The main purpose of owning a pickup truck is the added utility it offers compared to a traditional car. But that doesn’t mean they’re leaving the assembly line as functional as they can be. The aftermarket is full of accessories that make your Toyota Tacoma even more versatile, while some products upgrade the appearance of your truck.

It’s become a common refrain by now that “last year was the best year yet for electric vehicle sales,” and even after a downturn for the industry as a whole, EV adoption continues to rise as more and more consumers see a bright future in going electric.

If you enjoy off-roading with friends, the odds are good that one of the people who takes on Mother Nature in a specially-prepared vehicle has a winch mounted on their rig. Even the most capable off-road machines will occasionally get into a situation from which they cannot escape, so they need to be pulled. In some cases, another vehicle can just hook up a tow strap and drive away, pulling the stuck vehicle free, but there are situations in which an off-roader may not have the space needed to pull another vehicle free. When that happens, the only option is to pull the stuck truck with a winch.

Only a relatively small percentage of car buyers purchase their vehicle with actual cash – and we don’t mean getting a loan somewhere other than the dealer then using those funds to buy the car. We’re talking about actual, non-financed, take-it-from-your-account cash.

On average, most of us will spend a good amount of time sitting inside a car. Whether it’s for our daily commute or taking long road trips, there’s little reason not to make that time spent more comfortable and convenient. Although most modern vehicles leave the assembly line packed with quality-of-life features, your particular vehicle might not have everything you need.

Sony this month announced its latest Mobile ES lineup of in-car speakers and subwoofers. Ranging from $220 to $300, the components should please audiophiles.

As it often is, the internet is rife with stories and anecdotal evidence about when is the best time to buy a car. Some bleat that the end of the month is the best time, while others encourage customers to brush off their winter boots and go into the showrooms at the height of a winter storm. Both theories are predicated on the fact that low levels of dealer traffic automatically equate to a better deal.

Wireless smartphone charging is one of the most convenient advances in portable communications since the creation of the cellular telephone itself. This handy tech lets you charge your phone simply by putting it down on a flat surface—no need to go wandering around your house in search of your charging cable! But wireless charging is just as useful in a vehicle. While many new cars and trucks can be optioned with built-in wireless charging pads, upgrading your vehicle just to get one feature is an expensive proposition. If you’re eager to unplug while staying charged up and connected, consider choosing from one of the best wireless car chargers on our latest list of recommended products.

Overlanding, for those unfamiliar with the term, is a type of self-reliant adventure travel. It involves setting out to remote destinations—a trip in which the journey itself is one’s primary goal. Blending off-road exploration with a healthy dose of comfortable camping, this get-away-from-it-all activity has seen a great deal of growth in this current age of social distancing.

With summer quickly approaching, road trip season is nearly here. But that also means it’s almost time for impatient passengers to come out of the woodwork. If you’re keen to hit the road but want an easy way to keep your traveling companions occupied during long hours on the highway, consider adding a portable DVD player to your road trip kit.

New or used, it’s best to be prepared

Some off-roaders will choose to upgrade their truck’s front bumper because it looks cool. Others will front the money because they’re trying to one-up their buddies. Still others will make a selection based on the bumper’s functionality and how it will best serve them while they’re out wheeling on the trail.

Your vehicle is a complicated piece of machinery, and keeping it running smoothly requires periodic inspections and maintenance of its various systems, including your engine’s cooling system and the antifreeze contained within it. You don’t need to be an automotive expert to protect your cooling system against the vagaries of hot and cold weather. What you do need, however, is to put one of the marketplace’s best antifreeze testers in your do-it-yourself vehicle maintenance tool box.

Main photo credit: Jason Siu

Many would argue that nothing goes off-road better than a Jeep, and nothing gives you that capability along with pickup-truck utility like a Jeep Gladiator. The highly anticipated pickup from Jeep was quickly embraced by the aftermarket, and it’s no wonder the practical off-roader based on the award-winning (and war-winning) Jeep is so popular, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. There are always things to improve, right?

