2024 AUTORAMA HIGHLIGHTS

Over the weekend, the annual AUTORAMA show was taking place at the Huntington Place convention center in downtown Detroit. More than 800 classic cars and customized hotrods were showcased during the event. When you live in the Motor City it is part of the region's car culture that fathers and sons bond over checking out cool rides. My boy and I did exactly that spending some quality time together enjoying all that AUTORAMA had to offer.

Here is a highlight reel of our walk around the AUTORAMA show floor:

My son's favorite car at AUTORAMA was this souped-up Ford Mustang. He'd love to take that out for a spin on a track! That car has some nice Motor City muscle! 

This gritty street racer with an Old English D on the grill caught my attention. Piecing together a vehicle to race against your buddies on a rural dirt road or urban back alley for drag racing bragging rights is like an elixir of youth for a middle-aged dad like me. So, this was one of my favorite cars on display at this year's AUTORAMA.

This year was Autorama's 71st annual event in Detroit. For more information about Autorama or other hot rod shows held around the country, including Cincinatti, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis and Kansas City, visit autorama.com. Also check out @hotrodshows on Instagram and Twitter. 

PERFORM THESE 5 CHECKS BEFORE DRIVING YOUR CAR IN WINTER

You should be taking steps to maintain your car at all times, but let’s be honest, most of the time your car won’t face problems if you forget a few of the small maintenance tasks. You can go a month or two without checking the tire pressure and it won’t be a huge deal. 

Unless you’re driving in the winter… Winter car maintenance is far more important thanks to the temperature dropping. It can be well below freezing overnight and this has an impact on your car. If you jump in and drive off without performing some key checks, your car may face a mixture of problems. This can hinder your safety and damage critical components of your vehicle. 

So, before you set off for winter journeys, make sure you perform these five checks: 

Fuel 

Always check that you’ve got enough fuel in your car throughout the winter. If you don’t, you can face a couple of problems: 

•  Running out of fuel in the middle of nowhere when it’s very cold 
• Your car not starting because there’s not enough fuel in it 

 The latter can happen when your fuel is in the red zone. There’s technically enough fuel in there to get you to a gas station, but the cold weather makes it harder for your engine to ignite such low levels of fuel. As such, you turn the ignition but the engine doesn’t kick into action. When you’re heading home from a journey, double-check that there’s enough fuel for the next one. If not, fill up on gas and then head home. 

When you’re not sure if there’s enough fuel to take you to a gas station, you should try to get there by other means. Perhaps a friend will let you ride with them and you can fill a jerry can up with fuel to take back home. Or, if you break down due to a lack of fuel, call a towing service to take you to the nearest gas station. 

Oil 

Next, you need to check your car’s oil levels. This is a crucial part of winter maintenance as oil will lubricate the moving parts of your car engine. When the temperature drops, these parts can get a lot stiffer and will need even more oil. 

So, if there’s not a good supply of oil in your car, these parts will struggle to function properly and can cause catastrophic issues. If you’re not careful, it could permanently damage the engine and mean you need a replacement. 

Some cars have oil level indicators but the manual way of checking is easy. Open your hood and locate the oil compartment - it’ll be on the engine. Pull out the dipstick and see if it is between the min and max levels. When the readings are below the minimum level, your car needs an oil top-up! Keep in mind that oil contracts when it’s cold, so you should check these readings when your car is still warm. Otherwise, it may seem like you’ve not got enough oil, causing you to overfill. 

Tires

You put a lot of faith in your tires when driving in the winter. Rain, snow, and ice lead to terrible driving conditions as the roads have less grip. For this reason, experts suggest having double the minimum tire tread level for additional traction. 

It’s really smart to get a tread depth gauge to perform this check. Some people use the quarter or penny method, but a proper tread depth gauge will give the most accurate readings. It helps you see how much your tires have worn down and if it’s time to replace them. 

