Product reviews are a big part of the automotive industry. When people purchase cars, they almost always want to make their vehicle uniquely theirs right away. Not only do they look at reviews before they buy the car, but they also look at product reviews on everything from custom light packages to stereos and bike racks to rooftop carriers.

Automotive Product reviews come from a number of sources. Magazines and now websites like Consumer Reports test a number of products to see if they live up to their claims. Several smaller blogs like this one also test automotive products as well as reviewing vehicles. Many consumers who are into a specific brand (Jeep owners, for instance) launch their own blogs to review items specifically geared for their brand of vehicle. Automotive Product reviews matter for a number of reasons, such as:

1. Product Reviews Keep Manufacturers Honest.
2. Product Reviews Offer Different Points of View.
3. Product Reviews Can Highlight Unusual Applications.
4. Product Reviews Offer Real-World Tests.
5. Product Reviews Can Point Out Issues for Correction.

Why would someone go to the trouble of purchasing a domain name, getting a host, designing a website, and blogging about various products? Does it really make that big of a difference? The answer is a resounding “yes.” Not only do we want to know if things will work for our own vehicles, but we also want to share that information with others as well. Here are some of the reasons automotive product reviews matter so much.

Product Reviews Keep Manufacturers Honest

Most product manufacturers really want to see customers satisfied with their products, but from time to time, one will come along that makes claims that are just untrue. They will say their product has features it does not, can withstand something it cannot, or will do something for the customer that it won’t.

Sometimes these claims are simply exaggerated, or there are flaws the manufacturer did not catch in testing but that are showing up under real-world usage. A solid product review, one that tests the item thoroughly, keeps the manufacturer honest. If it does not live up to claims, the reviewer will discover and share those shortcomings.

Product Reviews Offer Different Points of View

The thing is, everyone looks at things differently. What might be a flaw one user would never notice or would just put up with might be a deal breaker to another. A feature that is not showcased might also be the wow factor that causes another reviewer to rave about the product. This could even be something the manufacturer thought was no big deal.

This is why either multiple reviews are important or reviews written by multiple people. A blind spot for one person will be the other’s passion point. Most manufacturers give reviewers discounted merchandise or even offer it on a trial basis for free for that reason: they want to understand how different people see things, so they can cater to new customers and clients.

Product reviews are not only important to consumers, but they also help manufacturers see and understand the consumer’s viewpoint.

Product Reviews Can Highlight Unusual Applications

Even the best manufacturers can’t anticipate everything. Once a product is out in the real world, users will find new ways to use it, things the manufacturer did not anticipate or even think of.

For instance, winches were first mounted primarily on the front of vehicles for various purposes in the four-wheel drive world. They could pull out others who were stuck, be used to retrieve people and things, and even be used for self-rescue. As ATVs became more popular, people mounted them on those as well.

But in the field, users mounted winches to the side of vehicles, to the rear, and even made winch mounts that could be relocated as the need arose. This allowed for even more applications and rescue-type scenarios, along with various utility uses. Manufacturers then began to make new mounts to work with these new applications.

This started in four-wheel drive forums, with product reviews, and with users designing their own applications. This is just one product that illustrates the importance of product reviews and why they matter. In this case, they created a new market and new products.

Product Reviews Offer Real-World Tests

Want to buy a hitch-style bike rack for your SUV? Want to take it on a long trip? Which is the best one? Which ones are the most reliable? Are the more expensive racks worth the money? All of this is hard to tell from a blurb on a website or a manufacturer’s description. However, through product reviews, you can learn which products meet and exceed expectations when truly put to the test.

Also, reviewers will test different situations. One user might have taken the bike rack off-road with mountain bikes on it that are heavier and had different results than another user with road bikes on the back that went back and forth to regional races. Do kids’ bikes work on the same rack? How easy is it to take on and off? How easy is it to open the back of your SUV with it still mounted?

The answer to all of these questions comes from the real world, and the same goes for other products as well. You won’t know how something really works until someone puts it to the test in the real world. Lab tests are helpful but are not really a substitute.

Product Reviews Can Point Out Issues for Correction

Not only can reviews point out flaws or shortcomings, but often these are things that are easily fixed. A simple update or sending out a new part with the next batch of products and even to people who have already purchased it can mean the difference between good and bad reviews and future purchases.

It also can increase trust in the company. If they are willing to correct issues right away, it shows their commitment to customer service and to listening to product reviews. This is one of the many reasons product reviews matter.

