Should you buy a truck or a car? The answer depends entirely on how you'll actually use your vehicle. If you need serious towing power, haul equipment regularly, or want a commanding driving position, a truck makes sense. If fuel efficiency, easier parking, lower purchase price, and a comfortable daily commute are priorities, a car is the smarter choice. This guide prompts key questions about factors like payload demands, visibility preferences, maneuverability, and long-term ownership costs to help you choose the right vehicle that fits your lifestyle without wasting budget on unused features.
Yes. A backup camera is one of the smartest upgrades you can make to an aging vehicle. For $50–500, you get a meaningful reduction in backing accidents, eliminate daily parking anxiety, and bring your car up to the safety standard that's been federally required on all new vehicles since 2018. Installation takes an afternoon. The benefits last the life of the car.
Odds are, if you're reading this, you have an older car you love, and you're not planning on replacing it anytime soon. Simultaneously, however, you want the modern features that a backup camera provides. Luckily for you, you don't have to buy a new car, you can just put a backup camera on the existing car.
One of the most popular and convenient safety features for vehicles are rear view cameras. If you're considering adding a rear view camera system to your car, there are three primary types to consider: wired camera systems, smartphone based systems, and wireless backup cameras. Each system has its pros and cons, and in the end, your choice will come down to factors such as price, quality, and convenience.
You probably assume your backup camera keeps you safe—but the reality is more unsettling. Since 2018, federal rules have mandated backup cameras in every new car, yet approximately 263 people still die annually in backover crashes. While cameras have achieved a remarkable 78% reduction in child backover deaths, that split second when you can't tell if it's a stroller or a trash can still happens too often. The problem? Federal regulations require coverage area but set no standards for image quality, resolution, or low-light performance. Automakers can—and do—install cameras that technically comply while delivering murky, laggy video that turns real hazards into pixelated guesswork, especially in the dusk, dawn, and nighttime conditions when many incidents occur.
Since its introduction in 1975, the F-150 has been America's best-selling truck for 46 consecutive years. But not all generations deliver equal reliability. Understanding which years to avoid can save you from inheriting someone else's expensive problems—spark plug disasters, cam phaser failures, transmission replacements, and frame rust issues that can cost more than the truck is worth. This guide examines model years from 2001-2024, analyzing recall data, owner complaints, and real-world longevity to help you make a smart investment.
Shifting into reverse and finding a blank or flickering screen is more than an annoyance—it can steal a critical safety layer you depend on. This guide gives you a practical, step-by-step troubleshooting map so you know exactly what to test first, which quick checks you can safely do yourself, and when you should call a pro for a lasting repair. If your backup camera only works sometimes, you’ll leave here with the tools to finally fix it.
When your backup camera stops working suddenly, it’s a raw deal. This technology is a huge help; preventing accidents, making parallel parking easier, and more. When it goes out, you’re left with one less tool in your safe driving toolbox.
The good news? Troubleshooting is usually simple and most backup camera issues can be diagnosed and fixed without too much effort (or too much cash). We’ll walk you through it FAQ style, tackling the most common problems. Let’s go!
Backing into unseen obstacles or pedestrians is a common and costly problem, which is why backup cameras have become mandatory to enhance safety and reduce backover accidents. These cameras display a live video of the area behind your vehicle when you shift into reverse, drastically improving safety and reducing blind spots. Backup camera installation cost typically ranges between $150 to $400. That’s far cheaper compared to the thousands of dollars in potential repair bills, medical expenses, and liability claims that can result from backing accidents, making it clear that a backup camera in your vehicle is worth the extra cost.
