April 2020

Tips on car maintenance during COVID-19 crisis



By Rick Muscoplat
rick'sfreeautorepairadvice.com

(April 16, 2020) Chances are you’re not driving as often during the current COVID-19 crisis and when you do drive, you’re probably making short trips to the grocery store. Job loss due to COVID-19 has even forced some families to store one of their vehicles to save on insurance costs. But driving short distances and letting a vehicle sit idle for long periods can damage your vehicle’s battery and repeated short drives can cause accelerated engine wear.

GasBuddy finds 20% drop in gasoline demand year-over-year

(April 15, 2020) BOSTON — GasBuddy has released its first quarterly report examining consumer fuel buying trends, finding that March fuel demand in gallons purchased dropped 20% compared to March 2019 as millions of Americans followed stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Along with the 20% decline in gallons pumped in March year-over-year, additional declines include a 14% drop in fuel transactions and a 28% drop in total payment volume (TPV).

Demand destruction reigns supreme as pump prices continue to fall

(April 14, 2020) The national gas price average has steadily declined for seven weeks, pushing the average cheaper by 61-cents to $1.86 today. During this time frame (since late February), U.S. demand for gasoline has decreased 44% to 5 million barrels a day as gasoline inventories build across the country, according to AAA weekly gasoline report.

Range Rover Velar SVAutobiography Dynamic — Near perfect execution

By Jim Prueter
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 12, 2020) In 50 years of building the most luxurious and capable off-road vehicles, new Range Rover models have not come along that often. But recently, the British automaker introduced the avant-garde Velar, a midsized two-row beauty that slots between the smaller Evoque and larger Range Rover Sport.

Vehicle usage drops a dramatic 38.4 percent because of COVID-19

(April 11, 2020) In response to the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the United States, Americans from coast to coast have united in an effort to stay at home and adopt social distancing practices. As a result, vehicle usage has seen a dramatic decrease of 38.4% in terms of total trips taken. However, the nationwide decrease in trips (and in many states) is now flattening off, decreasing by a further 1.3% since the prior period of March 23 to March 29, according to Mojio, a mobility solutions company.

Sanitizing your vehicle against the coronavirus

(April 10, 2020) Let’s face it: the coronavirus has us all worried. It’s affecting not only our daily lives but also our jobs and the larger economy, as well as taking over every article we read and news report we listen to. We know these are scary times of pandemic, but we also know that with a little reputable knowledge, you can do a lot to protect you and your loved ones.

Chevy extends driving range to 259 miles for 2020 all-electric Bolt

By Paul Borden
MotorwayAmerica.com

(April 10, 2020) Chevrolet was an early player in the plug-in hybrid game of post-2000 with the 2011 Chevy Volt, which at the time was considered revolutionary with an extended range of driving on electric power only for everyday commutes paired with the convenience of a gas engine for longer treks. Early reaction was mixed.

Subaru, Tesla top Kelley Blue Book brand image awards

(April 8, 2020) IRVINE, Calif. — Automotive brands resonate with shoppers worldwide with appealing attributes like reputation, design and more. Few products are more ubiquitous in our day-to-day lives than the automobile, and successful automakers who win the hearts and minds of car shoppers could benefit by selling more cars and increasing profits in the long run.

Recognizing automakers' outstanding achievements in creating and maintaining brand attributes that earn the attention and enthusiasm of new-car buyers, Kelley Blue Book today announced the 2020 Brand Image Award winners, based on annual new-car buyer perception data. Award categories are calculated among luxury, non-luxury and truck shoppers.

2020 Jeep Cherokee offers superior off-roading potential

By Russ Heaps
Clanging Bell

(April 7, 2020) When considering the burgeoning field of midsize crossovers, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee stands out for a number of reasons not limited to its impressive towing capability, available off-road prowess and its Top Safety Pick rating from the nonprofit Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Virtually unchanged for 2020, the Cherokee offers three engines, three 4-wheel-drive systems, and new for 2020, the available Advanced Safety Group featuring Lane Departure Warning-Plus, Forward Collision Warning-Plus and rain-sensing wipers. In an early 2020 model-year move, Jeep did eliminate the Overland luxury trim from the grade lineup.

Coronavirus, cars and you — Vehicle news and advice for staying safe from Kelley Blue Book

(April 7, 2020) IRVINE, Calif. — Even in normal times, buying, selling, owning and driving a car each brings its own joys and challenges. Given the current global health crisis, it brings another level of uncertainty. To help car buyers, sellers and owners answer their car questions during this unprecedented time, Kelley Blue Book is updating KBB.com daily with the latest news and advice on Coronavirus, Cars and You: News, Advice and Staying Safe.