Whether you review products and write reviews or you simply read them before you make a purchase, automotive product reviews matter. They inform us, make manufacturers better, and even show us how products can be used in different ways than what we initially imagined. Pay attention to product reviews. Manufacturers and other customers do, and that, above all, is why they matter.

Automobiles have evolved from luxury to a necessity owned by the majority of individuals. In countries with a thriving economy, up to 88% of the population owns a car of some sort. Moreover, car possession has become extremely convenient because you can easily buy and sell cars online, in addition to the conventional methods, i.e., through dealerships and private transactions.

Amidst all the benefits of owning an automobile, it is imperative to maintain your car if you wish to enjoy it for a long time. Frequent automobile care extends the lifespan of the vehicle and keeps it running smoothly without any safety concerns. By keeping your vehicle in its prime condition through regular maintenance, you can also retain the optimal value when you wish to sell your car. Here is the list of X things to do to maintain your car:

• Check the Tires
• Change the Oil
• Clean and Fix the Windshield, Mirrors, and Lights
• Change the Air Filter
• Keep the Interiors Clean
• Check the Fluids
• Keep Emissions Under Control
• Check the Battery

We have compiled a list of comprehensive maintenance tips to keep the operational performance and aesthetic integrity of your car intact:

Check the Tires

You should regularly check the tire pressure as it not only affects the comfort, safety, and handling of the car but also influences fuel efficiency. Improper inflation of tires can hinder the ability of the wheels to stop correctly and increase the probability of a flat tire.

You can check the tire pressure every week, but experts recommend doing it every time you fill-up the gas. Frequent monitoring will allow you to catch any issues immediately, as tire pressure undergoes constant changes due to temperature fluctuation and mileage accumulation. The manufacturer’s manual specifies the recommended tire pressure.

In addition, you should rotate the tires every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Regular rotation of the wheels ensures that all the tires have an equal wear pattern, extending the lifespan of the wheels.

Finally, replace your tires when they become worn beyond reasonable limits to avoid any accidents.

Change the Oil

Oil is a vital component of your car, which ensures that your engine runs smoothly and soundlessly. Motor oil lubricates the moving parts of your engine to avoid grinding and friction.

Check the oil level regularly, at every other gas fill-up or once a week, and top up the quantity as required. You should also get your oil changed every 5000 miles or less to maximize engine efficiency, increase fuel economy, and reduce emissions.

Clean and Fix the Windshield, Mirrors, and Lights

A dirty windshield is a safety hazard as it can obscure your view while driving, and it looks unpleasant as well. Therefore, wipe your windshields clean with a sponge and cleaning fluid regularly, depending on how many miles you log in the day, what is your daily route, and where you park the car.

The windshield wipers need replacement once a year, as they become worn out with use. Torn wipers are unable to perform adequately during the rainy season and can pose a safety threat, especially if you are driving in a downpour. You can replace only the wiper blades or the entire assembly, depending on their condition.

In addition, you need to keep your front and rear view mirrors clean since they provide an essential all-encompassing view of the road necessary for safe driving. Fix any mirrors broken in an accident immediately and give them a regular wipe for an unobscured sight.

Finally, the light fixtures on your car have important jobs and should not be overlooked during regular maintenance. To ensure that they are all in perfect working condition, ask a friend to go around the car while you switch on each light. Replace any broken or faulty bulbs immediately, especially the headlights. You can do it yourself in a few simple steps.

Change the Air Filter

Air filters are equivalent to lungs for your car. They help filter any debris, particles, or other contaminants from the air entering the engine. Consequently, they can gather a lot of dirt with time. Regularly replacement of air filters improves fuel efficiency, increases the lifespan of your engine, improves acceleration, and reduces emissions. If you fail to replace the filters, you can cause your engine to fail and damage your combustion system.

Change your air filters every 12,000 miles, or better yet, assess the integrity and condition of the filters and replace them if they are too dirty, even if you have not met the recommended mileage.

Keep the Interiors Clean

Dirty car interiors do not affect the functioning of the vehicle’s mechanism. However, it can significantly compromise the resale value. Remove any trash that may have been discarded in the car, vacuum the seats and interiors, and wash your floor mats. Wiping away the grime and debris will not only make the ride more enjoyable, but it will also save you from any embarrassment if you have to give a lift to unexpected passengers!

Check the Fluids

Your car employs the use of various fluids to provide you with a smooth, soundless ride. These include transmission, power steering, brake, windshield washer fluids, and coolants. Check these fluids once a week and replace or top up as needed.