Consider getting special winter tires for your car if you live in a freezing area with lots of snow and ice. Winter tires are designed to be a lot thicker and grippier, so they can handle these conditions better than normal tires. 

Coolant 

All car engines will need coolant to…well…cool the engine down. It’s what stops your engine from overheating, though you may assume it’s not as important during the winter. After all, cold weather means your engine will be colder, right? Surely low coolant levels aren’t an issue as there’s less chance of the engine overheating in these conditions…right?! 

Surprisingly, car engines can still overheat in the winter. If anything, there’s just as big of a chance as there is in hot weather. Because the engine starts cold, it tries to work harder to compensate. Without the right coolant levels, this can lead to overheating. 

There’s another key benefit to coolant; it contains something called anti-freeze. This solution stops the liquid from freezing inside your engine, so it doesn’t seize up in the winter. Check your coolant levels before every journey or you might end up with a frozen engine. 

Lights 

Lights are important throughout the year in all seasons, but winter is the darkest period of all. Consequently, your lights need to be on more often. You also need to ensure your fog lights work, just in case it gets hazy in the mornings. 

Turn your car on and go through all the light settings to be sure they work. This includes your blinkers - people need to see when you’re turning! It’s a good idea to wipe the lights as well before you get in the car, just to get rid of any dirt or ice that’s formed on them overnight. Even a thin layer of ice can obscure the lights for any cars behind or ahead of you. 

Speaking of ice, that’s sort of a hidden sixth check to do. Well, it’s not much of a check as you can clearly see if your car has ice covering it. Don’t drive off until it’s melted away. To do this, switch on the engine and turn the front screen de-misters on. This will heat the windscreen and you can sweep off any ice as it melts. If you’re in a rush, use an ice scraper to get as much off as possible. Never pour hot water on your windscreen as this can cause serious damage to the glass. 

Now, you’re all ready to head out on a winter journey without fearing what will happen to your vehicle!

HIDDEN BENEFITS OF BECOMING A TRUCK DRIVER YOU MAY NOT REALIZE

When you look at your previous experience, skill sets and talents you may still be unsure as to where you want to be and what you want to do in the future. It is normal for people to take their time in finding their ideal career path, so try not to feel any pressure to rush into something that doesn’t feel aligned to you. When it comes to enhancing your professional career, you need to keep an open mind and explore all of the options available to you. If you don’t try something, how do you know if you’ll like it? With that being said, more and more ambitious people are looking into the possibilities of becoming a truck driver. This type of job comes with a whole set of benefits that you may not even realize. If you want to find out more, here are a handful of things you should know. 

Thorough Training is Provided 

When you become a truck driver, you may not realize that you are enrolled onto an entire training program. Even if you don’t feel fully confident in this type of work yet, you won’t have to worry about taking on a job in the near future. With full truck driver orientation you will feel prepared and knowledgeable about everything you need to know when it comes to driving a truck. 

Flexible Working Hours 

If you’re looking to steer clear of regular office hours and you’re hoping for a level of flexibility, truck driving may be the ideal career for you. Although you may be required to travel and work unsociable hours, you will also receive longer stints of time off. This can mean that you get to pick up your children from school and spend more time with them when you’re not working. Each company will have their own policies, so this is worth asking if you’re serious about pursuing a job in this industry. 

Excellent Pay and Job Benefits 

 Depending on where you’re based and what your experience levels are, you could be earning a very generous salary as a truck driver. Some truck drivers can earn up to $70,000 depending on their level of experience, so it’s certainly worth exploring. As a truck driver you may also get a whole host of benefits that help you and your family. Your personal car insurance may reduce and you may also receive health benefits too. Medical checks are compulsory when you become a truck driver so you will also have peace of mind that your wellbeing is always taken care of in this type of job. 

As you can see, there are so many advantages that go hand in hand with being a truck driver in 2024. Whether you’re looking for flexible working hours or excellent pay progression, there is so much to consider when you enter this sort of industry. Look into your options and see how this type of role could benefit you and your family in the future. If it’s something you enjoy doing, you may soon find your long term career path!

