Showcasing the Best in the Mobile Enhancement Industry
If you’ve been around the car audio or vehicle accessory industry for any amount of time, you’ve likely run across a 12-volt relay. A relay is a simple device designed to switch a typically high-current load with a low-current signal. Relays are used in everything from headlight and auxiliary lighting upgrades to power trunk and door lock solenoid installations. Relays can also Read more
Did you know that the quality of your vehicle’s remote car starter installation plays a significant role in its reliability and performance? It isn’t enough to have a starter system that works when your car leaves the shop. Every connection must withstand temperature and humidity changes while putting up with vibrations and jostling. You might be surprised if you think the Read more
If you’ve been watching the news during the first half of 2022, you know that the number of carjackings taking place in major cities is increasing at an alarming rate. Why are criminals resorting to face-to-face confrontations? What should you do if someone approaches your vehicle? How can you protect yourself? The answers are all surprisingly simple. Why Is Carjacking Read more
A few weeks ago, I was at Motron Automotive Electronics in London, Ontario, to return some vintage remote car starters I’d borrowed for an article. I was talking with Lee Campbell about the work the shop does. Aside from remote car starter installations and audio system upgrades, Motron specializes in finding solutions for vehicles where the factory-installed infotainment Read more
We took our first look at measuring light sources a while back as our first step toward understanding the differences in automotive headlight options. In this article, we’ll provide a practical demonstration of why it’s crucial for the lighting on your car, truck, motorcycle, ATV or side-by-side to emit light that covers the entire color spectrum evenly. Light Sources and the Read more
Drone from Firstech has made communicating with your vehicle more accessible than ever, thanks to integration with digital assistants like Google Assistant and Apple Siri. Remember when Michael Knight used to talk to KITT using a communicator on his watch? KITT could start the engine and be ready to go in a split-second once Michael arrived on the scene! If you’re feeling like Read more
In June 2020, Apple announced that iOS 13.6 will include a new feature called CarKey. Using near field communication (NFC) technology, vehicles equipped with the appropriate hardware can be locked, unlocked or started using your iPhone as the vehicle key. Since most of us are already carrying our phones in our hands when we walk up to our vehicles, this looks to be an extremely Read more
A smaller Jaguar sounds like a good idea to auto enthusiasts but consumers aren’t really biting. Although the Jaguar XE has been out for a couple of years, it hasn’t been a big seller for the brand. But the 2020 version offers some new looks and technologies that may attract more buyers. Moreover, there is something cool about having a vehicle not as commonplace as its Read more
If you’re on social media, then you’ve likely seen numerous discussions or links to videos about amplifier power ratings. If your goal is an audio system that only plays loudly, then the wattage measurements matter. It seems that many consumers are confused about the correlation between power ratings and quality. Let’s look at why car audio amplifier power ratings and their Read more
Leaving your vehicle unattended and running is an open invitation for thieves to steal your car or truck. In Northern states and Canada, these crimes are often called warm-up thefts, and their frequency peaks as cold weather arrives. The reality is, whether you’re letting your air conditioning run on a hot summer day in Texas or Arizona or have the heater and rear window Read more
Americans cannot get enough of full-size, three-row SUVs. BMW had a problem until this model year – they didn’t have one to offer the public. The best they could muster was an X5 with an optional small third row. But now BMW has entered this crowded market with its X7. Although it is not as big as the current leader of the pack, the Lincoln Navigator, it makes its case as a Read more
Many decades ago, buying a car with a remote keyless entry system was a true luxury. By pressing a button on a remote control, you could unlock your vehicle without having to put a key in the door lock. Now, in 2019, only the lowest trim levels on the least expensive of vehicles exclude this convenient feature. In cold climates where ice and snow often obscure the key cylinder Read more