If you’re driving a Subaru Forester, there’s a good chance that you’re planning on getting more out of your crossover than the average buyer. Subaru aims its vehicles at buyers who want to get outside to do more, see more, and experience everything nature has to offer. But even with features from the factory like standard all-wheel drive, sometimes you need more. Although the Subaru Forester offers plenty of utility straight off the dealership lot, there’s always room for improvement, depending on your needs.

If you ever have to perform any maintenance work on your vehicle that requires lifting it off the ground, you need to invest into jack stands. No excuses, as you should never rely solely on your floor jack or scissor jack to keep your car safely lifted. Jack stands are a necessity for your safety, because without them it could lead to serious injury or even death.

Few things can make you more furious than a rock flying up and chipping your windshield. Not only does it make your car look janky, but it can also impact your visibility and be a safety hazard.

It’s often said that if you don’t get stuck during a day of off-roading, you’re not trying hard enough. That’s why we’re strong champions of making a reliable winch part of any Jeep or truck build. Yes, we should all wheel with a buddy, but there are occasions when recovery by your trail friend is not possible. Or, as is often the case, everyone is stuck at the same time.

We’ve driven trucks that cost close to $100,000, but even if yours is a more reasonable workhorse, it still makes sense to protect it with a set of the best truck seat covers. Truck seat covers aren’t what they used to be, though. Today, you can order modern truck seats that rival luxury cars of a few years ago. Made with a perfect fit, perforations so your backside can breathe, and even seat heaters. Don’t get us wrong, you can still get the old saddle blanket cover to use as a cover, which is a cool option in the right truck. But seat covers have changed and improved immensely since those days.

For more than five decades, the Chevrolet Camaro has been an enduring symbol of American muscle car performance and stylish sports car design. While the Camaro’s star faded somewhat after the fourth-generation model was discontinued in 2002, Chevrolet brought its so-called pony car roaring back in 2010 with an all-new design inspired by that of the original late-1960s model. The American automaker shined up its most affordable muscle car even more in 2016 with a sixth-gen model that took all the best things about the car’s 2010 comeback and packaged them up in an even more stylish body.

For decades, Nissan has had a strong reputation in the tuner community, from the mythical Skylines of Japan (before the GT-R arrived) to the overwhelming popularity of the S13 and S14 240SXs among drifters. When the fifth-generation Z hit the market as the 350Z in late 2002, it quickly became one of the most popular tuner cars of its generation. Drag racers, drifters, and show car enthusiasts filled every sport compact event with rows and rows of modified 350Zs, which means nearly every aftermarket company was churning out products for the sports car.

The Chevrolet Corvette is one of the auto industry’s most recognizable sports cars. What started out as an upscale muscle car in the 1950s has evolved through the decades into an excellent all-around performance model that put Chevrolet into the same speed arena as some of Europe’s most sought-after two-doors. That’s especially true of the last two generations of Corvette—the C7 and C8—from which you can expect equally breathtaking performance on a road course and at the drag strip. The Chevrolet Corvette is just as appealing for its low-slung appearance, which was designed not only to catch your eye, but also those of anyone else on the road.

Whether you have found the perfect set of wheels or are just starting your car buying journey, knowing the ins and outs of automotive financing is an important part of making sure you get the best deal on your new (or new-to-you) ride. After all, the total price paid for the machine is only one piece of its total cost.

Garage door openers are often overlooked since there’s a good chance your home likely came with one pre-installed. But if you’re shopping for a new garage door opener, the process isn’t as straightforward as you may think. Modern systems have a plethora of features and add-ons, and there are now numerous types of garage door openers available in a wide range of prices. Overall, garage door openers aren’t too expensive, but you’ll want to make sure you choose one that will last many years.

Upgrades, repairs, improvements, or making your drive easier, whatever your reason, adding accessories to your car is always a good idea, no matter if you drive a Mercedes-Benz or something with a lot less luxury. Even the best German sedans and SUVs don’t come with every feature you might want, especially if you have last year’s model and something better came out this year. With the best Mercedes-Benz accessories, you can add functionality, improve the looks of, and bring the tech up to date in your vehicle, from A-Class to GLS.