RUKO RC TRUCK

Thanks to RUKO for sending me one of their new remote control toy trucks to take outside and try out. This girl dad is going to be having some off roading fun with his daughter playing with this pink and purple styled amphibious Ruko RC truck. YES, I said AMPHIBIOUS! This remote control toy truck has an IPX6 waterproof rating making it great for having fun with it at the beach, running it through mud puddles or playing in the rain.

The truck's chassis height is optimized for having 4X4 off road fun. Climb over obstacles, race through different terrains, or jump it over ramps and hill. This 1:10 scale [15.3 inches long, 10.3 inches wide and 8.2 inches high] is meant to get dirty and wet through rugged play. It is built durable enough to take a beating and keep on running to provide plenty of off-roading 4x4 excitement. 

The Ruko amphibious RC truck also has some nice features that enhance its useability and ease of use. This remote control toy truck includes rechargeable batteries to power it which provides approximately 50 minutes per charge of play time. Just plug it into a usb port to recharge. Oh yeah, they provide you with two batteries so you can run the toy while your other battery is recharging! 

The RC truck has an anti-collision design includes sturdy front and rear bumpers to avoid damage when it crashes into things. The rear bumper also serves as a carrying handle. Plus, the truck has working headlights and brake lights that look really sharp. 

The only detraction with this toy is it has a very basic remote control. While the remote control works great for having this truck climb over obstacles, hurdling it through mud or having the toy spin around, steering it for turns or navigating a track can be challenging. Also, the remote control uses 2 AAA batteries which are not included. I had to make a special trip to the store just to get batteries for the remote control before we could use it. 

So yes there are some detractions for the vehicle, but all in all it is a well built, durable toy that has the potential to provide hours of playtime entertainment. I appreciate that Ruko intentionally styled the toy to make it attractive for girls. Having fun off-roading and playing with remote control cars and trucks shouldn't be a "boy" thing. Hopefully this color scheme that is meant to be appealing to ladies will result in some quality daddy-daughter / mommy-daughter experiences that will inspire girls to be excited about STEM and motor sports and entice them into being gearheads. 

I also appreciate the waterproof aspect of this toy that greatly expands upon the playability and durability of the toy. Create a ramp to jump it into a pool...take it along on a beach vacation...go outside on a rainy day to play in the mud. The IPX6 rating is a very nice aspect of this toy.

This is a very nice entry level remote control toy at a reasonable price which can be exceptionally fun for either young children or adults to have fun playing with. Therefore, the Ruko 1601AMP3 Amphibious RC Truck for Girls earns a Geek Daddy nod of approval. It is available to purchase on Amazon.com.

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MAINTAINING VINTAGE VEHICLES TO KEEP THEIR VALUE HIGH

Fancy yourself as a classical car enthusiast? If so, then you might already own a nice vintage vehicle that you’re really proud of! Maybe you even drive it around on some days and show it off with friends at vintage car shows. But unless you’re pretty well-versed in the hobby and have experience, you could accidentally lower its value every time you work on it or take it out for a spin. 

Maintaining classical cars can be a huge pain at times. Parts aren’t exactly easy to find depending on what make and model it is, and you might find it time-consuming to take care of. So in this post, we’ll be sharing a couple of tips to help you keep a vintage car well-maintained. 

Regular maintenance sessions go a long way 

You should always think of your car as like a high-maintenance pet or project that always needs your attention. The task of maintaining your car needs to become second nature almost! Spending some quality time with it every few evenings, popping open the trunk to maintain the insides, and dusting it off regularly will help ensure that you don’t face long-term issues that become increasingly expensive to deal with. 

Holding on to spare parts if you know what you’re doing 

Vintage vehicles can sometimes be really hard to maintain when it comes to internals. In fact, you might find yourself swapping out older parts for something more modern because it’s just a lot easier to replace and diagnose for issues. However, if you’re set on keeping everything as authentic as possible, then you might want to keep a few spare parts laying around if possible. Sometimes, they can be difficult to find even from online markets, so having some spare parts or bits and pieces can be really helpful when something finally breaks. Of course, this does require you to have knowledge on how to repair it in the first place! 

