After the statistics surrounding backup-related driving fatalities, Congress initiated a law regulating that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. have a built-in backup camera included as standard equipment by 2018.

Backup cameras are mounted at the rear of the vehicle and stream to a monitor within the driver’s view. The cameras are sometimes mounted on the rear bumper of a vehicle, sometimes below the rear fender, and sometimes are hidden behind an emblem that drops away when the vehicle is placed in reverse. 

The following guide will show you exactly how to know if it is time to have the windshield wiper blades replaced on your vehicle.

The next time it rains, see if you are able to see everything without any trouble. If the wipers are passing by and leaving streaks and blurry spots, the rubber could be worn away simply from usage. The streaks become a bigger issue when the headlights of another car make it even harder to see in front of you. 

Your vehicle is likely one of the most expensive things that you own, so you want to ensure that it's protected from the weather and scratches. A car cover keeps your paint in the best condition possible, as well as other features of your vehicle, such as the windows and the exterior mirrors.

Car covers provide extra padding to protect the exterior of your vehicle, whether you have a small car or a large SUV. They can be used over your car while it sits in your driveway or while it's in a parking lot. 

To prevent your car's tires from blowing out, be sure to check them on a regular basis for proper inflation and for signs of damage. Tires that are not properly inflated can be subject to greater friction with the road. If a tire is not properly aligned, it could experience uneven wear.

This could manifest itself as a bubble on the sidewall or as a cut or scratch on either the inside or outside of the tire. Properly rotating tires can also make sure that they wear evenly. Vehicle owners will ideally have this done at the same time…

Our auto service team at Subaru of Spokane wants to inform residents of the proper tires that should be on your car as the warmer weather approaches. While all-season tires are ideal for most of the year, the summer tires give drivers an advantage this time of year.

The summer tires will help to improve stopping distance, increase handling, and allow the vehicle to ride better when cornering. The grooves you see on the all-season tires are not as important in summer. In fact, the fewer grooves mean more tread coming in contact with the road. 

Packing and keeping a roadside emergency bag in your vehicle will ensure you are not stranded helplessly on the highway with car issues. Road flares should be in the kit and set a few hundred feet up the road from the car so traffic has a chance to slow. Keep at least two flashlights in the vehicle, one to flag for help and the other for making repairs. Be sure you have plenty of spare batteries in your kit.

Tire fix-a-flat can be a lifesaver if your tire is down. It will get the tire up off that rim long…

When you buy a new car or a certified used car, you may be given a choice about warranties. It is important to know what the different types of warranties cover so that you can make an informed choice. A powertrain warranty typically lasts for a longer period of time than a bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Powertrain warranties cover most of what is under the hood. They exclude items of wear, such as the battery. A bumper-to-bumper warranty doesn't actually cover the bumpers, but it covers the exhaust, electronics, audio, heating, cooling, engine, transmission and more. 

When it is raining heavily outside, the water can quickly build up and pond on the roadways. When the roads have a lot of water on them, it is possible for you to hydroplane with your vehicle. However, hydroplaning can be avoided by some safe practices.

When it is raining outside, drive slower than you normally would. Some recommend that drivers go at least five miles under the speed limit in wet road conditions. Don't use the cruise control when its raining. 

Vehicles made after 2007 come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. This system is designed to tell you when the tire pressure in one or more tires is either too high or too low. Both under inflation and over inflation can cause problems, so it is important to pay attention to the warning light.

Just because your tire pressure monitoring system light comes on doesn't mean that you have a puncture, and your tire is about to go flat. Air pressure in the tires can fluctuate. 

Drivers who want their vehicles to run at peak performance should have a thorough understanding of how their battery works. As a general rule, the battery provides power through chemical reactions that occur inside of it. When the temperature gets above 80 degrees or so, it can cause those reactions to happen too quickly.

When the temperature gets below 32 degrees, it is possible for batteries to become sluggish because the chemical reactions occur too slowly.