Old Republic Insurance Group sells just about every kind of aftermarket auto service product. Through one of its subsidiaries—Old Republic Insured Automotive Services—customers can get guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance, dent and windshield coverage, extended vehicle service contracts, and more.

A torque wrench is an extremely important tightening tool that you definitely don’t want to skimp on, especially if you’re using it to tighten your car’s lug nuts, or other fasteners important to your vehicle’s operation.

Most vehicles these days will have a tough time trying to accommodate a bike without an aftermarket accessory. Thankfully, there are now plenty of bike racks available at a wide range of prices so you can easily transport your bike with your vehicle. From single bike carriers to racks that hold multiple bikes, options are plentiful if you’re needing a solution. Before we dig into some recommended bike racks however, it’s worth learning about the three main types you’ll find in the marketplace.

Wish there was a way you could add more power to your high-performance vehicle with less effort, while reducing underhood temperatures at the same time? An invention called header wrap does just that, insulating your engine bay from heat and protecting sensitive components while making your engine more efficient. Often seen used on race cars and weekend track warriors, header wrap is a simple product but can have a noticeable improvement to your engine’s performance. Along with keeping your engine temperatures a bit cooler, header wrap can help gases flow out quicker.

Unless you own an electric vehicle, routine oil changes are part of keeping your car’s engine in good running condition. You don’t necessarily have to head to your dealership or local mechanic to get an oil change however, as most vehicles can have their oil changed within the comforts of your garage or driveway. Some of the tools you’ll need when doing your own oil change include a jack, jack stands, oil filter wrench, and an oil drain pan to catch all your old oil. This is, of course, in addition to a replacement oil filter and new oil for your engine.

A jigsaw puzzle is one of life’s little pleasures, giving you the opportunity to assemble an image of almost anything you can think of from a collection of little pieces. Our fixation with automobiles means that cars and trucks figure heavily into the images frequently featured in jigsaw puzzles. You’re especially in luck if you like classic or vintage vehicles, as the majority of the best car puzzles depict the romance of motoring in decades past.

Some say it isn’t possible to put a price on performance. The average BMW maintenance cost is certainly higher than that of other brands, but is it worth it to own the “ultimate driving machine”? 

Congratulations! You’ve put in the legwork, found a car that checks all the boxes, and settled on a good price. All those items are a task and a half—but there’s still one more topic that needs to be addressed: the down payment.

Chrome parts can be some of the best-looking components on your vehicle, and it’s also a strong and durable finish. Chrome plating on your wheels, grille, trim, and mirrors gives your vehicle a glow that can be seen from across the parking lot while being extremely resistant to weather, road grime, dirt, and everything else that batters your vehicle every single day. Although the finish is strong, without proper maintenance, it will start to look dull, pitted, faded, chalky, or even rusty. Fortunately, most of those issues are right on the surface and don’t get into the finish properly.

Properly washing your car isn’t as simple as you think. Like most things automotive, there’s a right tool for each job. There may even be tools you never thought you needed to wash your car! These days, there are plenty of options to get your car clean. You can go to your local car wash and pay a few bucks, or you can run it through an auto car wash at your local gas station. There are even more expensive detailers who will make your car shine better than new.

Tired of opening your toolbox to a pile of sockets, with different sizes, drives, and types all in one disorganized pile? Sick of spending hours looking for the right socket only to find that you didn’t put it back and now it’s nowhere to be found? Have a pocket full of sockets as you walk from the garage to your car so you don’t have to keep making round trips?

No matter how good you think your factory audio system is, they just never offer enough. But if you’re looking to upgrade your daily driver, with new components or by replacing a factory component, you probably don’t want to fill your trunk, your cab, or your SUV’s cargo area with a giant set of subwoofers. Fortunately, the car audio industry has it handled, offering what are called shallow mount subwoofers.

