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Being prepared for anything when you're a driver is always important. An emergency can happen even with the best vehicle maintained to the highest level. While we hope this never happens to you, we'd advise you to keep a car emergency kit in your trunk should you need it. We've listed a variety of items that will help deal with many different situations that may occur. Jumper Cables A car battery can potentially let you down, and you'll need jumper cables to be on the move again. There are a wide variety of cables available, but we recommend choosing a high-quality set of heavy-duty cables. Good quality cables may seem expensive, but they won't let you down when needed. We also recommend choosing 16' cables, as these will even allow you to get a charge from a vehicle parked behind you. Flashlight Emergencies can happen anytime, and a flashlight is essential to help you see in the dark. You may be in a rural area with poor lighting, or you might need to see something up close, and this additional light source will be of immense help. We advise choosing a good quality LED flashlight, as it will last a long time, and you don't have to worry about replacing a blown bulb. more Water Water is essential, and you may have to wait for a tow or other assistance. If this happens in hot weather, you'll start to get thirsty. To be safe, we recommend storing at least a gallon of water. A sealed water container will last at least six months or even longer. The water will get warm in your trunk, but it will still quench your thirst and refresh you. Fire Extinguisher We hope you'll never be faced with a fire, but if you are, a small fire extinguisher is essential. As with emergency supplies, it's better to have them available just in case. The three types of fire you could encounter are: Class A - ordinary combustibles like plastic and cloth Class B - flammable liquids like gasoline and oil Class C - electrical fires We recommend a small class ABC extinguisher as it will effectively prevent any possible fires in your car. Spare Tire Many drivers, unfortunately, don't pay much attention to their spare tires. Your spare tire must be checked regularly, as it can lose air. This doesn't mean it leaks, but your tire pressure will equalize the air pressure outside. If you need to change a tire, it's essential to know that it's always in perfect condition.   Many other items can be included in an emergency kit, including tire sealant, a multitool, and emergency food. If you'd like more advice on additional emergency kits or to check out our excellent range of used vehicles, come in and see us at DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick.

As a new driver, you've got many enjoyable years behind the wheel to look forward to. We know the feeling of exhilaration that you feel when you look at your new license and the time and effort you dedicated to gaining it. We want to offer you some tips we give to all new drivers in Frederick, MD. They'll help to keep you safe and make your driving more enjoyable. 3 Top Tips for New Drivers in Frederick, MD Don't Speed It can be tempting to speed, especially if traffic is very light. You may think that going slightly faster isn't a problem, as you feel confident in controlling your car. The danger with this thinking is that it isn't true. The vast majority of drivers cannot control their car completely if they travel faster than the prescribed speed limit. This is a special skill requiring advanced driver training and practice.   Speed limits allow all drivers to travel safely in the area where the limit applies. The limit may have been set due to narrower streets, a large volume of traffic, or many pedestrians in the area. When you keep within the speed limit, you keep yourself, your car, and other road users safe. It's also important to remember that speeding is illegal, and a traffic officer will give you a ticket if you're caught. more Adjust Settings for Comfort Before you start your car, make sure to adjust your car's settings. Check the positioning of your rearview and side mirrors to make sure that you can see clearly. When you adjust them, also take into account any blind spots, and try to limit them as much as possible. Choose your radio station, so you've got your favorite tunes playing. Finally, check your seating position, so you're comfortable and won't need to adjust it.   There are two main reasons for making these adjustments: to make yourself comfortable and prevent the need to change anything while you're driving. If you're comfortable, you'll enjoy your driving experience far more. If you need to adjust any of your driving settings, this becomes distracting as you have to take your eyes off the road to change something. This distraction can lead to an accident. Don't Forget Your Seatbelt Your seatbelt is a crucial safety device that's designed to protect you in the event of an accident. It keeps you in the perfect position for the airbag to deploy and shield you from harm. Your seatbelt will also keep you from moving during a collision, reducing your chance of being injured. It's important to get into snapping on your seatbelt as soon as you sit behind the wheel.   Some drivers, unfortunately, become lazy or resentful about using their seatbelts. Ignore these drivers, keep you and your passengers safe and enjoy your ride in safety.   If you'd like more advice on driving skills and tips, come and see us at DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick.