Valuations will help you keep an eye on its price 

If you haven’t already been for a classic Porsche valuation or other similar service to determine the value of your vehicle, then you really should! These services are great for anyone that wants to know exactly how much their car is worth. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t take much time if you get it from a reputable service. It does sometimes help to get multiple opinions as some valuation services might give a slightly different price. If you think the value seems a bit low, then you could always check with a different company too. 

Driving your vintage car is a good idea if you want to keep it in good condition 

Cars should be used fairly regularly as part of their overall maintenance. This is because it keeps the fluids flowing and stops parts from failing from a lack of use. Take some time each week to indulge yourself with driving a classic car and don’t just keep it locked up in a garage to look nice!

SEVEN CAR BASICS EVERY VEHICLE OWNER SHOULD KNOW

Owning a car, especially for the first time, is an exciting experience. It’s a sign of adulthood and that you’ve grown up. It comes with quite a few responsibilities, however, and you’ll need to actually take care of your car. That’s where many first-time owners can get overwhelmed. 

With a few car basics you need to know, you shouldn’t have a problem getting started with this. You’ll not only be in a better position to maintain your car, but you’ll have everything you need if you run into any issues. 

As complicated as these can seem, it’ll be much easier than you’d assume. With seven particular car basics, you wouldn’t have a problem with your new car. 

Car Basics You Need To Know: 7 Important Tips

1. Get Some Emergency Kits 

No matter how new a car is, there’s always a chance it could break down. That’ll happen even if you’ve spent a decent bit of time and money maintaining it. You’ll need to be prepared for this to happen at any point, so it’s worth having some emergency kits in your car. A roadside kit also wouldn’t go amiss.

When you’re putting these together, make sure there’s a first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, a tow rope, and similar items. They’ll make sure you’re able to look after your car and stay safe while you wait for someone to come out and fix your car for you. Since there’s no telling when a breakdown can happen, it’s worth always having these kits in your car. 

2. Have A Spare Tire 

When you first buy a car, it’ll likely come with a spare tire. If it doesn’t, it’s worth investing in one. You’d be surprised by how often you could need to replace a tire, and it’s always worth making sure you have something to replace it with. It’ll avoid the need to call out a professional just for a flat tire.

There’s usually the space for these spares in the boot, so you shouldn’t have to worry about having somewhere to keep it. When you need it, it’s simply a matter of switching it for the flat or burst tire. Make sure to pick up a new spare when you can to have one whenever you need it. 

3. Get It Inspected 

Car inspections are vital to making sure your vehicle runs smoothly. In many places, they’re legally mandatory, so you’ll need to know when to get a state inspection and where to go. Usually, there aren’t any problems with this, and it’s just a matter of taking the time to get it done. 

If there are any problems with your vehicle, the inspection will highlight them and you can get them fixed. Since it helps keep your car running properly, there’s no reason not to get this done. 

4. Replace Fluids 

Your car needs various fluids to operate properly, but these run out over time and need to be replaced. Make sure you do this as and when you need to, as you could run into more than a few issues if you don’t. Your car could seize up and cause a breakdown if you don’t, so it’s worth focusing on from the start. 

Make sure to check your fluids, such as your oil levels, regularly to see if it needs to be replaced. Don’t wait until they’ve run out to replace them. As soon as they start running low, top it up to make sure your car runs properly. 

5. Perform Regular Maintenance 

One of the more notable car basics every owner should know is they’ll need to perform regular maintenance for their car to run properly. Replacing the fluids, as mentionede a problem, a few things could start flashing every once in a while. One of the more notable is the check engine light above, is just the top of the iceberg with this. You’ll need to check and rotate the tires, get the engine checked regularly, and much more. 