If you have a strong passion for working on cars, you may want to consider learning how to weld. Metal fabrication comes in handy, whether it’s to do some body repair or fixing an exhaust. Regardless of whether you’re an amateur or an expert when it comes to welding, you’ll want to invest into a quality welding helmet. Designed to protect your eyes, face, and neck from flash burn, ultraviolet lights, sparks, and other similar elements, a welding helmet is extremely important for safety reasons. And that’s why it’s particularly important to make sure you’re getting a quality welding helmet, as it’s the thing that stands in between you and potential disaster.

Do you wash your car regularly but find yourself not satisfied with the results? After it dries does the shine just evaporate along with the water? Fact is, your car’s paint finish is constantly under attack by road grit, UV radiation, de-icing chemicals—and the occasional errant grocery cart. The net effect of all these hazards is paint that loses its luster and appears dull. 

If you’ve ever been to a monster truck show, you know the thrill that goes along with the sound of roaring engines and watching huge vehicles soar over jumps. Perhaps you’ve fantasized about taking the wheel of one of these wild machines, and then considered the realities of buying, fueling, maintaining, and storing a vehicle the size of a small house.

Most drivers know that regular oil changes are necessary to maintain the life and performance of their vehicle. For many people, changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles is the norm, but improvements in lubrication technology have led to oils that can safely be used for longer periods of time. Simply changing your oil on a regular mileage-based schedule will go a long way in insuring that your vehicle runs well for years, but there are other ways to care for your engine internals.

Regardless of what type of vehicle you drive, if it was built in the last few decades, its engine has some form of emissions control system designed to reduce the harmful environmental impacts of burning fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel. One of the most common components in an engine’s emissions control system is the positive crankcase ventilation valve, or PCV valve. Its job is to allow the air and fuel vapor that gets past your engine’s pistons—known as blow-by—to get back to the intake so that it can be burned instead of escaping into the air as pollution.

Caring for your car involves more than routine washing and your regular coat of wax. One aspect that is often neglected are your tires, since it’s easy to believe that they don’t need much attention. On the surface, tire shine may appear to be a purely aesthetic product, giving your tires a nice and glossy finish that does add to the appearance of your vehicle. But more importantly, a quality tire shine is formulated to protect your tires from harmful UV rays, grime, and other contaminants on today’s roadways. As a result, regularly using tire shine will protect your tires from fading and cracking, revitalizing the rubber.

There is no shortage of reasons for wanting to replace the steering wheel that was on your car, truck, or SUV when it left the factory. Age and use can lead to cracked plastic, leather, and rubber, the wheel could be physically bent, or maybe it just doesn’t feel right in your hands anymore. That’s before considering other changes like making your vehicle into a racer or looking for an option for your built from scratch off-road rock crawler. Whatever your reason, there are steering wheels available that can deliver upgraded styling, improved feel, extra function, and a mood that better fits your daily driver or your classic.

Sometimes your factory rear lights just aren’t enough. They could be dim because of age, or because your vehicle didn’t get the fancy LED optional lights, or maybe you just want an upgrade because you’re tired of other drivers not seeing you at night. It could also be that you just want a style upgrade. Whatever the reason, there are LED light bars that can offer you more. More turn signal, more brake light, more running light, more marker light, and even LED rainbows.

For the most part, it’s simple. Your car or truck has a battery, it supplies electricity to the bits that need it, and that’s all you care about. Until something goes wrong or you want to do something to your ride that the factory didn’t have in mind. It might be from corrosion and time, it might be from a previous owner with more DIY ambition than knowledge, or it might be because you’re adding electrical components that didn’t come from the factory, but whatever the reason is, you need to replace your battery terminals.

Look, we’re well aware the Toyota Prius isn’t a sports car. In fact, you won’t find very many owners saying their Prius is “exciting” to drive. You could argue it’s mainly designed to do one thing, which is maximizing your fuel economy, and it does that extremely well. It’s little surprise it’s one of the most successful hybrid models of all time and even with the growing popularity of electric vehicles, the Prius continues to be a strong seller.

