the system, and the filter removes potentially harmful debris and particles that can reduce your cabin air quality.

Air filters

Air filters for your vehicle’s engine work similarly to the cabin air filters in reducing the amount of debris and particles that are brought into the system. Clean air is an essential part of the internal combustion process that powers your engine and moves your car, and the removal of harmful particles and debris from that air is crucial to maintaining your engine’s health as well as longevity. Because airflow is an important aspect of the internal combustion process, having adequate, clean airflow can greatly affect your vehicle’s engine performance and even fuel economy.

Oil filters

The oil filter is one of the most important pieces of mechanic maintenance in your engine. Every time you take your car in for an oil change, your oil filter should be replaced. The oil filter, as the name suggests, filters and removes debris from the engine oil. This debris, although seemingly small, can damage the internal components of the engine. Checking the oil filter in between oil changes can also help in identifying any major issues within the engine that need immediate attention — like having metal shavings in the oil and filter can indicate damaged internal components.

RELATED: Cars Explained: Why Do Cars Need Oil Changes?

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The 2022 Hyundai Tucson ‘Leapfrogs’ Its Predecessor

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is here and it’s even better than the 2021. What makes the 2022 Tucson so much better than the 2021, and why is it Consumer Reports-recommended? Let’s take a look at what makes the newest Tucson a great buy. 

2022 Hyundai Tucson | Hyundai

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson is better than the 2021 Hyundai Tucson

Consumer Reports tested the 2022 Hyundai Tucson, and it writes that “Hyundai’s redesigned Tucson leapfrogged the model it replaced.” Consumer Reports notes that it has a smooth ride and quiet cabin, and this is reflected in the 2022 Tucson’s road test ratings. 

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson gets a fantastic 4/5 for its ride, compared to the 2021 Tucson which only had a 3/5. Noise in the 2022 also gets a 4/5 for noise. Front-seat comfort is very good, at a 4/5. Rear seat comfort gets a perfect 5/5, which is also an upgrade from the 2021’s 4/5. Consumer Reports says that the Tucson is even more comfortable than the Santa Fe, which is larger and theoretically should be more comfortable than the Tucson. 

Interior fit and finish get a very good 4/5, an upgrade from the 2021’s 3/5. The trunk and cargo space is also better, though it still only gets a 3/5, with 38.5 cubic feet of storage space. However, the 2021 only had 29.5 cubic feet of storage space, so this is a significant increase.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson’s handling is excellent

Consumer Reports notes that the 187-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine Hyundai Tucson has “accurate, well-weighted steering and responsive, nimble handling.” Routine and emergency handling both get a 4/5, while the emergency handling in the 2021 Hyundai Tucson is just a 3/5. The Hyundai Tucson’s max avoidance speed is 53 mph.

Other factors in the road test rating are also very good. The Hyundai Tucson gets a perfect 5/5 for its braking. It can brake from 60 mph on dry pavement in 130 feet and 131 feet on wet pavement. The acceleration is just a 3/5. It takes 9.6 seconds to go from 0 to 60, which Consumer Reports notes is slower than most of the Tucson’s competitors. The Tucson’s headlights also score an okay 3/5.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson has almost all of the most important safety features

Consumer Reports prioritizes a variety of safety features which have been proven to be effective at preventing collisions, injuries, and deaths. These include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking at city and highway speeds, lane-keeping assistance, and lane departure warning. Pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, and daytime running lights are also important. Rearview cameras are standard in all new cars. 

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson comes standard with everything that Consumer Reports recommends – except for automatic emergency braking for the highway, which is optional. Blind spot warning and rear-cross traffic warning have been standard in the Hyundai Tucson since July 2021, so try to make sure that the Tucson you buy comes with those safety features. If you’d bought the 2021, many of these safety features would have been optional, like pedestrian detection and blind spot warning. Additionally, automatic emergency braking wasn’t even available on the 2021.

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Car Dealership Owner Arrested for Odometer Tampering

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Purchasing used cars is often nasty business. Used car dealerships are notorious for ripping off customers. There are many honest used car dealerships out there, but dealership horror stories are widespread. Once you sign on that dotted line, you could be stuck with a lemon. One Florida dealership owner’s recent arrest is proof that the used car business is just as shady as ever.

Dealership owner messes with mileage

An automobile odometer with 100000 miles shown | Universal Education/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Mileage is one of the biggest factors when considering a used car for purchase. Why? Mileage has a lot to do with how much longer a vehicle could last. A vehicle with mileage under 100,000 miles usually still has at least a few years left before parts start going bad. A vehicle with high mileage above 100,000 miles is often past its prime.

While more experienced car owners that know how to maintain vehicles may be interested in vehicles with high mileage, many new buyers tend to stay away from used vehicles with higher mileage. According to Local10.com, a news outlet for Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a car dealership owner was recently arrested for odometer tampering. Odometer tampering is when a person intentionally manipulates information displayed on the odometer to mislead potential buyers.

This is a huge offense because tampering with the odometer then selling that vehicle is selling a vehicle under false pretenses. In this particular case, the dealership owner reduced the odometer mileage display from 180,000 miles driven to around 100,000 miles. This amount of mileage difference is the equivalent to at least four to five years of driving on average.

