Americans drove an estimated 13% fewer miles in 2020, likely due to stay-at-home orders during the pandemic, yet the country experienced an astounding 24% jump in the rate of road-related deaths over the year before, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). The jump represents the largest year-over-year increase calculated by the NSC in 96 years, which representatives say highlights the dire need for the U.S. to prioritize road safety.

Photo by Matthew Lancaster on Unsplash Determining the best year for the Toyota Highlander is not as easy as one would think. We examined the last five years (2017–2021) of Highlanders, and there were spirited debates and solid arguments as to which year should prevail. We looked at several factors when comparing these years. Among them: safety ratings, safety features, price, reliability and resale value, drivability, and additional features offered.

Photo by Clint Patterson on Unsplash The average person doesn’t know the answer to the question “When should I replace my shocks and struts?” In fact, a lot of people might not even know what they are - or where they are - but that’s OK. We’ll take a few moments to go over where they are, what they do for your car, what kind of damage they can cause to your car, and when to replace them before they cause that damage.

Ford EcoSport 2018 by Dispvas2018 — CC0 1.0 Originally crafted by Ford Brazil in 2003, the Ford EcoSport is a 5-door SUV that was given a major update when it entered the North American market in 2018. Improvements included an overhaul of the front end design as well as the rear bumper, and the addition of a touchscreen infotainment system. At CoPilot, we’re here to help you navigate the many different used year models of the Ford EcoSport you might find.

BMW 7-series 745 by Chanokchon — CC-BY-SA-4.0 BMW released its 7 Series line of cars in 1977 as its flagship model. All 7 Series cars are developed in the sedan bodystyle, used by BMW to introduce innovative features before implementing them in other models. The BMW 745 cars were introduced in 2002 and remained in production until 2005. Enjoying the 745’s iDrive control system and distinct appearance is easy, as long as you get the right year model.

Photo by Dennis Rochel on Unsplash The Sunshine State has something for everyone. Equal parts natural paradise, retiree community, and metropolitan wonderland, Florida is a melting pot of people of all ages and from all walks of life. And with 876 new-car dealerships alone across the state, there’s a quality vehicle to suit the individual needs of each and every resident. So finding a great car to fit your exact lifestyle won’t be a problem.

Photo by A n v e s h on Unsplash If you’ve only bought cars in one state, you may think that the paperwork you provided and laws you had to follow are the same in every other state. But the U.S. is a big place, and from Alabama to Washington, each state has its own rules and regulations you should be aware of when purchasing your next vehicle.

Photo by Johnathan Ciarrocca on Unsplash North Carolina is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. According to a study by U.S. News, NC ranks #4 in fiscal stability, and has one of the highest college graduation rates in the country. Several North Carolina cities were also voted among the top 25 places to retire in the States. All of this means that people both young and old are flocking to the “Tar Heel State” every day.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash The light turned on again! That, or you’ve been paying careful attention to your car’s odometer, and you know it’s time for another oil change. Getting the engine lubricant drained and replaced every 3,000 to 5,000 miles is a hugely important part of regular car maintenance. Done right and often enough, it will keep your vehicle happy and running for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Photo by Benjamin Brunner on Unsplash You need your car to have brakes. This may be an eye-rollingly obvious statement, but it’s true! Brakes are arguably the most important part of any road-safe vehicle (besides maybe the wheels) and they work very hard every time we drive to keep us safe – our brakes deserve to be treated with care and respect. But unless you’re a mechanic or super-dedicated car enthusiast, you might not know much about the brakes on your car, and you may wonder - how do you know if your brakes need to be replaced?