It’s worth getting a professional to do this for you to make sure there aren’t any hidden problems with your vehicle. If you’re a first-time car owner, most of these could go over your head, making a mechanic the better choice to look through it. 

6. Check The Check Engine Light 

You’ll have quite a few things on the dashboard. While most of these shouldn’t be a problem, a few things could start flashing every once in a while. One of the more notable is the check engine light. If this starts flashing, there’s a large problem with your car, and you’ll need to get it checked out quickly.

It's a sign there’s something serious wrong with your car, and you should stop driving immediately. It’s worth getting it towed and taken to a mechanic to find out what’s actually wrong with the engine. You risk your own safety otherwise. 

7. Look After The Shocks & Struts 

The shocks and struts are much more important to your car than you might’ve thought. They’re an essential part of making your drive comfortable while protecting a decent part of the vehicle. While they mightn’t need much work with newer cars - if any - they can have problems with other vehicles. 

You might need to get them replaced or repaired at some point. If you hear any rattling or if there’s any rocking back and forth as you go over bumps, then your shocks and struts need to be looked after. Thankfully, this is a relatively easy fix, and you shouldn’t have to pay too much to replace them. You’ll be back to having a comfortable drive before you know it. 

Car Basics You Need To Know: Wrapping Up 

With a few car basics you need to know, you shouldn’t have a problem looking after your new car. Since this can be an essential part of being a responsible car owner, there’s no reason not to focus on this from the start. It’ll save you a lot of time and hassle, and even some money. 

Regular car maintenance, knowing the shuts and struts, and getting your car inspected are all notable parts of this. With how important they can be to looking after your car, they’re all worth considering and getting done.

ALL THE TIPS YOU NEED TO MAINTAIN YOUR CAR

It's always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. The same goes for your car - you never know when something might go wrong. That's why it's essential to have a plan in place for regular maintenance and repairs. Here are some tips to be proactive in avoiding your car from breaking down and keep it running smoothly!

1) Check Your Car's Fluids Regularly 

Your car's engine needs oil to run properly, so it's essential to check the levels regularly. You should also check your coolant levels and tire pressure often. All of these fluids must be at the correct levels for your car to run smoothly. 

If you're unsure how to check these things, consult your owner's manual or ask a mechanic. They can show you how to do it properly and tell you what the ideal levels should be. Checking your fluids is a simple task that only takes a few minutes, but it can save you a lot of money and hassle down the road. 

2) Inspect Your Tires Regularly 

One of the essential parts of your car is the tires. They provide stability and grip while you're driving and can be the difference between a safe journey and an accident. That's why it's essential to inspect them regularly for any signs of wear and tear and to replace them when necessary. 

You should also regularly check the air pressure in your tires, as this can affect their performance. If you're unsure how to do this, consult your car's owner manual or ask a professional. 

Finally, don't forget to rotate your tires periodically. This will help them wear evenly, prolonging their life and saving you money in the long run. Again, consult your owner manual or a professional to determine how often you should do this. 

3) Take Your Car to the Professionals 

If you're not mechanically inclined, it's essential to take your car to the professionals every now and then for auto repair. They can help identify any potential problems and fix them before they become significant issues. Additionally, they can also give your car a thorough cleaning, which can help prolong its life. 

 4) Drive Responsibly 

The way you drive can have a significant impact on your car's longevity. For example, if you're constantly slamming on the brakes or accelerating too quickly, you're putting unnecessary stress on the engine and other car parts. This can lead to premature wear and tear and will likely shorten the life of your car. 

Of course, accidents happen, but try to avoid them if at all possible. Not only are they expensive in terms of repairs, but they can also be dangerous. Drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings, and you'll reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.

Following these simple tips will help you keep your car running smoothly for years to come. Of course, regular maintenance is key, so be sure to check your fluids, tires, and other parts of the car often. Additionally, take your car to the professionals every now and then for a tune-up. And finally, drive responsibly to avoid accidents and unnecessary wear and tear.