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We at All Tech Auto wanted to follow up last weeks blog post about Android Auto with this article we found about Apple CarPlay. We think it is only fair to report on both to let you, our dear readers and consumers of these products, decided if one is right for use in your car. Apple's official iPhone-compatible in-dash experience Apple touts over 100 vehicle models are available with its smartphone casting technology, CarPlay. That means, chances are that the next new car you buy or lease will support your iPhone in a big way. You're probably curious about what CarPlay is exactly and how it works, but it's important to know why it was developed in the first place. Cars take much longer to develop than personal tech products. By the time you can purchase a given car, the infotainment system is already severely outdated. Unlike smartphones, which have short product cycles of a year or two at most, a car product cycle is typically longer. The average car cycle is a mid-cy ... read more

We here at All Tech Auto like to stay on top of current car trends.  These trends especially peak our interest if they include a safety feature in them!  We have noticed the rise of auto manufacturers that are adding things like Android Auto and Apple Car Play into them.  We have often wondered what these things are, what they do and if they really work?  Well, this week we will take a dive into Android Auto!  Here is what we found on the subject. These days, more and more people turn to their phones for GPS and music in their car. And why wouldn’t they? Google Maps is way better than whatever lame system is built into your vehicle. Enter Android Auto: the best of what your phone offers, but built in to the head unit of your dash.   What Is Android Auto? In its simplest form, Android Auto is exactly what it sounds like: it’s Android for your car. It’s not a blown-up version of the phone interface, but it should feel ver ... read more

We at All Tech Automotive like to bring you the best in informative automotive news, tips and trends.  We are always scouring the internet looking for the best sources to bring to you!  This week we came across this article on cheatsheet.com that bolsters our commitment to bringing you the very best in car tips.  We all know that winter can be a treacherous time on the roads with snow and ice.  We are ALWAYS here to help you with snow tires and car repairs but we often get asked our opinion on All Wheel Drive vehicles.  We are not in the business to sell you a car so we have a hard time fully answering that question so here are some great tips to consider if you are in the market and looking at an AWD vehicle.  But please remember, AWD does not replace smart driving!  Be safe out there and enjoy your vehicle but don't forget to contact us to schedule your service with us! With winter around the corner, many people are again relying on th ... read more

Many drivers would never choose a vehicle without all-wheel drive. But with today's traction controls and electronic systems, is AWD really necessary? We examined the benefits and disadvantages of AWD for shoppers who may choose the system -- or disregard it -- without thinking twice. Pro: Extra Traction There's no question that AWD improves traction. The reason is it allows all four wheels to spin, which can be helpful if two of them are on a slick or slippery surface. It can also be helpful if two wheels are stuck. That's a reality that many drivers in snowy, northern climates have to face. For that reason, we strongly recommend AWD if you live where you often face this type of weather. Con: Modern Technology? Can modern technology help a 2-wheel-drive car replace an AWD one? Not quite -- but it's getting there. Many modern cars offer traction control and stability control, which help keep you on the road even in difficult conditions. Most can completely cut power ... read more

With an ice storm headed to our area and more winter weather possible for the next few months, we thought we would share this great information found on hankooktire.com.  Remember to think before the storm to avoid rushing anywhere when bad weather hits as this can greatly impact your safety on the roads! Winter tires are made with a different rubber compound that has better grip in cold weather and an optimized tread width. This difference provides extra grip, preventing the car from slipping on snowy or icy roads. Even cars equipped with four-wheel drive need winter tires. For increased safety, be sure to change all four tires to winter tires. Factors to Consider When Driving Under Wintery Roads Always drive with two hands on the steering wheel Before turning a corner, make sure to slow down Do not accelerate while turning a corner. In the case where you accelerate or ... read more

    All passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. starting with the 2012 model year come equipped with electronic stability control, which along with traction control significantly improves road-holding capabilities regardless of the drive wheels. Even so, we have found there are distinct differences in the driving, and traction, characteristics among drive types.   If you’re looking for maximum grip, we've found that all- and four-wheel-drive systems provide superior traction in some slippery conditions.   Here’s how the different systems work:   Front-wheel drive Most passenger vehicles on the road today use front-wheel drive (FWD), where the engine’s power is routed to the front wheels. In fact, all but a handful of SUVs are primarily front-wheel drive vehicles, with additional components that send some power to the rear wheels as the need arises. Front-wheel drive designs are cheaper to manufacture and more space-efficient than rear ... read more

  Don't let cold temperatures wreak havoc on your car.   Keep these five car-care tips in mind as the mercury plummets. You don't want to be stranded by a dead battery or get into an accident because you can't see out your windows. If you haven't taken some of the mechanical preventive-care steps, do them as soon as you can so you're prepared for the next big chill. Keep the battery in good shape Your vehicle's battery is especially hard hit when the mercury plummets. Cold temperatures reduce its cranking power. In fact, at about 0° F, a battery has only about half the cranking power it has at 80° F. To check a conventional battery, remove the plastic caps on the top and check the fluid level. (See your owner's manual.) If the fluid is low, add distilled water. On maintenance-free batteries, check that the window at the top of the battery indicates a fully charged state. If it's more than five years old and shows signs of ... read more

Winter, and the associated snow, ice, cold and climatic nastiness that goes with it, will be with us Canadians shortly. You know that winter tires will make your ride safer if you’re driving in winter. You know that you should probably install a set, because they’re a good idea. If you ask someone you know who owns winter tires, they’ll tell you they make a big difference for grip, handling, traction and all-around confidence. They’ll tell you, as well, that winter tires pay for themselves the first time you stop clear of an accident situation, rather than winding up in it. Here’s a look at a few key benefits you can expect by installing a set, especially on your newer car, truck or SUV model. Compromise-free: Winter tires have both a flexible rubber compound and unique tread design that’s made exclusively for use on snow, slush and ice and in cold temperatures. With no compromises made for other seasons, drivers will bene ... read more

Winter is just around the corner. For many drivers, that also means the challenges of winter car ownership are just around the corner, too, like salted streets, icy roads, freezing temperatures and heavy snow. How can you make sure your car is well cared for during the difficult winter months? We've listed eight simple car care tips that can go a long way toward making sure your car stays in great shape all winter long. Lighting One major hazard with winter driving is that the sun sets earlier in the day, which means there's less daylight, especially on your commute home. As a result, you'll want to do everything you possibly can to make sure all of your vehicle's lights are in excellent shape, providing the brightest possible illumination they can. If a bulb is out, fix it before winter starts, and if there's snow covering any exterior light, make sure you remove it before setting off to drive anywhere. If your headlights are foggy or yellow, consider replacing t ... read more

What’s the condition behind the almost universal attraction for drivers to watch snow blow off their cars and trucks as they head out on winter roads?  Is it something akin to a child’s fondness for splashing in mud puddles or sticking their tongues to frozen metal gate posts?  Is it laziness or from being rushed? No matter what the reason, we’ve all seen vehicles on the road covered in snow with barely a porthole-sized section of unfrosted glass through which we see the driver huddled down, chin on the steering wheel, desperately trying to navigate his or her course, and sometimes, more than we’d care to admit, it’s us behind that wheel. If you haven’t been given enough reasons to take the few minutes required to clear your vehicle of snow and ice before pulling out of your parking spot, here are a few you might not have considered. It’s illegal Police services have quite a few tools in their fine-books to address ... read more