Just as you don’t get great results washing your hair with dish soap, when it comes to washing your car, you’ll be a lot happier using a proper car wash soap. Dish detergents and other household soaps are designed to remove grease, which means they will strip wax or any other protective coating from your car.

The gas cap is one part of your vehicle that we bet you don’t give much thought to in spite of how often you use it. The thing is, a gas cap does a lot more than simply close off your vehicle’s filler neck when you’re done gassing up. Your vehicle’s gas cap is part of a complex emissions control system that helps prevent pollution that can cause environmental harm. Specifically, the gas cap seals your car or truck’s gas tank against escaping gasoline vapors.

If you’re replacing or servicing your disc brakes, you need lubricating grease. No ifs, ands, or buts, you need to lubricate the metal-on-metal parts that are meant to slide, otherwise, your calipers won’t move properly and you’ll be replacing your brakes (possibly rotors and calipers too) long before they should have needed it.

Water is essential to life as we know it, and it is also our most basic cleaning tool. However, water is not friendly to every surface it touches: Believe it or not, it can actually be particularly harmful to your vehicle’s painted surfaces. You know those water spots you find all over your car or truck after every wash or rainfall? What you’re seeing are mineral deposits left behind after the water dries. Apart from being ugly to look at, water spots can wreck your car or truck’s paint if you don’t promptly remove them with a water spot remover.

One of the first things most gearheads do after buying a new rig — besides washing it profusely, of course — is head straight to the internet to find a cache of aftermarket parts. This accomplishes two things: it helps customize the vehicle for whatever harebrained plans we happen to have rolling around in our brains, and it helps separate our machine from all the others. After all, shouldn’t your truck look just a little bit different than the one your neighbor brought home last month?

While modern cars and trucks run better than ever before, and with less maintenance than ever before, thanks to computers, sensors, and other high-tech wizardry, that doesn’t mean they never need any attention. There are parts in your engine that require maintenance and cleaning over time, and one of those most likely to need cleaning is your throttle body. It’s also one of the most important moving parts in your engine since it’s at the end of what happens when you press the gas pedal.

No matter how good your car, someday it will happen: your air conditioning system will make the dreaded switch from blowing cold air on that hot day in traffic to air that’s just cool. Then, slowly — maybe even over the course of a few days — it’ll become warmer and warmer until there’s no cooling at all.

When it comes to your vehicle’s braking system, several components are responsible for helping your vehicle come to a stop. On a vehicle with front disc brakes and rear brake drums, one such component is the brake proportioning valve. In short, this special valve (which can sometimes be referred to as an equalizer valve) is tasked with controlling the amount of pressure between your front and rear brakes, ensuring you always come to a stop safely.

Many people change the oil in their vehicle rather than taking it to a shop. Some others, who have more mechanical knowledge, may delve into bigger preventative maintenance projects, such as changing a transmission filter or flushing the brake fluid. However, many do-it-yourself auto mechanics fail to apply new wheel bearing grease.

Windshield wipers aren’t exactly glamorous, but the best winter wiper blades are crucial for safe winter driving. You can get away with good all season wiper blades if you live in the deep south, but if freezing temperatures and salted or sanded roads are winter norms in your area, you need to switch over in the fall. And with the ongoing extreme storms and temperatures of the 2022-2023 winter season, we’re not sure anyone is safe from winter weather.

Even if you’re only a casual car enthusiast, the ritual of washing your vehicle can be an excellent way to relax on a sunny afternoon. It’s a great way to get some alone time or reconnect with your family after a long week of work and other obligations. Regularly washing your car or truck can also pay off in more pragmatic ways. Bird excrement, tree sap, and even plain old dirt and dust can permanently damage the paint finish if you don’t clean it promptly, and that can have a negative effect on your vehicle’s resale value.

If you’re a fan of the long-haul road trip, then you know the value of stopping as infrequently as possible in order to reach your destination in good time. But spending more time on the road than in parking lots means bringing food and drink in the car with you. And while fluid consumption is most often associated with bathroom breaks, it also contributes to an accumulation of trash that you must dispose of to keep your car from turning into an awful mess before you’re even halfway to where you’re heading.