If you're in Frederick, MD, looking for a used car, one of your most essential concerns is probably reliability. You don't want to buy a car only to have it fail right away or need immediate repairs. The six vehicles listed here are among the most reliable used vehicles since 2010, so with one of these, you can rest easy knowing they'll be dependable daily drivers. Toyota 4Runner This truck-SUV hybrid is the number-one most reliable car made since 2010. It has received the highest ratings for reliability for 13 years in a row, which is a feat unmatched by any other make and model. It has not undergone a design change since 2010, so you can be sure that any model from 2010 to 2019 will treat you right. Even high mileage vehicles will still have a lot of life left in them. Toyota Prius Coming in with just a slightly lower high-reliability rating than the 4Runner, the Prius is an amazingly dependable car. You no longer have to worry about how long its hybrid battery will last, as this issue was solved well before 2010. With superior gas mileage, decent cabin room, and excellent reliability ratings, you can't go wrong with any model between 2010 and 2019 of this eco-friendly vehicle. more Toyota Camry Toyota has clearly focused on reliability in its vehicle designs over the last decade, as it takes another spot as a top reliable used car. This one is probably not a surprise as the Camry has dominated the midsize sedan market since 1993. While its 2018 model left some people wondering if the Camry had lost its reliable touch, any other model year between 2010 and 2019 will be a great choice if you're looking for a slightly larger vehicle. Lexus ES The first non-Toyota entry on this list is the elegant Lexus ES, which has earned top reliability ratings for its engine, electrical system, transmission, and fuel system for over 11 years running. You won't be shocked to learn that this car is modeled after the Toyota Camry, which could explain its superior durability, but if you're looking for a luxury midsize used car, this make and model wins hands down. Toyota RAV4 It didn't take long for another Toyota to appear on the list. The RAV4 has been the top compact SUV crossover in terms of reliability over the last decade. Even though it underwent a design change in 2013 and 2016, owners of this vehicle have been delighted with its dependability. You might pay more for this model, though, as small SUVs are in high demand in many parts of the country, and a reliable one, even more so. Lexus IS The second luxury vehicle on this list is the Lexus IS, a slightly bigger model than the ES before it. Only the 2014 model should be avoided from the last decade, as owners reported infotainment issues from that model year. Still, you won't find any significant problems in the past 10 years regarding the actual vehicle.   Toyota and Lexus models dominate the top 10 reliable cars over the past decade. The first six on the list are clear winners if you're looking for a vehicle that won't let you down. Contact DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick to get our inventory and schedule a test drive.

You can never go wrong choosing a Toyota for a used car, but if you're looking for one on the newer side, any of our 2020 Toyota cars, trucks, or SUVs would be almost like getting a brand new car. Try one of these 2020 models for your next used car purchase. 1.     2020 Camry TRD This top mid-size sedan is among the 10 best-selling vehicles in the United States. The TRD model is a much sleeker version of previous Camry models, which means this is no longer a boring commuter option. You're looking at a car that appears to be more race cars and less mom-mobile, which is appealing to younger commuters. The performance isn't bad either, with its sporty 3.5L V-6 engine. 2.     2020 Avalon If you need a larger sedan that offers both comfort and style, the 2020 Avalon is the vehicle for you. Additionally, the standard safety features packed onto this Toyota are awe-inspiring, including a forward-collision warning system, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and active lane control, among others. The engine is the same one as in the Camry TRD, so you're not gaining any power, but the comfort upgrades are definitely worth the extra cost. more 3.     2020 Highlander Even though the Highlander is considered a mid-size SUV, it has enough room to carry eight passengers (including the driver), bordering what the larger SUVs can hold. The exterior underwent a makeover in 2020, making the Highlander much more stylish than in previous years. For a little more cash, you can upgrade to a hybrid model, which will allow you to get better gas mileage both in the city and on the highway. 4.     2020 Tacoma Toyota's mid-size truck offering received a redesign in 2020, giving drivers power seats, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an eight-inch touchscreen display, a new grill, upgraded wheels, and remodeled taillights and headlights. An upgraded version offers a Panoramic View Monitor to go along with a rearview camera. The engine remains the same, but the 3.5L V-6 engine provides more than enough power to tow and haul whatever you need. 5.     2020 RAV4 Toyota's RAV4 is the best-selling compact crossover SUV in the United States and has outsold all other vehicles except for full-size trucks since 2018. Its popularity clearly shows it's one of the best used vehicles you can buy. It's rugged-looking and comes with standard safety gear such as adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and automatic emergency braking. Available both in gas and hybrid models, this is an excellent option for most families. 6.     2020 Corolla This is the best-selling car in history, so you knew it was going to make the list of best 2020 models to buy used. Its reliability and durability are unrivaled in its compact car class, and now with all the standard safety features, this car is no longer just a vehicle for commuters. Its sportier design makes it an excellent option for anyone who wants a smaller car at a fantastic price. A hybrid model is also available.   Toyota has a reputation of making vehicles that last forever, so if you purchase a 2020 model, you're going to have a reliable car for a long, long time. Check out our inventory at DARCARS Used Car & Service Center of Frederick, and let's get you started on the car buying process. Our finance managers are ready to find the right auto financing plan for you.