Keep Emissions Under Control

The emission system runs the entire length of the car and helps in removing the exhaust away from the engines and the passenger cabin. Since it is situated at the bottom of the vehicle, it can accumulate a lot of dirt and scrapes. To ensure that your car runs efficiently and the emission levels are under control, get the system checked at least once every year.

Check the Battery

Assess the battery once a month to look for signs of corrosion or mineral buildup at the terminals. If you notice any accumulation, clean it with a brush designed specifically for this purpose or get it cleaned professionally. This helps prolong the battery life. However, batteries do eventually get old and require replacement.

Conclusion

Car maintenance is not a very cumbersome or time-consuming process, especially if conducted routinely. You can perform the necessary inspection yourself or take your car to a mechanic if you notice an issue that requires specialized tools and professional expertise to fix. Routine maintenance will keep your vehicle in prime operating condition and will also save you from spending thousands of pounds on a complete breakdown of your car.

Everyone knows how expensive a carpet is. So if you want to maximize your investment for a long time, you should know how to maintain your carpet and keep it clean. However, maintaining your carpet by keeping it clean can be a little more challenging, unlike tiled floors. Tiled floors can be cleaned easily with a broom, vacuum, and a map, while carpeted floors are more complicated to clean.

Whatever type of carpet you have, regular cleaning is always the best thing to do to extend its life. Take a look at these tips below on how to keep your carpet clean and smelling great.

• Establish a “No Shoes Inside” Rule
• Keep a Clean Rug by the Door
• Use Baking Soda
• Vacuum Well Regularly
• Clean Spills and Stains Right Away
• Treat Areas with High-Traffic More Often
• Elevate Your Furniture

Establish a “No Shoes Inside” Rule

This rule may seem easy to establish in your family, but it can be a little awkward when it comes to visitors. If you find it awkward or a little rude to ask your visitors to keep their shoes outside, you can put a shelf by your door where visitors can leave their shoes and wear indoor slippers. Establishing a “no shoes inside” rule will help you decrease the amount of dirt, toxins, and germs that will stick to your carpet. You can also reduce the wear and tear on the carpet’s fibers.

Keep a Clean Rug by the Door

Sometimes, kids just love to hang out and play outside barefoot. However, the crucial part comes in when they enter the house and wipe their feet on your carpet. Can you imagine how your carpet would end up, especially if it’s wet outside and their feet are covered with mud? If you can’t stay on guard every time they enter the house from going barefoot outdoors, be sure that you always have a clean rug in and out at each exterior door of your house so they can wipe off their feet. This trick works with some visitors, too, if they are too stubborn to leave their shoes outside.

Use Baking Soda

Sprinkling a baking soda over your carpets before vacuuming will get rid of its foul odors. Put more baking soda over the areas with a strong scent that is sometimes caused by pets’ urine or poop.

Vacuum Well Regularly

Vacuuming regularly will help you keep the dirt from grounding in, which is harder to get rid of over time. Vacuum at least once or twice a week to get rid of the large particles, which can also stick to the pet’s coat and the child’s feet. By the time of your scheduled day to vacuum, the dirt from outside has already spread on your entire house. The more you vacuum, the better.

When it comes to the carpets inside your car, you can use car vacuums on the market as often as needed. If you have kids, you should use car vacuums more often than needed.

Clean Spills and Stains Right Away

The longer you leave spills on your carpet, the harder it gets to be removed. The stains caused by spills can become your permanent enemy if it’s left untreated. If you have food spills on your carpet, scrape it toward the middle and onto a towel or tissue to keep it from spreading further on your carpet. Once you get rid of the solids, treat the stain by spraying a mix of hot water with detergent on the stain. Let the mixture sit for 5 – 10 minutes before you remove it for good.

You can also buy stain removers on the market if you’re uncomfortable with using a DIY stain remover.

Treat Areas with High-Traffic More Often

Your kitchen and hallway are the areas of your house with the highest traffic. Thus, these areas tend to compile more dirt than other parts of your house. Instead of cleaning your carpet in these areas only once a week, clean it more often.

Elevate Your Furniture

Furniture often leaves rust or stains on damp carpets over time due to metal casters or paint, so keep it elevated. You can put wood blocks under each leg or even plastic film. Inserting rubber on each leg of your furniture can also work to avoid stains.

Conclusion

Whether you use a DIY carpet cleaner or not, regular cleaning will take care of the dirt on your carpet. Just be sure to use antibacterial solutions, too, so you and your kids are safe to roll on your carpet anytime they want. If you can’t make time to keep your carpets clean, you can always call the professionals and let them do the dirty work.