If you have a smartphone, then there are practically limitless opportunities for combining technology with driving. Maybe you want to get the newest music to test out the speakers on your new car as you drive off of the car dealership, or maybe you just want to make sure the affordably priced used car you’ve had your eye on isn’t going to single-handedly destroy the ozone layer. Whatever your goal, there is probably an app that can help. While there are countless apps to choose from, here are a few of the most useful:

Spotify – (iPhone/Android, free) The perfect app for any music fan, Spotify on mobile lets you stream music directly from your phone. If your car has an auxiliary input, you can connect the phone to your car’s stereo to use your phone as a music source. While access to the full streaming library requires an existing Spotify premium account, you can use the Spotify radio function completely free of charge.

Google Maps – (iPhone, Android, free) While many phones come with Google Maps already installed, if you don’t have the app yet you are missing out on one of the best services a smartphone can offer. As perhaps the definitive maps application, Google Maps offers overhead and street views of just about any location you could ever hope to find. You can also enable the GPS on your phone along with Google Maps to get real-time driving directions.

Waze – (iPhone, Android, free) Waze is a community based app that utilizes user submitted data to organize traffic, gas, and road information. Not only can it help you find the cheapest gas, it can also tell you if there are any traffic problems on your usual route or even suggest automatic alternative routes.

GasBuddy – (iPhone/Android , Free)For anybody that has ever driven more than 5 miles to get gas or has filled up only to pass a gas station later with lower prices. GasBuddy has a database of well over 100,000 fuel stations and can display at any given moment the 10 nearest stations to you, as well as who has the lowest prices. The pricing system is derived from AAA and satellite companies, so you can feel confident that the prices that are reflected are accurate.

GreenMeter – (iPhone, $5.99) greenMeter uses a unique algorithm that uses power and fuel economy information of your car to calculate your fuel and consumption and cost, as well as your environmental impact, based on your driving style. Using the app can not only help reduce your car’s negative impacts on the environment, it can also help cater your driving style to be more cost effective.  greenMeter can be especially useful in lots of stop and go traffic, such as Uptown New Orleans or in 5 o’clock traffic to Metairie or Kenner.

If there’s one part of caring for your car that is the most consistently neglected and frequently misunderstood, it is getting your oil changed. Although there are many things that should be done regularly to make sure your car is running in top form, getting your oil changed is one of the simplest and most effective. A brand new car can benefit from an oil change to ensure the maximum working lifespan of the engine, while making sure to regularly change the oil in a used car that’s been around for a while can make sure that the engine doesn’t fail. But why do we even need to bother changing the oil in a car? What exactly happens during the oil change and why is it important for the car’s health?

Cars need oil to lubricate many of the moving parts within the engine. The pistons, for example, consist of rapidly pumping metal parts that move against one another. Without the oil to lubricate these parts, the friction caused by the metal parts rubbing against one another could cause enough heat for the engine parts to weld themselves together which would result in a dead engine.

But why can’t you just keep the same oil in your car? For starters, after a while dirt will accumulate in the oil. The oil filter will help keep the oil clean for a while, but eventually the filter will clog and dirt will be able to pass through the relief filter. Having oil full of dirt or sediment will cause wear and deterioration in the engine. Since the filter is typically replaced with an oil change, every oil change ensures that the oil will continue to be relatively dirt free.

Additionally, many of the positive additives in the oil such as detergents and friction reducers wear out after a while. Once they start to wear out, the oil won’t lubricate as well as it should.  The oil can also breakdown over time due to high temperatures, making it less effective.

Most experts agree that any car, whether a new car or used car, should have its oil changed roughly every 5000 miles. This number, however, can vary depending on a number of different variables. If you live in a climate that is extremely hot or cold, like, say, the summer temperatures of New Orleans, you might consider getting your oil changed more often. Similarly, if you use a truck to regularly carry heavy loads, a more frequent oil change schedule is recommended. Older cars that burn oil will also need their oil changed more often.

Getting your oil changed is typically quick and convenient. With many car dealerships offering oil changes, as well as most car maintenance locations, there is likely someplace nearby your home or work that can do it for you. Now that you’re well informed, there’s no excuse not to get it done!

