How to Comfortably Live in a Sedan

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Whether you live in your car out of necessity or for a convenient place to sleep on long road trips, you can maximize the comfort of your experience. Here’s how to maintain your car safety, cover your basic needs, and find entertainment and internet access options.

Ensure an optimal sleep environment while living in your sedan

Cozy sleep is perhaps the most crucial aspect of comfortable sedan living. Restorative sleep is essential to feeling your best. Either fold down the front seats or use the back bench seat to create a flat sleeping surface. Lying on a hard or bumpy surface will wreak havoc on your back and cause you discomfort. Use a sleeping pad, thick blanket, or air mattress to create a soft area. You might want to invest in an air mattress designed for your vehicle type. You’ll need at least one pillow and a blanket or sleeping bag for warmth.

Park in a safe and legal location; don’t park on the side of the road. According to The Drive, spots you could park overnight include rest stops, truck stops, campsites, National Forest land, hotels, hospitals, Walmart stores, and 24-hour gyms. Campgrounds are a wonderful place to stay and frequently include amenities such as water, bathrooms, and grills or fire pits. Some campgrounds require a tent to camp; contact the site to see if you need one.

Also, turn your car off while you sleep to save battery life and gas. Crack a window just enough for ventilation; an open window could invite unwanted critters and thieves. And use a battery-operated fan to help keep cool.

BuzzFeed News published a video of a woman showing how she successfully lives in her sedan. She uses car window shades to increase privacy at night without drawing attention to the fact that she lives in her car. She also shares valuable tips for organizing her belongings, including camping gear and personal care products.

Meal planning for living in your sedan

The Rochester Institute of Technology provides some great tips for keeping and preparing food while living in your vehicle. There are many car-living-friendly food options. They include instant oatmeal, instant mashed potatoes, canned goods, beef jerky, cereal bars, apple sauce, and other nonperishables.

Portable stoves are an excellent way to cook a hot meal or heat a can of chili or soup. If you have a cooler, you could include fresh fruit, salads, and sandwiches. You can cook a hot meal by using a portable stove or portable grill. And don’t forget that campgrounds and parks often provide access to grills or fire pits.

Low-cost internet access and entertainment options

Whether you need the internet for work or personal use, several options are available when living out of your sedan. You can use your mobile phone for tethering or hotspot to provide internet access for your laptop and other devices. Modern cars equipped with Wi-Fi technology provide convenient internet access for a low monthly fee. Internet cafés such as Starbucks and McDonald’s provide online access and the opportunity to purchase a hot meal.

Libraries are another excellent source of free entertainment and typically provide free access to computers, Wi-Fi, classes, crafts, games, and more.

One of the best perks of living in your vehicle is the ability to change your scenic view. Parks, campgrounds, and other outdoor spaces can be excellent ways to connect with nature and have fun. Hike trails, go fishing, or even rent a kayak as forms of low-cost entertainment.

How to shower and clean laundry while living in your vehicle

A gym membership or day pass can provide you with convenient access to clean and hot showers, as well as the option of getting in a workout. Another way to shower while living in your car is to invest in a portable showering device. Keep cleansing wipes or baby wipes on hand for times when you need to freshen up in a hurry. Last, use local laundromats to clean your laundry. Wash, dry, fold, and be on your way.

Overall, take advantage of local resources for showering, laundry, and general needs. With careful planning, living in your sedan can be a comfortable experience.

RELATED: Is Living in Your Car Dangerous?

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Audi Now Offers Rental Car Options to Owners Due to Shortage

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As restrictions in many areas begin to lift thanks to the help of masks and social distancing mandates as well as vaccination options, many families have begun to look at travel options once again. At 31 locations throughout the country, renters can look to Audi to rent a new luxury vehicle of their choice, which gives travelers another great option as many rental car companies are struggling to keep up with demand, and consequently, prices for rental cars have begun to skyrocket.