Used car buyers beware

A used car dealership.
Used car dealership | JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

A buyer purchased a 2010 Mazda CX9 for $9,148.80. Shortly after the purchase, the vehicle began to have many issues that alerted the buyer that something about their CX9 was seriously off. The 2010 Mazda CX9 is a reliable SUV and shouldn’t have serious mechanical issues until it has racked up some major mileage.

The Mazda CX9 owner had a hunch that something about the SUV was suspicious. They took it to CarMax to get a full inspection done and get to the bottom of what exactly was wrong with the vehicle. The folks at CarMax made the shocking discovery that the odometer had been tampered with.

The buyer confronted the dealership owner over the phone, and the owner admitted to tampering with the odometer. The dealership owner then attempted to purchase the vehicle back, and the buyer promptly contacted the authorities. The dealership owner is currently under arrest for intent to defraud and tampering with a motor vehicle’s odometer.

What to do if you suspect that you have been defrauded

Unfortunately, cases of consumers being defrauded are all too common in the used vehicle industry. Many used car dealerships intentionally aim to fool consumers into paying exorbitant prices for vehicles that have major defects. The best thing to do to avoid being defrauded is to read reviews and make sure that the dealership you are visiting is trustworthy.

Buying a used car can be a great experience when both the dealership and vehicle are well-researched. Buying a used car on a whim can be an absolute nightmare. Odometer tampering is a serious offense as a car dealer, but many used car dealerships are bold enough to try it. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

RELATED: The Truth About Used Car Dealers

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Most Powerful Used Non-Hybrid Sedans that get 37 MPG

by Gabrielle DeSantis

News recently broke out that Biden’s EPA is going to push fuel efficiency in the coming years. The stipulation states every car must achieve at least 37 mpg by the year 2026. Powerful engines and good fuel efficiency seldom go hand-in-hand. These days, a hybrid powertrain is needed to gain any significant MPG advantage. If the complexity and expense of a hybrid car sound daunting, however, there are a few used options in the way of compromise. These won’t be the fastest used cars on the planet, but they make decent power and at least 37 mpg.

2016 Mazda 3 – 155 hp

2016 Mazda 3 at the 108th Annual Chicago Auto Show | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

The base model Mazda 3 from 2016 uses a 2.0-liter inline-four that produces 155 horsepower. While not a staggering amount of power, it’s enough to move the car with some haste. Automatic transmissions on average yield worse gas mileage than a manual transmission, but it comes down to driving style. Keeping RPMs low will help stave off rapid fuel consumption, which is more practically achieved in a manual car. A 2016 Mazda 3 iSport gets 41 mpg on the highway and sells for around $12,000. There’s also a hatchback option.

Dodge Dart Aero – 160 hp

2013 Dodge dart at the north american international auto show
2013 Dodge Dart at The North American International Auto Show | DAVID COOPER/TORONTO STAR/Getty Images

The Dodge Dart Aero suffered from a reportedly crude driving experience at best. Nevertheless, it climbs higher than the Mazda in horsepower rankings. From its 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, the Aero sends 160 horsepower to the front wheels. Though it’s sluggish off the line, the car is nimble and decisive when the turbo spools. The mileage is hard to ignore, at 41 mpg on the highway. 2016 Dart Aeros can be difficult to find but sell for around $12,000. However, it’s not the best car from Dodge’s lineup, so it might be worthwhile to keep looking.

2017 Jaguar XF 20d Diesel – 180 hp

2017 jaguar xf parked outside
2017 Jaguar XF | Jaguar

Those itching for action in the luxury car department need look no further than the Jaguar XF 20d diesel. Its diesel engine could be considered cheating, but it’s still a non-hybrid. The XF provides ample space, comfort, and solid maneuverability. Its 2.0-liter turbodiesel inline-four produces just 180 horsepower, but 318 lb-ft of torque. In a pinch, the RWD XF can jump off the line with relative ease, but its AWD configuration may slow it down. The 2017 XF 20d gets over 40 mpg on the highway, according to Motortrend, and sells for around $25,000.

2017 Honda Civic Si Sedan – 205 hp

2017 honda civic si sedan driving
2017 Honda Civic Si Sedan | Honda

Honda has the market cornered in almost every facet. Even new Civics border on low-tier luxury. The 2017 Civic Si is a prime example of the brand’s ability to make a well-balanced car. It’s comfortable, performs well, and is efficient. The Civic Si uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces a staggering 205 horsepower, mated to a six-speed manual transmission. It’s lightweight at 2,900 pounds and gets 38 mpg on the highway. A Civic Si of this vintage goes for around $23,000.

If a simple, fuel-efficient car is all that’s needed, without the complexities of a hybrid powertrain, these used sedans are solid choices. Horsepower isn’t the end-all-be-all of the equation, as driving dynamics can make all the difference, but it helps to have passing power on the freeway while getting 37 mpg.

RELATED: The 2021 Honda Insight Gets Motorcycle Gas Mileage says Consumer Reports

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