Tesla Owner Creates an Automatic EV Charger

by Gabrielle DeSantis

This Tesla owner found a creative solution to one of Tesla’s biggest problems. Tesla has created some of the most popular electric vehicles that are currently on the market. Tesla models come with tons of cool features. Unfortunately, they suffer from the same issue as other EVs: charging time. Telsa has a vast network of superchargers, but they may not always be nearby. This Tesla owner figured out how to optimize their home Tesla electric vehicle charger in the coolest way possible.

A makeshift automatic EV charger

Tesla Chargers

Tesla sells a home charger for its vehicles called a Wall Connector for $500 plus an installation fee. The Wall Connector wasn’t convenient enough for one Tesla owner, so they decided to take it to the next level. According to Car and Driver, a Tesla owner made a robotic, automatic Tesla charger to make EV charging even easier at home.

YouTuber and Tesla owner Pat Larson created a system with a robotic arm that connects the nozzle of the charger to the Tesla’s charging port. The system uses cameras and a Raspberry Pi computer to position its arm correctly. The computer uses machine learning, and the software is all run through the internet.

The automatic charger doesn’t work quickly, but it’s a cool way for a Tesla owner to charge their vehicle more easily. The process begins at the press of a button, and the system was designed to avoid any possible accidents. Knowing Tesla, if consumers relay that there is a demand for a charger like this, a similar system could be implemented sooner than we think.

Do all electric cars use the same charger?

Electric vehicle charging station.
An electric vehicle charging station | Michal Fludra/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Electric vehicle chargers come in different tiers depending on voltage. Tesla has some of the fastest chargers in the business. Unfortunately, Tesla Superchargers aren’t compatible with other EVs. The company plans to expand its Supercharger network and extend it to other automakers, so eventually, all brands should be able to use Tesla Superchargers.

As more automakers roll out EVs, they are also rolling out electric vehicle charging networks. Volkswagen created the multi-billion dollar Electrify America EV charging network. There are also other electric vehicle charging networks like ChargePoint. Electric vehicles may not be able to use the same chargers now, but when all new vehicles are electric, chances are one network will stand above the rest.

Are electric car chargers free?

Though free charging would make for one heck of an incentive, charging isn’t free. There are rare instances where certain locations offer free charging either for EVs or a specific brand. Some charging networks use a pay-as-you-go system, similar to gassing up a car. Automakers are developing subscription-based charging network accessibility.

Subscriptions would allow electric vehicle drivers to charge their vehicles at certain locations using branded, high-quality chargers. As electric vehicles become more popular, there will be fewer and fewer incentives to make the switch. Soon electric charger networks will take the places of gas stations. You may be able to skip the network locations entirely if you have an awesome EV charging setup like Pat Larson.

RELATED: How Much Does a Tesla Home Charger Cost?

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The Most Reliable Used Toyota Tundra Model Years

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Tundra has a reputation for being one of the most reliable trucks on the market. For those on the hunt for a dependable used truck, that’s great news. Read more to find out the most reliable used Toyota Tundra model years, along with which used Tundra models you should probably steer clear of.

Consumer Reports used Toyota Tundra reliability by year

2019 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

There’s no beating around the bush here. Consumer Reports has praised the Toyota Tundra for being a reliable truck for years. In fact, more often than not, Consumer Reports has given the Tundra a five out of five reliability rating. 

Take, for example, the 2019 Toyota Tundra. Consumer Reports awarded the 2019 Toyota Tundra with a five out of five reliability rating. That’s not all, either. Based on Consumer Report’s data, the 2019 Toyota Tundra also ranks as the most reliable 2019 truck. 

The organization gave the 2016 and 2013 Toyota Tundra similarly high reliability ratings. Both used Toyota trucks are also considered the most reliable used trucks for those particularly model years. And if it’s another used Tundra model year that you’re after? Chances are, Consumer Reports also gave it pretty high ratings.

J.D. Power and used Tundra reliability ratings

Now, Consumer Reports isn’t the only one doling out reliability ratings for used trucks. J.D. Power also provides reliability ratings for both new and used vehicles. Much like Consumer Reports, J.D. Power has given the used Tundra some pretty impressive reliability ratings. 

The organization gave the 2021 Toyota Tundra a Great quality and reliability rating, which is nothing short of impressive. While it is significantly older, J.D. Power also awarded the 2006 Tundra with a Great quality and reliability rating. Meanwhile, the 2004 Tundra landed not one but two J.D. Power awards. The first being a Quality Award and the second being a Dependability award.