Silvercar by Audi

The Audi Badge | Krisztian Bocsi, Bloomberg, Getty Images

Silvercar by Audi is the luxury brand’s newest addition to the market, allowing participants to rent new Audi vehicles from the dealership directly while traveling. It even allows for renters to opt for contactless delivery, rather it be at the airport or another location when traveling. This can benefit many travelers who may be struggling with rental car shortages by giving them a high-quality alternative that they can rely on when airport rental car companies are booked.

What is the rental car program good for?

A 2021 Audi A4 parked in the street
2021 Audi A4 | Audi

These short-term rentals offered by Silvercar by Audi are the perfect option for travel, but they can also help bridge the gap between leases or buyers looking to purchase a specific vehicle. It even gives potential buyers the opportunity to see how they like some of the most popular new vehicle options from Audi for a bit longer than the standard 10-minute test drive.

There are some location restrictions as well, as you need to be traveling to a city with an Audi dealership that offers this rental car program. Luckily, Silvercar is available in many major cities, and you can check out the list or choose to book through the Silvercar website directly.

Additional features that cost extra in other rental cars

The new Silvercar by Audi rental car system doesn’t just make renting a car while traveling more convenient for eligible renters — it also offers features and options that you typically have to pay extra for when renting from other rental companies. Features like in-car WIFI and navigation are usually an upgrade to unlock if you’re renting a vehicle from Avis or Budget Rentals, which come standard in all of the vehicles included in the Audi rental fleet.

Besides that, renters have a good choice in rental car options among the Audi fleet. If you want more space while traveling, you can opt for SUV options such as the Audi Q7 and Audi Q5 or opt for a smaller sedan choice like the more modest Audi A4. If your destination features rolling hills and beautiful scenery, you can also choose the convertible Audi A5 Cabriolet.

The Silverstar by Audi is a clever solution to the struggle that many travelers looking for rentals will have over the next year as travel restrictions loosen and we are able to begin to explore the world again. Whether you are off on an adventure or headed to visit with family that you haven’t seen since the quarantine began, the Audi rental car system will help many eligible travels in the upcoming months.

RELATED: The Private Exotic Rental Car Business Isn’t for the Faint of Heart

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We Have a Hint at This Toyota Model Finally Coming to the U.S.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The Toyota Crown has been a staple of its native Japan for decades. However, if American consumers wanted to drive one in recent years, they had to ship it overseas. Though Toyota hasn’t sold the Crown in the United States for many years, rumor has it that could soon change. If it did, the sedan market could see another power player. 

What is the Toyota Crown? 

According to Toyota, the Crown made its grand debut on the Japanese market in 1955 as the Toyopet Crown. Since then, the luxury sedan has been a hit with Japanese consumers but struggled to achieve the same success stateside. With the sedan dominating the market for many years, the Japanese roots in a market that often buys American, combined with the oversaturation of competitors, made it a strangely obscure addition to the American market. 

With 66 years of history behind it, however, the car has seen many changes. From the gas-guzzling days of post-World War II manufacturing to the more eco-conscious builds of today, the story of the Toyota Crown is, in many ways, the story of the industry at large. Though it might not have been a hit in America, Japanese drivers love the longest-running sedan on the global market. 

Consumers saw the box-like cars of 1955 turn into the sleek hybrid builds they are today. Now, the Crown isn’t just a sedan, but a line of SUVs and cars with more power for rear-wheel-drive and other features. 

The 2021 Toyota Crown at a glance

The 15th-generation Toyota Crown launched in 2018, and the company has been adding features and tweaking what didn’t work the first time, Motor 1 reports. From its 12-inch screen, which replaced an infamous split-screen setup of earlier models, to its climate control system that allows motorists to customize their driving environment, the crown knows how to give its drivers comfort while looking good inside it.