In the wake of a heated NFL season full of close division races and surprising finishes, all eyes are turning towards Super Bowl XLVIII to see which team will come out on top for the 2013-14 season. While the main focus will be on the battle between the two teams on the field, the Super Bowl has already had its share of controversy.

Perhaps the most significant issue surrounding the game is the choice of stadium coupled with the weather conditions. The game will be played on Sunday, February 2 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The stadium, home to both the New York Giants and the New York Jets, will be the first stadium to have two host teams for a Super Bowl game. More importantly, however, is that it will mark the first time a Super Bowl will be played outdoors in a cold weather environment. Furthermore, weather predictions indicate that intense snow storms during the game are extremely likely.

While a minority are excited about what will likely be an unorthodox Super Bowl, many sports fans and analysts are upset on grounds that it won’t be a proper circumstance to match up the two competing teams. With cold weather conditions plaguing many important games of the regular season, it is likely that the game could be dictated as much by the weather as by the skills of the teams themselves. The NFL has also announced that in case of a bad weather forecast in the days leading up to the game, they will consider moving the game to either the Saturday before or the Monday or Tuesday after, which will likely lead to even more controversy.

While initially it looked as if there might be no halftime show during the game due to the cold weather, as it would make assembling and disassembling a stage difficult during a blizzard. However, in September the league announced that Bruno Mars would be the headlining performer for the game. This keeps with the NFL’s tradition of booking big name entertainment in order to prevent counterprogramming like what happened during the 1992 halftime show.

Last year’s New Orleans-based Super Bowl proved to be an enormous success, so if the cold weather matchup doesn’t fare favorably it is unlikely that many Super Bowls will be played in outdoor cold weather in the future. Furthermore, New Orleans is already a finalist to host the 2018 Super Bowl which would make it home to the most NFL Super Bowl matchups in the history of the league with a grand total of 11.

Regardless of the outcome of the game, the controversy surrounding the matchup has already ensured that it will be a memorable Super Bowl!

Any time you’re in the market to purchase a vehicle, it’s a time full of endless questions and decisions. Car or truck? What features do I need included? What’s the best payment plan? What color should I get? But one of the most fundamental and hotly discussed choices is whether to buy a new car or a used car. Sometimes your wallet says to go with the reliable used car that’s been around for a while, but you can’t stop visualizing yourself driving a brand new truck off the lot. There are certainly pros and cons for both new and used cars, but breaking down the advantages and disadvantages of each should help aid the decision making process the next time you find yourself at a car dealership with more options than you know what to do with.

There are several main advantages to buying a new car. For one, you know that nobody has abused it before and everything should be functioning at 100%. You can also be far more specific when it comes to features and options; you can get it however you want it equipped. You also get the benefit of having the full factory warranty in case something goes wrong. Plus, who doesn’t love that new car smell? Buying a new car is simple- what you see is what you get.

Buying a used car, however, can typically be more complex. The main advantages of buying a used car are obvious. Having to pay only a fraction of what the car would cost new is a major selling point, and often times you can get a 3 year old car for up to 40% off what it would cost new. However, you may have to spend a little extra money to check the condition of the car. If you are buying from an individual or classified ad, you will want to check to make sure the odometer reading is honest. A service like Carfax or Autocheck will give you a history of the vehicle using its Vehicle Identification Number including title changes and whether or not the car has been to a junkyard. Carfax estimates around 10% of its listings have had some sort of problem, so it’s always a safe bet to check. It’s also a good idea to get a trusted mechanic to look over the car prior to purchase. These additional steps may be time consuming and expensive, especially if you are considering multiple different used cars, but if your priority is spending less money then it may be worth it for you.

You might also consider “certified” used car programs that are backed by manufacturers. Certified vehicles are typically no more than three years old and must pass a series of inspections before they can become certified. These cars have less risk of uncertainty, and also often come with a fresh warranty.

In the end, whether you buy a brand new truck or a beat up old car is completely up to you. But you can feel more confident next time you’re surrounded by a sea of cars at the dealership by looking critically at both options and making the decision that best suits your individual needs.