Avoid the least reliable used Toyota Tundra model years

A silver 2007 Toyota Tundra climbing rocks, the 2007 Tundra is a used Toyota Truck
2007 Toyota Tundra | Toyota

As reliable as the Tundra is, not every model year was able to secure such high marks. As a matter of fact, Consumer Reports gave the 2007 Toyota Tundra a three out of five reliability rating. The most common 2007 Tundra problems include issues with the Toyota truck’s brakes, electric system, and drive system. Regardless of those issues, however, the 2007 model still ranks as the most reliable 2007 truck.

Consumer Reports also gave the 2002 model a three out of five reliability rating. According to the organization, used Toyota truck owners often experienced issues with the pickup’s exhaust and transmission systems. Unfortunately, the problems are severe enough that the 2002 model ranks as the second most reliable 2002 truck. 

CarComplaints.com also recommends steering clear of the 2012 Toyota Tundra. According to the site, the 2012 Tundra has higher repair costs and experiences more problems at lower mileage. As for the most common 2012 Tundra problems? CarComplaints.com reports that the most frequent issues with the used Toyota truck included problems with its exhaust system, interior accessories, and engine. 

Is the Toyota Tundra a reliable used truck?

Yes, the Tundra is a reliable used truck. In fact, it’s among the most reliable used trucks you can buy. So if you’re in the market for a dependable pickup? You’re going to want to check out this used Toyota truck.

RELATED: The Best Used Full-Size Trucks Under $20,000 According to KBB

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America’s Most Popular Car Brand As Per This Year’s First Quarter

by Gabrielle DeSantis

In Q1 of 2021, a few brands stood out on top. These five brands outperformed every other automotive brand in the U.S. in terms of unit sales. Here are America’s most popular car brands as per this year’s first quarter. 

Toyota Motor Corporation logo | Thiago Prudencio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Japanese car manufacturers have three of the top five spots including the nation’s sales leader

a 2021 Toyota RAV4 parked in a scenic forested area
2021 Toyota RAV4 | Toyota USA

When Japanese brands first began making their way across the pond to the U.S. auto market they didn’t rise to instant success. However, over time brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, and Subaru have become household names and staples of the American family car. Each brand stakes a claim to performance, reliability, and/or safety, and competes with the “big dogs” when car shoppers are searching for their next family vehicle. 

Overall, however, some of these Japanese brands have risen to more popularity than others. Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are all among the top five most sold brands in America. In fact, Toyota holds the leading position in terms of unit sales. America’s most popular car brands include three Japanese manufacturers. 

a white Honda Civic Type R in the city
Honda Civic Type R | Honda

Toyota sold 517,017 units in Q1 of 2021, according to Good Car Bad Car. This is unsurprising, considering the popularity of models like the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota RAV4. Honda, in fourth place, sold 309,203 units. Then in fifth place, Nissan sold 266,481 units in the first quarter of this year. All three of these brands have one thing in common: they all sell boat loads of affordable commuter cars like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Nissan Sentra.

Which American car brand sold the most units in Q1 of 2021? 

The front end of Ford's F-150 truck
2021 Ford F-150 | Ford

In both second and third place for unit sales this year in Q1 are two American car brands. Unchockingly, the leading truck manufacturer Ford is in second place. Chevrolet, most often called Chevy by us common folk, took a close third. 

Ford sold 492,271 units in the first quarter of the year, according to Good Car Bad Car. Of those, 203,797 were Ford F-Series models. Taking the third place podium spot for unit sales in Q1 is Chevy. 

A black 2021 Chevy Silverado parked next to a lake.
2021 Chevy Silverado | Chevrolet

Chevy sold 463,913 units in Q1. Out of all of the units sold, Chevy’s popular Silverado also dominated that number. In Q1 of 2021, Chevy sold 126,591 Silverado models in Q1. 

A dark green 2021 Toyota Tacoma sitting on top of a brown rocky terrain with a cloud covered background.
2021 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

So, Toyota is America’s most popular car brand. Then, in a pretty close second is Ford––thanks to solid F-Series sales numbers. Chevy is another popular American auto brand that also came out quite well in terms of sales this year in Q1. 