Furthermore, anyone who gets behind the wheel of these Japanese staples will surely get the power to go along with its modern sentiments and technological marvels. The base model has a 2.5-liter gas tank and produces 226 hp, and the most powerful model boasts a 3.5-liter tank and harnesses 359 hp. Prices start at around $47,000. 

However, if a recent leaked patent form is a sign, American consumers might not need to import the Crown much longer. 

Is the Crown coming back to America? 

MotorTrend notes how the Crown has been expanding its brand in Japan. As a result, Toyota might be ready to reintroduce the sedan in the States. Whether it means exporting the SUV models stateside with fancy trim or reintroducing its base models for a new generation of eco-conscious drivers, signs point to something big on the horizon.

This isn’t a confirmation, however. Many companies file patents early in the idea stages and then later change course or never move past those initial talks. At the very least, it shows Toyota is entertaining the notion of resurrecting its local favorite. However, until concrete confirmation surfaces, everything else is a blur. 

The Toyota Crown became a favorite in Japan and a curiosity in America thanks to its longevity, reliability, and ability to match its luxury performance. For fans of the Japanese car giant, getting to drive something that was once just a pipe dream could be a significant step in the right direction. Now, they’ll have to wait and see if the car makes its way back or if Toyota is testing the waters on an idea that never comes into fruition. 

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These Are the Best Features on the 2021 Ford Bronco

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The 2021 Ford Bronco is here. It comes with real changes that help it compete with the long-reigning king of the off-road game: The Jeep Wrangler. Jeep models are known for their off-road friendly features, and Ford has come out swinging with a set of factory-built mods for Bronco owners that promise to push the competition. According to Ford, there’s over 200 factory modifications available for the 2021 Ford Bronco, but these three are by far the best.

The 2021 Ford Bronco has mounts everywhere

Accessory mounts on the 2021 Ford Bronco | Ford

This one is a personal favorite. Having places to mount tech is a big deal for consumers, off-road enthusiasts or not. The new Bronco provides that in spades. A bar can be mounted across the dash of the new SUV, allowing customers to slap pretty much whatever they want on there. Moreover, these are hard mounts with real screws and hinges. That’ll certainly help keep things stable on a trail.

Ford will sell you specific retainers for different bits of tech. For example, you can have a cell phone mount or a GoPro mount. There’s also a hidden benefit to the bar that most aren’t discussing. By having the mounting rail in place, small, flat items like wallets can be held in place in the small indents under the bar. Anything that can be done to free up cupholder space is a plus, and there’s MOLLE-like straps on the back of the seats to lash things to as well, just like in the Wrangler.

Ford takes a page from the F-150’s book

The rear extending bed of the Bronco
The Bronco’s extending tailgate | Ford

This feature, however, was not something borrowed from the Wrangler. This one likely got its inspiration from Ford’s own F-150 pickup. Bronco owners looking for a little pickup practicality in their SUV can spec the 2021 Ford Bronco with an extending bed, capable of supporting quite a bit of weight. At least, it better. Ford is mum on how much weight can be supported by the extendo-trunk.

However, given the amount of thought put into the new Bronco, it’s safe to assume the American marque will ensure it can support your tailgating needs. At the very least, expect there to be a way to keep longer items in the back of the Bronco thanks to this handy option. Regardless, the item is sure to be handy for additional storage when the vehicle is at a stop.

The interior is as rugged as the exterior

A man washes out the foot-wells of the new Ford Bronco
Washable floors with drain plugs | Ford

This brings us to our last feature. The floors of the Bronco. All that adventuring and posting GoPro off-road videos is sure to get you plenty muddy. Thankfully, Ford has thought of that too. On certain trim levels, floors will come with rubberized mats and floors to ensure your Bronco doesn’t look as muddy as you at the end of the day. Drain plugs in the floor can be removed to rinse out the day’s debris, too. These great features will surely help the Bronco compete with the Wrangler. However, whether the new model can take the crown remains to be seen.

RELATED: Critics Agree: The 2021 Ford Bronco Is Absolutely the Real Deal

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