Due to the effects the pandemic had on car sales and the overall market last year, every car brand here has sold more units this year than it did last year. In fact, it looks like the market is stabilizing in favor of the seller and not the buyer. Anyone that has shopped for either a new or used car lately has likely seen that it’s a seller’s market. 

the new Nissan logo
Nissan company logo | Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

With prices skyrocketed into numbers high above the MSRP, things like the chip shortage and shipping hiccups are keeping prices up. Still, it’s likely that we will see things level out in the coming months as the supply chain uncoils and shortages end. But with strong numbers like this so far in 2021, we are likely to see a continued trend when it comes to solid unit sales numbers for America’s most popular car brands.

RELATED: The Kia Telluride Is Getting Another Redesign

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What FICO Score Is Used for Car Loans?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s a lot to keep track of when you’re car shopping. And one of the most important numbers to know is your FICO score. This number builds upon the information from your credit reports and shows your financial realities with more depth than a traditional credit score. FICO scores are used in several industries in different types.

Read on to learn more about why this score is important and what number you should aim for to get a good rating.

What is a FICO score?

How is a FICO score different from a credit score? | Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

A FICO score is a three-digit number that acts as a summary of your credit reports, myFICO.com explains. It measures how long you’ve had credit, how much you currently have, how much of that credit is being used, and if you’re making payments on time. These scores were created in 1989 to improve the decision-making process for lenders and increase consistency. The number helps lenders understand how likely a person is to repay a loan. This affects how much money you can borrow, how many months you’ll have to repay, and how much the interest rate will be. 

FICO scores are a win-win for everyone involved. They help lenders make better decisions about whom they lend money to and why, and customers get a more fair shake when it comes to accessing credit. Each lender can determine what is a good score, but generally speaking, they go like this:

  • 580 and below (poor): Your score is well below the average score of U.S. consumers and demonstrates to lenders that you are a risky borrower.
  • 580-669 (fair): Your score is below the average score of U.S. consumers, though many lenders will approve loans with this score.
  • 670-739 (good): Your score is near or slightly above the average of U.S. consumers, and most lenders consider this a good score.
  • 740-799 (very good): Your score is above the average of U.S. consumers and demonstrates to lenders that you are a very dependable borrower.
  • 800 and above (exceptional): Your score is well above the average score of U.S. consumers and clearly demonstrates to lenders that you are an exceptional borrower.

Because FICO scores are based on your credit, your score is affected by whether you pay your bills on time, your amount of personal debt, and other major financial decisions. 

How is this score different from a credit score, and which is used for car loans?

FICO scores are related to your credit score, but they are far more useful than that. They are used by over 90% of top lenders, and the widespread nature of their use brings uniformity to the loan approval process, which leads to more informed financial decisions. 

Non-FICO credit scores can differ by as many as 100 points. The amount of variance can distort your belief in your likelihood in getting approved. If you think you qualify for a better line of credit or a low interest rate when you don’t, it can lead to some damaging consequences in the future.  

By contrast, FICO scores have been in use for over 30 years and have evolved over time to meet different needs. These scores offer far more security regarding your finances than a credit score. 

There are also different types of scores. For instance, FICO Auto Scores are generally used for car loans.

Types of FICO scores

Different FICO scores have been used to create industry-specific scores to better the loan process even further. This is done so that normal credit usage doesn’t come off as riskier than it should. 

Industry-specific scores use base FICO scores while providing lenders with a refined credit risk assessment for the type of credit the consumer wants. FICO Auto Scores are used for financing a car, FICO Bankcard Scores are more common when applying for a new credit card, and mortgage-related credit evaluations utilize base versions of FICO scores. 

The most commonly used standard is FICO Score 8. This type differentiates itself from others by being more sensitive to highly used credit cards and more forgiving about isolated late payments than previous FICO scores. 

Updated FICO scores are already in circulation. The UltraFICO Score is made for people with a low or no FICO Score at all. It uses more sources of data, such as checking and savings accounts, in conjunction with credit report data to give people more chances to increase their score. UltraFICO Scores are generated only if you opt in, giving you even more leeway when attempting to get a high score. 

And FICO Score 10 builds on prior versions to cover modern shifts in consumer credit data, such as the increasing use of personal loans for debt consolidation. There’s also the FICO Score 10 T, which takes a longer timeframe of your credit limit (at least the past two years) to get a more refined understanding of your credit risk.  

There are plenty of other steps when it comes to getting financing for a car, but a FICO score is a great way to determine your creditworthiness. 

RELATED: Does Buying a Car Build Your Credit Score?

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